All are Welcome!
- Pentecost Sunday
- May 24, 2025
- 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Sermon Questions
- What fears or divisions in our world today prevent people from truly hearing and understanding one another?
- How can Christians honor sacrifice and love their country while remaining committed to the gospel’s call to peace and human dignity?
- Jesus says, “My peace I give to you — not as the world gives.” What does Christ-like peace look like in a world shaped by conflict, fear, and polarization?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” TFWS #2120 Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Land Acknowledgement Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Call to Worship Stephen Sumida |
| *Opening Hymn “Spirit of God” TFWS #2117 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Stephen Sumida |
| Special Announcement Update: Walk For Rice Justine Ing |
| First Scripture Reading Acts 2:1-21 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Stephen Sumida, and the Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Special Music “Come, Gracious Spirit” Words by Simon Brown, arr. By Dale Wood Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Second Scripture Reading John 20:19-23 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Stephen Sumida |
| Third Scripture Reading Isaiah 2:2-4 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Stephen Sumida |
| Sermon “The Spirit Speaks Every Language“ Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Hymn of Reflection “Come, Holy Spirit” TFWS #2125 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Stephen Sumida |
| *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Eugene & Kathy Onishi |
| *Prayer of Dedication Stephen Sumida |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Closing Hymn “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve” TFWS #2241 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| *Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude “Make Us One” TFWS #2224 Kathy Onishi |
Daily Lectionary Readings*
| Sunday, May 24, 2026: Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39 |
| Monday, May 25, 2026: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Joel 2:18-29; Romans 8:18-24; |
| Tuesday, May 26, 2026: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Ezekiel 39:7-8, 21-29; Romans 8:26-27; |
| Wednesday, May 27, 2026: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Numbers 11:24-30; John 7:37-39; |
Season after Pentecost
| Thursday, May 28, 2026: Psalm 8; Job 38:1-11; 2 Timothy 1:8-12a; |
| Friday, May 29, 2026: Psalm 8; Job 38:12-21; 2 Timothy 1:12b-14; |
| Saturday, May 30, 2026: Psalm 8; Job 38:22-38; John 14:15-17; |
*Daily Lectionary Readings are provided by Bible Gateway and Vanderbilt University.
Announcements
Dates to Remember
| Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry at Riverton Park UMC | |||
| Wednesdays • Coffee and Prayer with Rev. Karen | |||
| Monday, May 25, 10–11 a.m. • Nisei Veterans Committee and NVC Foundation Present: 81st Annual Memorial Day Service | |||
| Tuesday, May 26, 2026 • Church Office Closure for Memorial Day | |||
| Saturday, May 30, 2026, 6-8:45 p.m. • BYG Youth Game Night and Potluck | |||
| Saturday, June 6, 2026, 1-3 p.m. • Author Conversation With Tamiko Nimura | |||
| July 24–Aug. 1 • Mission Guatemala |
Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) and NVC Foundation Present: 81st Annual Memorial Day Service
Monday, May 25, 2026 | 10-11 a.m.
Lake View Cemetery
1554 15th Ave. E., Seattle, WA
Each year, Blaine Memorial participates in the NVC Memorial Day Service honoring Japanese American and other veterans who gave their lives in service to our country. This year, Rev. Karen Yokota-Love (Blaine Memorial UMC) and Rev. Lisa Ishihara (Queen Anne UMC) will offer the Christian reflection together, and church member Craig Iriye will present a wreath on behalf of Blaine Memorial UMC.
Held annually since 1946, this gathering has become one of the oldest and largest Memorial Day services in the Pacific Northwest. This year is especially significant as we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The service honors the legacy, sacrifice and courage of the Nisei veterans — including those who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team/100th Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) — many while their families were incarcerated in camps during the war.
The program includes:
• Presentation of colors by Seattle Buddhist Temple Boy Scout Troop 252
• Christian and Buddhist prayers and meditations
• Keynote address
• Floral wreath presentations by community and veteran organizations
The public is warmly invited to attend as we honor those who served and remember those who gave their lives. May peace and justice prevail.
Church Office Closure for Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Please note that the church office will be closed Tuesday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Since the office is normally closed on Mondays, the holiday will be observed Tuesday instead.
We wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day as we remember and honor those who have served.
Wednesday Coffee and Prayer
May 27, 2026 | 9 a.m. | Zoom
Join Rev. Karen for a time of connection, a short devotional and prayer. Bring a cup of coffee or tea and begin your day centered in Christ. The Zoom link will be sent Tuesday.
Author Conversation With Tamiko Nimura
Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 1-3 p.m.
Blaine Memorial UMC Social Hall
Join local writer Tamiko Nimura for a special conversation about her new memoir, “A Place for What We Lose: A Daughter’s Return to Tule Lake” (UW Press), moderated by UW Professor of American Ethnic Studies Vince Schleitwiler.
In this moving discussion, Nimura will reflect on themes of family history, memory, identity and her return to Tule Lake, one of the incarceration camps where Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II.
This event is co-sponsored by Seattle Tsuru for Solidarity.
Following the conversation:
• Books available for purchase from Madison Books
• Author book signing
• Light refreshments provided
We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful community gathering.
• Eventbrite registration
• Read Vince Schleitwiler’s review in the International Examiner
BYG Youth Game Night and Potluck
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 6-8:45 p.m.
Blaine Memorial UMC | Social Hall
Calling all youth and young adults! Get ready for an evening of food, laughter, friendly competition and fellowship at our BYG Game Night and Potluck!
Bring your favorite board game, card game, party game or group activity to share as we gather for an evening of connection and community. Whether you love strategy games, fast-paced team games or simply enjoy cheering others on, there will be something for everyone. Come ready to socialize, laugh, move around and enjoy time together.
We’ll begin with a BYG potluck dinner at 6 p.m., followed by games and activities throughout the evening.
Invite a friend, bring a favorite dish to share, and join us for a joyful night together!
Read the latest issue of The Beacon!
Our monthly collection of ministry stories can be found in the Beacon. Happenings, Faith & Ministries, Visions, and Connections can be enjoyed through our PDF versions of the newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to a printed version, contact the Church Office for more information.