All are Welcome!
- Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
- September 13, 2026
- 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Video
Photos
Sermon Questions
- What am I carrying?
What hurt, resentment, fear, or memory might God be inviting me to release, and what would it look like to place it in God’s hands? - Where have I received grace?
How has God’s forgiveness and grace changed me, and where might God be calling me to extend that same grace to someone else? - What am I passing on?
What am I teaching the next generation — through my words and especially through my example — about forgiveness, faith, compassion, and hope?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “The Family Prayer Song” TFWS #2188 Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Land Acknowledgement Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Call to Worship Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2026 Kaylee Yokoyama |
| *Opening Song “Freely, Freely” UMH #389 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Kaylee Yokoyama |
| Blessing the Church School Teachers Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Blessing of the Backpacks Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Gratitude Blessing for Sam Grant Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Welcome Blessing for Adam Drake Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Special Music “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Words by Frederick W. Faber, music by Sara R. Nussel, arranged by Brad Nix Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Scripture Reading Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSVUE) Tsutomu Nagoya, Kaylee Yokoyama |
| Sermon “What Are You Carrying?” Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Hymn of Reflection “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” TFWS #2171 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Kaylee Yokoyama |
| Offertory Music “El Shaddai” UMH #123 Kathy Onishi |
| *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| *Prayer of Dedication Kaylee Yokoyama |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Closing Hymn “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive” UMH #390 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| *Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude “Make Us One” TFWS #2224 Kathy Onishi |
| Altar Flowers Sharon Maeda |
Daily Lectionary Readings*
Blaine Memorial UMC Weekly 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 | |||
| Sunday, Sept. 13, after worship! • Ministries Fair | |||
| Sunday, Sept. 20 • Safety and Security Meeting, Immediately After Worship • Young Adult Gathering Lunch, 11:45 a.m. | |||
| 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!) |
Rally Sunday + Blessing of the Backpacks
A New School Year Begins!
- Sunday, Sept. 13
- Sanctuary
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.
Special Ministries Fair
- Sunday, Sept. 13
- After Worship
This past February, the Ad Board created an action plan to discover ways to improve our focus on “Belonging” in our church family and community. Our first opportunity to increase awareness is a Special Ministries Fair set for Sunday, Sept. 13, after worship.
Many groups within our church community will be represented, showcasing their committees, offering information about their goals and missions, and answering questions. The youth will offer a box lunch for a love offering, and we hope to have a large number of groups represented. We’ll gather in the LAC and be among the first to use the newly spruced-up chairs!
We hope to see you there! Please contact Lesley Okura, Sylvia Wong or Arlene Naganawa with questions.
Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer
- September 16, 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!
Young Adult Gathering Lunch
- Sunday, Sept. 20
- 11:45 a.m.
Rev. Karen would love to kick off our new monthly Young Adult gatherings with a casual lunch together!
If you’re a young adult — college-age through your 20s and 30s (roughly ages 20–35) — we’d love for you to join us. We’ll gather after worship and head out together around 11:45 a.m. for lunch. We’ll choose the restaurant that day, so come ready for good food, good conversation and a chance to get to know one another!
Whether you’ve been part of Blaine Memorial for years or are newer to our church family, come join us! Let’s build community, share some laughs and see where these monthly gatherings take us.
Questions? See Rev. Karen. We hope to see you there!
Bazaar Pie-Making Party
- Saturday, Sept. 26
- 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!
View the Bazaar 2026 updates page!
Safety and Security Meeting
- Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
- Immediately After Worship
- In the Sanctuary
Please join us immediately following worship on Sunday, Sept. 20, for a brief, 15-minute, in-person presentation on safety and security at Blaine Memorial UMC. This will be the first of several short presentations we’ll share in the coming months as we continue working together to make our church a safe, welcoming and caring place for everyone.
Our desire is that when you feel safe, valued and cared for, you will feel God’s love even more deeply.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to be part of these efforts, please see Arlene Naganawa, Dale Kaneko or Steve Sakahara. Thank you for being part of our church family and for helping us care for one another!
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.