First Sunday After Christmas Day

All are Welcome

First Sunday After Christmas Day
December 29, 2024 • 10:00am
Hybrid Worship
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Order of Worship

Prelude
Friendly Beasts
Anonymous
Miriam Tong

Words of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

*Call to Worship
Ron Nobuyama

*Opening Hymn
What Child is This?
(UMH #219)
Miriam Tong, Michelle Vaughan

Opening Prayer
Ron Nobuyama

Scripture Reading
Luke 2:41-52 (NRSVUE)
Tsutomu Nagoya, Ron Nobuyama

Sermon
Surprise!
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Song of Reflection
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
All Verses
(UMH #240)
Miriam Tong and Michelle Vaughan

Special Video
A Season of Stewardship:
Blaine Memorial UMC Supports Kimball Elementary School

Offertory Invitation
Ron Nobuyama

Offertory Music
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Arr. by Edith Reed
Miriam Tong

Doxology
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
(UMH #94)
Miriam Tong

Prayer of Dedication
Ron Nobuyama

Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Closing Hymn
Joy to the World
(UMH #246)
Miriam Tong and Michelle Vaughan

Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Postlude
He is Born
Anonymous
Miriam Tong

*Passing of the Peace
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Zoom Breakout Room
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn

Today’s Flowers
Miriam Tong

Sermon Questions

When Joseph and Mary discover Jesus is not with their group, they rush back to Jerusalem to find Him in the Temple talking with teachers. His response in verse 49 is Jesus’ first words in the Gospel. What do we learn about Jesus from these words?
Jesus’ growth physically is mirrored by His growth relationally and spiritually. What might we learn about our own development as disciples from Jesus’ life?
What is one specific thing that God is speaking to you through this study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and pray for one another. If you are studying on your own, write it down and share it with someone.

Daily Lectionary Readings

Sunday, December 29, 2024 – First Sunday after Christmas Day:
• 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
• Psalm 148
• Colossians 3:12-17
• Luke 2:41-52

Monday, December 30, 2024:
• Psalm 147:12-20
• 2 Chronicles 1:7-13
• Mark 13:32-37

Tuesday, December 31, 2024:
• Psalm 147:12-20
• 1 Kings 3:5-14
• John 8:12-19

Wednesday, January 1, 2025, Holy Name of Jesus:
• Numbers 6:22-27
• Psalm 8
• Galatians 4:4-7 or Philippians 2:5-11
• Luke 2:15-21

New Year’s Day
• Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
• Psalm 8
• Revelation 21:1-6a
• Matthew 25:31-46

Thursday, January 2, 2025:
• Psalm 147:12-20
• Proverbs 1:1-7
• James 3:13-18

Friday, January 3, 2025:
• Psalm 72
• Job 42:10-17
• Luke 8:16-21

Saturday, January 4, 2025:
• Psalm 72
• Isaiah 6:1-5
• Acts 7:44-53

Announcements

Holiday Office and Campus Closure • Now to January 3, 2025

The Blaine Memorial UMC Church Office and the entire campus is CLOSED until Thursday, January 2, 2025. The Church Office and Campus will open on Friday, January 3, 2025. Happy New Year!

Video: “A Season of Stewardship: Blaine Memorial UMC Supports Kimball Elementary”

With challenges such as food insecurity, a harsh economy, and homelessness, Blaine Memorial UMC has teamed with Kimball Elementary School to provide dinners through Thanksgiving Meals and presents through the Giving Tree.

Several members of the Blaine Memorial UMC Community, including its Blaine Youth Group (BYG), share what makes this lay-led ministry vital to the families in the neighborhood.

Visit our Original Videos page to view this story and more!

Mochi Taste-Testing! • Saturday, January 4, 2025

In the Japanese tradition to celebrate the start of the new year, we will have a mochi testing event! Mark your calendar: Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 9:30am in the Social Hall. Come and taste freshly made mochi with kinako, shoyu, and other delicious flavors. Experience the best mochi in the Northwest!

New Year’s Ozoni Soup Meal • Sunday, January 5, 2025, after Worship

Ozoni mochi soup will be celebrated and served after church worship on January 5. The Blaine Memorial Choir will host us in the customary making and serving of the New Year’s rice-cake ozoni. The Choir is happy to serve you best wishes for the new year of 2025 in every bowl of ozoni!

Prayer and Coffee Resumes • Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesday (1/8/25) at 9:00AM 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.

120th/121st Anniversary Sunday Service and Potluck • Sunday, January 26, 2025

On Sunday, 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.

We’ll honor our church members and friends who have or will have reached by the end of January, the glorious age of 88 and older by reading their names aloud during worship. In addition, we will remember our saints who have passed away in the last year who were 88 and older by the reading of their names.

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, mission ministry, sports ministry, etc.

Please join us for the culminating celebration of our 120th anniversary and start of our 121styear! We look forward to celebrating with all our members new and old and our many community friends. All are welcome. We will also have a lunch celebration honoring our 88+ and our 120 years! Stay tuned for more information to come.