Patten Shine Weekly: 식구, "family of the mouth"

 

 
 




From Mandu(Korean Dumplings) to Holy Communion

Every holiday, we used to gather at my grandparents' house to make Mandu (Korean dumplings). Mandu was never just food; it was our family identity, our culture, and our tradition. As we folded the dough, we shared our lives, laughed over old memories, and grew closer.

I have taught my children the special way of folding Mandu that my grandmother taught me, and now, my children and I are teaching others. Last Friday, as we made Mandu together, we were really "folding" love into our lives. In Korea, those who eat together are called Sik-gu, which literally means "family of the mouth" or "those who share food."

It was such a joy to host the Mandu cooking class with our Patten family. I hope that through these "modern-day sacraments"—sharing recipes and eating together—we continue to become one family in Jesus Christ.

Korean Dumplings recipe 

 


The Spirit of Bibimbap: Planting Roots in Aroostook

Last Saturday, at the Community Plate event, four immigrants shared their stories of how they took root in this community. Around 50 people gathered to share a meal and listen. As one of the speakers, I shared Bibimbap—a traditional Korean dish where diverse ingredients are mixed to create a new, harmonious flavor.

I spoke about the "Spirit of Bibimbap"—harmony in diversity. Although I couldn't express all the love I’ve received from this community over the last 12 years, we laughed and cried together as I shared a small piece of my heart. The love I have received in Aroostook is too vast to contain, but I promise to spend my life sharing that love with others.



 



Celebrations & Encouragements

  • Happy 70th Birthday, Debbie Porter! You are so loved and missed. We hope your day was as wonderful as you are! Can't wait to see you soon!

  • Congratulations, Rick and Sara, on your new house! 

  •  Rick’s Testimony: Rick’s children’s moment and testimony were such a powerful encouragement to us all. We believe there will be many "future Ricks" who will share God’s unmeasurable love with the same light.

  • Sermon: 4/19/26 Living by Dying 


This Sunday: A Service of Healing

Are you feeling overwhelmed or exhausted? Are you praying for physical, emotional, or spiritual restoration?

We invite you to worship this week. Following the message, we will have a time of anointing with holy oil. We pray for the presence of the Lord, our source of healing, to be with us in a powerful way.


Cluster News: One Body, Nine Churches

Next week, our Aroostook Cluster (9 churches) will worship together with Bishop Bickerton. We are pioneers in New England, serving as a model for cooperative ministry. Together, we do what a single small church cannot.

Mission Focus: Hope & Justice Project. We are collecting items for those affected by domestic abuse. Please bring donations to the church by next Thursday, or bring them directly to the service on May 3rd.

  • Items Needed: Diapers/Pull-ups, Baby Wipes, School Supplies, Coloring Books/Crayons, Journals, and Personal Hygiene items.

  • Carpool: Contact Sara if you need a ride to Presque Isle.

  • Online: For those unable to travel, the service will be streamed at our church.


 

                                April 26, 2026                   May 3, 2026

 

      Ushers:                    Ross                             Chrissy   

      Greeters:                Chrissy                      Penny & Ross

      Media:                     Denise                             Jean

      Liturgist:                Addison                           Penny

      Acolyte:               River & Hannah                  Delila                               

                                                                

   UPCOMING EVENTS:

·       April 30   -   Children’s Ministry Meeting at 11:30 am

·       May 1      -   UWF & Dream team meeting at 10:00 am

·       May  3     -   Cluster Service at 10:30 am Grant Memorial UMC 

                    Presque Isle.  Offerings: Hope & Justice

                    (Personal items, School supplies, wipes, etc.)

·       May 7      -   Worship Committee at 11:30 am

·       May 8      -   Gardiner Nursing Home Bible Study at 10:00 am

·       May 14    -   AD Council at 11:30 am

·       May 19    -   Last day of Bible Study (10 am)

                               Combined Women’s Potluck Party (11 am)

·       May 24    -   Pentecost Sunday

·       May 31    -   Combined Service of Farewell (10 am Houlton UMC)


Happy Birthday

Maelyn Garret(1), Amelia Cocharan(7), Raymond Deshaies(12), Sara Hill(17), Haven Giles(21), Rick Hill(28)

 

Happy Anniversary

Rick & Sara (29), Victor & Joyce (31) 

   Weekly 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)

          

Thursday:  BTS (Thursday Bible Study)  9:30 – 11:00

            Sunday:  SBS (Sunday Bible Study)  9:00 – 10:00

            Nursing Home:  Bible Study (Friday, 10 a.m. at Gardiner)

                                     Service (3rd Sunday 2:00 p.m.)



Prayers for the World, especially Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, and Israel

Prayers for our country and its leadership

Prayers for our denomination, especially our Bishop and Cabinet

Prayers for our community, especially Fire Victims, and Calvary

Baptist Church

Prayers for those who don’t know Jesus

 

Prayers of Comfort for Those Who Mourn:  the families of

      Kempton Coolong, Carrol Plecs, Carl Perrin

    

Prayers for Bodily Healing:

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

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

      Gordon & Roseanne Daughinee, Ron Dennis, Raymond

      Deshaies, Kathy Duffy Family,  Patsy Dyer, Ross Gowen,

      Zachary Gowen, Emily Harris Family, Chris Heath, Dicki Heath,

      Hope Heath, Justin Karcher, Coty Kelso, Matt Lane, Ricky Lyons,  

      Jim Mason, Judi MacArthur, Dean McFarland, Pam McGary,

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

      Ed Noyes, Robin Pettengill, Barbara Porter, the Richards Family,

      Dennis Sanborn, Kari Sanborn, the Alfred Savage Family,

      Cora Savage, Keith Sheilds, Rena Shorey, Butch Smallwood,

      Dicki Somers, Steve Trembly, Jolene Webber, Zach Weeks,

      Linda Zalieka

 


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