All are Welcome!
- Easter Sunday
- April 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Sermon Reflection Questions
- Where do I see “chaos” in my own life or in the world around me, and how might God be bringing life or hope in the middle of it?
- In what ways am I being called to “rise with Christ” — rising above fear, division, or exclusion in my daily relationships and ministry?
- Who might be feeling excluded, unheard, or marginalized in my community, and how can I actively create space for them at the table?
- What does it look like for me to live out active hope this week — not just believing in resurrection, but embodying it through actions of unity, healing, and inclusion?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “The Easter Song” W&S #3090 Kathy Onishi |
| Processional Hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” UMH #302 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
| *Call to Worship David Yorozu |
| *Opening Prayer David Yorozu |
| Opening Hymn “Easter People, Raise Your Voices” UMH #304 Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| First Scripture Reading Matthew 28:1-10 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, David Yorozu |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Special Music “He Is Not Here!” Words and music by Russell Nagy Blaine Memorial UMC Choir |
| Second Scripture Reading Luke 24:1-6 (NRSVUE) Tsutomu Nagoya, David Yorozu |
| Sermon “In the Midst of Chaos, We Rise: Faith, Hope, and Inclusion” Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
| Hymn of Reflection “Hymn of Promise” UMH #707 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Special Music “Hallelujah” Music by Leonard Cohen Alice Ikeda and Kenji Guess |
| Holy Communion Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos and Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn |
| Special Music “In Christ Alone” Words and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend Blaine Memorial UMC Praise Band |
| Introduction to the Offering David Yorozu |
| Offertory Music Kathy Onishi |
| *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| *Prayer of Dedication David Yorozu |
| Announcements Ron Nobuyama |
| *Closing Song “Crown Him with Many Crowns” UMH #327 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| *Benediction Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
| Postlude “Glory in the Cross” W&S #3075 Kathy Onishi |
| *Passing of the Peace Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
Daily Lectionary Readings*
*Daily Lectionary Readings are provided by Bible Gateway and Vanderbilt University.
Announcements
Dates to Remember
| 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 |
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.
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