First Sunday of Advent

All are Welcome!

First Sunday of Advent
December 1, 2024, 10:00am
Hybrid Worship
Today’s flowers are provided by Sharon Maeda
View the PDF

Order of Worship

Prelude
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
By Bob McGee
Kathy Onishi

Words of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Cathlynn Law

Call to Worship
Inspired by Isaiah 43:1-4 and Luke 1:26-29
Rev. Cathlynn Law

Opening Prayer
Rev. Cathlynn Law

Opening Hymn
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
(UMH #196)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi

Lighting the Advent Candle
Harry, Dawn, Evan, Adam
and Wyatt Sakaguchi-Tang

Special Music
In Silence We Wait
By: John Parker, arr. by Lloyd Larson
Blaine Memorial Choir

First Scripture Reading
Luke 1:26-38 (NRSVUE)
Tsutomu Nagoya, Leann Onishi

Second Scripture Reading
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NRSVUE)
Tsutomu Nagoya, Leann Onishi

Sermon
Be Not Afraid, I Have Called You By Name
Rev. Cathlynn Law

Music of Reflection
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
(UMH #206)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi

Holy Communion
Rev. Cathlynn Law and Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn

Offertory Invitation
Leann Onishi

Doxology
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
(UMH #94)

Prayer of Dedication
Leann Onishi

Announcements
Leann Onishi and Friends

Closing Hymn
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
(UMH #211)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi

Benediction
Rev. Cathlynn Law

Postlude
Like A Child
Daniel Charles Damon; arr. by David Cherwien
Kathy Onishi

Lectionary Questions

Can you remember a time when you were afraid? What things bring up the feeling of fear? What helps calm your fear and anxiety to bring comfort and courage?
What would it look like for us – individually and as a congregation – to acknowledge the fearful spaces that reside within us and still persist with embodied peace and grace?
What spiritual practices help you move closer to accepting the steadfast and unconditional love of God? What helps you to perceive yourself — and others — as a blessing?

Daily Lectionary Readings

Sunday, December 1, 2024: First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16 • Psalm 25:1-10 • 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 • Luke 21:25-36

Monday, December 2, 2024:
Psalm 90 • Numbers 17:1-11 • 2 Peter 3:1-18

Tuesday, December 3, 2024:
Psalm 90 • 2 Samuel 7:18-29 • Revelation 22:12-16

Wednesday, December 4, 2024:
Psalm 90 • Isaiah 1:24-31 • Luke 11:29-32

Thursday, December 5, 2024:
Luke 1:68-79 • Malachi 3:5-12 • Philippians 1:12-18a

Friday, December 6, 2024:
Luke 1:68-79 • Malachi 3:13-18 • Philippians 1:18b-26

Saturday, December 7, 2024:
Luke 1:68-79 • Malachi 4:1-6 • Luke 9:1-6

Announcements

Smoked Salmon on Sale for $20!

Immediately after worship on December 1, we’ll have smoked salmon on sale for $20 per pound. There are two varieties available. Lesley Okura will share a limited amount of samples after worship. The proceeds is a part of our Bazaar sales which will help benefit Mission Guatemala! Limited quantities are available.

Holiday Card Signing in the Social Hall until Sunday 12/8!

You’re invited to sign Christmas cards for our church members who are sick, recovering from being ill, grieving a loss of a loved one, or in a skilled facility home. The cards are in the Social Hall until Sunday (12/8). 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. Let’s fill up each of the cards with Blaine love and hope for our loved ones!

***Terri Adolfo hangs Giving Tree gift tags for the Blaine Memorial community.***

Giving Tree 2024!

Giving Tree
Sunday, November 17- Sunday, December 1, 2024

Giving Tree, Wrapped Gifts Due
Sunday, December 8, 2024

NJAUMC Caucus Advent Study Group • Tuesdays, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 at 6:30pm-8:00pm

Members of the NJAUMC Caucus have put together an Advent study based on The Christmas Letters. All NJAUMC churches are invited to attend the study. The facilitators are US Navy Chaplain Rev. John M. Miyahara and Pastor Brian Lee from Simpson UMC in Denver, Colorado, Rev. Ki Choi from Centenary UMC and Rev. Karen Yokota Love from Blaine Memorial UMC. The meeting dates are Tuesdays 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 from 6:30pm-8:00pm on Zoom. You don’t need to read the book to join the group.

Prayers and Coffee on Zoom • Wednesdays at 9am

Join the Rev. Karen Yokota Love 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.

***From these cotton rice bags, Blaine’s special 120th Anniversary Aprons are created.***

Anniversary Aprons…Now Available!

Our special 120th Anniversary Aprons are now ready to purchase, $40, starting this Sunday right after worship service. These aprons were made from no longer available cotton rice bags. Many of them reflect stains and blemishes from hard-working ancestors, a reminder of their spirit and perseverance.

We are grateful for the generosity of the friends and families that gifted Blaine Memorial with their rice bags and the many hands that created these sturdy aprons.

Help celebrate Blaine Memorial’s 120 years of our faith journey. This fundraiser helps Blaine Memorial to continue to grow in faith, hope and love. Thanks be to God!

Advent & Christmas Announcements

Children and Youth Christmas Play
Sunday, Dec. 15, at 10am.
All are invited to come to the Lee Activity Center to witness our children and youth perform in a special Christmas Play.

Blue Christmas Service
Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 7pm.
Our Blue Christmas Service provides space for prayer, reflection, and remembrance for those grieving during this holiday season (Livestreamed)

Christmas Music Sunday
Sunday, Dec. 22, at 10:00am.
Christmas Music Sunday will feature jams from our Blaine Memorial Choir, B.U.G.S., young adults, and more.

Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 4pm.
We will have one Traditional Christmas Eve Lesson and Carols Candlelight Service.

2024 Congregation Photograph

On December 15, 2024, we will be taking a 120th anniversary commemorative photo of our whole congregation in the Lee Activity Center after the children’s Christmas program. Please stay for this photograph which will be a snapshot of our present 2024 congregation in our 120th year as a church family. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this Blaine Memorial UMC 120th Anniversary photo!

120th Anniversary Sunday Service and Potluck

On January 26, 2025, Blaine Memorial UMC will have a 120th anniversary Sunday service with special guests to celebrate and reflect on its 120-year history and look forward to its further growth and development into the next 120 years of service in love. There will be a potluck gathering and program following the service. There will also be ministry table exhibits of past and present ministries of the church such as music ministry, Sunday School ministry, Youth ministry, missions ministry, sports ministry, etc. Please join us for the culminating celebration of our 120th anniversary and start of our 121st year! We look forward to celebrating with all our members new and old and our many community friends. All are welcome.