Rest in the Word

Psalm 118:21–26 / Philippians 1:12–19 11/16/25                                                             Seven Brides for Seven Brothers <Snowed-In and Shut-In> Today we can’t have service in person due to snowstorms. It reminds me of one movie. Have you ever watched the old musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers ? It is a fun movie that my family watches on snow days. In the story, seven young women and seven young men get trapped in the mountains after a huge snowstorm. They cannot leave. They cannot go anywhere. At first, it feels like a prison. But in that “snow prison,” something unexpected happens. Likewise, we can see how the Psalmist takes refuse in his snowstorm, and how Paul survived in his prison with gratitude and joy through today’s passages. Thanksgiving Day is coming. It is a good time to look back over the ...

Our church princesses including Maddie and Heaven!  (Psalm 100, Matthew 6:25-34)  November 9, 2025 – Stetson Memorial UMC       <Little Princess> Have you ever read or watched The Little Princess ? It’s one of our family’s favorite stories. In the story, Sara Crewe lives in luxury because her father is a wealthy soldier in India. Everyone treats her like a real princess. But one day, her father is reported missing, and his fortune is gone. Overnight, Sara’s life changes completely—from a beloved student who wore silk dresses and celebrated grand birthdays to a servant girl working in the attic. What touched me deeply was not only her suffering but her dignity. Even when she had nothing, Sara still believed she was her father’s daughter. Her circumstances changed, but her identity did not. Later, when her father returns and restores her place, she no longer needs to work or suffer. When I watched that scene where she meets her father again, I co...

                   (Psalm 24, 51) November 2, 2025 — Stetson Memorial UMC My Psalm in Gratitude Month Dear Stetson Memorial UMC family, over the past two months, we have been writing our own Psalms and listening to one another’s. We also celebrated many church ministries through beautiful testimonies. If you still have a Psalm in your heart, please share it this month as we continue My Psalm in November. I invite you to read through the Book of Psalms this month. The Psalms are songs and prayers that give us words when we are overwhelmed or unsure how to pray. Reading them can help you discover your own Psalm. There are 150 Psalms. If you read five a day, you can finish in November. Or, if you read one of the five sections each week, you will finish by December 7. That day, we’ll have a small ceremony to celebrate those who have completed the reading. November is also our Gratitude Month . A Thanksgiving tree will be set up...

                                                                   * Our church Food Pantry Volunteers, including Penny and Ross Gowen 10.26.25 Stetson Memorial UMC Dear beloved family of Stetson Memorial UMC, Yesterday, I had the honor of officiating the wedding of Dominique and Ainslie—while, at the same time, my husband led the funeral service in Houlton for our church member, David Guy, whose sudden death broke our hearts. That day reminded me again how our lives are full of both joy and sorrow—celebrations of new beginnings and tears at the end of earthly journeys. This past week, we have prayed for many families who lost their loved ones and for our dear Ross and Barbara, who went through a sudden surgery. With so many heavy hearts and concerns, I felt as if my spirit had dried up. One early morning, before dawn, ...

               My high five companions!!  (Psalm 139) 10/12/25 – Stetson Memorial UMC High Five game Dear Stetson Memorial UMC family, right after last Sunday’s worship, one of our church members came to me and said, “Joyce, I’m getting closer to Jesus more and more.” She made my day! A few minutes later, a teenage girl came and said, “I want to get baptized!” She made my day, too! God has been pouring His Spirit upon us every day and every Sunday. During last week’s Bible study and Ad Council meeting, many people shared about the most memorable worship service in their lives. They spoke as if they were still there, feeling that holy moment again. Today, we will hear 11-year-old Delila share her beautiful testimony through her song. Worship is not a one-time event. It’s not a routine or regulation. Worship is another chance to be restored — to become again the people God created us to be in the beginning. Even though sin distort...

Psalm 22 October 5, 2025, Stetson Memorial UMC Journey to Imitate Jesus By your prayers and love, I was able to return safely from Arizona. The night before I left, my children wrote me cards. One of them wrote, “Mom, please don’t write too many poems because I need to save my ears.” But I’m sorry to say, I wrote many poems there! Together with 33 Korean pastors, pastors’ wives, and lay leaders, I spent days worshiping, listening, meditating in silence, attending lectures, and sharing deeply. Each day flowed so quickly as we met God and one another. During morning, noon, and evening worship, and especially through Holy Communion, I felt as though the blocked breath of my soul was finally opened. I wept again and again as I felt the deep connection restored between God and me. As I worshiped, prayed, and listened to the Spirit with people full of God’s presence, I experienced deep detox and healing. When we shared our silent pain, we cried and laughed together. I realized th...