Spiritual Formation Center
Using His Light to See
By Anne Arakaki-Lock
When a bad cold keeps me homebound and I need to focus on listening to God, I first have to quiet down the clutter in my head if I am going to be able to hear.
The Southern California fires are raging, and I am concerned about my friends and family down there. Former President Carter is being laid to rest and I am so distracted and interested to know more about the long-term impact he has had on our nation. Then there are the political rumblings of the White House transition, the Canadian Prime Minister’s resignation, important prayer text messages from friends and family, a home repair issue, several necessary tasks to get done for the upcoming Blaine Anniversary potluck, people to contact with the pressure of an out-of-town trip next week. Focusing is a challenge. Then never mind my resolution to keep up with my exercise workout.
Want to know how I center my monkey mind and hear what God is saying directly to me in order to share my faith story? I know lots of you do this already: I open my Bible. Loud and clear, I hear God’s voice that keeps me grounded and going forward for Him.
Today He said, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
It is amazing how quickly I realize who the center of the universe is (and it’s not me and my to-do list BTW). In fact, my THOUGHT FOR THE DAY is that we must seek His light first if we want to get somewhere, especially when things are chaotic.
Anne Arakaki-Lock is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.
Lectionary Readings
| First Sunday in Lent March 9, 2025 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13 |
| Second Sunday in Lent March 16, 2025 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a) |
| Third Sunday in Lent March 23, 2025 Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-81 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 |
| Annunciation of the Lord March 25, 2025 Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 45 or Psalm 40:5-10 Hebrews 10:4-10 Luke 1:26-38 |
| Fourth Sunday in Lent March 30, 2025 Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 322 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 |
| Fifth Sunday in Lent April 6, 2025 Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 |
| Liturgy of the Palms April 13, 2025 Sixth Sunday in Lent Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Luke 19:28-40 |
| Liturgy of the Passion April 13, 2025 Sixth Sunday in Lent Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49 |
| Monday of Holy Week April 14, 2025 Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 36:5-11 Hebrews 9:11-15 John 12:1-11 |
| Tuesday of Holy Week April 15, 2025 Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 71:1-141 Corinthians 1:18-31 John 12:20-36 |
| Wednesday of Holy Week April 16, 2025 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 70 Hebrews 12:1-3 John 13:21-32 |
| Maundy Thursday April 17, 2025 Holy Thursday Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-191 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 |
| Good Friday April 18, 2025 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1-19:42 |
| Holy Saturday April 19, 2025 Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24 Psalm 31:1-4, 15-161 Peter 4:1-8 Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42 |
Announcements
Prayer and Coffee • Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesday (3/12) at 9:00AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. This is a great way to begin Lent, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. We will discuss the significance of Lent. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.
Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study • See Dates and Times (Below)
Rev. Karen will lead a 7-week Lent Book Study using Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study. She will teach the class on the following days:
- Tuesday (3/11), 7:00PM
- Tuesday (3/18), 7:00PM
- Tuesday (4/1), 7:00PM
- Tuesday (4/8), 7:00PM
- Tuesday (4/15), 7:00PM
The classes will be held on Zoom and the link will be released the day before. Please note that some classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays due to scheduling conflicts with other events taking place at the church. Thank you in advance for your flexibility.
This year’s All Church Lenten Book is Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study. The book is written by Cynthia M. Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. For Lent this year, our theme will be Bread of Life: Meeting Jesus at the Table.
The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus sharing meals with people. Whether multiplying bread to feed a whole crowd, relaxing with his inner circle, or telling curious elites’ stories about even greater banquets, Jesus imparts wisdom and forgiveness during mealtimes.
This book study provides biblical insights along with thought-provoking queries regarding our own time, such as whom should we invite to Sunday dinner and who is left out and left behind in our culture today. Each chapter includes questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.
Books are on sale in the Church Office for $10.00 each.
Reconciling Ministries Network Devotional, Written by Lynne Onishi
Blaine Memorial UMC Member, Former BYG Director, and CST Seminarian Lynne Onishi has written a Lenten devotional, and it is available as a digital download for $10. You can read a little more about the RMN Lenten Devotional here: Into the Wilderness: a Reconciling Lenten Devotional – Reconciling Ministries Network.
Kimball Elementary School Cloud Pavilion Art Dedication • Thursday, March 13, 5:30pm
Kimball Elementary School Principal Angela Bogan has invited the Blaine Memorial congregation to Artist Erin Shigaki’s Cloud Pavilion Art Installation in the Kimball Elementary School Library on March 13, from 5:30PM-6:30PM. The Cloud Pavilion (kumo no akusha) by Erin Shigaki conveys the histories, hopes, and relationships of both Kimball Elementary students and Beacon Hill residents. Please RSVP to Yuki Sofronas by Wednesday, March 12 at 4:00PM so we can get a head count. The church is arranging rides to the school entrance. For those who feel comfortable walking to the school, we will walk together in a group.
About Erin Shigaki
Erin Shigaki’s art practice focuses on the experiences of communities of color, often the World War II (1939-45) incarceration of her Japanese-American community. She is passionate about highlighting similarities between that history, the detention and family separation immigrants face today, and other systemic violence and injustices that people of color continue to face. She believes that using art to tell stories about these moments can educate, redress wrongs, and heal. Erin Shigaki was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She is a graphic designer and illustrator by trade. She is also a community activist. She helps run an annual pilgrimage to Minidoka, the American WWII concentration camp where her family was incarcerated, and she is also a part of Tsuru for Solidarity, working to end detention and incarceration for all. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.
Blaine Girl Scout Troop #43880 Cookie Booth • March 16, 2025 after Sunday Service (Social Hall)
Please come out to get your favorite cookies and support our Girl Scout Troop this year as they raise money for their annual camping trip! Thank you for your support!
- Adventurefuls
- Do-Si-Dos
- Girl Scouts S’mores (retiring)
- Lemon-ups
- Samoas
- Tagalongs
- Thin Mints
- Toffee-tastic (GF)
- Trefoils
Guatemala Mission Trip Informational Meeting • March 16, 2025
Are you interested in going on a mission trip this coming August 8 to August 16? Do you have a desire to serve others in an underdeveloped country? Are you not sure about going, but want to learn more? Blaine will again partner with Mission Guatemala and send a mission team to San Andrés Semetebaj, Guatemala. Please join us for a short informational meeting Sunday, March 16, in the Webb Room at 12:00. If you have any questions, please contact Bob or Donna Sekijima at or Alice Ikeda.
Read more about Blaine Memorial’s 2024 Guatemala Mission trip.
50th Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival at Seattle Center • April 11-13, 2025
The Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Washington are asking for your help. They need refreshments for the Volunteer Hospitality Team who is working at the 50th Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival at the Seattle Center. They are requesting potluck dish donations of mochi, onigiri, spaghetti, different salads, beverages, snacks, hot dogs, etc.
Potluck dishes may lovingly be donated the days of Friday (4/11), Saturday (4/12), and Sunday (4/13) from 11:00AM-5:00PM. Questions? Please email Emiliano Baird or call (206) 372-5156.
Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry @ Riverton Park UMC • Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Riverton Park UMC is in dire need of:
- Diapers (sizes 3 through 7)
- Diaper wipes
- Kitchen pots and pans
- Paper plates
- Toothpaste
- Long grain rice
- Cooking oil
Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Collection items can be dropped off to the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00AM-4:00PM. Please call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.
An All-Church Retreat to Refresh, Renew, and Rejoice! • August 22-24, 2025
We are bringing back the All-Church Camp Retreat! This year’s theme is Refresh, Renew and Rejoice! Please save the dates: August 22-24, 2025! Our campsite location will be in Olympia, WA. Please contact Harry Tang with questions. More information to be revealed…
The Beacon Newsletter is Now Available!
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View the March 2025 Calendar
