All are Welcome!
- Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
- August 9, 2026
- 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Sermon Questions
- What voices, stories, traditions or experiences shape your theological lens?
- How does Hagar’s experience challenge our assumptions about heroes in Scripture?
- What do we miss when we listen only to the powerful? Whose voices and perspectives are we missing in our theological reflection?
- Where might our own communities, whether intentionally or unintentionally, be acting like Abraham and Sarah, creating wilderness experiences for others?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “Would I Have Answered When You Called” Traditional English Melody TFWS #2137 Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Stephen Sumida |
| Land Acknowledgement Stephen Sumida |
| *Call to Worship Stephen Sumida |
| *Opening Song “Welcome” W&S #3152 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Stephen Sumida |
| Scripture Reading Genesis 21:8-21 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Stephen Sumida |
| Sermon Lynne Onishi Seminarian, Claremont School of Theology |
| Hymn of Reflection “Christ Has Broken Down the Wall” W&S #3122 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Stephen Sumida |
| Offertory Music “Kyrie” TFWS #2275 Kathy Onishi |
| *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| *Prayer of Dedication Stephen Sumida |
| Announcements Ron Nobuyama |
| *Closing Hymn “May You Run and Not Be Weary” (Sing twice through) TFWS #2281 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| *Benediction Lynne Onishi |
| Postlude “Make Me a Servant” Words and Music by Kelly Willard TFWS #2176 Kathy Onishi |
| Altar Flowers Carol Kastrup |
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 Aug. 23) • Vacation Bible School 2026! (View more) | |||
| 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. • Lee Activity Center Chair Refresh Parties | |||
| Saturday, Sept. 12 • All-Church Clean-Up |
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 12
- 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.
Our Story Continues
Our monthly collection of ministry stories can be found in the Beacon newsletter. 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.