Welcome
- Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, 10am
- First Sunday of Advent
- Hybrid Worship
- Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin
Order of Worship
| Prelude Like a Child By D. Damon, D. Cherwien Kathy Onishi |
| Words of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Call to Worship Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Opening Hymn Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus • UMH #196 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Lighting the Advent Candle Glenn and Arlene Mitsui with Gibby |
| Scripture Reading Mark 13:24-37 (NRSVUE, JLB) Arlene Mitsui and George Yates |
| Message for the Children Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Special Music Waiting for the Promise By J. McGuire and L. Larson Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Sermon Our Shocking Hope Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Music of Reflection I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light • UMH #206 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Holy Communion Rev. Karen Yokota Love Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Offertory Invitation Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Doxology “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” • UMH #94 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Prayer of Dedication Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Closing Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel • UMH #211 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude O Come, O Come, Emmanuel • By L. Larson Kathy Onishi |
Sermon Questions
1. What are your temple stories? What stories have been foundational for you but no longer give you a safe or life-giving place to stand?
2. What things do you do to stay awake and prepared for God’s work in your life?
3. What commitments are you willing to make to God during this Advent season?
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Monday, December 4, 2023: Psalm 79; Micah 4:1-5; Revelation 15:1-8 |
| Tuesday, December 5, 2023: Psalm 79; Micah 4:6-13; Revelation 18:1-10 |
| Wednesday, December 6, 2023: Psalm 79; Micah 5:1-5a; Luke 21:34-38 |
| Thursday, December 7, 2023: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Hosea 6:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 |
| Friday, December 8, 2023: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 11:19-26 |
| Saturday, December 9, 2023: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Mark 11:27-33 |
Announcements
December Worship Dates
| Sunday, December 3, 10:00AM First Sunday of Advent and Holy Communion Sunday |
| Sunday, December 10, 10:00AM Christmas Play with children and youth in the LAC |
| Sunday, December 17, 10:00AM Christmas Music Sunday in the Sanctuary |
| Wednesday, December 20, 7:00PM Blue Christmas Service in Kono Chapel |
| Sunday, December 24, 10:00AM Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship Service |
| Sunday, December 24, 5:00PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Lesson and Carols Service |
Reconciling Ministries Curry Lunch! • Today!
Join us on Sunday (12/3) immediately after worship in the Social Hall when we will celebrate with joy that we are a Reconciling Ministries congregation! The Reconciling Ministries Team is hosting a chicken curry lunch with an ube cake (with a macapuno filling) celebration! ALL are welcome!
The Giving Tree Gift Return Deadline • Today
Please return wrapped gifts with securely attached tags by today, Sunday (12/3) in the Social Hall. If you missed the chance to participate or contribute to the Giving Tree this year, we warmly welcome donations. For any inquiries, please contact Terri Adolfo at locket@gmail.com.
Holiday Card Signing • Today
You’re invited to sign Christmas cards for our church members who are sick or in a skilled facility home. The cards are on multiple tables in the Social Hall waiting for your signature until Sunday (12/3). The Social Hall will be open during Church Office Hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm). Please contact the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 if you’d like to sign the cards during the week.
Free hearing tests in the Library • Today
Do you have trouble understanding conversation in noisy places? Do you ask people to repeat themselves? Have people told you to get your hearing checked? If you are experiencing any of these concerns, there will be an opportunity immediately after worship to have your hearing checked. Offerings include a free screening of your hearing, and a free cleaning of your ears. If you use hearing aids, you can have those checked, as well. Please go to the Blaine Library to have your hearing checked!
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • December 6 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. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. Join us!
contacting the church office for Zoom info.
Poinsettias on the Altar • Order now through December 17, 2023
Advent season is here and it is time to sign up for poinsettias for the altar. You may dedicate a poinsettia in celebration of a person or an event, in memory of a loved one or to honor God’s glory. Poinsettias may be taken home after our Christmas Eve services. Each plant is $12.00. The deadline for Poinsettia Orders will be Sunday, December 17, 2023.
‘Tis the Season and the Place: Calling for Haiku and Senryu • Deadline: December 22
This year the special Advent and Christmas “ornament” for Blaine MUMC is a haiku contest dreamed up by Shig Nishida. Not just haiku, but also senryu.
Haiku is a 17-syllable poem, conventional in Japanese, in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables. Senryu, like Haiku, are 17-syllable poems about insights into society, people, rather than about perceptions of nature. Senryu are social commentary or criticism, or personal self-reflections. The poem should imply or suggest the season it occurs in, should be focused on the immediate setting or place where the poem occurs, and should try to show a spontaneous insight.
Submit your entry on a 5×7 index card (available in the entrance of the Sanctuary and in the church office) with bold and large font or handwriting in drop boxes or the office by the deadline of December 22. A panel of judges will select poems in each category submitted in Advent and the poets and their poems will be announced in church. This contest is open to members of all ages, and you may submit multiple entries with prizes awarded to winners.