All are Welcome!
- Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
- Blessing of the Animals
- 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Sermon Questions
- What can the animals in our lives teach us about God’s love and the gift of creation?
- How might our understanding of “God saw that it was good” change the way we see and treat the creatures around us?
- Where do we see God’s presence and goodness in creation … in ways we notice and in ways we often overlook?
- What is one way we can respond to God’s gift of creation by becoming more compassionate and faithful stewards of all living things?
Video
Order of Worship
| Gathering Music “Lord We Come to Ask Your Blessing” TFWS #2230 Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Land Acknowledgement Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Call to Worship Anne Arakaki-Lock |
| *Opening Hymn “Morning Has Broken” UMH #145 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Anne Arakaki-Lock |
| First Scripture Reading Psalm 104:10-15, 18, 24-25 (NRSVUE) Tsutomu Nagoya, Anne Arakaki-Lock |
| Second Scripture Reading Genesis 1:20-25 (NRSVUE) Tsutomu Nagoya, Anne Arakaki-Lock |
| Sermon “God’s Good Creation” Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Song of Reflection “For the Beauty of the Earth” (verses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6) UMH #92 Kathy Onishi and Eugene Onishi |
| Prayers of Thanksgiving for Creation Anne Arakaki-Lock |
| Blessing of the Animals Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Congregational Animal Blessing Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Prayer for Animals We Remember Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Introduction to the Offering Anne Arakaki-Lock |
| *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| *Prayer of Dedication Anne Arakaki-Lock |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Closing Hymn “Let All Things Now Living” TFWS #2008 Kathy and Eugene Onishi |
| *Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude Kathy Onishi |
| Altar Flowers Miriam Tong |
Daily Lectionary Readings*
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 | |||
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 • Church office closure for Labor Day holiday | |||
| Saturday, Sept. 12 • All-Church Clean-Up | |||
| Sunday, Sept. 13, after worship! • Ministries Fair | |||
| Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. • Bazaar Pie-Making Party | |||
| Oct. 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Bazaar 2026 (View updates!) |
Blessing of the Animals Worship Service
- Sunday, Aug. 30
- 10 a.m.
- Church Courtyard
Join us for our Blessing of the Animals worship service! We’ll gather outside in the courtyard for a special time of worship as we celebrate and give thanks for the animals who bring so much joy, companionship and love into our lives.
Bring your beloved pets to receive a special blessing. If your pet isn’t able to join us in person, you’re welcome to bring a photo instead. We’ll also have a small altar where you can place a photo of your animal as part of our worship.
We’ll have special pet treats for our canine and feline friends. If you’re bringing another kind of animal who would enjoy a treat, please contact the church office ahead of time so we can make sure we have something appropriate for them, too!
Come and celebrate God’s wonderful creation with us. All our furry, feathered, finned and scaly friends are welcome! We look forward to seeing you — and your beloved companions — for this joyful celebration!
Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer
- September 2, 2026
- 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!
Church office closure for Labor Day holiday on Tuesday (9/8)
As we observe Labor Day, we take a moment to give thanks for the dignity and value of work and to recognize the many contributions of workers who help strengthen our families, communities and nation. It is also a meaningful opportunity to pause, rest and be grateful for God’s provision.
Please note that the church office will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 8, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Since the office and campus are normally closed on Mondays, we will observe Tuesday as our holiday closure day.
The church office will reopen for regular hours Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We pray that you and your loved ones have a safe, restful and refreshing holiday. May you find time to slow down, give thanks and enjoy the blessings God has provided.
All-Church Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Board of Trustees invites everyone to our biannual All-Church Cleanup 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, and it needs some extra care beyond what our weekly janitorial service provides. A variety of activities will be available to accommodate different skill levels, energy levels and time commitments.
Some areas we will focus on include gardening and cleanup around the courtyard and steps, as well as cleaning the sanctuary, social hall and social hall kitchen. The church will provide some supplies, but if you have gardening gloves or tools, please bring them.
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 can contact Ron, Tim Ikegami or Jason Lew so we can get an approximate headcount for lunch.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing everyone there!
Rally Sunday (9/13) — A new school year begins!
Rally Sunday is coming Sunday, Sept. 13! Join us as we kick off a new school year and celebrate all that the year ahead has in store for our church family.
As part of our celebration, we’ll have a special Blessing of the Backpacks. Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks, devices, hip bags and school supplies forward as we pray for a safe, meaningful and successful school year. Everyone who participates will receive a special backpack tag as a reminder of God’s love and our church family throughout the year.
We’ll also take time to bless and celebrate Sam Grant as he comes to the end of his official service as our Summer Ministry Youth Apprentice. We are grateful for the energy, leadership and joy Sam has shared with us this summer. As he heads back to work and begins his next chapter, we’ll send him off with our prayers, gratitude and many thanks!
Come celebrate, reconnect and help us rally together for a wonderful new year!
Special Ministries Fair on Sunday (9/13) after worship!
This past February, the Ad Board created an action plan to explore ways to strengthen our focus on “Belonging” within our church family and community. Our first opportunity to increase awareness will be a Special Ministries Fair on Sunday, Sept. 13, after worship.
Many groups within our church community will be represented, showcasing their ministries and committees, sharing information about their goals and missions, and answering questions.
The youth will offer a box lunch, and we hope to have many groups represented. We’ll gather in the LAC and be among the first to use our newly spruced-up chairs!
We hope to see you there! Please contact Lesley Okura or Arlene Naganawa with questions.
Bazaar Pie-Making Party on Saturday (9/26) at 10 a.m.!
Bazaar pie-making will be one week earlier than usual this year! Bring your rolling pins, lace up your comfy shoes and get ready to “roll” on Saturday, Sept. 26, beginning at 10 a.m. in the LAC kitchen.
Many hands are needed to make our pie-making day a success, especially since our pies are always in high demand!
Sign-up sheets will be available at the Special Ministries Fair on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Thank you for helping make our Bazaar a success!
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.