Life Together: "Spider-Man and Rally Day" (Sep 8)

 

Friday evening is a highlight for the Hans.

Joyce and I have been trying to develop healthy daily and weekly family rhythms. Friday family movie night is one of them. We pick a movie, watch it together, and talk about it afterward.

This past Friday, our family watched Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Surprisingly, it had a meaningful message about God’s grace and our calling.

Miles is not ready to be a hero. He is afraid, confused, and makes mistakes. Even his mentor, Peter Parker, is far from perfect. Yet Miles is called, not because he is ready or perfect, but because he has been given a calling. Then Miles discovers Spider-People from different worlds. They are very different, but they learn to work together, encourage one another, and become a team. And finally, Miles has to take a leap of faith. He cannot wait until he feels completely ready. He has to trust and step forward.

Isn’t that also our story with God? We are not called because we are ready or perfect. We are called because God loves us and is faithful. God’s grace gives us the calling. Our faith takes the next step. Sometimes, we simply need to step out of our comfort zone, take that leap of faith, and trust the One who calls us.

I don’t know about you, but I often feel inadequate about my own calling. When I first sensed a call to ministry, I was hesitant. I was a quiet person. I didn’t feel comfortable speaking in front of people, and I wasn’t sure I could visit people I didn’t know well. But my home church in Korea believed in me and affirmed my calling. They even provided a scholarship for me to attend seminary.

Even after I was appointed to churches in the New England Conference, my internal struggles continued. Invisible barriers of language and culture sometimes made it difficult for me to fit in and do pastoral ministry. But the churches have been so loving and supportive, providing a safe place for me to learn and grow.

They have been a classroom where I have learned how to get along with people who are different from me and how to grow together. My part is simply to be willing to step out of my comfort zone and take the leap of faith. God will do the rest.

We see these stories throughout the Bible. God calls unlikely candidates and uses them for his glory. Think about Peter. He was a fisherman, a man of many moods, and a man who made plenty of mistakes. But he was willing. Jesus called him, equipped him, and commissioned him. Over time, Peter became the man his new name described, “a rock.”

Peter’s story is my story. And Spider-Man’s story can be our story. God’s grace transforms us as we respond to his call by faith. That is why I think Rally Day is such a wonderful opportunity for us to say YES to God’s call and take a leap of faith into a new season, both individually and as a church.

And I am sure there are people around us who are still searching for purpose, meaning, and community. Why not invite them to join us on this journey, so that we can grow together?

This Rally Sunday will be a time of celebration and a kickoff for the new school and church year. We will hear an inspiring message from John 5 about Jesus healing a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years. Our choir will resume. We will have a bounce obstacle course for children, lawn games for everyone, coffee and fellowship, ice cream sundaes, and a photo booth. There’s a place for you. Come and join us!

If you were not able to join us in person this past 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, “Why Am I Thirsty?” (John 4:4–14), at the link below.

Sunday Service:
https://youtu.be/2LgMdEwMnHs

Sunday Message:
https://324oldmainstreet.blogspot.com/2026/09/why-am-i-thirsty-john-44-14.html

Thank you for being part of this beloved community. Have a blessed week ahead. Love you all.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Victor

 

P.S. 1 — SUNEOS

The next SUNEOS Gathering will be at Tugboats on September 27 at 5:00 p.m. This is a fun way to socialize and support our local restaurants. There is a sign-up sheet in the parish hall. Please see Jackie Neumann if you have any questions.

 

P.S. 2 — Fall Bible Study

1 Corinthians: What Is the Church? What Is Our Next Step? How Can We Face Challenges Together?

Join us for a journey through 1 Corinthians. Orientation is September 15, and the study begins September 22.

We meet at 12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall or 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. The study book is $7, and scholarships are available. Books will be distributed at orientation or may be picked up in the church office.

A sign-up sheet is available in the Parish Hall. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time. We look forward to journeying together!

Life Together: “We Are the Conductors” (Sep 1)

 

*Photo: Our Choir Open House (Aug 30, 2026). Grateful for wonderful fellowship and a special thank you to Judith Dunklee for her warm and loving hospitality!

"We Are the Conductors" 
September 1, 2026

Have you been to a music concert lately?

The other day, I read an interesting article about the role of the conductor in an orchestra. (The Atlantic, “Music’s Most Mysterious Profession,” September 2026, pp. 100–106). The author, himself a musician, argues that there are two dominant and extreme views of conductors: one is that the conductor is a con artist; the other is that the conductor is God. In other words, people tend to think that the conductor is either useless or essential, or somewhere in between.

From his own experience, the author says that when the conductor is incapable or unhelpful, the orchestra’s unconscious “autopilot system” turns on. The players instinctively react primarily to one another rather than to the person on the podium. On the other hand, a great conductor can build a bridge between the players and unleash a communal musical power that no individual could achieve alone.

“Wow. So true!” I thought.

Then I realized there is a parallel between the role of a conductor and that of a pastor. Since the church is a family, we have family dynamics. When the pastor, like a caring big sister or brother, helps guide and care for the church, the church becomes united, and our collective energy and gifts can be unleashed. But when that leadership is lacking, the autopilot turns on. No matter what the pastor says or does, the church simply continues on its own.

I believe this also applies to the relationship between the church and our community. As H. Richard Niebuhr argues, the church is called to be a pastor to the community, not by exercising authority, but by caring, especially for the lost, the outcast, the needy, and the vulnerable. The church can either be ignored, or it can become a hub that connects people and unleashes collective, positive energy for those who are desperately looking for community.

We are the church. We are conductors, shepherds, and friends to the lost, the sinners, and the brokenhearted.

Keeping all this in mind, what better time could there be to learn more about the church – its purpose and its mission – through our Bible Study? I want to thank you all for sharing your experiences, feedback, and wisdom. It was very helpful as we planned our upcoming Bible Study. Though we may not be able to satisfy everyone’s needs, we will make every effort as a church to help our members watch over one another in love and grow together in love and faith.

Our theme is the church. We will explore 1 Corinthians, using the Bible itself as our main resource, with N. T. Wright’s Bible study book as a supplement. The book fee is $7, and scholarships are available.

We will keep the same meeting day and time, as it seems to work well for the majority. We will meet on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. in person in the church parish hall, and at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Tentatively, I would like to have our first orientation and introductory gathering on Tuesday, September 15, and begin our study on September 22.

Concerning the format, especially for the in-person group, we plan to meet as one large group at the beginning for check-in from 12:30–1:00 p.m., then break into 2–3 smaller groups for discussion from 1:00–1:45 p.m., followed by prayer and closing from 1:45–2:00 p.m.

Again, thank you for all your input. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.

By God’s grace, we have had a blessed summer. Now September is here! This Sunday, September 6, will be our final Beach Service of the season. You’re invited! We will meet at 7:15 a.m. at Smuggler’s Beach. Also, Rally Day is September 13. It is an exciting time as our choir resumes, Bible Study begins, and we begin a new season together.

If you were 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, “Making Much of Christ” (John 3:1–16), at the link below.

Sunday Service:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URcs2caJS9g

Sunday Message:
https://324oldmainstreet.blogspot.com/2026/08/making-much-of-christ-john-31-36.html

Many of us have been concerned about Cookie’s health. She is now back home, resting and recovering well. She shared that she has been sleeping a lot and is feeling much better :) Please continue to keep our beloved church family in your prayers: Norma Atwood, Don Loring, Gayle Kerr, Thomas Osborn, Julie Kennie, Jeannette Leupold, and our homebound members. We also offer special prayers for Pete Peabody as he grieves and faces a new season of transition.

Thank you for being part of this beloved community. I give thanks to God for you. Have a blessed week. Love you all!


In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Victor


P.S. Jane Wruk reminds us that the GriefShare group will meet at Osterville Baptist Church, beginning September 8, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. You can register at https://www.griefshare.org/.