Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 

Welcome!

Order of Worship

Prelude 
Change My Heart, O God 
(Eddie Espinosa)
Kathy Onishi 
Welcome of Grace and Greeting 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Call to Worship 
Arlene Naganawa
Opening Song 
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness 
(TFWS #2272)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi 
Opening Prayer 
Arlene Naganawa
First Scripture 
Reading Matthew 18:21-35 (CEB) 
Arlene Naganawa
Children’s Message 
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Special Music 
Amen, So Be It  Natalie Sleeth
Blaine Memorial Choir
Celebrating the Reappointment of Our Pastors 
Arlene Naganawa
Second Scripture 
Reading Romans 14:1-12 (CEB) 
Arlene Naganawa
Message 
Not 7, but 77 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Reflection 
Grace Alone 
(TFWS #2162)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Introduction to the Offering 
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Doxology 
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Announcements 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love 
Closing Hymn 
Help Us Accept Each Other 
(UMH #520)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi 
Benediction 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude 
May You Run and Not Be Weary 
(Paul Murakami and Handt Hanson)
Kathy Onishi 

Sermon Reflection Questions

  1. Does forgiveness require certain conditions for it to be fulfilled? Forgiveness has two sides: the person needing forgiveness and the person offering forgiveness. Can we really forgive another unless the other person repents of the action and regrets the act sufficiently not to want to do it again?
  2. Is there someone in your life who you have been unable to forgive?
  3. Are you able to offer that person forgiveness?

Daily Lectionary Readings

Monday, September 18, 2023:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 77; Joshua 3:1-17; Hebrews 11:23-29
Complementary: Psalm 133; Genesis 48:8-22; Hebrews 11:23-29
Tuesday, September 19, 2023:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 77; Nehemiah 9:9-15; Romans 14:13-15:2
Complementary: Psalm 133; Genesis 49:29-50:14; Romans 14:13-15:2
Wednesday, September 20, 2023:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 77; 2 Kings 2:1-18; Mark 11:20-25
Complementary: Psalm 133; Genesis 50:22-26; Mark 11:20-25
Thursday, September 21, 2023:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Exodus 15:22-27; 2 Corinthians 13:1-4
Complementary: Psalm 145:1-8; Nahum 1:1, 14-2:2; 2 Corinthians 13:1-4
Friday, September 22, 2023:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Exodus 16:1-21; 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
Complementary: Psalm 145:1-8; Nahum 2:3-13; 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
Saturday, September 23, 2023:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Exodus 16:22-30; Matthew 19:23-30
Complementary: Psalm 145:1-8; Zephaniah 2:13-15; Matthew 19:23-30

Announcements

Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • September 20 at 9am

The Wednesday Prayer group continues to meet each week. Our time together consists of a check-in question centering around United Methodist Founder John Wesley’s famous question, “How is it with your soul?” Our time together continues with a few readings from The Upper Room Magazine September/October edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We hope you can join us!

Celebrating the Re-Appointment of our Pastors with a Blaine Potluck! Today at 11:30am

Please join us today at 11:30am in the Lee Activity Center as we gather to celebrate the reappointments of our beloved pastors, Rev. Karen, Rev. Mia, Rev. Jeney and Rev. Mark, for their outstanding pastoral leadership at our church! What’s a better way than to show our appreciation than by having a ‘Blaine’ potluck? This will be the first potluck that we’re having since the start of the pandemic! Blaine potlucks have always been synonymous with special occasions and celebrating our pastors is definitely a special occasion. Joyfully celebrate!