Our Five Loaves and Two Fish
Stetson Memorial UMC
| July 13, 2025
Dear
beloved Stetson Memorial Church family,
It’s
truly wonderful to be here and see all your faces! Last Sunday’s service was a
beautiful welcome—seeing the children ring bells, sing, and dance in worship
brought me such joy. I feel incredibly honored to be your new pastor. Thank you
to Penny, Chrissy, Mary, Katie, and everyone who made it so special.
Sara,
thank you for helping me settle into the life of this church these past months.
I’ve already had wonderful chances to meet Patten church members through pulpit
exchanges and cluster gatherings. My heart rejoiced hearing how God has blessed
Patten Church with authentic testimonies and new members!
I also want to thank Pastor Mary Miller and Paula Lilly. Their faithful lives have touched all of Aroostook County, and their love for this church over the past two and a half years has been a true blessing. As we sang Spirit Song, we remembered that God hears all our tears, our sadness, and our pain. This church has been in our family’s prayers—and the prayers of many others.
God
has shown me His signs, leading to this holy covenant between us. Pastor Kwan
Lee, who served Patten so faithfully and is now at Houlton UMC, always said,
“Patten is heaven! It’s the best church I’ve ever ministered in.” That Red Sox
hat he wears? It’s from you. He was so happy when he heard I became your
pastor.
I’ve
also felt a special connection with Roberta Finnemore from this church. When I
was feeling down about the denomination’s separation, she reached out from the
nursing home asking for help with Bible study. That was my turning point—from
sadness to gratitude. Her request reminded me to focus on what God had already
given. Roberta’s desire for daily morning devotions led to a Friday Bible study
group with Kristy, two Chinese friends from Houlton, Roberta, and me. She was
so happy I became her home church’s pastor.
God’s
grace has been preparing me for this journey long before I understood His plan.
I’m so grateful to begin this new chapter, seeing God’s clear signs and
blessings through Jesus’ name, with all of you.
Feeding
300 with Korean Food
I’m
excited to walk this journey with you—and yes, to share some Korean food! I
heard some of you enjoyed the dumplings last week. I love to cook, especially
with my children.
Recently,
at Houlton’s International Food Festival, our family joined 22 countries,
sharing 44 dishes with 300 people. All seven of us even danced to K-pop during
the opening! After that, everyone wanted to try our Korean curry.
I
had to prepare one huge pot—bigger than I had ever made before. I felt
overwhelmed just thinking about it. But one by one, each of my family members
joined in: Grace peeled veggies, Abe chopped carrots, Esther mixed curry
powder, Victor fried, and Lydia and Hannah stirred the pot. Hannah’s tiny hands
helped so much! My fear faded away.
At
the festival, some tables ran out of food early—but somehow, ours lasted to the
very end. Everyone had enough. It was amazing! We cheered, “Yay! We did it! We
fed over 300 people!” Everyone’s small hands helped—and it was truly by God’s
grace.
Feeding
5,000 with Five Loaves and Two Fish
This
reminds me of today’s Bible story. It’s one of only two events found in all
four Gospels—the other is Jesus’ Resurrection. That tells us how important this
miracle is.
Jesus
had just heard that John the Baptist was killed. His heart was heavy. The
disciples were also tired—they didn’t even have time to eat. They wanted to
rest. But a huge crowd followed them, hungry for truth and love. Jesus, full of
compassion, didn’t send them away. He taught them, and then, He wanted to feed
them.
Jesus
asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread for all these people?” Philip looked at
the crowd and the small amount of money they had. It felt impossible. “It would
take more than half a year’s wages,” he said.
They
had no energy, no money, no time. But then, a boy came forward with five small
barley loaves and two small fish. Andrew brought this offering to Jesus. Jesus
didn’t dismiss it. He took the humble gift, gave thanks, and handed it to the
disciples to share.
There
were 5,000 men, plus women and children—maybe 10,000 to 20,000 people in total.
And what happened? Everyone ate. Everyone was full. And they even collected
twelve baskets of leftovers!
This
wasn’t just a meal—it was like the world’s largest communion with Jesus. He
showed that He is the Good Shepherd. With Him, we shall not want. He provides.
He is the Bread of Life.
Stetson Memorial’s Five Loaves and Two Fish
This
story reminds me of you. Stetson Memorial, you’ve already lived out this
miracle.
I’ve
never seen a church without a pastor for two and a half years actually
grow—especially during such a difficult time in our denomination. But this
church stayed strong. We were so happy to hear you received six new members
last December!
Every
guest speaker who came during those years gave their time and heart. They were
like the “small hands” that made a big difference. Penny’s faithful leadership
brought children and young families. Katie’s story deeply moved me—I hope we
can hear it together soon. Through Sarah, United Women in Faith has been
growing. Terry has led the worship and media teams with strength. And Jeanie,
your 86-year-old Sunday School teacher—what a gift!
I
also met the amazing Food Pantry volunteers—20 people serving 75 families every
month. You are all different, yet you love each other and serve together.
You’ve faced many challenges, but you’ve overcome them through your “five
loaves and two fish.” Thank you for being an example to the whole county and
denomination.
My
Five Loaves and Two Fish
Now,
I’d like to share my five loaves and two fish.
I
grew up in a pastor’s home. Faith was always around me, but I longed for
something more personal. As a child, I wrestled with anger and questions. My
relationship with my father was hard. I often wondered, “Can God really change
him—or me?”
That
changed when I was eight. I heard a testimony from a North Korean girl who
loved Jesus even through great suffering. That night, I cried out to God. I saw
my selfishness and bitterness. I wept and knew Jesus had died for me. My faith
became real.
And
around that same time, my father began to change too, becoming more gentle and
open. I saw that no one is beyond God’s grace.
Since
then, I’ve devoted my life to preaching the gospel. I truly believe nothing is
impossible for God.
When
Victor and I were called to serve four churches while raising five children—and
I was still studying for my M.Div.—I asked God, “How can we do this?” And I
felt God saying, “Just give me your five loaves and two fish.”
Victor and I were walking on opposite ends of the beach. We were amazed to find out later that we'd both independently made 'five loaves and two fish' with rocks—mine even had eyes!
That day, we gave our family to these churches: two parents as fish, five
children as loaves.
Our
Five Loaves and Two Fish
So,
as we begin this new chapter, I may not have much, but I bring my five loaves
and two fish with joy and love. And I trust that, with your hands and mine, and
with God’s blessing, it will be more than enough.
Just
like Hannah stirred the pot and said, “Mom and I made this curry!”—I believe
Jesus takes our tiny hands, gives thanks, and feeds this town, this county, and
beyond.
Each
of us brings something small—a loaf, a fish, or just a willing heart. But when
we bring it all together and offer it to Jesus, He can feed more people than we
ever imagined.
I’m
ready to cook with you—not just in the kitchen, but in worship, in mission, and
in love for our community.
Lord,
let us cook together with You. Here are our five loaves and two fish. Amen.
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