All are Welcome!
- Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
- August 2, 2026
- 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Sermon Questions
- What is in your hands?
- Who is Jesus inviting us to see?
- Who are we tempted to “send away”?
- What would it mean to trust Jesus with what we have?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “Come, Now is the Time to Worship” Words and Music by Brian Doerksen W&S #3176 Miriam Tong |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
| Land Acknowledgement Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
| *Call to Worship Anita Kuriowa Schiff |
| *Opening Song “Here I Am, Lord” UMH #593 Michelle Vaughan and Miriam Tong |
| Opening Prayer Anita Kuriowa Schiff |
| Scripture Reading Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSVUE) Tsutomu Nagoya, Anita Kuriowa Schiff |
| Sermon “There is Enough in the Hands of Jesus” Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
| Hymn of Reflection “Break Thou the Bread of Life” UMH #599 Michelle Vaughan and Miriam Tong |
| Holy Communion Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos and Rev. Mark Hearn |
| Introduction to the Offering Anita Kuriowa Schiff |
| Offertory Music “The Summons” TFWS #2130 Miriam Tong |
| *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Michelle Vaughan and Miriam Tong |
| *Prayer of Dedication Anita Kuriowa Schiff |
| Announcements Ron Nobuyama |
| *Closing Hymn “God Be with You till We Meet Again” UMH #672 Michelle Vaughan and Miriam Tong |
| *Benediction Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos |
| Postlude “He is Exalted” Words and Music by Twila Paris TFWS #2070 Miriam Tong |
| Altar Flowers Miriam Tong |
Daily Lectionary Readings*
*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, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. • Coffee and Prayer with Rev. Karen on Zoom | |||
| Sundays (until August 23) • Vacation Bible School 2026! (View more) | |||
| Sunday. Aug. 2 • Annual Interfaith Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims’ Memorial Service Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple |
Annual Interfaith Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims’ Memorial Service
- Aug. 2, 2026
- 10 a.m.
- Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple
Blaine Memorial UMC members are warmly invited to join Rev. Karen at Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. for the annual Interfaith Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims’ Memorial Service, “Reflection on Peace.”
Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple
1427 S. Main St.
Seattle, WA 98144
Since 1975, this service has brought together people of many faith traditions to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Rev. Karen has been invited to offer a prayer, poem or brief reflection as part of this meaningful interfaith gathering.
Rev. Karen is deeply grateful to Rev. Cruz Santos, who will preach and lead worship at Blaine Memorial UMC on Sunday, Aug. 2. Rev. Cruz will also administer Holy Communion for those who choose to worship with the Blaine Memorial UMC community that morning.
Whether you gather at Seattle Betsuin for the interfaith memorial service or worship at Blaine Memorial UMC, we invite you to join in a spirit of remembrance, hope and faith as we seek peace, compassion and reconciliation.
Everyone is welcome. We hope you will join us.
Preparing for a Greener Future at Blaine Memorial UMC
If you are coming to the church and notice that the area near the Social Hall and Nursery looks different, you will see that the overgrown weeds and vegetation have been removed. We are grateful for the tremendous work done by David Yorozu and his friends, who generously gave their time and effort to clear the space and prepare it for the next phase of our energy project.
This area will become the site of our solar battery storage system, an important part of the future vision for Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church. This work is one piece of our larger $2.5 million Solar Energy Grant project funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce.
As part of this exciting initiative, we are moving toward becoming a more energy-efficient and sustainable church through the installation of new solar panels, heat pumps and other modern improvements to our facilities. These upgrades will help us care for our church building, steward our resources wisely and continue preparing for a strong future of ministry.
Thank you to everyone who has helped make this vision possible. We look forward to seeing the many ways this project will bless our congregation and community for years to come.
Benefit Bazaar Beneficiary Nominations Due Sunday, Aug. 9
The Bazaar Committee is currently seeking nominations for a beneficiary for this year’s autumn Bazaar. Please submit a brief description of your recommended beneficiary to the church office by Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026.
If you have an organization in mind, please complete the Beneficiary Nomination Form, above. If you have any questions, please contact Yuki Sofronas at office@blaineonline.org.
Save the date! Blaine Memorial UMC’s annual Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Visit our Bazaar 2026 page for updates!
Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer
- August 5
- 9 a.m.
- Zoom
Join Rev. Karen for prayer and fellowship Wednesdays on Zoom. Our time together includes brief check-ins, a devotional and prayer. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee or tea and something light to eat. We hope to see you on Wednesday!
Links are usually sent on Tuesdays. Contact office@blaineonline.org to receive the link to Zoom!
Lee Activity Center Chair Refresh Parties — Free Lunch Included!
We’re gathering volunteers to help clean and refresh the 260 chairs in the Lee Activity Center. Volunteers of all abilities are welcome.
Work Dates
Wednesday, Aug. 12: Noon-4 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19: Noon-4 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
A light lunch will be provided each day. If you have a battery-operated screwdriver or drill with the appropriate bit, please bring it along.
Please let us know which day you plan to attend so we can prepare enough lunch for everyone. Questions? Please contact the church office or speak with Carol Okano, Steve Sakahara or Dale Kaneko.
Thank you for your help and support!
All-Church Clean-Up on Saturday, Sept. 12
The Board of Trustees invites everyone to our biannual All-Church Clean-Up on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by lunch.
Our campus is used by many groups and hosts numerous events throughout the year, so it needs extra care beyond what our weekly janitorial service provides. There will be a variety of activities to fit all skill levels, energy levels and available time commitments.
Projects will include gardening around the courtyard and steps, along with cleaning the sanctuary, Social Hall and Social Hall kitchen.
The church will provide many supplies, but if you have your own gardening gloves or tools, please bring them along.
We would greatly appreciate everyone’s help and hope you can join us. A sign-up sheet will be available in the Social Hall, or you may contact Ron, Tim Ikegami or Jason Lew so we can prepare enough lunch for everyone.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you!
VBS 2026: Discover Your Strength in God!
Church School has wrapped up for the 2025-26 year, and now it’s time for VBS 2026! This year’s theme, Hero Central: Discover Your Strength in God!, is based on Psalm 34:14b: “Do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Children will learn about biblical heroes who used their God-given strengths to serve and glorify God. Join us every Sunday from now through Aug. 23 for a fun-filled, faith-building experience. All children entering kindergarten through sixth grade for the 2026-27 school year are welcome.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity for children and adults alike to grow in faith and fellowship!
Visit and bookmark our VBS page for more updates!
Church Facility Reminder!
As we continue caring for our church home, we kindly ask everyone to be mindful of cleaning up after using the Social Hall, LAC and all other areas of the church. Please take out the garbage promptly after your event or meeting.
We are currently experiencing an ongoing ant problem. Ants become especially active during hot weather and after rainfall. To help reduce the problem, please rinse out cans and bottles containing sugary drinks, soda or other sweet beverages before placing them in recycling or garbage bins.
We know many people use the LAC for basketball, pickleball, volleyball and other sports activities. After your activities, please take a few moments to clean up any food, crumbs, spills or greasy stains from the stage and gym floor.
If you are changing a diaper, please place the soiled diaper in a sealed bag, dispose of it in the garbage and take the trash to the outside garbage bin when your session is complete. Please do not leave dirty diapers in classrooms, on the stage or anywhere else in the building.
Cleaning up after each group’s use of the facility is the responsibility of those using the space. Our onsite staff is here to maintain the building, but caring for our shared church home is a responsibility we all share.
Our church is an older building, and while professional pest control helps, the most effective way to reduce pests is by removing the food and trash that attract them.
Thank you for helping keep our church clean, welcoming and well cared for.
Important Safety Reminder
When coming to church, please do not leave valuables visible in your vehicle. Make sure all items are hidden from sight, and if you have anything of value — especially electronics — please bring it into the church with you rather than leaving it in your car.
There have been multiple vehicle break-ins and thefts recently during the day, after church services and throughout the week. Taking a few extra precautions can help protect your belongings.
Thank you for helping keep our church community safe and aware.
Read the latest issue of The Beacon!
- Senior Pastor Reflection: A Season of Belonging, Gratitude and Grace
- Sign up now: ACRS Food Bank
- Team Blaine Raises More Than $20,000 for This Year’s Walk for Rice
- Annual Sukiyaki raises $30k supporting PNW disaster fund
- Ireicho visits Blaine Memorial UMC in powerful act of remembrance and shared reflection
- BYG Update Faithfulness…Through You!
- Spiritual Formation Center Practice Replacing Worry
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.