All are Welcome
- Third Sunday of Easter
- May 4, 2025, 10:00am
- View the Livestream
- Save the PDF Bulletin
Sermon Questions
- How does your faith reflect the light of God?
- What does the story of Star Wars teach us about God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness?
- How does the idea of “the Force” help us to understand God’s ability to work in unexpected ways?
- How do you, as a congregation, live out your faith in a way that reflects the light of God, just as the Jedi carry the Light within them?
Order of Worship
| Prelude What Does the Lord Require of You TFWS #2174 Miriam Tong |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Land Acknowledgment Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Call to Worship Written by Rev. Jeremy Smith Used with permission Mel Cooley |
| *Opening Hymn Christ Has Risen (TFWS #2115), All verses Miriam Tong |
| *Opening Prayer Mel Cooley |
| First Scripture Reading Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Mel Cooley |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Second Scripture Reading John 21:1-19 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Mel Cooley |
| Sermon Witness Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Hymn of Reflection Cry of My Heart TFWS #2165, All verses Yuki Sofronas |
| Holy Communion Rev. Karen Yokota Love & Mel Cooley |
| Introduction to the Offering Mel Cooley |
| *Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH #94 Yuki Sofronas |
| *Prayer of Dedication Mel Cooley |
| Announcements Rev. Karen and Friends |
| *Closing Hymn One Bread, One Body UMH #620, All verses Yuki Sofronas |
| *Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude Star Wars Themed Music Yuki Sofronas and Anthony S |
| Passing of the Peace |
| Zoom Breakout Room Dale Kaneko, Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn |
| Today’s Flowers Miriam Tong |
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Sunday, May 4, 2025: Third Sunday of Easter Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) Psalm 30 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19 |
| Monday, May 5, 2025: Psalm 121; Ezekiel 1:1-25; Acts 9:19b-31; |
| Tuesday, May 6, 2025: Psalm 121; Ezekiel 1:26-2:1; Acts 26:1-18; |
| Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Psalm 121; Isaiah 6:1-8; Luke 5:1-11; |
| Thursday, May 8, 2025: Psalm 23; Ezekiel 11:1-25; Revelation 5:1-10; |
| Friday, May 9, 2025: Psalm 23; Ezekiel 20:39-44; Revelation 6:1-7:4; |
| Saturday, May 10, 2025: Psalm 23; Ezekiel 28:25-26; Luke 12:29-32; |
Announcements
Mission Guatemala Meeting • Today
We will have a meeting to discuss flight information as well as more of the detailed logistics of the trip. We will more than likely need final decisions from folks about attending by the end of May. We are super excited about the upcoming trip to Guatemala for 2025, Friday 8/8/25 to Saturday 8/16/25.
For more information, contact Alice Ikeda or Bob & Donna Sekijima.
Let’s Recycle Potato Chip Bags!
To continue our church track record of proper recycling and helping the earth one little step at a time, Arlene Naganawa and Dale H. Watanabe have a favor of you. We will begin a trial collecting used chip bags from social hour to recycle with our subscription to Ridwell.
Please put your bags in the box located in the social hall near the kitchen. If you have a subscription too and want to help out, please contact Arlene or Dale – we are looking for at least one more that is on a different pick-up schedule!
Prayer and Coffee • Wednesdays at 9am
Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesdays at 9:00AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. This is a great way to continue with Lent, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. We will discuss the significance of Lent. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.
Mother’s Day Breakfast • Sunday, May 11
Join us as we honor the women and those who identify as women at Blaine Memorial UMC on Sunday, May 11 from 8:30am-9:45am and then again, after worship. During this time, we will honor, remember, and show our love to our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, wives, teachers, mentors, and all the women in our lives that have influenced and shaped us into the people who we are today.
Howard Nakase is looking for help by all men and those who identify as men at Blaine Memorial to prepare the breakfast beginning at 6am. Thank you to Howard Nakase for chairing this year’s Mother’s Day breakfast!
2025 Educational Scholarships • Application period open through May 15, 2025
The Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Educational Scholarships are designed to support the mission of the church through supporting a multitude of educational opportunities. We are proud to have helped students in their pursuit of continuing education since 1968. We encourage all applicants; from those just entering their next phase of education to those returning to complete or pursue continued education.
We are blessed to offer the following scholarships:
- Vera Ing Community College/ Trade School Scholarship
- Robert and Lucy Sato Scholarship
- Blaine Memorial Scholarship
- Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship
Applications are available through emailing Michelle Vaughan or through the church office. All scholarships will consider, but are not limited to, elements such as grades (if applicable), personal essay, church participation and finances. Applications and two (2) letters of recommendation must be received no later than May 15, 2025 for consideration. We are looking forward to applicants excited about pursuing their education.
For more information, visit and bookmark the Educational Scholarships 2025 page.
Ireicho: Book of Names • See Dates, Sign Up Now!
Request to stamp the Ireicho: Book of Names in Seattle, in Puyallup, and on Bainbridge Island in 2026!
The Irei Project, in conjunction with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Puyallup Valley Chapter and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association, is pleased to offer appointments to stamp the Ireicho at the Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church in Seattle on March 27, 2026, at the Expo Hall and Remembrance Gallery in Puyallup on March 28, 2026, and at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on March 29 and March 30, 2026. Stamping is by appointment only.
Currents: An Operetta featuring Gail Nomura and Shigeru Nishida in a Discussion Panel • May 7, 2025, 7:00PM
Join Gail Nomura and Shig Nishida at McMenamin’s Anderson School, Hayne’s Hall in Bothell, WA on May 7, 2025 at 7:00PM at Currents: An Operetta! The event is free, both you’ll need to register here.
Location: Haynes’ Hall, 18607 Bothell Way NE- Bothell
All ages welcome!
35th Annual ACRS Walk for Rice @ Seward Park • June 28, 9:00 am
This year ACRS will hold the Walk for Rice at 9:00 am on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Seward Park. Team Blaine raised over $11,000 last year (2nd place) and this year’s fundraising goal is $8,000. We’re off to a great start, but still have a way to go to reach our goal.
Help ACRS feed AAPI community members who are experiencing food insecurity by donating to and/or registering to walk with Team Blaine:
Donate Online through Team Blaine:
https://give.acrs.org/team/657467
Mail your donation to the Blaine office:
Checks to “Walk for Rice”, memo: “Team Blaine”
Thanks for your support!
Justine I., Team Captain
View the April 2025 Calendar
View the latest issue of the Beacon newsletter!
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Our Story Continues
- Senior Pastor Reflection – Find Joy…In EVERYTHING! (What brings you joy?)
- 2025 Educational Scholarships • Application period open through May 15, 2025
- In Photos – Sukiyaki Benefit connects neighbors, supports disaster relief
- BYG Update – Staying Grounded During Lent
- Spiritual Formation Center: Being at the Table