All are Welcome
- Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas Music Sunday
- December 22, 2024, 10:00am
- Hybrid Worship
- View the PDF
Order of Worship
| Prelude Carol of the Epiphany (Music by John Bell) Kathy Onishi |
| Words of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Call to Worship Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Opening Prayer Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Congregational Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High (UMH #238) Eugene & Kathy Onishi |
| Lighting the Advent Candle George, Wendy, Jamie, and Lily Yates |
| Prayers of the People Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Introduction to Christmas Music Sunday Eugene Onishi |
| Contemporary Music Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) (By Isaac Watts, George Frederic Handel, Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Matt Gilder) Blaine Praise Band |
| Special Music Baloo Lammy 16th Century Scottish Christmas Carol Leann Onishi |
| Anthem Glory to God in the Highest (Words and Music by Jay Althouse) Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Congregational Hymn The First Noel (UMH #245) Eugene & Kathy Onishi |
| Special Music O Sanctissima Italian Carol arr. Linda Lowe Thompson Leann Onishi |
| Anthem How Far is the Star By Bradley Ellingboe Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Introduction to the Offering Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH #94 Kathy Onishi |
| Prayer of Dedication Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Special Ukulele Music What Child is This? Mary Did You Know? Mele Kalikimaka Blaine Ukulele Group of Seattle |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Closing Music Sing We the Song of Emmanuel (By Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend, Keith Getty) Blaine Praise Band |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude In Silence We Wait Music by Lloyd Larson Kathy Onishi |
| Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Zoom Breakout Room Rev. Jeney Park-Hearn |
| Today’s Flowers Miriam Tong |
Sermon Questions
- What do you “hear” as you sing or listen to the songs of Christmas?
- How do these carols contribute to your celebration of Christ’s birth?
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Sunday, December 22, 2024: Fourth Sunday of Advent Micah 5:2-5a • Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7 • Hebrews 10:5-10 • Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) |
| Monday, December 23, 2024: Psalm 113; Genesis 25:19-28; Colossians 1:15-20 |
| Tuesday, December 24, 2024: Nativity of the Lord – Proper I Isaiah 9:2-7 • Psalm 96 • Titus 2:11-14 • Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) |
| Wednesday, December 25, 2024: Nativity of the Lord – Proper II Isaiah 62:6-12 • Psalm 97 • Titus 3:4-7 • Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 |
| Wednesday, December 25, 2024: Nativity of the Lord – Proper III Isaiah 52:7-10 • Psalm 98 • Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12) • John 1:1-14 |
| Thursday, December 26, 2024: Psalm 148 • 2 Chronicles 24:17-24 • Acts 6:1-7; 7:51-60 |
| Friday, December 27, 2024: Psalm 148 • Proverbs 8:32-36 • John 21:19b-24 |
| Saturday, December 28, 2024: Psalm 148 • Isaiah 54:1-13 • Revelation 21:1-7 |
Announcements
Thank you! 2024 Congregation Photograph by Kai Yamamoto
Thank you, Kai Yamamoto with Aiden Lew for our wonderful Church-wide group photo! Last week, we gathered in the Lee Activity Center to represent our Church family. Thank you Kai, Aiden, and to others who helped make this happen!
Christmas Eve Traditional Candlelight Lessons & Carols Service • Tuesday, December 24 at 4pm
On Tuesday (12/24), we’ll celebrate the birth of Christ through the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols. The Lessons & Carols tells the story of Christmas through a series of readings from the Bible. As the name of the service implies, every reading is followed by a response in the form of a carol or hymn. We’ll end by lighting candles in the darkness and remember the birth of Christ who brings light and life. We will end the service by singing Silent Night, Holy Night and share the light of Christ. This year, there will be one Christmas Eve service.
Request for Homemade Cookies for Christmas Eve
Calling all cookie makers and bakers for Christmas Eve (12/24) 4:00PM service! This year, we are inviting all cookie makers and bakers to bring homemade cookies for Fellowship Time after our worship service. Please list your ingredients and please no nuts (no peanuts and tree nuts). Please drop off your baked cookies to the Social Hall before the Christmas Eve service at 4:00PM.
Prayers and Coffee on Zoom Postponed; Will Return in 2 weeks!
Our prayers and community time over coffee on Zoom will be on hiatus for two weeks as we celebrate the holidays. Please enjoy this brief break with your loved ones as we celebrate the ending of 2024!
Contact Rev. Karen if you have any questions.
Mochi Taste-Testing! • Saturday, January 4, 2025
In the Japanese tradition to celebrate the start of the new year, we will have a mochi testing event! Mark your calendar: Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 9:30am in the Social Hall. Come and taste freshly made mochi with kinako, shoyu, and other delicious flavors. Experience the best mochi in the Northwest!
120th Anniversary Sunday Service and Potluck • January 26, 2025
On January 26, 2025, Blaine Memorial UMC will have a 120th Anniversary Sunday service with special guests to celebrate and reflect on its 120-year history and look forward to its further growth and development into the next 120 years of service in love.
We’ll honor our church members and friends who have or will have reached by the end of January, the glorious age of 88 and older by reading their names aloud during worship. In addition, we will remember our saints who have passed away in the last year who were 88 and older by the reading of their names.
There will be a potluck gathering and program following the service. There will also be ministry table exhibits of past and present ministries of the church such as music ministry, Sunday School ministry, Youth ministry, mission ministry, sports ministry, etc.
Please join us for the culminating celebration of our 120th anniversary and start of our 121st year! We look forward to celebrating with all our members new and old and our many community friends. All are welcome. We will also have a lunch celebration honoring our 88+ and our 120 years! Stay tuned for more information to come.
Read the latest issue of the Beacon, now!
Our Story Continues
- Senior Pastor Reflection: A Future with Hope
- Blaine Memorial UMC Benefit Bazaar Thank-Yous!
- Sign-Up Now: Thanksgiving Meals and Giving Tree 2024!
- BYG Update: Help us develop leaders this Thanksgiving!
- Spiritual Formation Center: In Thanksgiving, We Celebrate
View the December 2024 Calendar
