Houlton United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 The Flaming Times February 2017 Houlton United Methodist Church By the power of God s Holy Spirit, we are bridging the gap between young, old, the broken, the lost and Jesus Christ so that Christ s love is experienced, Christ s teaching is understood and Christ s healing is a reality. God Still Speaks Today Do you believe God still speaks today? Do you believe God speaks to you? I don t know about you. But as for me, God was something more like an abstract concept. I was born into a pastor s family. My dad is a Methodist pastor in South Korea. One of my uncles is a pastor, and my maternal grandfather is also retired pastor. I was surrounded by pastors and Christians. They were all good and real Christians, but for some reason I didn t have a personal relationship with God. I didn t feel close to God. Like I shared, God was something abstract. But then, I went to the army. I found out that army life was very tough. In order to survive in the army, I began to read the Bible every night right after my night-watch duty. I read the psalms one chapter per day. For the first time, I experienced the Word became alive and personally meaningful to me. Then, New Year s Eve of year 1999 came. I attended New Year s Eve service. It was during the pastor s benediction, for the first time I experienced God did speak to me. It was not an audible voice; it was an inner voice gentle but clear. It was Jeremiah 33:3: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. I was so thrilled. About a month later, God sent me to the place I had never heard before. I was sent to East Timor, tiny island nation next to Indonesia and Australia, as UN Peace Keeping Forces. East Timor was a spiritually barren land. Most of the time, I stayed with Korean, Philippine and Thai soldiers. There was no church, no mentor, or Christian club. Instead, sexual temptation and debauchery were lurking all around. God gave me the burden to set up a Christian Club for regular Sunday service in the barracks. But, I didn t want to stand out. So I ran away from the mission like Jonah when God told him to go to Nineveh. Then, I fell seriously ill with an endemic disease, called Dengue Fever. At that time I was in a very remote area for special operations for three weeks. There was no way to be properly treated. I went to medical center. The military medical officer gave me some aspirin. But it didn t work. I had a high fever and red rashes all over my body. My condition seriously got worse. On that night I could not eat or sleep. I even could not lie down. I became delirious from a high fever. Intuitively, I knew that I was walking through the valley of death. I knelt down on a camp bed and

2 2 repented my sins before I died, and at the end of my prayer I said something like this: God, if you save my life, I will humbly serve you with all my heart for life. After that, I could fall asleep in peace. Early next morning I woke up. The fever was gone. All the red rashes were complete gone. I went out and literally leaped for joy. That was my spiritual turning point. I was healed spiritually as well as physically. Because of that healing experience, I became curious about God, and for the first time I read through the Bible carefully from cover to cover. And I encountered the person Jesus Christ who speaks through the Bible. Since then, he has spoken to me for 17 years. Are you listening? When is the last time you heard God speak? I exhort all our church family to actually take time to listen to the voice of our Shepherd daily. In most cases, we don t listen to God s voice, not because he is silent, but because we are so preoccupied and distracted by many other things, although he constantly speaks to us. Let us set aside even 5 minutes on our knees in silence before God to listen to him before starting our day. If you are already doing this, increase time to 15 minutes, to 30 minutes, to an hour! No agenda. No request. Just sit still to solely listen to His gentle voice and say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. As you come to your quiet place to listen in the morning, may the Lord speak to you and guide you along the best pathway for your life day by day. Amen. In Christ, Pastor Victor. FROM MY LIBRARY TO YOURS: PASTOR VICTOR S BOOK REVIEW Jesus Outside the Lines by Scott Sauls As the Israelites were heading into battle, Joshua encountered a man standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. Joshua said to him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries? And the man said, Neither! (Joshua 5:13-14) Recently, one of my colleagues posted on facebook something like this, When people come, stand, and walk together, there is no room for hate, injustice, sexism, racism, homophobia, nationalism, and therefore no room for apathy, indifference, and inaction And about the same time another friend of mine wrote an almost exactly opposite facebook post and encouraged people to get over it and support the new leadership. So whose side do we have to take? Which voice do we have to listen to and follow? And more importantly, whose side is Jesus on? We live in a complex world. There are so many complex issues of our time from politics to ethics. The differences between conservative and progressive Christians appear irreconcilable and seem to head for divorce. In this time of trouble I was so refreshed and encouraged by Scott Sauls Jesus Outside the Lines. In his book Scott provides us with a refreshing alternative way forward for those who are tired of taking sides and gives us a compelling vision for how to follow Jesus way in our real life. What I really appreciate about this book is that Scott s approach is so filled with grace, humility, and humor, that we may easily engage in deep and respectful conversation whatever side we are on. Are you tired of taking sides? Then pick up and read!

3 A New Thank You Ministry to our First Responders 3 - Liz Taylor This ministry is to say Thank You to the six groups of first responders in Houlton. It will consist of thank you cards filled out by HUMC members on the 3rd Sunday and a tray of coffee break goodies, which will be donated on the 4 th Sunday by our good cooks to be delivered to two groups each month on the 4 th Monday. Each of the first responders will receive the thank you cards and tray of goodies every 3 rd month. There are six (three groups of two) in Houlton: Fire and EMTs; Houlton Police and Sherriff s Department; State Police and Border Patrol. We are blessed by their work and dedication, and we will be a blessing to them with our trays of appreciation. Our trays of goodies may be cookies, cupcakes, muffins, brownies, squares, any coffee break foods. These sweeten the thank you notes. They will be placed on disposable trays, wrapped in cellophane, with an envelope of thank you cards tied at the top. This ministry will require 2 or 3 bakers and 1 or 2 deliverers each month. The most important point of the thank you ministry is that we, the Houlton United Methodist Church, can breathe the life of the Spirit into our town and give others the opportunity to know and experience the love of Jesus. The appreciation cards let our first responders know how much we, as citizens of Houlton (and area) appreciate them for putting themselves in harm s way to help all citizens to live safe and healthy lives. How many families will we touch?? Is this a ministry that you would like to help with? Liz Taylor will be presenting this ministry to the congregation during Minute for Mission. HUMC Missions FEBRUARY Share the Harvest mission project will be given to the Pregnancy Care Center of Houlton, in cooperation with their annual Baby Bottle Drive. Baby Bottles will be available to fill with your donation to the Pregnancy Care Center (or you may use the barrels at the back of the Sanctuary). If you take a bottle, please return it by February 26.

4 Hello pastor, MISSION NEWS FROM MALAWI LETTER FROM MULUMBES It has been very busy since we landed. We have been working on our house slowly as we settle and get ready to start ministry here in Malawi. When we landed, we found a big group of family and friends waiting for us at the airport. It was really great to them all! Mary and I moved into our new home after spending about two weeks at the lodge waiting for some work in the house because it Welcome at Airport was not in a livable state. This was not planned and it cost us a lot more money than expected. However, we are happy to be in our home. There is a lot of work to be done at the house but we will take one project at a time. We have bought some of the house appliances but we are yet to buy some few more. It is hard for both of us in many ways but more so for Mary. However, Mary is adjusting quite well although she had been fighting transitional and weather changes and mild malaria. We visited one of the orphanages just outside the city of Lilongwe. One of the house parents was my college mate. We visited and talked a lot about our plans for an orphanage. We are still building network of ministry friends and partners here in Malawi. The need is great and very little resources. Please pray: For provision, protection, wisdom, guidance, anointing as we as physical strength For Mulumbes Home in Malawi Mary and her family as we both go through this huge transition For people and churches to rise up in financial and prayer partnership with us. For the vision of Empowerment international Christian Ministries and its implementation. Thanks you and HUMC for your partnership with us here in the field. Robson and Mary Mulumbe (Dec 31, 2016) HOW CAN I START A MISSION PARTNERSHIP? Pray for the work, Robson & Mary Mulumbe, Empowerment International Christian Ministries. Share Tell someone about Empowerment International ( Give to the work of Malawi Mission, either to EICM or missionary family Robson & Mary Mulumbe. If you are interested in being a mission partner for EICM and/or the Mulumbes, please see Pastor Victor or Mary Taylor, chair of Outreach Committee, for more information. 4

5 NEWS FROM THE PEWS - Mary Taylor - 5 Members of the Month Dellie and Georgia Mailman Dellie and Georgia Mailman are both natives of Danforth and are life-long Methodists. They have been coming to Houlton United Methodist Church since Dellie helped with the Men s Group and especially liked working on the suppers. Georgia was active in UMW and a member of Leah Circle. She also taught Sunday School and helped with the food pantry. Before his father s death, Dellie helped him in the woods. He also liked to hunt and fish. When Dellie was 15, he moved to Portland with his mother. During his five years there, he worked as a bellhop in a hotel. Georgia is one of 11 children, five boys and 6 girls. Growing up in Danforth, Georgia did a lot of babysitting and light housekeeping. For fun she attended the movies. Dellie is the last of thirteen children, ten boys and three girls. He had five brothers who served in World War II. Too young for World War II, Dellie served in France for 35 months as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Upon his return home in 1954, he was determined to marry Georgia. He went to Danforth High School and snatched her out of her junior year (where she was an Honor Student). They were married in 1955, and in March of this year they celebrate their 62nd anniversary. After they were married in 1955, they moved to Bangor. Dellie worked in an auto garage and repaired cars. Georgia was busy making a home and raising their five children. A nephew convinced Dellie and Georgia to get their GED. This they accomplished together in In 1969 they moved back to Houlton. Dellie had a job for Bangor and Aroostook Railroad working as a mechanic for the machines that repaired the tracks. In 1979 Dellie suffered a severe stroke and was unable to return to work. Georgia was about to begin a job at Southside Elementary School as an Ed Tech helping special needs children. Fortunately for her and her students, the job was held open for her while she nursed Dellie back to health. She spent 30 years as an Ed Tech. They moved to their present home in 1988 after Dellie s stroke. They felt it was smaller and easier for them to take care of. Even one handed, Dellie was able to do many

6 carpentry jobs on the house and they made it their own. Dellie also enjoyed doing carpentry for others when they would ask him. 6 They lost a daughter, but have four remaining children. Laurie is the oldest at 60, then Patty, Karen and Jeremy. They all live in Arizona. Up until recently Dellie and Georgia would visit them during the winter months, but feel it is too difficult to travel now. And Georgia did not like driving in Phoenix! Today, both Dellie and Georgia play games on the computer to keep busy. Georgia keeps in touch with her Arizona children and eight grandchildren through . They have four grandchildren living in the area, one in Danforth and three in Houlton. Dellie and Georgia are faithful members of Houlton United Methodist Church. Through the years, they have lost many friends and miss them. But they continue to keep their positive attitude and our members always enjoy their hearty hugs. They have found that looking around them there is always someone worse off than they are. They count their blessings everyday! Ongoing Meetings for February Chancel Choir Rehearsal each Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the choir room. Gardiner Nursing Home Bible Study every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Disciple Fast Track Bible Study Classes meet for 24 weeks with 12 sessions in the Old Testament and 12 in the New Testament. Come be a disciple, make disciples with us. Women s Bible Study Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m., and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Men s Bible Study Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Backpack for Kids Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. Men meet downstairs to prepare backpacks for the children for the weekend and deliver them to the schools. Prayer Fellowship Fridays at 10:00 a.m. The goal of our prayer ministry is to support our pastor and help to equip and keep our church members praying faithfully and effectively on an ongoing basis. If you feel called into prayer ministry, please come pray with us. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are held at Stetson UMC in Patten on Mondays at noon and Saturdays at 6:00 p.m.

7 Dates to remember on the February calendar Worship Committee Meeting Wednesday, February 1 at 9:15 a.m. 7 UMW Meeting Saturday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. Joint Communion Team will meet Sunday, February 5 at 12:00 noon at Houlton UMC to visit our homebound in Hodgdon and Houlton. If you are interested in being part of the team or would like to request a visit for yourself or family, please talk to Pastor Victor. SPRC Meeting Friday, February 17 at 8:15 a.m. Trustee Meeting Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. Ad Council Meeting Saturday, February 25 at 9:00 a.m. Family Worship and Love Feast Sunday, February 26. Please join us for Family Worship, as our children worship with us in the sanctuary every fourth Sunday. Following the service we will enjoy our Love Feast Fellowship downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. The February fellowship will be Potluck. Ride Ministry details For those unable to drive, this ministry will help them to obtain rides to church and church events. Please contact the church office for information on how to volunteer or for information on how transportation can be provided to you. Reminders from our Trustees Can I borrow things from the church? Yes, but any items borrowed from church must first be requested and then signed out with approval from the Trustees. Please contact the church office ( ) for more information how to fill out a request form. And if you have any items you forgot to return, please do so promptly. Thank you for your cooperation! Scheduling facility for an event? If you are scheduling a church event please stop by the church office to check for availability and to have it added to the calendar for the year behind the door in the church office.

8 Happy Birthday! 8 February 1 February 2 February 6 February 8 February 9 February 15 February 15 February 16 February 17 February 27 February 27 February 28 Aidynn Woods Ralph Ivey Meg York Alice Husted Victor Han Peggy O'Kane Marguerite Russell Chip Wilde Judy Conway Tess Buswell Blake Woods Jennifer Harmon Happy Anniversary! February 15 Galen & Sharon Wilde If any information needs to be included or deleted from this list, please the church office at secretary@houltonumc.org or call HUMC Sunday sermons are now online You can listen by going to our website - and following the links on our homepage. Or you can follow us on Facebook and receive an update with the sermon link each week. Listen again. ~ Download. ~ Share with friends. Like / Follow Houlton United Methodist Church on Facebook to receive updates and reports about church events, listen to sermons, view pictures, and share information with friends.

9 FEBRUARY 2017 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Houlton United Methodist Church Worship Committee Meeting 9:15 am Men s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Women s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Gardiner Bible Study 2:00 pm Prayer Fellowship - 10:00 am Joint Communion Teams 12:30 pm W,O.W Bible Study 10:00 am Men s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Women s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Gardiner Bible Study 2:00 pm Prayer Fellowship - 10:00 am UMW 10:00 a.m W.O.W. Bible Study 10:00 am Men s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Women s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Gardiner Bible Study 2:00 pm SPRC Mtg. 8:15 am Prayer Fellowship - 10:00 am Family Worship & Love Feast Fellowship W,O.W. Bible Study 10:00 am Trustee Meeting 6:30 pm W.O.W. Bible Study 10:00 am Men s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Women s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Gardiner Bible Study 2:00 pm Prayer Fellowship - 10:00 am Ad Council Meeting 9:00 a.m.

10 The Flaming Times February 2017 Houlton United Methodist Church 57 Military Street (corner of Military and School Streets) Houlton, ME (207) SECRETARY: Kathy Miskelly PASTOR: Rev. Victor Han Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9-noon HOULTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 57 MILITARY STREET HOULTON, ME 04730