All are Welcome!
- Second Sunday in Lent
- March 1, 2026
- View the livestream
Sermon Reflection Questions:
- If the ledger of your heart were projected for all to see, what would you most hope God would say about you — and what might you fear God would reveal? (What does that tension tell you about your understanding of grace?)
- In Gospel of Luke 7, Simon believes he owes little, while the woman knows she has been forgiven much. Where in your life are you more like Simon — careful, composed, certain you’re doing fine — and where are you more like the woman — aware of your need and desperate for mercy?
- The sermon reminds us that “forgiven people move differently.” If you truly lived as someone whose debt has been canceled, what would change in how you love, give, forgive, or lift others this week?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “She Comes Sailing on the Wind” TFWS #2122 Kathy Onishi |
| *Call to Worship Dale Kaneko |
| *Opening Hymn “Freely, Freely” UMH #389 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Dale Kaneko |
| Scripture Reading Luke 7:36-50 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Dale Kaneko |
| Children’s Message “The Big Eraser” Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Sermon “Fierce Love” Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Hymn of Reflection “O the Depth of Love Divine” UMH #627 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Holy Communion Rev. Karen Yokota Love and Rev. Dr. Mark C. Hearn |
| Introduction to the Offering Dale Kaneko |
| Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Kathy Onishi |
| Prayer of Dedication Dale Kaneko |
| Announcements Ron Nobuyama |
| *Closing Hymn “We Are God’s People” TFWS #2220 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Dr. Mark C. Hearn |
| Postlude “Give Me a Clean Heart” TFWS #2133 Kathy Onishi |
| There are no altar flowers during the season of Lent. |
Daily Lectionary Readings*
| Sunday, Mar. 01, 2026: Second Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9 |
| Monday, Mar. 02, 2026: Psalm 128; Numbers 21:4-9; Hebrews 3:1-6; |
| Tuesday, Mar. 03, 2026: Psalm 128; Isaiah 65:17-25; Romans 4:6-13; |
| Wednesday, Mar. 04, 2026: Psalm 128; Ezekiel 36:22-32; John 7:53-8:11; |
| Thursday, Mar. 05, 2026: Psalm 95; Exodus 16:1-8; Colossians 1:15-23; |
| Friday, Mar. 06, 2026: Psalm 95; Exodus 16:9-21; Ephesians 2:11-22; |
| Saturday, Mar. 07, 2026: Psalm 95; Exodus 16:27-35; John 4:1-6; |
*Daily Lectionary Readings are provided by Bible Gateway and Vanderbilt University.
Announcements
Dates to Remember
| Wednesdays • Morning Coffee and Prayer | |||
| Saturday, Mar. 7, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. • Sukiyaki Benefit Event! PRE-ORDER NOW! • Girl Scout Cookie Sales | |||
| Sunday, Mar. 15 • Girl Scout Cookie Sales | |||
| Sunday, Mar. 22, Noon • Mission Guatemala Informational Meeting, Webb Room | |||
| Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9 a.m. • 35th Annual ACRS Walk for Rice, Seward Park | |||
| Tuesday, May 19, 2026 • 2026 Educational Scholarship Deadline |
Pre-Order Now!
See Event Updates!
(1) Annual Sukiyaki Benefit Fundraiser Dinner
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 1–6 p.m. | LAC
Our beloved Sukiyaki Dinner is almost here!
Pre-order your sukiyaki meals today:
- $20 per meal
- Cooked or uncooked options available
- Takeout and limited dine-in available
This year’s beneficiary is the Pacific Northwest Conference Disaster Fund, supporting survivors of the December 2025 floods in Washington state.
Volunteer sign-up sheets are available in the LAC for ohagi preparation (Friday and Saturday), food prep, setup, dishwashing, takeout, rice cooking, the bakery booth and more. Thank you for sharing your time, gifts and generous spirit.
(2) NEW: “Tell Me Something Good” Lenten Devotional Booklet Now Available
Our Lenten devotional booklet is now available. Pick up your free copy in the narthex or church office.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Easter Sunday, this weekly devotional follows the Scriptures and themes of our “Tell Me Something Good” series. Designed to deepen your Lenten journey, each week includes:
- Thoughtful commentary
- Poetry
- Visual art
- Written reflections
- Hymns
- Guided reflection prompts
Whether used individually, with your family or as part of a small group, this resource offers meaningful ways to stay rooted in the good news throughout the season.
We hope it will enrich your worship, spark prayerful reflection and help you carry the message of Lent into your daily life. Pick up your copy and journey with us from Ash Wednesday to Easter morning.
(3) NEW: Lenten Series — “Tell Me Something Good”
This Lent, we invite you to journey with us into the heart of our faith as we explore what is most central to the life and ministry of Jesus.
Lent began as a sacred season of preparation for new converts anticipating baptism on Easter. During those 40 days, they focused on the core of Christianity — what truly matters. In that same spirit, our Lenten series will center on what was most essential to Jesus’ life: radical welcome, love of neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry and nonviolence in the face of injustice.
At the heart of Jesus’ teaching, we encounter liberation, love, mercy and grace — good news meant for us all.
The word “radical” comes from the Latin radicalis, meaning “root.” Jesus’ ministry was radical not because it was extreme, but because it brought people back to their roots — to the very heart of God. This season, we will ask: What does it mean to be rooted in good news? In a world overwhelmed by bad news, can we become people who embody and share what is truly good?
The good news is joyful — like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed. It lingers like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It satisfies like bread shared with a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is not abstract — it is alive.
As we worship, pray and reflect together, we hope this series will be fertile ground for deep conversation and faithful action. May this Lent root our hearts in the expansive goodness of God. May the teachings of Jesus lead us forward. And may we become people who help the world hear, see and taste the good news.
(4) Girl Scout Cookie Booth
March 1, 2026 | Social Hall
It’s Girl Scout Cookie season. Blaine’s Girl Scout Troop No. 43880 will host a cookie booth after worship Sunday, March 1, and again March 15, as well as during the Sukiyaki Dinner on March 7. Stop by, stock up on your favorites and encourage our wonderful young leaders. Your support means so much.
(5) NEW: Mission Guatemala Informational Meeting
March 22, 2026 | Noon | Webb Room
Blaine will once again partner with Mission Guatemala to serve in San Andrés Semetabaj, Guatemala, July 24–Aug. 1. Are you curious? Prayerfully considering? Simply wanting to learn more?
Join us for a brief informational meeting March 22. For questions, contact Bob or Donna Sekijima at b_d_sekijima@msn.com or Alice Ikeda at rabbithole1@comcast.net.
(6) NEW: 35th Annual ACRS Walk for Rice
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9 a.m. | Seward Park
This year, ACRS will hold the Walk for Rice a month earlier than usual at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Seward Park.
Team Blaine raised more than $12,000 last year, earning second place. This year’s fundraising goal is $8,000. We’re off to a great start but still have a ways to go. Help ACRS feed AAPI community members experiencing food insecurity by donating or registering to walk with Team Blaine.
Visit www.walkforrice.org and search for “Team Blaine” to donate online. Thank you for your support.
Justine Ing, Team Captain
(7) NEW: 2026 Educational Scholarships
Application deadline: May 19, 2026
Since 1968, Blaine Memorial UMC has supported students in their educational journeys. We encourage applicants of all ages — those entering new programs and those returning to continue their education.
Scholarships include:
- Vera Ing Scholarship
- Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship
- Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship
- Robert and Lucy Sato Scholarship
Applications are available by emailing BlaineUMCScholarships@gmail.com or contacting the church office. Two letters of recommendation are required.
We look forward to supporting those eager to grow, learn and serve. Thank you to Michelle Vaughan, scholarship chair, for her leadership.
(8) Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer
March 4, 2026 | 9 a.m. | Zoom
Join Rev. Karen for Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer. We’ll share brief check-ins, a short devotional and prayer together. Bring a cup of coffee or tea and begin your day centered in Christ and connected to one another. The Zoom link will be sent Tuesday.
(9) NEW: Hospitality Request — Chips and Savory Treats Needed
Calling all snack lovers. We’re running low on chips and savory treats for fellowship time — there’s only one box left.
If you’re able, we would be grateful for donations of individually wrapped, snack-size bags of chips (potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos or other savory favorites).
Please drop off donations in the narthex, church office or social hall at your convenience — either Sunday morning or during church office hours (Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
Thank you for your continued generosity in providing both sweet and savory treats for fellowship time. Your hospitality helps make our time together even more welcoming and joyful.