Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

All are Welcome!

  • Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
  • September 15, 2024 • 10:00am
  • Hybrid Worship
  • Continue scrolling or view the PDF
  • Thank you Miriam Tong for today’s flower arrangement

Order of Worship

Prelude 
Arioso
J.S. Bach (arr. Lorenz)
Campanella Bell Choir
Welcome of Grace and Greeting 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Call to Worship
By Dr. Lisa Hancock 
Christine Yorozu
*Opening Song 
As the Deer 
(TFWS #2025)
Eugene Onishi and Miriam Tong
Opening Prayer 
Christine Yorozu
First Scripture Reading
James 3:1-12 (JLB, CEB) 
Tsutomu Nagoya, Christine Yorozu
Children’s Message
Sai Hanaoka
Special Music
Lacrymosa
By Mozart
Campanella Bell Choir
Second Scripture Reading
Mark 8:27-38 (JLB, CEB) 
Tsutomu Nagoya, Christine Yorozu 
Sermon
Who Do You Say I Am?
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Meditation
Cry of My Heart
(TFWS #2165) 
Eugene Onishi and Kathy Onishi
Invitation to the Offering
Christine Yorozu
Offertory Music
Pastoral on Forest Green 
Dale Wood
Campanella Bell Choir
*Doxology
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Ron Ebbers 
*Prayer of Dedication
Christine Yorozu
Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Closing Hymn
More Like You
Eugene Onishi and Kathy Onishi
(TFWS #2167)
*Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude
Joyful Praise
Hal Hapson
Campanella Bell Choir

Sermon Questions

  • Read Mark 8:27-38. How would your closest friends share words that best describe you?
  • What labels were people using to describe Jesus in His day? Why? What words do people today use today? What shapes their opinions?
  • Why is the question, “Who do you say I am?” (v.29) important? Who is Jesus and how has your answer changed over time?
  • What reasons does Jesus give for why people should follow him down this hard road?
  • How has your relationship with Jesus affected your lifestyle? Relationships? Priorities? Politics?

Daily Lectionary

Sunday, September 15, 2024:
Proverbs 1:20-33; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 19; Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 – 8:1; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38; Psalm 116:1-9
Monday, September 16, 2024:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 22:1-21; Romans 3:9-20; Complementary: Psalm 119:169-176; 1 Kings 13:1-10; Romans 3:9-20
Tuesday, September 17, 2024:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 25:1-28; Colossians 3:1-11; Complementary: Psalm 119:169-176; 1 Kings 13:11-25; Colossians 3:1-11
Wednesday, September 18, 2024:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 29:1-27; John 7:25-36; Complementary: Psalm 119:169-176; Isaiah 10:12-20; John 7:25-36
Thursday, September 19, 2024:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 1; Proverbs 30:1-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Complementary: Psalm 54; Judges 6:1-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Friday, September 20, 2024: 
Semi-continuous: Psalm 1; Proverbs 30:18-33; Romans 11:25-32; Complementary: Psalm 54; 1 Kings 22:24-40; Romans 11:25-32
Saturday, September 21, 2024: 
Semi-continuous: Psalm 1; Ecclesiastes 1:1-18; Matthew 23:29-39; Complementary: Psalm 54; 2 Kings 17:5-18; Matthew 23:29-39

Announcements

Bazaar 2024 is coming! Mark your calendars for this awesome event! Pre-order your favorite foods by clicking on the image above!

Reflections on 120 Years of Grace Discussion Sessions • 9/15, 9/22, 10/13, 10/20

The Archives Committee is sponsoring a four-part discussion series on the 120-year history and future of Blaine Memorial UMC, titled “Reflections on 120 Years of Grace.”  The discussion sessions will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. after Sunday service in the Social Hall on September 15 and 22 and October 13 and 20, 2024.  Light refreshments will be served. 

The first session, titled “Go Forth in Faith,” will discuss the early church from 1904 to 1941.  The second session, titled “Strong in Hope,” will discuss the incarcerated church in WW II and the postwar rebuilding of the church to 1964.  The third session, titled “Serve in Love,” will center on the years 1965 to 2024 and the fourth, titled “Into the Future,” will reflect on what we have learned and discuss our visions for the future development of the church.  Materials will be presented from the archives as well as church members knowledgeable about each period will speak of their experiences. 

There will be ample time for participants to ask questions and share their own thoughts. Please join us in learning more about our church’s history and begin discussions on our visions for the next 120 years.

In conjunction with this discussion series, the Archives Committee is organizing another “competition” organized by Shig Nishida.  We are asking members to submit their reflections on the history and future of Blaine Memorial UMC.  This can take the form of submitting a few sentences, a paragraph, a short essay, short graphic novel/cartoon/anime, short play, a prayer, poems, music/song (new composition or lyrics sung to the tune of a known song), artwork, video, dance, etc.  Let us read/hear/see/feel your thoughts on the 120 years of Grace and the next 120 years of Grace for Blaine Memorial UMC.  Submit your entries to the Blaine Memorial UMC office by October 27, 2024 (sooner than later is preferred).

The Archives Committee continually seeks relevant church documents, photographs, and other materials and memorabilia to add to our archival records and illuminate previously unknown parts of our church’s history. Please let the committee know if you have any materials to donate or materials for the committee to scan and add to the archives. Monetary donations in support of the work of the archives are also appreciated.

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Prayers and Coffee on Zoom • Wednesdays at 9am

Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. This is a great way to start your morning, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Camping Ministries Sunday • September 22

Our youth are sharing their faith testimonies from Jr. High Camp and Asian Camp. Congregation members will learn more about the National Japanese American United Methodist Church (NJAUMC) Camping Ministries programs which include our summer camps, Jr. High Camp and Asian Camp and what the future holds for our camping ministries. We’ll sing new and old camp songs together and our BYG youth will lead this worship service.

A beautiful landscape view of green plants on hills and Volcan de Fuego mountains on the horizon in Antigua, Guatemala

Mission Guatemala Sunday • September 29

Twenty-two church members/missionaries who ventured off to Panajachel, Guatemala during the month of August will share their faith testimonies from their week-long trip. Congregation members will learn more about how we can help and support Mission Guatemala and the people in Panajachel and why they are the beneficiary at this year’s Bazaar.

Content for the September issue of the Beacon will be on blaineonline.org. The October issue will be released in a few weeks. To see the archive, click the image above.

Beacon Newsletter Announcement

During September, stories and content for Blaine Memorial UMC’s newsletter, the “Beacon” will be uploaded to our website blaineonline.org. It is a busy time for Rev. Karen as she continues to search for support staff to lead our youth and perform other tasks to continue maintaining Blaine Memorial’s vibrant ministry. We are also working to improve our printing services and our ministry online – which also need time to develop.

Stay connected through announcements in our Sunday Worship Bulletin and at blaineonline.org. You can also follow Blaine Memorial UMC on Facebook.

The Rev. Karen Yokota Love speaks during a QA session with clergy during Asian Camp 2024.

Asian Camp 50th Anniversary Event (Southern California) • October 12

Calling all Asian Camp campers, counselors, directors, past and present! RSVP for this years AC 50th anniversary event on October 12! RSVPs & ticket purchasing is due by August 20th, 2024.

  • Visit withjoy.com/asiancamp
  • Ticket purchasing will be done through PayPal found at njaumccamps.org/50th OR checks made out to NJAUMC Camping Ministries, sent to our Camping Board Finance Chair Carol Tondo at 2313 Pacific Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

In addition, the Sunday following (10/13), we will be having a joint gathering/service at Centenary UMC at 2PM. Join us in continuing to fellowship together as we celebrate 50 years of camp! Please contact Rev. Karen if you have any questions.

Afghanistan and Ukrainian Refugee Donation Ministry

Items being collected: 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 include 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 at the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 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, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 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. Other Questions? Please contact Donna Sekijima or Anne Arakaki-Lock.