“I Am No Longer My Own”
October 20, 2026
“This is your piano now.”
Last April, just a few days after the news of our new appointments was announced, some of the leaders from our previous church took Joyce and me to the corner of the sanctuary and showed us a piano.
The piano had been given to the church as a gift. They told us, “We can’t imagine the Han family without this piano. We’ve already checked with the family who donated it, and they agreed. The church leadership is also unanimously in favor of giving it to your family.”
Joyce and I were still trying to process everything. We weren’t quite sure what was happening or how it would work. But it was as if they could read our minds. “Don’t worry about the logistics. Once you settle in, we’ll deliver it to you.”
Then six months passed.
One day, the phone rang. “We’re ready. We’ll be there this weekend.” And they really did it! Somehow, they rented a U-Haul truck an hour and fifteen minutes away, built a custom wooden ramp for the stairs, and drove nine hours from Houlton to Cape Cod. What extravagant grace!
Gabriel, who runs his own restaurant, took three days off to make the trip with his six-year-old daughter, Iona. Bertrand and Susan, who both work full-time, somehow made it happen, too. Both are gifted musicians. Bertrand has shared his musical gifts with our church, and Susan played special music at Wellfleet this past Sunday. Jonathan and April, who live in Harwich and are connected to the Houlton church family, also joined us to help bring the piano into our home.
The moment the piano was placed in our living room, a flood of love washed over my heart like ocean waves. I still can hardly believe it happened. These wonderful people “wasted” their time, money, energy, and talents on us, and they did it with joy!
The piano has become a constant reminder of God's extravagant grace, made beautifully visible through the generosity of his faithful people. For me, living in the parsonage is another daily reminder that everything I have is a gift from God. I own nothing. Jesus owns everything. And how liberating it is to live with open hands, receiving his gifts with gratitude and offering them back freely in love!
These days, as soon as I wake up, I kneel and pray John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer:
I am no longer my own, but Thine.
Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt,
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by Thee, or laid aside for Thee.
Exalted for Thee, or brought low for Thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to Thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am Thine. So be it.
And the covenant I made on earth
Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
When we become followers of Christ through baptism or join the church through membership, we promise to faithfully participate in its ministries through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
Stewardship is more than a financial commitment. It is all of life. This month is a wonderful opportunity to reevaluate, realign, and rededicate our lives to God. This Sunday, we will celebrate Stewardship Sunday, followed by a thank-you luncheon featuring blueberry-themed desserts. Everyone is welcome!
This past Sunday, we celebrated Laity Sunday, affirming that we are all called to participate in God's mission. Every member of the body of Christ matters, and every person has gifts to share.
Several of our church leaders shared what serving means to them personally. I hope their stories encourage you and remind you of the many ways God is at work among us.
You can also watch the service and read the message below:
- Celebrating Our Shared Ministry: https://youtu.be/lR3DpmJA-5Q
- Worship Service: https://youtu.be/bs7kWcsWWKM
- Sermon, “Generosity” (John 7:53–8:11): https://324oldmainstreet.blogspot.com/2026/10/generosity-john-753-811.html
Please keep those on our prayer list, along with those who are sick or recovering, in your prayers: Tom Osborn, Jeannette Leupold (Cape Regency), Louise Fietz (Mayflower), Irene Shaw, Tom Wruk, Jamie Cartier, and our beloved Matilda, granddaughter of Al and Pearl Keinath. If you would like to add a loved one to our prayer list or join our prayer team, please let me know. It is a privilege to carry one another in prayer.
Thank you for being part of our church family. May we continue to grow more like Christ and become more loving and generous in all our relationships. Have a blessed week!
In Christ's Love,
Pastor Victor
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