All are Welcome!
- Fourth Sunday in Lent
- March 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Sermon Reflection Questions:
- Where in your life could you “leave something in the field” for someone in need this week?
- Who are the vulnerable people around you that God is calling you to notice or care for?
- What is one concrete action you can take to show mercy or justice in your home, neighborhood, or community?
Order of Worship
| Prelude Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Call to Worship Christine Yorozu |
| *Opening Hymn Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Christine Yorozu |
| First Scripture Reading 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Christine Yorozu |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Special Music Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Second Scripture Reading Deuteronomy 24:17-22 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Christine Yorozu |
| Third Scripture Reading Matthew 19:13-15 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Christine Yorozu |
| Sermon “Leave Something in the Field” Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Hymn of Reflection “Our Parent, by Whose Name” UMH #447 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Christine Yorozu |
| Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Kathy Onishi |
| Prayer of Dedication Christine Yorozu |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Closing Hymn “The Compassion Hymn” By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude Kathy Onishi |
| There are no altar flowers during the season of Lent. |
Daily Lectionary Readings*
| Sunday, Mar. 15, 2026: Fourth Sunday in Lent 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 |
| Monday, Mar. 16, 2026: Psalm 146; Isaiah 59:9-19; Acts 9:1-20; |
| Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026: Psalm 146; Isaiah 42:14-21; Colossians 1:9-14; |
| Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026: Psalm 146; Isaiah 60:17-22; Matthew 9:27-34; |
| Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 1:1-3, 2:8-3:3; Revelation 10:1-11; |
| Friday, Mar. 20, 2026: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 33:10-16; Revelation 11:15-19; |
| Saturday, March 21, 2026: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 36:8-15; Luke 24:44-53; |
*Daily Lectionary Readings are provided by Bible Gateway and Vanderbilt University.
Announcements
Dates to Remember
| Wednesdays • Morning Coffee and Prayer | |||
| Sunday, Mar. 15 • Girl Scout Cookie Sales | |||
| Sunday, Mar. 22, Noon • Mission Guatemala Informational Meeting, Webb Room | |||
| Good Friday, April 3 • Good Friday Worship at Beacon UMC • Soup Supper at 6 p.m. • Worship at 7 p.m. | |||
| Easter Sunday, April 5 • Easter Sunday at Blaine Memorial UMC • Easter Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. • Flowering of the Cross • Easter Egg Hunt after Worship | |||
| Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. • 35th Annual ACRS Walk for Rice, Seward Park | |||
| Tuesday, May 19 • 2026 Educational Scholarship Deadline | |||
| July 24–Aug. 1 • Mission Guatemala |
New! Good Friday (4/3) and Easter Sunday (4/5) dates and times
Good Friday, April 3: This year marks our second year collaborating with Beacon UMC for Good Friday worship. Beacon UMC will host Blaine Memorial UMC for a joint worship service at 7:00 PM. We will begin the evening with a simple soup supper at 6:00 PM, followed by worship at 7:00 PM.
Join us as we remember Jesus’ seven last words and actions before being crucified. We will reflect on Christ’s love for us and hear from members of both Beacon UMC and Blaine Memorial UMC.
Sunday, April 5: Easter Sunday schedule
Join us on Sunday, April 5, to celebrate the risen Christ.
Easter Breakfast: Join us in the LAC at 8:30 AM for Easter Breakfast, prepared, cooked and served by the Blaine Youth Group (BYG). There will be two opportunities to eat: 8:30 AM and after worship.
Flowering of the Cross: One of the most meaningful traditions we celebrate on Easter Sunday is the Flowering of the Cross, which symbolizes new life in Christ. We invite all who attend worship in person to bring flowers from your garden (trimmed to a short stem). These flowers will be placed on the cross as you enter the sanctuary.
Easter Egg Hunt: The Church School invites children to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt in the courtyard (weather permitting). Please remind children to bring their own baskets, and feel free to invite your grandchildren, friends and neighbors to join the hunt.
New! Scholarship recommendation letter reminder
It’s scholarship season! If you need a recommendation letter from Rev. Karen, please request it at least two weeks before the scholarship deadline.
Rev. Karen carries many responsibilities and often receives multiple requests for recommendation letters. Last-minute requests — especially those submitted the night before the deadline — can be very difficult to accommodate, as completing a letter depends on her current workload.
To ensure she has enough time to write thoughtful and effective recommendations, please plan ahead and submit your requests well in advance.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Girl Scout cookie booth after worship on March 15
It’s Girl Scout Cookie season! Blaine’s Girl Scout Troop No. 43880 will host a cookie booth after worship on Sunday, March 15. Stop by, stock up on your favorites and encourage our wonderful young leaders. Your support means so much.
Wednesday coffee and prayer with Rev. Karen
March 18, 2026 | 9:00 AM | 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 on Tuesday.
“Tell Me Something Good” Lent devotional booklet now available
Our Lenten devotional booklet is now available, and we invite you to 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.
Mission Guatemala informational meeting
March 22, 2026 | Noon | Webb Room
Blaine will once again partner with Mission Guatemala to serve in San Andrés Semetebaj, Guatemala (July 24–Aug. 1).
Are you curious, prayerfully considering or simply wanting to learn more? Join us for a brief informational meeting on March 22.
For questions, please contact Bob or Donna Sekijima at b_d_sekijima@msn.com or Alice Ikeda at rabbithole1@comcast.net.
35th Annual ACRS Walk for Rice
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Seward Park
This year ACRS will hold the Walk for Rice a month earlier than usual at 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, at Seward Park.
Team Blaine raised more than $12,000 last year (second place), and 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 and/or registering to walk with Team Blaine.
Visit Team Blaine at www.walkforrice.org and donate online.
Thank you for your support.
— Justine Ing, Team Captain
The 2026 educational scholarships
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026
Since 1968, Blaine Memorial UMC has been honored to support 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.
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 your donations in the narthex, church office or social hall at your convenience — either on Sunday morning or during church office hours (Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM).
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.