Newsletter - Houlton United Methodist Church

The Flaming Times
June 2015
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.
“Being a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ”
- Pastor Victor –
“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
(2Tim 2:3, ESV)
Nowadays I hear a message from God through various channels that he called me to
serve as a soldier, not as a patient. There was a time when I was deeply hurt and
wounded by someone in the church I thought I could trust. At that time I was knocked
out and just meditating on how wrong that person was all day long. But the Holy Spirit
said to my heart, “Victor, I want you to be a man who has a strong soul.” Since then,
Psalm 138:3 becomes my constant prayer before the Lord: “I cry out, Lord. Make me
bold with strength in my soul!”
Every time, without exception, we begin doing the work of God in earnest, we face
counter attacks from the enemy. It is hard to put our finger on who the enemy is,
because our fight is not against people or circumstances, but against evil rulers and
authorities of the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world, and evil spirits in the
heavenly places (cf. Eph. 6:12 NLT). From the moment when you resolve to devote
yourself fully to the work of the Lord, you will surely face people like Sanballat and
Tobiah who discourage you and intimidate you to stop the work (Neh. 6:9). This is the
time you to pray, “But now, O God, strengthen my hands!”
Healing seminar is always popular. Many Christians, including myself, are very
interested in inner healing. Yes, inner healing is important. But we must not stop there.
God wants us to recover not just from “patient” to “normal person.” He wants us to
grow and be disciplined as a “soldier” who can accomplish his mission. God calls us to
be a soldier, not a patient. Not the patient who is easily hurt by what people say and
stop the work, but the soldier who can endure everything and keep going until
accomplishing the mission.
There are times when I feel overwhelmed by the demands of church ministry.
Sometimes this leads to a weakening my body and soul. My body becomes sick, and
my soul becomes dispirited and powerless. I feel paralyzed and stuck. I am even
tempted to quit the ministry. But I have found a remedy for this! I go back to my room
and open my grandfather’s spiritual journal. In the journal I find one good soldier of
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Christ who endured hardship, fought the good fight, and has finished the race. In the
story of my grandfather I hear the voice of God, saying, “Victor, I called you to serve as
a soldier, not as a patient.” May the Lord strengthen you and uphold you with his
righteous right hand each and everyday. God bless!
“No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs;
the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting officer.”
(2 Tim. 2:4, NRSV)
HUMC Missions…
Family Month Mission Challenge
(Mother’s Day to Father’s Day)
“Imagine No Malaria”
Unlike many other diseases that are
awaiting a cure, malaria was eliminated in
the U.S. in the 1950s.
But in Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria
continues to kill a person every 60
seconds. But there is hope…
“$10 Saves a Life.”
Our United Methodist Foundation of New
England has established a $50,000
Matching Challenge for gifts made to
“Imagine No Malaria” from April to June
2015.
Our church’s goal is to save 50 lives ($500). Join the challenge!
At the time of printing this newsletter on May 29, HUMC has given $462.25 to the
“Imagine No Malaria” mission project. That is enough to save 46 lives. It looks like we
will surpass our goal. Thank you for the blessing your generosity has been to others.
“Share the Harvest” May through June donations
will be for “Imagine No Malaria.” Thank you for your
support.
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VISION SATURDAY REPORT
Vision Saturday of May 2nd began with coffee, breakfast treats, and a time for
fellowship and preparation of the heart. Pastor Victor presented “One Thing,”
Scriptures were read about Mary’s devotion to Christ, and Pastor Victor concluded
that our church should be like Mary by putting Jesus first.
Discussion was continued on the core values of the church, and the graphic below
was used to illustrate and outline the different aspects of the life of the church in
this world – worship (love God), fellowship (love others), and mission (serve the
world).
Love
God
Love
others
Serve
the world
We were challenged to consider several important questions as a church family
including, “Do you feel the church has grown in the last three years?” Several other
items of church business were discussed including the future of the church van.
There is just one more Vision Saturday before summer break. Please consider
meeting with us. Your ideas and perspective as part of the church family are
important to us as we plan for our future together.
NEXT MEETING and LAST before summer break...
Saturday, June 6 at 9 a.m.
All are welcome! Please join us.
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Fellowship and Ministry
Hope Circle...
Thank you to all who participated in the bottle drive organized by Hope Circle in May.
The proceeds from the bottle drive will be used to support their mission of sending our
kids to Camp Mechuwana.
Camp Mechuwana is a United Methodist Camp in Winthrop, Maine. Situated
on 230 acres of forest land, Camp Mechuwana runs a summer camping
program from mid-June through mid-August. They have more than 40
different weekly camps including day camp, trip and travel camps, canoe
camps, swim camps, music and theatre camps, special needs camp, creative
arts camp, and much, much more. For more information about the camp
programs and schedule you can go to www.mechuwana.org.
Men’s Ministry…. BACKPACK FOR KIDS UPDATE
The school year is almost done, and this year we were able to serve 24 children
each week to help provide food for the weekend when there is no school lunch
program available for them. Thank you for your generous support that helps to
make this ministry possible. The school year and the program end on June 17th
with plans to resume in the fall.
BACKPACK FOOD ITEMS NEEDED FOR JUNE:
 Macaroni & Cheese
 Spaghettios
SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM
Plans are underway to once again have the Summer Feeding
Program here at Houlton United Methodist. Four days a week
at noon the church will provide a lunch for children who might
otherwise be missing lunch because there is no school lunch
program in the summer. The Men’s Ministry and other
volunteers from our church will be helping to organize and work
this lunch program. Volunteers are needed to help this
summer. Tentative start date is week of June 22.
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MUSIC MINISTRY…
We have some very talented teens and pre-teens grades (next fall) five through eight.
It would be a great gift for our church to have leadership for this group. The girls have
recently been taking the talent God gave them to the Sunday service, but there are
several male voices we would like to join us.
I am turning the leadership over to others in the music ministry department. I am
looking forward to coming to church and listening to the music message of our faith.
God be with you.
Much love,
Kaye
Happy Retirement
To Kaye Trickey who is retiring as music director at Houlton United Methodist after
many years of faithful service. Thank you, Kaye, for sharing with us the gift of music
that God has given to you. We love you, appreciate your dedication and service, and
will miss you.
And congratulations to Brenda Richards and Melanie Wilson who also retired from
their places of employment in May. Best wishes for a happy and well-deserved
retirement.
Volunteers are still needed
To serve as ushers, to provide refreshments for Coffee
Hour, and to help with childcare as needed on Sunday
morning. Please use the sign-up sheets on the bulletin
board by the elevator to choose the week that you are
available to serve.
Special music volunteers needed for summer. Would you like to provide
special music or help with pre-worship time? There is a sign-up easel by
the side table.
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Coming to Houlton, Maine
August 17-19
Joint Hodgdon-Houlton VBS
at Houlton UMC
VBS theme this year will
be Camp Kilimanjaro
Come Join the Expedition
The first VBS planning meeting and supper will be Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. at
the parsonage. Eileen McLaughlin will be the VBS director this year. If you are
interested in volunteering as a teacher or helper, please come to the first planning
meeting or see Eileen McLaughlin.
Meetings in June…
Cancer prayer group meets at Houlton Regional Hospital on Tuesday, June 2 at 1:00
p.m. Ask at the front desk for room number.
VBS Planning Meeting and Supper – Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the
parsonage. If you are interested in possibly volunteering as a teacher or helper, please
come.
SPPRC Meeting – June 5 at 8:00 a.m. at the church.
Last “Vision Saturday” Meeting: June 6 at 9:00 a.m. at the church. All are invited to
attend this last “Vision Saturday” meeting before taking a break for summer.
Children’s Day – Sunday, June 14, our children and young people will be participating
in this special service and Sunday School program.
Trustee Meeting – Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 pm
“Love Feast” – Fellowship Potluck after church on Sunday, June 28. Please plan to
stay after the service to share together a good meal and time of fellowship with your
church family.
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Pre-Worship Time from 10-10:10 a.m. (Service starts 10:15 a.m.) This is a time to
prepare our hearts and to draw ourselves close to God as we enter his presence. Each
Sunday different groups will be leading this time, including Sunday School children!
Come, sing and dance with us!
Summer Break for Chancel Choir – The choir will be taking a break for the summer.
Chancel Choir Practice will resume in September.
Sunday School for Pre-K through 6th grade meets at 10:15 a.m. for the worship
service and are dismissed to their classes following the Children’s Moment. June 14
will be the last day of Sunday School until September. It also is Children’s Day at the
church.
Sunday Bible Reading Club – meeting in church library right after Coffee Hour. We
invite everyone who loves God’s word and family-like fellowship to join us.
Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. – Men’s Club Backpack for Kids workers meet at church to
prepare the backpacks for the week. June 17 will be the last day to prepare backpacks
for this school year.
Wednesday Prayer Fellowship – meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the pastor’s office. We
invite you to be a part of our prayer fellowship gathering as we pray for one another,
our community, church, nation and world. There is POWER in PRAYER! Come, Pray
With Us!
Gardiner Nursing Home Bible Study meets every Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
Quiet Quilters – are taking a break for summer and will meet the last Thursday of
September to continue their work. Many, many thanks to all the stitchers, stretchers,
and needle threaders who helped this past year. God Bless all of you.
God’s Crafters – are taking a break for the summer.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are held at Stetson UMC in Patten on
Mondays at noon and Saturdays at 6:00 p.m.
In May, Gifts Were Received In Loving Memory of…
Mildred McIntosh:
Carl Duff:
Thompson-Hamil
Robert & JoAnn Barton
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Happy Birthday!
June 1
June 6
June 9
June 13
June 14
June 18
June 19
June 20
June 22
June 23
June 24
June 28
June 30
Marion Collins
Anessa Wilde
Bob Ellis
Jane Guy
Katie Brushett
Jasen Hutchinson
Dellie Mailman
Christopher Mead
Peter Merbach
Perry Lilley
Addison Woods
Jeannette Anderson
Irma Hess
Mike O’Hara
Gilbert Karnes, Jr.
Theresa Cameron
Scott Briggs
Bruce Clark
Bob Matthews
Ed Clark
Happy Anniversary!
June 8
June 10
Jerry & Melanie Wilson
Bob & Sharon Lyons
If any information needs to be included or deleted from this list,
please email the church office at secretary@houltonumc.org or call 532-3332.
JUNE 2015
~~~~~
1
Deut 8-10
2
Houlton United Methodist Church
Deut 11-13
Cancer Prayer –
1 pm at HRH
7
Deut 28-29
8
Deut 30-31
9
Deut 32-34
3
Deut 14-16
Backpack prep –
9 am
Prayer Fellowship –
10 am
10
Josh 1-4
Backpack prep –
9 am
Bible Reading Club
– after coffee hour
Prayer Fellowship –
10 am
14
Josh 16-18
15
Josh 19-21
Bible Reading Club
– after coffee hour
16
Josh 22-24
17
Jud 1-2
4
Gardiner Bible
Study 2 pm
Trustee meeting –
6:30 p.m.
22
Jud 13-15
23
Jud 16-18
Prayer Fellowship –
10 am
“Love Feast” Potluck
Fellowship – after
morning service
24
Jud 19-21
Prayer Fellowship –
10 am
FATHER’S DAY
1 Sam 9-12
6
Deut 24-27
SPPRC mtg. – 8 am
“Vision Saturday” –
9 am
11
Josh 5-8
12
13
Josh 9-11
Josh 12-15
Gardiner Bible
Study 2 pm
18
Jud 3-5
19
Jud 6-7
20
Jud 8-9
Gardiner Bible
Study 2 pm
Annual UMC Conference
Bible Reading Club
– after coffee hour
28
Deut 21-23
VBS planning mtg.
at parsonage 6 pm
CHILDREN’S DAY
Jud 10-12
5
Backpack prep-9 am
Last day of Sunday
School for summer
21
Deut 17-20
29
1 Sam 13-14
30
1 Sam 15-17
25
Ruth
Gardiner Bible
Study 2 pm
26
1 Sam 1-3
27
1 Sam 4-8
The Flaming Times – June 2015
Houlton United Methodist Church
57 Military Street (corner of Military and School Streets)
Houlton, ME 04730
(207) 532-3332
SECRETARY: Kathy Miskelly
PASTOR: Rev. Victor Han
secretary@houltonumc.org
visionmaker.victor@gmail.com
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9-noon
HOULTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
57 MILITARY STREET
HOULTON, ME 04730