Rest in the Word

John 21:1–14 05.04.25   Fruitless Night Turns into Fruitful Morning Here is a parallel story. In Luke 5:1 11, Jesus got into Simon's boat to teach the crowds. After he finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” They had already finished fishing and were washing their nets. Still, Simon replied, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” It had been a fruitless night—nothing gained, nothing earned, nothing to enjoy. Then a carpenter. a stranger, who taught Scripture and gave fishing advice to professional fishermen. But Simon had been touched by Jesus's words while listening to Him, even as he washed the nets. He obeyed Jesus' direction, letting go of his pride, experience, and knowledge. When he accepted and lived by Jesus’ word, they caught so many fish that their nets began to break. Just a few minutes with Jesus was worth more than a...

                     (John 20:19-23) April 18, 2025 | Hodgdon UMC <A Near-Death Experience> At his church’s Easter pageant, five-year-old Billy was supposed to recite Luke 24:6: “He is not here, he is risen.” He had practiced several times, but when he stood before the church, he froze. The director leaned over and whispered the verse in his ear. Billy smiled, grabbed the microphone, and confidently proclaimed, “He’s not here. He’s in prison!” Thankfully, all our children did a great job during our Easter pageant. But you know, for many young children—or—even those who haven't grown up in church—“He is risen” is a totally unfamiliar phrase, and hard to believe. Honestly, “He is in prison” might be something they’ve heard more often. After our Easter play, one child saw the risen Jesus and asked, “Jesus, how can someone die and then come back to life so quickly?” That’s a fair question. “He is risen”—it’s something ...

                                                                                                                                               Psalm Sunday  April 13, 2025 | Mars Hill UMC <Why Pony ride?> It was Palm Sunday, but 5-year-old Annie had to stay home from church with her mom because of a sore throat. When the rest of the family came back carrying palm branches, she asked what they were for. Her dad said, “People waved them over Jesus’ head as He rode by on a colt.” And Annie fussed, “Wouldn’t you know it—the one Sunday I miss, and Jesus comes with pony rides!” Thankfully, whether you're here in perso...

April 6, 2025, | Hodgdon UMC Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King (John 12:12-15) 12  The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.  13  They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! [ a ] ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [ b ] “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14  Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15  “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;     see, your king is coming,     seated on a donkey’s colt.” [ c ]   Jesus Before Pilate (John 18:33-38) 33  Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34  “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 35  “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36  Jesus said...

                                                    March 30, 2025 – Gray Memorial UMC Pulpit Exchange Sunday I’m so happy to be here with you today. It’s truly an honor to worship with you. When I first began the candidacy process with my mentor pastor, Rev. Tom Bantom, I visited this church for a psychological assessment. My first impression of Grey Memorial UMC was that it was a warm, healthy, and active church. Later, through my husband Victor’s mentor and our good friend, Rev. Tim Wilcock, we heard more remarkable things about you. And when your church was struggling with water damage, we prayed earnestly for you. Whenever we have cluster services, I’ve always admired your handbell choir. You’ve been an inspiration to us! Because of that, my husband, my daughter, and I have all joined our church’s handbell choir. It’s also a great privilege to be...

03/23/25 Mars Hill UMC <The Power of a Love Letter> Last week, I was grateful to attend a retreat for Korean women pastors. In New England, there are 12 Korean women clergy, nine of whom are clergy couples. We could understand each other deeply without needing many words, and I learned a great deal. Most importantly, I gained new perspectives. Last year, I struggled with a deep sense of failure. However, through the retreat, I realized that our three churches had endured and overcome difficult times better than anyone. I also saw how, through love, we united to accomplish things that small churches alone could not. This realization filled me with gratitude for being part of such a church family. One surprising and moving experience was how the sessions led by different pastors naturally connected. A pastor who had recently lost her father shared her new nightly ritual—reading the letters her father had written to her. When she first received these letters during her bus...