Rest in the Word

Helen Woods from Houlton UMC  and Roberta Finnmore from Patten UMC At the combined Women’s retreat (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) 8/10/25 Men’s group Spagehtti Supper  Pie Sale Yard sale Dear beloved Stetson Memorial UMC family, I’m so thankful to walk this new journey with you. It has been such a blessing to see so many things happening in our church, our community, and our cluster—especially during “Pioneer Week.” As we watched the videos and pictures from the events, and as we shared our joys from the Combined Women’s Retreat, the Men’s Public Supper, the Pie Sale, and the Yard Sale, I felt so grateful. God blessed us with laughter, fellowship, extra energy, and fun memories. Yes—we did it all! I know my real job today is to wake you up after the busiest day yesterday, not to put you to sleep. I’ll do my best.   Delila and Chrissy at the Parade Bean Hole Bean at Lumberman’s museum My own “outsider” life in Patten I’m learning so much about our church and our Pa...

  *Victor at the Mount Washington (Psalm 121)  8/3/25 Stetson Memorial UMC   <A New Journey> Dear beloved Stetson Memorial UMC family, It is such a joy to see you again. Every day is a new day. Every Sunday is a new journey. And as you know, God is leading us on a new journey together. During July, we talked about this new journey. It began when Mary Miller shared a message about the Holy Covenant. I shared my own conversion story with the five loaves and two fish. Then, God called and recalled us through John 21, as Jesus restored Peter. On the third Sunday, I felt the Holy Spirit move through Penny’s testimony, which became part of our calling series. What a powerful, living story! I heard many good comments about her message. Some of you were moved to tears. We were encouraged and challenged by her story—from curse to calling—through the butterfly story. I heard someone started reading the Bible and having daily devotions. I heard someone is preachi...

  * June Outdoor Funday  7/20/25 Stetson Memorial UMC <Dog Walking> These days, my daughter and I often walk a church member’s dog. People assume he’s ours. He’s a strong, handsome golden retriever. When we first walked him, he kept stopping—maybe because he wasn’t used to walking much. He stuck out his tongue and looked at us like he was saying, “This is too hard!” My daughter would toss a snack in front of him to get him going, but he’d still try to take breaks or wander off. After a few weeks, he built up strength. Now he runs with us. No more snacks needed. Walking with him, I began to see something: our walk with God can look a lot like this. In Tourist or Pilgrim?, Jordan Rieger asks us: What kind of traveler are you? At first glance, tourists and pilgrims both go on journeys—but they’re very different. A tourist demands; a pilgrim gives thanks. Tourists choose where to go, what to eat, and what they expect to get. But a pilgrim doesn’t plan the way. A pilg...

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,...

   *Houlton & Hodgdon & Mars Hill UMC combined service  Wherever He Leads Me (Matthew 28:16-20) June 29, 2025 Houlton, Hodgdon, and Mars Hill UMC   Dear beloved Houlton, Hodgdon, and Mars Hill UMC families, today, we gather together as one big family in God, one body in Christ, one Spirit in the Holy Spirit, and one in love. This is a special day because we are stepping into a new chapter of life together. Eleven years ago, God brought our family to Houlton. When the District Superintendent asked us to come to Northern Maine, we were sad to leave Dalton UMC, our first Anglican church. We were also nervous. We didn’t know anyone here. We had no Korean friends or familiar food. But we prayed, “Wherever God leads, we will follow.” *Michael's 90th birthday in 2015  (1 year later, we moved up here)   * 4th of July Parade And so, we came. And you welcomed us with open hearts. I still remember Michael Swallow. Though he was in his late 8...

* Joan Boone’s 90th birthday celebration June 22, 2025 Mars Hill UMC Dear Mars Hill UMC family, today marks our last Sunday together. I vividly recall the mix of joy and nervousness from my first Sunday, feeling much the same today. Preparing this sermon has been a profound honor and a unique challenge, requiring considerable reflection and preparation. Two and a half years may seem short compared to the long and faithful lives of many in our church. Yet, your lives—your stories—have profoundly shaped this ministry. There is so much to reflect on and give thanks for. As I prayed for today's sermon, one central theme emerged: The Kingdom of God. God brought us this same theme on my first Sunday here, October 26, 2022, titled "Heaven Among Us." Amidst our collective pain—shocked and empty after suddenly losing a pastor—God profoundly comforted us. Other churches helped; you remained steadfastly faithful. God granted us peace that transcended our difficult circumstance...