Spiritual Formation Center
What is God’s will during times of change?
By Anne Arakaki-Lock
“Doing God’s will sometimes means waiting patiently. While we wait, we can love God, serve others, and tell others about him.”
Theme of Psalm of David 40
Our “Operations Manual,” the Bible, suggests that we don’t just hold our breaths waiting or sitting idly after praying to God about what His will is for us. Whether we pray for direction for our own personal lives or collectively for the Church, the guidelines are the same. Most importantly we are actively seeking our Lord. God’s greatest desire is to be in relationship with each of us.
I am convinced that only by working on being in God’s presence, trying to listen for his voice and being in conversation with him, can I know what he wants me to do for him. I remember distinctly that about ten years ago, I had just spent nearly a year in Hawaii after retiring in 2013, taking care of my mom. When I was done with that phase of my life and was returning to Seattle, I prayed (showing God my love) and asked what he wanted me to do next for him. I remember coming back that Memorial Day weekend and the very next day I had been asked to sit on a panel (serving others) in one of my daughter’s friends classes. The topic was about business plans, a topic far removed from what I currently do. I sat on the panel next to a gentleman from R.E.S.T. – Real Escape from the Sex Trade. One thing lead to another.
I received intense training and soon was volunteering at King County Juvenile Detention Center around issues of trafficking. It was a quick reply from God giving me a new direction to serve. Soon, added to that was an invitation to be a volunteer chaplain (telling others about God) at Echo Glen Treatment Center for Children, the long term facility for incarcerated youth offenders. I believe all of this is God’s will for me. In the same way, I will be praying for what the will of God is for Blaine Memorial UMC, moving into what feels like a new era. We made it through tough years of the pandemic, our pastoral staffing has changed, we are going through a significant generational change that impacts our culture. Our financial health has also changed. We pray that God show us his will for Blaine.
Anne Arakaki-Lock is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.
Lectionary Readings
| Seventh Sunday after Pentecost July 7, 2024 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 • Psalm 48 • Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalm 123 • 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 • Mark 6:1-13 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost |
| July 14, 2024 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 • Psalm 24 • Amos 7:7-15 Psalm 85:8-13 • Ephesians 1:3-14 • Mark 6:14-29 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost |
| July 21, 2024 Samuel 7:1-14a • Psalm 89:20-37 • Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23 • Ephesians 2:11-22 • Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost |
| July 28, 2024 Samuel 11:1-15 • Psalm 14 • 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-18 • Ephesians 3:14-21 • John 6:1-21 |
Announcements
Prayers and Coffee on Zoom • Wednesdays at 9am
Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. This is a great way to start your morning, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.
Vacation Bible School 2024 • Four Sundays Save these Sunday dates for VBS!
- July 28
- August 4
- August 11
- August 18
Theme: Operation Restoration – Mending God’s World Time: 10 am to 12 pm, including lunch.
Registration: $20 per Sunday per child. Location: Blaine Memorial Church School Classroom.
Email: blainevbs@gmail.com to enroll now!
Blaine Memorial Church School and Blaine Youth Group Summer Schedule
| July 13-20, 2024 (incuding travel time) • Asian Camp at Camp Gilmore (Incoming 10th – 2nd year college) |
Afghanistan and Ukrainian Refugee Donation Ministry
Items being collected: At this time, we have an abundance of some items and so we are NOT in need of clothing or children’s toys. Especially needed items include women’s products, toothpaste, personal care items, rice cookers, blenders, mixing bowls, microwave ovens, toasters, mixers, irons, dish sets, towels, and blankets.
Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Collection items can be dropped off at the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Please call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.
South King County Response Center Collection Volunteer Hours: The Donation Center is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, same time as the Tukwila Pantry at 3118 S. 140th St. Seattle. Please text Kim Parks at (206) 683-1707 when you would like to help. Please wear a mask and bring a marking pen and measuring tape if possible. Other Questions? Please contact Donna Sekijima or Anne Arakaki-Lock.
View the Beacon!
July 2023 Calendar
