Fourth Sunday in Lent & UMCOR Sunday

Fourth Sunday in Lent & UMCOR Sunday

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Where do you need the gift of sight from the Spirit?

WELCOME

  • March 19, 2023
  • Hybrid Sunday Worship
  • 10am in the Sanctuary

Welcome to Blaine Memorial’s Worship Service! It is an honor and a privilege to have you with us in person and online on this Fourth Sunday in Lent. Today is also UMCOR Sunday in the United Methodist Church. We will take the time to learn more about the UMCOR ministries in our greater connectional church. Rev. Karen Yokota Love will provide today’s sermon, 20/20 Vision. We welcome you to this time of worship!

Prelude
Sanctuary
by John Thompson and Randy Scruggs
Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
Call to Worship
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
Opening Hymn
God of Love and God of Power
(UMH #578)
Eugene & Kathy Onishi
Opening Prayer
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
Scripture Reading
1 Samuel 16: 1-13 (CEB)
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
& Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Scripture Reading
John 9: 1-12 (NRSVUE)
Sharon Maeda
& Tsutomu Nagoya
Special Music
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Blaine Memorial Choir
Scripture Reading
John 9: 13-34
UMCOR
Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response
Pastoral Prayer
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Scripture Reading
John 9: 35-41
Sharon Maeda & Tsutomu Nagoya
Sermon
20/20 Vision
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Reflection
Come, Holy Spirit (TFWS #2125)
Eugene & Kathy Onishi
UMCOR
Sunday Video
Intro to Offering
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Doxology
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
(UMH #94)
Kathy Onishi
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Closing Hymn
We Are Marching (TFWS #2235b)
Eugene & Kathy Onishi
Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude
How Majestic Is Your Name
by
Michael W. Smith
Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Zoom Breakout Room
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn


SERMON REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. In this story, we heard about how Jesus healed a blind man. For the first time in his life, the blind man could see. What is something Jesus has allowed you to “see” now that you could not “see” a year ago?

2. What spiritual clarity has God given you during this unusual time in our history? What can you “see” in the midst of the difficulties around you?

3. What insights and truths can you believe from this passage that might help you to be a light to the darkness around you? Where do you need the gift of sight from the Spirit?

4. Stop and pray. What areas of your heart are you struggling with in your walk toward Jesus?

UPCOMING LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES

  • Monday, March 20, 2023: Psalm 146; Isaiah 59:9-19; Acts 9:1-20
  • Tuesday, March 21, 2023: Psalm 146; Isaiah 42:14-21; Colossians 1:9-14
  • Wednesday, March 22, 2023: Psalm 146; Isaiah 60:17-22; Matthew 9:27-34
  • Thursday, March 23, 2023: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 1:1-3, 2:8-3:3; Revelation 10:1-11
  • Friday, March 24, 2023: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 33:10-16; Revelation 11:15-19
  • Saturday, March 25, 2023: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 36:8-15; Luke 24:44-53


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Daikanreki Documentary Rehearsal

Today After Service

Blaine Memorial Archive Committee is producing a historical video documentary of the first 120 years of Blaine Memorial which will be in 2024. A dry run-through rehearsal is planned for today immediately after worship. Dress in clothes appropriate to 1942 — hats, dresses and suits or jackets, overcoats, etc. Please turn in your Participant Release Agreement form to the ushers.

Upcoming Worship Services & Easter

See Dates

  • Sunday, April 2, 2023: Palm/Passion Sunday, 10am
  • Friday, April 7, 2023: Good Friday Service at 7pm with Japanese Baptist Church at Blaine (6pm: light dinner)
  • Sunday, April 9, 2023: Easter Sunday, 10am

We come together to celebrate God’s love through the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter morning. Please bring flowers to decorate the cross and invite children to find eggs in the courtyard at Blaine!

Wednesday Coffee & Prayer

March 22, 9am on Zoom

Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, 9am. A few Lenten devotionals will be read. Brew a fresh cup of coffee or steep some tea. This is a great opportunity to pause in the middle of the week to check in with others. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to gathering on Tuesday.

Tent City 3 Meal Service

March 26

Blaine Memorial Youth Group plans to cook spaghetti for Tent City 3 and deliver the food on Sunday March 26 after the worship service. Please bring any fruit, cookies, etc. if you would like to provide any desserts to our neighbors. Please contact Lynne & Lawrence (lynneonishi@gmail.com or lawrence.byg@gmail.com) for any questions.

Reconciling Ministries Bible Study

March 22 & April 5, 7pm

The Reconciling Ministries task force is excited to host space tor conversations about LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the church. Join us for a short Bible study series exploring scripture through “Faithful and Inclusive: The Bible, Sexuality, and the United Methodist Church”.

We will examine how United Methodists read the Bible looking at passages in the Old and New Testaments. See what the scriptures reveal about God and human sexuality. Join us on Zoom – a link will be sent out in an email prior to Wednesday’s meeting time (March 22 and April 5) from 7:00pm- 8:30pm. Contact Lynne Onishi with any questions at lynneonishi@gmail.com.

All-Church Lenten Book Study for small groups: Finding Jesus and the Psalms

This year’s All Church Lenten Book Study is Finding Jesus and the Psalms with Barb Roose. Roose guides the reader through a meaningful encounter with the Psalms through the season of Lent. Combining an interpretation of the psalms with real life stories, the study moves through the familiar words of Psalm 23 toward the painful cries of Psalm 22 uttered by Jesus on the cross. The study includes reflections on the life of King David and the original context of the writings, along with connections between the psalms and the life and death of Jesus the Messiah. The Church Office has a limited supply of books available for $17, Leader Guides are $16. You can also purchase on your own on Amazon.com or Cokesbury.com.

Chips, Savory Items Needed!

Thank you all for generously donating sweet and savory treats for post-worship fellowship time. At this time, we are in great need of more chips and savory items. We invite you to donate store-bought individually wrapped bags of chips (potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos etc.). Please

drop off your donations to the Narthex, Church Office, or Social Hall when convenient either on Sunday or during Church Office Hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm). Thank you very much for your donations in advance! If you are interested in helping serve refreshments on

Sundays after worship, please contact Julie Lock at: jtlock00@gmail.com.

Summer Camps & VBS!

See Dates

This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Please save the dates for your children and youth!

  • June 25-30, 2023: Jr. High Camp (for incoming 6th-9th graders)
  • July 10-14, 2023: Vacation Bible School, 10am-3pm
  • July 23-28, 2023: Asian Camp (for incoming 10th grade-2 years post–high school

(Both Jr. High Camp (JHC) and Asian American Summer Camp (AC) will be held at Camp Lodestar in Wilseyville, CA.)

COVID-19 UPDATE

Current policies at Blaine Memorial

  • Blaine Memorial UMC’s campus is open from Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm. The Church Office is closed on Mondays. Our priority is to continue to do no harm.
  • We encourage everyone to get the recently CDC-approved updated bivalent COVID-19 booster if eligible. Currently, anyone aged 12 years or older who has completed at least a primary series is eligible for a bivalent booster, regardless of the number or type of prior booster doses received so long as at least two months have passed since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
  • CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible.
  • The first COVID-19 booster vaccine is required to attend in-person worship, if eligible.
  • We require verification of proof of full vaccination or a SAME DAY negative test available in Narthex or Church Office.
  • If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please have two negative rapid antigen (home) tests done five days after the onset of symptoms, and also be symptom-free before returning to church.
  • We require that everyone wear an N95 mask, KN95 or KF94 masks.
  • We thank you for your continued flexibility as these decisions can change at any time based on unpredictable infection rates.

Afghanistan and Ukrainian Refugee Donation & Collection Ministry

• Collecting Items: At this time, we have an abundance of some items and so we are NOT in need of clothing or children’s toys. Especially needed items are women’s products, toothpaste, personal care items, rice cookers, blenders, mixing bowls, microwave ovens, toasters, mixers, irons, dish sets, towels, and blankets.

• Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Collection items can be dropped off to the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00am-4:00pm. Please call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.

• South King County Response Center Collection & Volunteer Hours: The Donation Center is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays from 10am-2pm, same time as the Tukwila Pantry at 3118 S. 140th St. Seattle. Please text Kim Parks at (206) 683-1707 when you would like to help.

• Please wear a mask and bring a marking pen and measuring tape if possible.

• Please contact Donna Sekijima at: donnasek@outlook.com and/or Anne Arakaki-Lock at: salock@comcast.net.

The latest issue of the Beacon newsletter is ready for viewing. Click the image above.

Get the latest news from Blaine Memorial UMC! The Beacon newsletter can be found in the Church office, sanctuary, social hall…and NOW at blaineonline.org! This month offers great stories and insights from our own pastoral leadership and church members. Want to subscribe? Contact Rev. Karen for details!

This year our Sukiyaki Dinner Fundraiser will be takeout only. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Rainier Valley Food Bank and please join to clean the LAC kitchen on Sunday, March 26 after worship as we prepare the event.