All are Welcome!
- Palm Sunday
- March 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Sermon Reflection Questions
- As we enter into Holy Week, take at least ten minutes a day to do some personal inventory on the state of your heart and inner space.
- What is on your mind and heart lately that needs you to recommit to hope?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “Mantos y Palmas” UMH #279 Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Dr. Mark C. Hearn |
| Land Acknowledgment Rev. Dr. Mark C. Hearn |
| *Call to Worship Howard Nakase |
| *Opening Hymn “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” UMH #278 Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Howard Nakase |
| First Scripture Reading Matthew 21:1-11 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Howard Nakase |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Special Music “The King Of Glory” Blaine Memorial UMC Choir |
| Second Scripture Reading Mark 11:1-11 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Howard Nakase |
| Sermon “The Long Arc of Hope” Rev. Dr. Mark C. Hearn |
| Hymn of Reflection “Make Me a Servant” TFWS #2176 Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Howard Nakase |
| Offertory Music “Surely the Presence of the Lord” UMH #328 Kathy Onishi |
| Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Prayer of Dedication Howard Nakase |
| Announcements Ron Nobuyama |
| Closing Hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor” UMH #280 Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Dr. Mark C. Hearn |
| Postlude “We Sang Our Glad Hosannas” TFWS #2111 Kathy Onishi |
There are no altar flowers during the season of Lent.
Daily Lectionary Readings*
| Sunday, March 29, 2026: Liturgy of the Palms; Liturgy of the Passion Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Matthew 21:1-11 Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54 |
| Holy Week Begins Monday, March 30, 2026: Monday of Holy Week Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11 |
| Tuesday, March 31, 2026: Tuesday of Holy Week Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36 |
| Wednesday, April 01, 2026: Wednesday of Holy Week Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 70; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 13:21-32 |
| Thursday, April 02, 2026: Maundy Thursday Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 |
| Friday, April 03, 2026: Good Friday Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42 |
| Saturday, April 04, 2026: Holy Saturday Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24; Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16; 1 Peter 4:1-8; Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42 |
*Daily Lectionary Readings are provided by Bible Gateway and Vanderbilt University.
Announcements
Dates to Remember
| Wednesdays | |||
| 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 |
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.
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.
Wednesday Coffee and Prayer (Canceled)
There will be no Wednesday Coffee and Prayer this week. Stay tuned for the next Zoom meeting soon.
“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.
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.