Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Call to Worship Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Opening Hymn This Is My Father’s World (UMH #144) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Opening Prayer Rev. Karen Yokota Love
First Scripture Reading Matthew 21:23-32 (CEB, JLB) Susan Lee, Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Second Scripture Reading Mark 12:28-34 (NIV, JLB) Malia Yamamoto, Tsutomu Nagoya
Sermon You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos Dir. of Hispanic/Latinx Ministries, The Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church
Hymn of Reflection One Bread, One Body (UMH 620) B.U.G.S. (Blaine Ukulele Group Seattle)
Holy Communion Revs. Karen, Mia, and Cruz with Tsutomu
Introduction to the Offering Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Closing Hymn Here, I Am, Lord (UMH #593) B.U.G.S with Eugene and Kathy Onishi
*Benediction Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos
Postlude One God and Father of Us All By P. Carlson, K. Matthews, J. Carraway Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Sermon Reflection Questions
In what ways can we demonstrate that we love one another?
When you look around and see all the people created by God, what do you see?
What does the greatest commandment teach us? Jesus told the scribe that he is not far from the kingdom.
Why is he closer than the others? What is he still missing?
Saturday, October 7, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 19; Exodus 23:10-13; John 7:40-52 Complementary: Psalm 80:7-15; Jeremiah 6:1-10; John 7:40-52
Announcements
Choir members needed! • Tues. at 7p, Sun at 9a and 11:45a
The Blaine Choir love to sing to God. Rehearsals are Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings, and provide music for Blaine’s Sunday morning services. Our goal is to develop spiritually and musically through fellowship, singing and through scripture. Join us as we bring musical messages to the Blaine family each week. If you sing, or if you would like to learn to sing, please come join! Whether you sing in public or just in the shower – or are available “full-time” or “part-time”, all are welcome! Contact Eugene Onishi (eaonishi@hotmail.com).
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • Oct. 4 at 9am
The Wednesday Prayer group continues to meet each week. Our time together consists of a check-in question centering around United Methodist Founder John Wesley’s famous question, “How is it with your soul?” Our time together continues with a few readings from The Upper Room Magazine September/October edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We hope you can join us!
Girl Scouts Meeting • Sunday, October 8 at 11:30a
We will be restarting our Blaine Girl Scouts troop this month. We meet every second Sunday of the month from October to June so our first meeting will be next Sunday, Oct 8th from 11:30-2:30pm in the Education Wing. We start with a light lunch and then will begin our meeting at noon.
Our troop includes Brownie Girls starting in the 2nd grade and goes up to the Senior level which is 12th grade. For any girls who are interested in joining, you and your parents can come and learn about us for the first meeting. There is no commitment to attend the first meeting. There will also be a parents meeting at 1pm where all details and applications will be passed out.
We hope to have some new girls join us this year. We have a lot of fun activities like rock climbing, roller skating, ice skating, archery, selling cookies and more. If you have any questions, please come up to talk to Eunice Gong during social time or email Eunice G.
Susan and Jim Tanioka from Merced, CA visit with Anne to explain the labor of love that they dedicate their lives to!
The Farmer
By Anne Arakaki-Lock
We can never say thank you enough. Gratitude is magical. It’s so therapeutic. I will strive to make gratitude my go-to, my pick-me-upper tool as I felt lifted up by simply experiencing thanksgiving first-hand on an almond farm.
One only needs to talk to a hard-working farmer to see the utmost respect and gratitude for God’s creation, as expressed by a caring spirit. The other day I had the privilege of witnessing a farmer’s labor of love. He showed me his 30-year old almond grove, rows and rows of trees painstakingly nurtured. They were healthy and robust, having produced nuts year after year for market. Proudly, the farmer shared the importance of good soil, the need to control weeds, the value of fertilizing (even to the point of including his son’s chemistry knowledge to research a recipe for fertilizer).
Then there were the precious tractors for every need — the mower to contain the grass and weeds, the raker, the fertilizer, the tree shaker, the harvest gatherer (I forgot the name of that one). I learned the value of the rams, lubricants and belts, and duh, the need for a sweeper attachment in front of and behind the big wheels so that the harvested almonds shaken to the ground would not get crushed by the tractor. Of course, there is always attention given to water, too — the wells, the river source, and the climate.
“I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!” Psalm 92:4-5.
Mr. Jim Tanioka explains the balance of nature as he labors to produce almonds for the past 30+ years!
My field trip to the almond farm made me feel and get to know God even more. I saw more humbly the brilliance of His creation and the intricacies of what it takes to maintain and grow Nature. Of course, my little brain cannot even come close to truly, truly understanding all of God’s miracles and His design of our world. But the weekend made me thankful and brought me so much closer to our Master Farmer. I feel like I know God a little more now.
Thank you, Mr. Tanioka, for opening my eyes to the love and work it takes for me to enjoy God’s almond. Rev. Karen’s wonderful uncle from Merced, CA was my weekend farmer-teacher. “I give thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart.” Psalm 138:1
Rev. Mia led a group of youth to make sandwiches for residents at Tent City 3.
Blaine Youth Group supports Tent City 3 and bonds during retreat as fall begins
By Kai Yamamoto
Upcoming Events
BYG Night
September 23
Camping Ministries Sunday
October 15
As the summer is wrapping up and fall is coming upon us, the youth are going back to school, and we are kicking off a new year of BYG! We are very excited to get back into the swing of things and meet on Sundays. Our first BYG meeting was on Rally Sunday, September 10. We also hosted a parent meeting after service during coffee hour to introduce parents to our leadership team and kickoff the new year of BYG. Our BYG leadership team has been hard at work, planning and preparing for the new year of BYG.
Throughout the summer, our BYG leadership team continued to meet and brainstorm a variety of activities for our youth to participate in this school year. We are so excited to share these activities with our youth. Our team participated in a retreat on September 9th. We used this time to reflect on this past year of BYG, continue to brainstorm, bond, and prepare ourselves for this upcoming year of BYG. Lynne, Kaylee, and I really appreciate the time and dedication our leaders put in to make BYG successful. Without them, BYG would not be the same!
We replaced old BYG room ceiling tiles with the help of parents and adult volunteers.
To prepare for the new school year, the youth took a day to help clean the BYG room. We organized cabinets, drawers and cleaned furniture. We also decorated the room with photos and décor to give new life and a refreshed feeling to our space. Additionally, with the gracious help of parents and adult volunteers, we were able to replace old ceiling tiles. The room has never felt so clean and prepared for a new year of BYG!
The BYG youth held our first Bake Sale of the new school year providing delicious treats to help raise funds for our summer camp ministry expenses.
But before the youth return to school, they participated in a few activities. In August, Rev. Mia led a group of youth to make sandwiches for residents at Tent City 3. Along with the sandwiches, the youth helped to deliver goodie bags that were made at the Mission Station during VBS for Tent City 3. The youth also held a bake sale at the end of August. The youth always bring their “A” game, baking delicious treats to help sell at our bake sales. Thank you to everyone who attended the bake sale!
We are very excited to kick off the new school year with the youth and we cannot wait to spend an amazing year with them! We hope to see everyone at future events and cannot wait to share more information about our youth events throughout the year.
BYG meets on Sundays at 10:00 AM. We gather in the sanctuary for the beginning of worship service before transitioning over to the Nishida Room for BYG time after the children’s message.
Blaine Youth Group (BYG) is a place where youth (6th-12th grade) are invited into a loving community and celebrated as they are. BYG provides a safe environment for youth to build lasting friendships, grow spiritually, learn acceptance of self and others, express compassion for the world, and develop a love for God and neighbor. BYG has a space for any person who is interested.
Director of Youth Ministry: Lynne Onishi, lynneonishi@gmail.com; Associate Directors of Youth Ministry: Kai Yamamoto, kai.yamamo@gmail.com and Kaylee Yokoyama, kaylee.yokoyama1@gmail.com
Pastors John and Mia enjoyed the sunset at Deception Pass on one of their Sabbath days in July.
“Never place a period where God has placed a comma!”
By the Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
This quote is attributed to comedian Gracie Allen in a letter she wrote to her husband, which was found after her death. As I reflect on this quote, it recalls numerous occasions when I attempted to impose a period when God was putting a comma. Additionally, I contemplate my intentions of adding commas where God was putting a period.
The Fruitfulness Project Team concluded after about 18 months. They delivered the donations and sandwiches to Tent City 3 and had a final meeting enjoying shaved ice.
I am grateful that God placed a period on my ordination process, the Fruitfulness Project, all the summer activities at the church, and a couple of projects with the family during this summer. These events are now closed with a resounding period. Additionally, I experienced a situation where God placed a comma where I thought there was a period.
I lost contact with one of my good seminary friends who had supported me greatly during my time in seminary. One night, probably in my second semester, a few of us were preparing for final exams and writing final papers together in the downstairs lounge of the dormitory where we used to study, talk, play ping-pong, and have late-night snacks. That night, I was feeling discouraged by the constant pressure from studying away from the family more than usual. My friend not only prayed for me with other friends but also proofread one of my papers voluntarily before he completed his paper for the same class, enabling me to move on to the next assignments. I was deeply moved by his friendship.
However, some difficult challenges arose for him, preventing him from completing his studies. He left the campus during our last semester, but we lost contact with him. It was deeply heartbreaking for us to disconnect from our dear friend and couldn’t help him. I thought it was the end of our friendship. Surprisingly, we reconnected with him in the middle of August when he reached out to one of our group friends. We will soon set up a Zoom meeting to see each other, including my friend, who hadn’t been in contact for over four years. What a surprising gift of a comma! What I had thought was the end of our friendship turned out to be just a comma, and I am very grateful for God’s comma.
When I think it’s time for a period, God’s comma opens my mind if it’s God’s timing for a comma. This punctuation pause allows me to take a deep breath, inhale the freshness and excitement of the moment, and oxygenate my mind. Also, God’s period helps me to move on from the previous situations, knowing and grounding in confidence that God will take care of every situation. Sooner or later, I come to realize from all those experiences of periods and commas that God has other plans that are way beyond my thoughts and expectations. Those experiences have taught me to open my mind and ground myself in the affirmation of the Bible verse, “My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
For the September’s Bible memorization in the Church School, we’ll be focusing on Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me, and I will answer you and reveal to you wondrous and hidden things that you have not known.”
The Blaine UMC Scholarship Committee Chair: Michelle Vaughan
Members: Collin Ikeda, Joey Ing, Lynne Onishi, Rachel Ono-Lim, Joan Sato Hernandez, Emi Suzuki, Rev. Karen Yokota Love and Christine Yorozu
Scholarship Benefactors
Blaine Memorial UMC wishes to thank the families for which the following scholarships are named and the continued support these scholarships give to the youth and families of the recipients.
The Vera Ing Scholarship
The Vera Ing Scholarship has been established to recognize Vera’s accomplishments and give a hand up to those with similar circumstances and passion.
Vera was a go-getter, a doer, always engaged in what she set her mind to. When her three children were in grade school, Vera started her college education to quench her thirst for learning more. She attended North Seattle Community College where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. She then attended the University of Washington and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning. Vera served on the board of the North Seattle Community College Foundation from 1990 until 1999. She was the board chair from 1994-1997. Vera was the first distinguished alumna in 2002, when the annual award was created. Vera was a strong leader in her community and at Blaine Memorial UMC. She was active in Seattle’s International District and in the city since the 1960’s. It was important for Vera to give back to the community. This scholarship was awarded to an individual who exemplifies Vera’s passion of continuing education to give back and better the community they serve.
The Robert S. Sato Scholarship
The Robert S. Sato Scholarship was established in 2010 at the time of his passing.
The family presented the scholarship to Blaine Memorial UMC as a way to honor him and keep his memory alive. Bob was born in Puyallup, Washington; interned at Minidoka where he was drafted to serve in the 100th Battalion/442 RCT. A Civil Engineer by trade, he earned his degree at the University of Washington and spent a good portion of his career with the Army Corps of Engineers, rising to the position of Assistant Chief of Design. He was both a leader in the Seattle Japanese American community and at Blaine Memorial. He served on the Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, the Administrative Board as Chair, and as co-chair on the Building Committee. He was instrumental in establishing our current Blaine Church facility on 24th Ave South and South Hanford Street. Bob was a wonderful father and husband. He was always a beacon of light for his family, friends, the church and community. His focus on lifelong learning has been instilled in his children, grandchildren and through the scholarship awarded in his name.
Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship
Having arrived at a milestone in their lives – their retirement in 1987 – Ted and Margaret Yasuda established a scholarship at Blaine Memorial UMC, returning this gift to God in gratitude for all the blessings they have received in their lives.
It was their hope that in this way, others may be helped and encouraged as their children were. When the scholarship established, Ted and Margaret wrote, “Education has been very important to us. As our father said to us during World War II, education of Japanese Americans when we lost everything, ‘put education and knowledge into your head… no one can take that away from you.’” Margaret Yasuda graduated from Garfield High School and was interned at Minidoka Internment Camp during World War II. Leaving Minidoka to attend Seton Nursing School in Colorado, Mrs. Yasuda was a member of the Nisei Cadet Nurses of World War II. She received her Bachelors of Science in nursing from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. She received her degree in Public Health Nursing from the University of Washington. Mrs. Yasuda was a nurse with the King County Public Health Department where she worked in the well-baby clinic, on travel immunizations and the visiting nurse division. She married Ted Yasuda in 1950 and they were blessed with 58 years of marriage. Mrs. Yasuda passed away in 2009. Ted Yasuda was interned at Minidoka and served in the 442nd RCT. Mr. Yasuda attended the University of Washington, graduating with a degree in Eastern Asian History and a Masters Degree in Librarianship. Mr. Yasuda worked for Boeing for over 30 years as a Technical Librarian. Mr. Yasuda enjoys gardening, photography, and coming to church. He served as Financial Secretary at Blaine for many years, was involved with Boy Scout Troop 55 and was instrumental in the building of Blaine Memorial UMC at our present site.
The William S. Yorozu Scholarship
William S. Yorozu was a Nisei member of Blaine Memorial UMC from his early youth.
He graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle and earned his degree in Horticulture/Landscape Design from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. After college, he was the owner of a full service landscape, maintenance and construction company, T. Yorozu Gardening Co., started by his father. During his summer months, he hired many Nisei and Sansei high school and college students. He was a firm believer in a good education and was proud that some student employees graduated to become doctors, attorneys and business leaders. The family of William S. Yorozu feels it is fitting to honor his name through scholarships at Blaine Memorial UMC. The scholarships promote a connection with God and help students to achieve their educational goals.
The Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship
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, to apply.
Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship Award Recipients 2023!
Congratulations to the 2023 Scholarship Award Recipients! Scholarships were awarded this year to six very deserving young people who are pursuing their higher education. Their awards were based on their demonstrated academic achievement as well as their commitment to church and community.
Kaylee Yokoyama
Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship and a William S. Yorozu Scholarship. Kaylee is the daughter of Jeff and Shelly Yokoyama.
Dear Blaine Congregation and Yorozu Family, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Blaine congregation and the Yorozu Family for their generous support towards my education. I will be heading into my Junior year at the University of Washington, pursuing a degree in psychology. I am planning on using this scholarship towards tuition and textbooks. I am grateful that Blaine’s support allows me to pursue my goals and passions in college, becoming a child clinical psychologist. I am super appreciative and take comfort in knowing I have a loving community within Blaine. Thank you again for awarding me these scholarships, and allowing me to pursue higher education. – Kaylee Yokoyama
Allison Hall
Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship and a Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship.
Allison is the granddaughter of the late Rev. Ed Iwamoto and Betty Iwamoto. Hello, I’m Allison! I am attending Case Western Reserve University starting this fall, pursuing a degree in Nursing. I am so thankful towards the Blaine Memorial Congregation and to the Yasuda family for their generous support. I will put these Scholarships towards my tuition. Once again, I just wanted to share my gratitude for this support and investment in my higher education. Thank you very much! – Allison Hall
Kai Yamamoto
Awarded a William S. Yorozu Scholarship and a Robert S. Sato Scholarship.
Kai is the son of Dick and Susan Lee Yamamoto. Hello Blaine community, Thank you so much for your support as I continue my education at Bellevue College. I would also like to give a special thank you to both the Yorozu and Sato families for sponsoring the scholarships! Although I am entering my third year of college, I am also entering the final year of my program! This Spring, I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity. I am very grateful to be able to experience college and take all the amazing classes I have been able to take so far! I can’t wait to continue classes this fall and graduate this year! – Kai Yamamoto
Joshua Santos
Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship.
Joshua is the son of Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos and Alma Santos. Hello Blaine Community, I would like to thank everybody at Blaine Memorial UMC for giving me the opportunity to go to the University of Washington and earn my Bachelors Degree. I will be pursuing a degree in Film. I hope to be able to work on Films and TV Shows after I graduate. I will also use the knowledge I learn to help other churches with video projects, equipment set up, etc. I would also like to thank you for treating us like family. I’m glad to be a part of Blaine and seeing what the future holds for us. – Joshua Santos
Kobe Yamamoto
Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship and a William S. Yorozu Scholarship.
Kobe is the son of Dick and Susan Lee Yamamoto. I would like to thank the Blaine congregation for their support over the many years in helping me pursue my dreams. I would also like to give a special thanks to the Yorozu family, for the financial support. Blaine has been instrumental to my growth as a student and as a person. Currently, I am a rising Junior at the University of Washington, majoring in Accounting and Information Systems, as well as minoring in Real Estate and the Jack and Ann Rhodes Professional Sales program. The scholarships I have received will go towards paying for tuition and textbooks. – Kobe Yamamoto
Michelle Yokoyama
Awarded a William S. Yorozu Scholarship.
Michelle is the daughter of Jeff and Shelly Yokoyama.
Dear Sato family and Blaine Congregation, I would like to extend my deep appreciation for always supporting me on my academic path to pursue higher education. Thank you to the Sato family for their generosity of the Robert S. Sato scholarship! I will be attending WSU Spokane’s location to achieve my degree in the Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Exercise Physiology. I will use the money towards tuition, housing, and books. My career goals are to become a Registered Dietitian and acquire my American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certification. The pathway I am interested in is to become a clinical dietitian by using my knowledge of nutrition to assist clients. The ACSM Certification will allow me to utilize an exercise plan to help clients with chronic diseases to better their life through nutrition and exercise intervention. My desire is to be able to educate clients in a collaborative and compassionate manner so they can make healthy lifestyle choices. With sincere appreciation, thank you for the scholarship which will help me achieve my goals. I truly appreciate your support! – Michelle Yokoyama
