Life Together: “Inward, Upward, Outward” (Aug 25)

 

*Parsonage Thank-You Gathering (Aug 21, 2026)

“Pastor, I know you are busy, but…”

I hear this quite often. I used to like being seen as a “busy” pastor. But one day, I was struck by something one of my mentors, Eugene Peterson, said. He said something like this:

“You are busy mainly for two reasons. First, you are busy because you are vain. People often consider being busy a sign that they are important. Second, you are busy because you are lazy. You neglect to define your calling, identity, and priorities because that is hard work. Instead, you simply work according to the job description others have written for you and the expectations they have placed upon you.”

Ouch. Point taken.

Since then, my motto has been to become an “unbusy” pastor. I know Jesus sometimes did not even have time to eat. Yet he was never in a hurry. Can you imagine Jesus running here and there? He always walked three miles per hour. He met one person at a time. He healed one person at a time. And on the cross, he was able to say, “It is finished.” John Wesley famously said, “Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry, because I never undertake any more work than I can go through with perfect calmness of spirit.”

So, how can we live with a healthy sense of urgency, use our time wisely, and yet not become overwhelmed by too many tasks? For me, personally, and I am certainly not always successful, I try to practice this simple daily rhythm: Inward. Upward. Outward.

Inward. I begin my day by praying the Psalms and journaling. I pray, “Search me, O God.” But I try not to keep digging and digging. I do not want self-reflection to become unhealthy introspection. Instead, I ask: “Lord, what are you showing me about myself?” “Lord, help me see myself truthfully.” My self-reflection needs to lead to self-forgetfulness. Inward to upward. I look honestly at myself, but then I look to Christ.

Outward. Around midday, usually after lunch, I pause for five to ten minutes. I step back, take a breath, and pray: “Lord Jesus, I belong to you. Show me whom I can love.” Then I intentionally notice the people around me. A church member. My wife. One of my children. A neighbor. A stranger. Someone who may be lonely. At the end of the day, before going to bed, I pray: “Lord Jesus, I am yours. I commend my spirit into your hands.”

And the next day, I do it again. Sometimes this rhythm feels painfully slow. But slowly and surely, I believe we can become “unbusy” Christians, less focused on ourselves and more attentive to others; less concerned with proving ourselves and more concerned with loving God and our neighbor; becoming more like Christ and making him known.

I already see quite a few faithful “outward” people among us. I would say Jane Peabody was one of them. Jane lived a full and rich life and peacefully passed away this past Sunday, August 23, surrounded by her loving family. Please keep Pete and the entire family in your prayers. Please also continue to pray for our church family, including Don Loring, Norma Atwood, Jeannette Leupold, Gayle Kerr, Julie Kennie, and our homebound members.

We continue our journey through the Gospel of John each week as a church. If you are not able to join us in person this Sunday, you can watch our worship service on YouTube at the link below. Our services are also broadcast on Channel 26 on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. You can also read this week’s message, “Our God Is Able” (John 2:13–25), at the link below.

Worship Service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvYvrZqsqXY&t=5s

This Week’s Message:
https://324oldmainstreet.blogspot.com/2026/08/our-god-is-able-john-213-25.html

So, will you join me? 

Inward. Upward. Outward. 

Let us keep walking with Jesus, one day at a time, one person at a time, until we become more like Christ and less occupied with ourselves.

Have a blessed week ahead. I love you all.

In Christ's love, 

Pastor Victor

"To My Beloved Church Family"

 

 
June 3, 2026
 
I still remember that day.
Smiling faces were waiting for us in the driveway.
 
My family and I were not quite sure what to expect.
But as soon as we drove in, we felt welcomed. We felt loved.
 
Everywhere we looked, we saw love.
In the flower gardens.

On the freshly painted walls.
In the floors and furniture.
In the bathroom vanity and kitchen sink.
Even in the battery charging outlet.

Every corner told a story.
A story of people who had given their time, 

their hands, their skills, and their hearts
to prepare a home for a family they had not yet met.
 
Though I was not here to see the work, 

more than one neighbor told us
how impressed they were to see so many different people 

coming together to restore and prepare the parsonage.
 
I could almost picture you rolling up your sleeves,
working together, fixing, painting, cleaning, planting, 

carrying, and creating a home for us.
 
What moved me most was this:
You did all of this before you even knew us.
 
We live in a world where so much is transactional.
We often ask, “What will I get in return?”
But through your love,
you have reminded us that there is another way to live:

a gift economy.
Receiving everything as a gift.

Giving everything as a gift.

 
You chose to love us before you knew us.
You chose to give so generously—

your time, your talents, your expertise, your resources, 

and most of all, your presence.
 
You prepared a home for us, 

but you gave us something much more than a house.
You gave us a welcome.

You gave us a sense of belonging.
You gave us a glimpse of Christ’s love.
 
I want each person who helped—

whether you planted a flower, painted a wall, fixed something, 

cleaned a room, carried something, donated something, 

or simply showed up —to know that your gift has not gone unnoticed.

 
I may not know everything you did, 

but I can see the evidence of your love everywhere.
Your love has moved me. 

It has challenged me to choose love and grace in the same way.
 
Thank you for preparing not only a parsonage, 

but a home for our family.
Thank you for loving us before you knew us.
Thank you for your beautiful gift of love.
 
Now, as we begin this journey together,
My family and I are ready to follow your example
to make much of Christ through love.
 
With much love,
Pastor Victor
 

"Why I Run"

 

“I love to run.”

That is usually my answer when someone asks me, “What is your hobby?” Among many things that bring me joy—gardening, reading, playing guitar, playing chess, watching movies—running has a special place in my heart.

Why? 

Because when I run, I often experience God’s presence. I think of Eric Liddell, the Olympic gold medalist who refused to run his race on Sunday because he believed that honoring God came first. He once said, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Running was not just something he did; it was an act of worship.

For me, running has also become a spiritual practice. In the beginning, running was simply something Joyce and I enjoyed together. We often used to jog early in the morning. Those quiet moments became precious times of conversation and connection.

Then last fall, I read Haruki Murakami’s memoir, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. For Murakami, running and writing are deeply connected. Both require daily discipline. Both cannot depend on yesterday’s effort. They grow slowly, one step and one word at a time. He ran marathons, ultramarathons, and triathlons. Through running, he trained not only his body but also his mind. He chose the difficult path rather than the shortcut. One of his principles was that he would not walk during a race, even if he had to slow his pace.

As I reflected on his words, I realized that the same principle applies to my spiritual life, my preaching, and my ministry. Following Jesus is a daily journey. Spiritual growth happens neither through shortcuts nor overnight. It happens one faithful step at a time.

As I run, I often ask myself: “Who am I?” “Why am I doing what I am doing?” “What is God calling me to become?”

At the finish line of life, one word I hope people who know me well will say is “congruence.” I want to pursue a life where my private life and public life are the same, where my words and actions match, and where my being and doing are connected. As a follower of Christ and as a pastor, I find my calling in the ministry of Jesus. Although Jesus did many things, Matthew summarizes his ministry in three ways:

“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23)

I want to follow his example. First, I want to be a pastor who faithfully preaches. I want to be a faithful interpreter who connects the biblical world with our world today. I want to honor the Word of God and not simply speak about it, but first seek to live it. Each week, I am given the gift of time to prepare and proclaim God’s Word, and I want to use that gift well.

Second, I want to be a pastor who makes disciples. A good leader must first be a good follower. Before helping others become disciples of Jesus, I must continue becoming a disciple myself. I want to be a faithful steward of the 3 T’s God has entrusted to me: time, talents, and treasure.

Third, I want to be a pastor who cares for God’s sheep. I cannot heal every sickness as Jesus did, but I can visit the sick, encourage the lonely, listen to those who are hurting, and feed those who are hungry. I believe these are also expressions of Christ’s healing love.

For me, following Jesus and running are deeply connected. Both require faithfulness.

Both require endurance. Both require taking the next step. So today, I run, not to prove myself, but to remember my calling. One step at a time. One day at a time. Would you join me on this journey?

May we continue to run the race of faith together, keeping our eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Victor

Life Together: "Power Through Prayer" (Aug 18)

 

*Jeannette Leupold at Royal Cotuit (Aug 14, 2025) 

“When we work, we work.
When we pray, God works.”

I don’t know about you, but I experience this especially when I visit our seniors.

When I visited Florence Bamforth, she was rather discouraged by the fact that there were fewer things she could do for others. I thought for a moment and said, “The greatest thing we can do is pray for others.” Her face brightened, and she replied, “I do pray for my family, my children, and my grandchildren every day!” I truly believe Florence is still doing great things for others. She may not be able to do all the things she once did, but she can pray, and through her prayers, God is at work.

Then there is Jeannette Leupold. After a series of health challenges, she is now at Royal Cotuit for rehabilitation. We had a wonderful conversation about family and church. At the end of our conversation, she said, “It’s so discouraging, but I never give up. Never.”

She continued, “While I was in Boston for a month, I prayed and prayed and prayed to hang on.” I deeply admired her faith. And I could see that God was giving her an extra measure of grace to keep going. When we pray, God works.

I want to thank each of you for your love and prayers for our seniors, our homebound friends, and those who are walking through difficult seasons. Please continue to pray for Jeannette Leupold, Norma Atwood, Gayle Kerr, Don Loring, and Julie Kennie, asking God for healing, strength, and a full recovery. Please also pray for Jane Peabody, who is resting comfortably and remains stable under hospice care. Her family, especially Pete, deeply appreciates your prayers and cards during this tender time.

If you haven’t had a chance to join us in person, you can watch our worship service on YouTube at the link below. Our services are also broadcast on Channel 26 on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. You can also read this week’s message, “Guest or Master?” (John 2:1–11), at the link below.

·       Watch the Worship Service on YouTube

·       Read the Message: “Guest or Master?”

 

Our Upcoming Bible Study/ Small Group

As we prepare for our upcoming Bible Study/ Small Group, I would love to hear from you.

As many of you know, the backbone of John Wesley’s revival was his small groups, known as Class Meetings. These gatherings were more than Bible studies. They were places where people shared their lives together. They began with the simple but profound question: “How is it with your soul?” They confessed their sins, encouraged one another, prayed for one another, watched over one another in love, and then went out to serve their neighbors and the poor.

My prayer is that our small groups may become something like those life-changing gatherings, not simply a place where we learn more about the Bible, but a place where we encounter Christ, share life, pray together, grow together, and become more faithful disciples.

As we prepare, please consider these questions:

1. What has been your favorite part of our Bible study? What would you “brag about” to a friend?

2. What has been your least favorite part or “growing edge”? What could we improve or do differently?

3. What kind of study would you most enjoy in the future?

• Bible book by book — studying a book of the Bible together
• Topical studies — biblical figures, contemporary issues, Christian living, etc.
• Spiritual formation — prayer, Rule of Life, spiritual disciplines, Sabbath, etc.
• A combination of these
• Other: ______________________________

4. What day and time work best for you?

5. Any other suggestions, ideas, or hopes for our Bible study?

Please feel free to share your responses with me by simply replying to this email.

I am grateful to journey together with you. And let us not forget to pray before, pray throughout, and pray after each day. And remember… when we work, we work. When we pray, God works.

Have a blessed week ahead. I love you all.

 

In Chrit’s Love,

Pastor Victor 

Life Together: “We Are the Church” (Aug 11)

*Cookie & Buzz Barry

“Being a Christian can sometimes feel like being in a family with a thousand drunk uncles.” — Justin McRoberts

What are your thoughts on this remark?

For me, when I was young, I didn’t have a choice. As a pastor’s kid, I had to be at church every Sunday. I felt like I lived in a glass house. I was expected to behave well and be a good leader at church. Yet, in the church, I saw conflicts, power struggles, and hypocrisy. I met chronically difficult people. At times, I counted down the days until I could be free.

Eventually, I left the church for a time. I still believed in God. I still prayed to God. There were no more conflicts and no more headaches. And yet, strangely, I felt that something was missing. One day, while taking a walk in nature, I realized what was missing: Christian fellowship. I needed the church.

Until then, I had been very critical of the church today. I often thought we simply needed to go back to the Early Church. Then I realized that the Early Church was just as messy as ours.

Take the church in Corinth, for example. It was one of the prominent churches of its time, yet it was filled with problems. They were divided over leaders and issues. They judged one another harshly. There was sexual immorality. They were suing one another. They were neglecting the needs of the poor. And the list goes on.

But Paul didn’t throw in the towel on the church. He remained a hopeful pastor. Why?

Because the church is family.

We don’t get to choose our family members. Our family is given to us, and we learn to love one another and make the very best of the family we have been given.

Yes, as Justin McRoberts says, sometimes it may feel like we are in a family with a thousand drunk uncles! But still, those uncles are our family. We are called to stick together through thick and thin, for better or worse, in sickness and in health.

The church is family. God is our Father. We are spiritual brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons to one another. We didn’t choose one another; we have been given to one another.

And perhaps the church is also a classroom – a place where we learn how to get along with one another, forgive one another, serve one another, and become more like Christ.

The church is God’s idea. And now I am beginning to see more and more of the beauty and glory of the church. I am falling in love with the church.

The other day, I had the privilege of visiting one of our seniors, Florence Bamforth. Though it was my first visit with her, we became instantly comfortable with one another and shared a deep conversation. We talked about the power of prayer. I said, “The greatest thing we can do is to pray for others.” Florence replied, “Yes, I pray for my family, my children and grandchildren every day.”

Another example happened this Monday when Buzz and Cookie opened their home for our Sunday School pool party. They watched our children play and kept saying, “I’m so happy to see them have fun.”

Valarie, who coordinated our gathering, said that even though we had just met, she felt like she had known my family for a long time. That was exactly how Joyce and I felt. Our Sunday School children quickly became friends and began playing together.

Where else can we find a place where people open their homes to strangers? Where can we find a place where people of different ages, languages, cultures, and backgrounds become family? I believe the church is the only place where this can happen. And it is possible because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. He is the Head and Foundation of the church.

We need the church, and the church needs us. So may we not grow weary. May we continue to encourage one another to meet, to love, to serve, and to walk together. May we continue to grow “to the full stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Thank you, each of you, for being part of this beloved community.

All of our worship services are recorded and available through our website and local television. They can also be viewed on Channel 26 on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.

A recent service can be viewed here:
Watch the recent worship service

You can also read the message here:
Read “Watch the Lamb”

Please continue to keep our church family and friends in your prayers. Norma Atwood’s surgery was successful, and she is waiting to be transferred to rehab. Jane Peabody is resting comfortably and stable under hospice care; her family, especially Pete, appreciates your prayers and cards. Jeannette Leupold is recovering well with less pain, enjoying her coloring, and looking forward to returning to the Cape for rehab.

If a pastoral visit is needed, I would be glad to arrange a visit, working together with our Senior Advocate Team, who faithfully care for our church members. You can reach me at 207-538-0778 or pastorvictorhan@gmail.com.

I give thanks to God for you. And remember...

I am the church.
You are the church.
We are the church together.

Thanks be to God!

 

In Christ’s love,
Pastor Victor

*Florence Bamforth

Life Together (Aug 4)

 

“Ebenezer, Jehovah-Jireh”

These two words are always on my study wall. They are a constant reminder of who God is and who I am.

I learned this from one of my mentors, Hudson Taylor, a British missionary to China. On his wall, Taylor kept these two words before him: Ebenezer and Jehovah-Jireh. Ebenezer means, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Jehovah-Jireh means, “The Lord will provide.”

Taylor faced many trials while serving in China. In those days, most mission work was done along the coast, and few missionaries dared to go inland. But by faith, Taylor founded the China Inland Mission (CIM) and brought the good news of Jesus to those who lived in the interior of China.

The journey was dangerous. Foreigners and missionaries were often forbidden, feared, and hated. Taylor experienced sickness, exhaustion, and discouragement. His wife, Maria, died at the age of 33, and four of their eight children died before reaching the age of 10. Later in life, he endured the tragedy of the Boxer Rebellion, when 58 of his missionaries and about 30,000 Chinese Christians were killed. 

Near the end of his life, after hearing again the heartbreaking news that some missionaries and converts had been martyred, Taylor responded: “I cannot read, I cannot think; I cannot even pray; but I can trust.” Taylor trusted that the God who had helped him thus far would continue to provide.

Looking back on my own journey, I see the God of Ebenezer like stepping stones along the way. Even this past Saturday, while silently praying alone in the sanctuary, I found myself weeping. I felt inadequate and incapable of carrying the ministry ahead of me, much like young Solomon felt when he succeeded his father David.

Then these words came to my heart: Ebenezer and Jehovah-Jireh. The God who has helped us thus far will provide.

The more I learn about the history of our church, the more I see that God truly is the God of Ebenezer and Jehovah-Jireh. In particular, I deeply appreciate and admire Pastor John and Joy’s faithful leadership and loving service. Their ministry has greatly helped shape this church into the place it is today.

I also want to personally thank you for your prayers and warm welcome. Like many first Sundays, I arrived with some nervousness, not knowing exactly what to expect. But as soon as I was there, both at the beach service and at the church, I saw that God was already at work. There were angels who helped, and hearts that were ready and receptive. It was truly a beautiful day in God’s neighborhood.

Even my children shared how much they enjoyed Sunday School with Mrs. Valerie and Ms.. Emily. I feel deeply blessed to serve alongside faithful leaders and a loving church family. Thank you, each one of you, for your kindness and hospitality.

All of our worship services are recorded and available through our website and local television. They can be viewed on Channel 26 on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.

A recent service can be viewed here: 
https://youtu.be/XWqcfmqXgag

You can also read the message here:
https://324oldmainstreet.blogspot.com/2026/08/abide-john-11-14.html

Please continue to keep our church family and friends who are facing difficult seasons in your prayers. Jeannette Leupold remains at Beth Israel in Boston. She is stable after surgery for a broken leg and is waiting to hear when she can return to the Cape for rehabilitation. Jane Peabody is home with hospice care. Please pray for Jane, Pete, and the entire family. Norma Atwood is at Cape Cod Hospital and is scheduled for surgery this Thursday. 

We extend our sympathy to Darla Stone and her family upon the death of her mother, Sharon Stone, our longtime member and devoted volunteer. Sharon passed away at the family home in Kansas on Friday, July 31st.

As I continue getting to know our church family, please feel free to reach out and share your prayer concerns. If a pastoral visit is needed, I would be glad to arrange a visit, working together with our Senior Advocate team, who faithfully care for our church members. You can reach me at 207-538-0778 or pastorvictorhan@gmail.com.

Thank you again for your hospitality and grace. Joyce and I are grateful to begin this new journey with you. By God’s grace, we look forward with excitement and hope, trusting that the best is yet to come.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor