Posts by Admin1904

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Comments Off on Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Posted by on Jul 5, 2025 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Prayer, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

All are Welcome!

Order of Worship

Prelude
Healer of our Every Ill
Marty Haugen
Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Land Acknowledgement
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Call to Worship
George Yates
Opening Prayer
George Yates
First Scripture Reading
Philippians 4:6-7 (CEB)
Tsutomu Nagoya
George Yates
Children’s Message
Rev. Job Pangilinan
Second Scripture Reading
Galatians 6:1-16 (CEB)
Tsutomu Nagoya
George Yates
Sermon
Everything is a New Creation
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Reflection
And Are We Yet Alive
UMH #553
Kathy and Eugene Onishi
Holy Communion
Rev. Karen Yokota Love and Rev. Job Pangilinan
*Doxology
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
Kathy and Eugene Onishi
*Prayer of Dedication
George Yates
Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Closing Hymn
Make Me A Channel of Your Peace
TFWS #2171
Kathy and Eugene Onishi
*Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude
All I Need Is You
Dan Adler; arr. by Nylea L. Butler-Moore
Kathy Onishi
Fellowship Break Out Room
There will be NO Fellowship Zoom Breakout Room today.
Altar Flowers
Today’s flowers are given to us from The Amy Kobayashi Family. We celebrated the life of Amy Kobayashi on July 3, 2025 with a memorial service and a reception. May Amy rest in peace. May Christ’s perpetual light shine upon you.

Daily Lectionary Readings



Sunday, July 06, 2025: Proper 9 (14)
2 Kings 5:1-14 and Psalm 30; Isaiah 66:10-14 and Psalm 66:1-9; Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16;
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Monday, July 07, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 6; 2 Kings 5:15-19a; Acts 19:21-27;
Complementary: Psalm 119:73-80; Jeremiah 6:10-19; Acts 19:21-27;
Tuesday, July 08, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 6; 2 Kings 5:19b-27; Acts 19:28-41;
Complementary: Psalm 119:73-80; Jeremiah 8:4-13; Acts 19:28-41;
Wednesday, July 09, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 6; 2 Kings 6:1-7; Luke 10:13-16;
Complementary: Psalm 119:73-80; Joshua 23:1-16; Luke 10:13-16;
Thursday, July 10, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 82; Amos 1:1-2:3; James 2:14-26;
Complementary: Psalm 25:1-10; Genesis 41:14-36; James 2:14-26;
Friday, July 11, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 82; Amos 2:4-11; Acts 7:9-16;
Complementary: Psalm 25:1-10; Genesis 41:37-49; Acts 7:9-16;
Saturday, July 12, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 82; Amos 2:12-3:8; John 3:16-21;
Complementary: Psalm 25:1-10; Leviticus 19:1-4, 32-37; John 3:16-21;

Announcements



Rev. Job Pangilinan and Rev. Karen Yokota Love prepare for Rev. Job to be commissioned at the Commissioning and Ordination Worship Service at Annual Conference.

Sunday, July 20: A BBQ Celebration as Blaine Memorial Welcomes Rev. Job Pangilinan and the Reappointment of Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Please join us on Sunday, June 20, after worship for a BBQ to celebrate Rev. Karen’s reappointment and Rev. Job’s new appointment to Blaine! We are asking people to contribute picnic-type side dishes for this festive occasion.

Suggestions by last name:

  • A-H – Green or fruit salad or your favorite
  • I-S – Potato salad or pasta salad or your favorite
  • T-Z – Dessert

SPRC will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and cake (but additional desserts are always appreciated)! Questions? Contact Arlene Naganawa at arlene_naganawa@msn.com

A 1,000 paper cranes symbolizes longevity, happiness and good fortune.

Thousand Paper Crane Project

The Archives Committee is asking church members to come together to pray for peace by folding 1000 paper cranes as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the end of World War II, and the closing of the World War II US incarceration camps which imprisoned Japanese Americans.

The folding of 1000 origami cranes has come to symbolize a prayer for peace.

We would like members to fold the origami cranes during social hour after service, in Sunday School, in your small groups, and at your homes and other spaces. We can give you some origami paper or you can use your own origami paper (6-inches by 6-inches). Please give or send your origami cranes to the church office as soon as you finish or by July 20, 2025.

Your generous donations make a huge impact on our neighbors!

Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry at Riverton Park UMC!

Riverton Park UMC needs:

  • Diapers (sizes 3 through 7)
  • Diaper wipes
  • Kitchen pots and pans
  • Paper plates
  • Toothpaste
  • Long grain rice
  • Cooking Oil


Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Collection items can be dropped off to the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00AM-4:00PM. Please call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.

Prayer and Coffee • Wednesdays at 9am 

Join us 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. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Cancelled: Church Retreat, A Message from Harry Tang

We regret to inform you that the upcoming church retreat, scheduled for the weekend of August 22, has been canceled due to low registration. 

We understand this may be disappointing news, and we sincerely appreciate your interest and support. For those who have already registered, we’ll reach out to you directly.

Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to our church community. Stay tuned for future opportunities to gather, reflect, and grow together.

Request for Potato Chips and Savory Treats

Thank you, everyone, for bringing in sweet and savory treats for our fellowship time on Sundays. We all enjoy them and are now running low. Please consider bringing in some of your favorite individually wrapped chips to share. Examples are potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos, etc. We appreciate your generosity. 

You may drop the treats off in the social hall kitchen area on Sundays or during church office hours.

We are always in need of more helpers in the kitchen for our fellowship time and it’s a great way to get to know others. Please see Julie Lock if you would like to be added to our rotation list. Thank you!

Click the image above to view our latest issue or view past issues here.

Our Story Continues!

View the July 2025 Calendar

August 2025

Learn More
Pride Sunday Comments Off on Pride Sunday

Pride Sunday

Posted by on Jun 29, 2025 in Archives, Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

All are Welcome!

Sermon Questions

  • How does serving one another in love manifest in daily life?
  • What does it mean to be free in Christ and how does this freedom relate to the law?
  • What is the relationship between the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh? 
  • How can believers cultivate a life led by the Spirit?

Order of Worship

Prelude
The Compassion Hymn
Keith and Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend
Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Land Acknowledgement
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Call to Worship
Lesley Okura 
*Opening Hymn
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
TFWS #2120
Kathy and Eugene Onishi
Opening Prayer
Lesley Okura 
First Scripture Reading
Isaiah 26:4 (CEB)
Tsutomu Nagoya, Lesley Okura
Children’s Message
Sai Hanaoka
Second Scripture Reading
Galatians 5:1, 13-25 (CEB)
Tsutomu Nagoya, Lesley Okura 
Sermon
Let the Spirit Lead 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Reflection
Cry of My Heart 
TFWS #2165  
Kathy and Eugene Onishi
Introduction to the Offering
Lesley Okura 
*Doxology
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
Kathy and Eugene Onishi
*Prayer of Dedication
Lesley Okura 
Announcements
*Closing Hymn
Would I Have Answered When You Called
TFWS #2137
Kathy and Eugene Onishi
*Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love 
Postlude
For Everyone Born
By Brian Mann
Kathy Onishi
Zoom Fellowship Breakout Room
Dale Kaneko
Today’s Flowers
Miriam Tong

Daily Lectionary Readings

Sunday, June 29, 2025: Proper 8 (13)
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20; 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 and Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Monday, June 30, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 75; 2 Kings 2:15-22; 1 John 2:7-11;
Complementary: Psalm 140; Genesis 24:34-41, 50-67; 1 John 2:7-11;
Tuesday, July 01, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 75; 2 Kings 3:4-20; Ephesians 5:6-20;
Complementary: Psalm 140; Jeremiah 3:15-18; Ephesians 5:6-20;
Wednesday, July 02, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 75; 2 Kings 4:1-7; Matthew 10:16-25;
Complementary: Psalm 140; Jeremiah 23:16-22; Matthew 10:16-25;
Thursday, July 03, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 30; 2 Kings 4:8-17; Romans 7:14-25;
Complementary: Psalm 66:1-9; 2 Kings 21:1-15; Romans 7:14-25;
Friday, July 04, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 30; 2 Kings 4:18-31; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7;
Complementary: Psalm 66:1-9; Jeremiah 51:47-58; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7;
Saturday, July 05, 2025:
Semi-continuous: Psalm 30; 2 Kings 4:32-37; Luke 9:1-6;
Complementary: Psalm 66:1-9; Zechariah 14:10-21; Luke 9:1-6;

Announcements

The Revs. Paul Ortiz and Karen Yokota Love prepare for Closing Worship at The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference 2025.
Ron Nobuyama and George Yates serve as Delegates representing Blaine Memorial UMC.
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth welcomes everyone to The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Sessions 2025.
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, Bishop of The Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church has cast a vision: the M.I.L.E. How can we live into this vision for Blaine Memorial UMC?
The Blaine Ukulele Group of Seattle performed two songs during Opening Worship!
Pastor Job Pangilinan prepares for robing before Closing Worship.

We are Blessed and Broken: Returning from #pnwac25

Dear Blaine – Your delegates, fellow church members, and Senior Pastor AND our new Associate Pastor have returned from this year’s Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Sessions in Bothell, Washington. This event was from June 26-28 at Bothell UMC. 

We discussed issues pertaining to the church regarding regionalization, climate, and administrative matters. We also had a great time with a Ministry Fair, singing performances, and reconnecting with friends from the past and making new friends as well.

If you would like to learn more, visit pnwumc.org. Or, check out their FB page. A richer report from Blaine Memorial’s team will be provided soon – check out our website soon!

Prayer and Coffee • Wednesdays at 9am 

Join us 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. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Cancelled: Church Retreat, A Message from Harry Tang

We regret to inform you that the upcoming church retreat, scheduled for the weekend of August 22, has been canceled due to low registration. 

We understand this may be disappointing news, and we sincerely appreciate your interest and support. For those who have already registered, we’ll reach out to you directly.

Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to our church community. Stay tuned for future opportunities to gather, reflect, and grow together.

Request for Potato Chips and Savory Treats

Thank you, everyone, for bringing in sweet and savory treats for our fellowship time on Sundays. We all enjoy them and are now running low. Please consider bringing in some of your favorite individually wrapped chips to share. Examples are potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos, etc. We appreciate your generosity. 

You may drop the treats off in the social hall kitchen area on Sundays or during church office hours.

We are always in need of more helpers in the kitchen for our fellowship time and it’s a great way to get to know others. Please see Julie Lock if you would like to be added to our rotation list. Thank you!

Click the image above to view our latest issue or view past issues here.

Our Story Continues!

View the June 2025 Calendar

July 2025 | August 2025

Learn More
Blaine’s 120th Anniversary Aprons & Sling Bags Comments Off on Blaine’s 120th Anniversary Aprons & Sling Bags

Blaine’s 120th Anniversary Aprons & Sling Bags

Posted by on Jun 23, 2025 in Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

Dale Kaneko and Carol Okano sold custom aprons made from cloth rice bags. Proceeds helped support Mission Guatemala.

Blaine’s 120th Anniversary Aprons & Sling Bags

By Dale Kaneko & Carol Okano

It is wonderful to see so many visual reminders of Blaine Memorial’s rich legacy over 120+ years.  Some of those reminders are the 120th Anniversary Aprons and Sling Bags.  With the foresight of our former Tuesday Ladies keeping their all-cotton rice bags, we were able to create and share these unique Anniversary aprons and sling bags with you.

The Tuesday Ladies would be pleased, we believe, to know that their rice bags generated a wonderful churchwide fundraising project that lasted throughout last year.  We are grateful for Nina Chinn and Carol Okano who envisioned and created the pattern for the aprons which included Glenn Mitsui’s 120th Anniversary logo.  Also, with the remnants from these aprons, we were able to sew customized cell phone sling bags.

Hand-made commemorative aprons were made with materials donated by our gracious congregation.

Additional well-preserved rice bags were donated by the Kometani, Martin, Okazaki, Okubo and Gilbert families.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteer sewers (please see the list of names) and to many of you purchased these aprons and bags. 

Our faithful and capable volunteer sewers: 

  • Nina Chinn 
  • Carol Kastrup 
  • Pam Ikegami 
  • Miriam Tong 
  • Leann Onishi 
  • Chris Onishi 
  • Nadine Miyahara 
  • Shirley Miyake 
  • Diane Sugimura 
  • Barbara Kanaya 
  • Jana Wakasugi 
  • Yuki Sofronas 
  • Pam Yorozu 
  • Kathy Onishi 
  • Rachel Ono Lim 
  • Julie Shioshita 
  • Marina Kozu 
  • Donna Sekijima 
  • Eunice Gong 
  • Elaine Chin 
  • Julie Nomi
  • Carol Okano 
  • Dale Kaneko 

Anniversary Aprons were a popular item at Anniversary Sunday and Sukiyaki events!
Handmade Sling-Bags!
Contact Carol and Dale for more info on aprons and sling-bags!
These rice bags will be turned into fun and wonderful aprons for our community.
If you would like to donate your old rice bags for aprons, contact Dale and Carol!

Proceeds from the sales of these aprons and bags will go towards having some handicapped doors for the Lee Activity Center.

We are grateful to have our Anniversary aprons and sling bags as reminders to honor our ancestors and to continue their journey of faith, hope and love. 

Dale Kaneko is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.

Announcements

Click the image above to view our latest issue or view past issues here.

Our Story Continues!

Team Blaine prevailed at the 2024 Walk for Rice event!

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:
Team Blaine at ACRS

Mail your donation to the Blaine office:
Checks to “Walk for Rice”, memo: “Team Blaine”

Thanks for your support!
Justine I., Team Captain

Cancelled: Church Retreat, A Message from Harry Tang

We regret to inform you that the upcoming church retreat, scheduled for the weekend of August 22, has been canceled due to low registration. 

We understand this may be disappointing news, and we sincerely appreciate your interest and support. For those who have already registered, we’ll reach out to you directly.

Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to our church community. Stay tuned for future opportunities to gather, reflect, and grow together.

Prayer and Coffee • Wednesdays at 9am 

Join us 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. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Request for Potato Chips and Savory Treats

Thank you, everyone, for bringing in sweet and savory treats for our fellowship time on Sundays. We all enjoy them and are now running low. Please consider bringing in some of your favorite individually wrapped chips to share. Examples are potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos, etc. We appreciate your generosity. 

You may drop the treats off in the social hall kitchen area on Sundays or during church office hours.

We are always in need of more helpers in the kitchen for our fellowship time and it’s a great way to get to know others. Please see Julie Lock at jtlock00@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our rotation list. Thank you!

View the June 2025 Calendar

Learn More
Spiritual Formation Center Comments Off on Spiritual Formation Center

Spiritual Formation Center

Posted by on Jun 23, 2025 in Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

What does the coming of summer mean for you? What new epiphanies do you anticipate with this seasonal change?

Spiritual Formation Center

A Time to Transition, It’s a New Season

By Anne Arakaki-Lock

I love summer. It’s a time of sunshine, warmth, lots of fresh fruits and flowers, shorts and tee shirts, Popsicles and baseball. In the Pacific Northwest you can sense Seafair in the air, signifying cultural festivals, friends, and food. It’s a fun time. Summer cries out for rest and recreation. It has been a busy winter season at Church. I propose we all take advantage of the new season. We have all worked hard these past few months in so many ways. 

“What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time… And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” –Ecclesiastes 3:9-13. 

No doubt we have seasons in our lives. We embrace each and know that God is with us all the time. 

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.” –Matthew 24:32 NLT.

Scriptures reassure that it would be a good thing for us to look forward to summer. Let us look forward to the second coming of Christ…to New Life.


Anne-Arakaki Lock is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.

Lectionary Readings

Sunday, June 29, 2025: 
Proper 8 (13)
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 and Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62
Sunday, July 06, 2025:
Proper 9 (14)
2 Kings 5:1-14
and Psalm 30
Isaiah 66:10-14
and Psalm 66:1-9
Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Sunday, July 13, 2025:
Proper 10 (15)
Amos 7:7-17
and Psalm 82
Deuteronomy 30:9-14 and Psalm 25:1-10
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
Sunday, July 20, 2025:
Proper 11 (16)
Amos 8:1-12
and Psalm 52
Genesis 18:1-10a
and Psalm 15
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
Sunday, July 27, 2025:
Proper 12 (17)
Hosea 1:2-10. Psalm 85
Genesis 18:20-32
and Psalm 138
Colossians 2:6-15,
(16-19)
Luke 11:1-13

Announcements

Click the image above to view our latest issue or view past issues here.

Our Story Continues!

Team Blaine prevailed at the 2024 Walk for Rice event!

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:
Team Blaine at ACRS

Mail your donation to the Blaine office:
Checks to “Walk for Rice”, memo: “Team Blaine”

Thanks for your support!
Justine I., Team Captain

Cancelled: Church Retreat, A Message from Harry Tang

We regret to inform you that the upcoming church retreat, scheduled for the weekend of August 22, has been canceled due to low registration. 

We understand this may be disappointing news, and we sincerely appreciate your interest and support. For those who have already registered, we’ll reach out to you directly.

Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to our church community. Stay tuned for future opportunities to gather, reflect, and grow together.

Prayer and Coffee • Wednesdays at 9am 

Join us 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. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Request for Potato Chips and Savory Treats

Thank you, everyone, for bringing in sweet and savory treats for our fellowship time on Sundays. We all enjoy them and are now running low. Please consider bringing in some of your favorite individually wrapped chips to share. Examples are potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos, etc. We appreciate your generosity. 

You may drop the treats off in the social hall kitchen area on Sundays or during church office hours.

We are always in need of more helpers in the kitchen for our fellowship time and it’s a great way to get to know others. Please see Julie Lock at jtlock00@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our rotation list. Thank you!

View the June 2025 Calendar

Learn More
BYG Update Comments Off on BYG Update

BYG Update

Posted by on Jun 23, 2025 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Prayer, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

For two years, Kaylee Yokoyama has served as Associate Director for the Blaine Youth Group. She has faithfully led our youth through various fundraising ventures, as well as, spiritual moments to help grow Blaine Memorial’s future.

BYG Update

To New Beginnings

By Kaylee Yokoyama, photos by Aiden Lew, et. al.

Kaylee Yokoyama, Associate Director of BYG, will conclude her service and enter a new phase. Blessings on your journey, Kaylee!

Dear Blaine Congregation,

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served as Associate Director of the Blaine Youth Group over the past few years. During the month of July, I’ll be stepping away from this role as I prepare to take a gap year before beginning graduate school. It is certainly a bittersweet moment. When I was first asked to consider this role, I felt both honored and uncertain of the responsibilities of such a large and meaningful role. Over the past two years, this position has pushed me to grow through reflection, creativity, and navigating uncertainty, and I’m incredibly thankful for the privilege to have served in
this role.

Joshua Santos, Edwin Santos, Jem Tong, Kaylee Yokoyama, Kai Yamamoto, and the Rev. Karen Yokota Love meet up in the Yoshida Room for fellowship.

Blaine has been home to me since I was three years old. Being part of BYG through college first as a leader and then as an Associate Director has been one of the most rewarding experiences. I’ve loved watching our youth grow, not only in faith, but also in confidence, compassion, and resilience. Whether they were starting middle or high school, applying to college, heading to camp for the first time, or stepping into leadership roles themselves, their courage, passion, and drive has continually inspired me.

Members of the Blaine Youth Group gather for a fun Halloween photo-op, celebrating fellowship and togetherness for God. Kaylee will be moving forward with her career goals and achievements.

As I step out of this position, I’m excited for what lies ahead for BYG. I have full confidence that this community will continue to thrive and make a meaningful impact within our church and beyond.

I especially want to thank those who walked alongside me in this journey:

  • Thank you to the parents who supported our events and encouraged and supported your youth. 
  • To our incredible leaders, thank you for your time, energy, and presence, I couldn’t have done it without you all. 
  • Reverend Karen, thank you for your steady guidance, patience, and unwavering support and care for our youth through times of transition. 
  • Thank you also to Reverend Mia, Lynne Onishi, and Kai Yamamoto for your guidance and commitment to BYG and for consistently supporting me as I grew into this role.
  • I’m deeply grateful to have had such a transformative experience in such an incredible community. As I step into new beginnings, I’ll be cheering on BYG and hopeful for its continued curiosity, connection, and growth.

With gratitude,

Kaylee

Kaylee Yokoyama and the Blaine Youth Group gathered at Camp Indianola for a Confirmation Retreat.

Kaylee Yokoyama serves as the outgoing Associate Director of the Blaine Youth Group.

Announcements

Click the image above to view our latest issue or view past issues here.

Our Story Continues!

Team Blaine prevailed at the 2024 Walk for Rice event!

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:
Team Blaine at ACRS

Mail your donation to the Blaine office:
Checks to “Walk for Rice”, memo: “Team Blaine”

Thanks for your support!
Justine I., Team Captain

Cancelled: Church Retreat, A Message from Harry Tang

We regret to inform you that the upcoming church retreat, scheduled for the weekend of August 22, has been canceled due to low registration. 

We understand this may be disappointing news, and we sincerely appreciate your interest and support. For those who have already registered, we’ll reach out to you directly.

Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to our church community. Stay tuned for future opportunities to gather, reflect, and grow together.

Prayer and Coffee • Wednesdays at 9am 

Join us 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. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Request for Potato Chips and Savory Treats

Thank you, everyone, for bringing in sweet and savory treats for our fellowship time on Sundays. We all enjoy them and are now running low. Please consider bringing in some of your favorite individually wrapped chips to share. Examples are potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos, etc. We appreciate your generosity. 

You may drop the treats off in the social hall kitchen area on Sundays or during church office hours.

We are always in need of more helpers in the kitchen for our fellowship time and it’s a great way to get to know others. Please see Julie Lock at jtlock00@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our rotation list. Thank you!

View the June 2025 Calendar

Learn More