The Third Week of October

10.19.25 Laity Sunday


         
             

Last Friday, UWF packed 40 dozen cookies and delivered them to 31 stores that donated baskets for our annual tea party! Thank you all for helping this wonderful ministry! After that, my family went to Limestone for my older children’s parent conferences and their soccer championship—it was a 12-hour day! On Saturday morning, we joined the Bridge to Hope walk for cancer fundraising, and in the afternoon, we had a pumpkin party. The Han family prepared for Laity Sunday with two coffee hours and some gifts for everyone.

 

On Sunday, we celebrated Laity Sunday in four churches and at the nursing home—with lots of joy! From Sunday to Monday, I worked over eight hours to finish my M.Div. report. But if you ask me what the hardest thing was, I would say it was the one and a half hour mountain biking with three athletes! I’m still sore, and my butt has an honorable mark! When I saw the uphill, my legs were shaking—it reminded me of our church’s last two and a half years without pastors.

We celebrated Laity Sunday and looked back at our uphill journey through Terry’s testimony. She spoke so well! Yes, during those times, we proclaimed that God is our Abba Father, Jesus is the Head of our church, and through the Holy Spirit, we all became ministers! Through Penny’s message, we learned that God answers persistent prayers—we never give up!

After Jesus ascended to heaven, He promised the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the early church was born. The church, therefore, is the community of disciples who, through the Holy Spirit, become witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection and proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven between His ascension and His return.

I am deeply grateful that so many people participate in worship at Patten Church. Everyone takes part, even in small roles, and we are all disciples. I’m especially grateful that we can hear and share testimonies almost every Sunday. It is beautiful to see people who were once wandering return to God, decide to live new lives, and walk this journey of faith together with encouragement and prayer from the whole congregation.

I am proud of our members who study and explore the Bible through the Thursday and Sunday morning Bible studies. It is also wonderful to see so many people serving in small groups such as the children’s choir, handbell choir, after-school program, karaoke group, food pantry, exercise group, AA group, and men’s and women’s mission groups.

It’s especially moving to see those who once received help from the food pantry now serving as co-workers, becoming church leaders, and even choir directors. Our leaders not only feed about 80 families in the community but also embrace and pray for them with loving hearts.

                                                         Laos Mission by the Lee Family

Recently, the Women’s Mission Group donated $500 to the Laos mission and $200 to the local community, faithfully participating in both local and global missions. Three youth have also expressed their desire to be baptized!

I pray that our church will continue to be a model of Word, Sacrament, Fellowship, Prayer, and Mission—and above all, that we may love not because we are perfect, but because we are growing together in love as we face challenges and mature as a community of faith.

                                                                      The Lee Family

As we sent gifts to Laos, God’s love came back to us through faithful Korean laity, Sungjae Lee and Youngsun Yoo, who sent us beautiful bags from Korea. What a wonderful celebration it was! They sell these bags on Amazon, and if you’d like to comment about the bag, you can use the link, and pray for their business for the Kingdom of God. Rosh Pinnah

Here is the video reviewing our laity’s mission.: Laity Sunday 2025  

Here is Terry’s testimony.: The Faith Story of Our Church forthe last 2 and a half years!

Here is Penny’s sermon: Persistent Prayer — Never Give Up!

Next week, we will celebrate the Food Pantry Ministry. If you want to share some wonderful stories, please let me or Jean know! Invite everyone who has volunteered—or anyone who would like to celebrate with us!


UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

·       Oct 16 ~ Nov.13:Laity Preaching Class on Thursday for 5 weeks

·       Oct. 19:  Laity Sunday

·       Oct  24: Finance Meeting at 10:30 am

·       Oct 25: Spaghetti Supper: 4:30-6:30 pm

·       Oct. 29: Prayer Retreat with Potluck at 10:00-12:00 pm

·       Oct 31: Dream Team Meeting at 10:00-11:30 am at Houlton

·       Oct 31: Harvest Party at 3:15-4:45 pm

·       Nov. 1: Hunter’s Breakfast 5:00-9:00 am

·       Nov. 9:  Cluster Fall Music Service at 3:00 pm at Houlton UMC

 

   Children’s Program:

           Every Sunday – Sunday School

           1st & 3rd Friday:  Afternoon School Program (3:15-4:45 pm)

           2nd & 4th Friday:  Family Karaoke (5:30-7:30 pm)

 

   Baptism Class & Children’s Choir: 11/2, 11/9, 11/16 (11:45-12:15)

  

   Prayers for Bodily Healing:     

       Donnie Adams, William Barton, Little Beckham, Gary Blake,

       Rev. Dan Blevins, Robin Bosse, Dana Carver, Mike Casey,

       Ethan Childs, Kempton Coolong, Gordon & Roseanne Daughinee,

       Ron Dennis, Raymond Deshaines, Zachary Gowen, Emily Harris

       Family, Chris Heath, Hope Heath, Justin Karcher, Jim & Lori Mason,

       Judi MacArthur, Shaun McAvoy, Dean McFarland, Pam McGary,

       Amy Milo, Danette Moody, Roberta Moore, Rick Murray,

       Adrianne Parsons, Robyn Pettengill, the Richards Family,

       The Alfred Savage Family, Keith Shields, Dennis Sanborn,

       Kari Sanborn, Rena Shorey, Butch Smallwood, Steve Trembly,

       Jolene Webber, Zach Weeks, Linda Zalieka,   

      # Updated prayer requests: Ross, Denise, Dicki, & Roberta  


 

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