All are Welcome!
- Fifth Sunday in Lent
- April 6, 2025 • 10:00am
- Hybrid Worship
- View the PDF Bulletin
Order of Worship
| Prelude The Family Prayer Song By Morris Chapman Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Blaine Memorial UMC Land Acknowledgment |
| Call to Worship Aidan Lew |
| Opening Hymn Freely, Freely (UMH #389) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Aidan Lew |
| Whitney Memorial UMC Scholarship: Lynne Onishi Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| First Scripture Reading John 12:1-8 (JLB, CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Aidan Lew |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Special Music Grace By Niki Shepherd, Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson Blaine Memorial Praise Band |
| Second Scripture Reading Luke 14:15-24 (JLB, CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Aidan Lew |
| Sermon Empty Chairs, New Invitations Lynne Onishi Claremont School of Theology Seminarian |
| Hymn of Reflection More Like You (TFWS #2167) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Holy Communion Rev. Karen Yokota Love, Lynne Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Aidan Lew |
| Offertory Music Kathy Onishi |
| Doxology Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Prayer of Dedication Aidan Lew |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Closing Hymn Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (UMH #664) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude The Compassion Hymn By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend Kathy Onishi |
| Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Zoom Breakout Room Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn & Dale Kaneko |
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Sunday, April 6, 2025: Fifth Sunday in Lent Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 |
| Monday, April 7, 2025: Psalm 20 Exodus 40:1-15 Hebrews 10:19-25; |
| Tuesday, April 8, 2025: Psalm 20 Judges 9:7-15 1 John 2:18-28 |
| Wednesday, April 9, 2025: Psalm 20 Habakkuk 3:2-15 Luke 18:31-34 |
| Thursday, April 10, 2025: Psalm 31:9-16 Isaiah 53:10-12 Hebrews 2:1-9 |
| Friday, April 11, 2025: Psalm 31:9-16 Isaiah 54:9-10 Hebrews 2:10-18 |
| Saturday, April 12, 2025: Psalm 31:9-16 Leviticus 23:1-8 Luke 22:1-13 |
Announcements
Sign Easter Cards in the Social Hall • Today!
Today, we will have our beautiful handmade Easter cards out on tables in the Social Hall for our church members to sign. These cards are for our loved ones who are sick, or are grieving, in need of our loving support, or some encouragement. Please write a friendly note and say hello to friends in our community.
Order Easter Lilies, Today! • Ends April 13, 2025
Easter Lilies will once again bring beauty and fragrance to our worship setting for Easter Sunday, April 20.
How to Order:
- Complete the order form (church office or blaineonline.org). The cost for each plant is $12. You can submit your form by Sunday, April 13.
- Send to Blaine Memorial UMC, ATTN: Easter Lily, 3001 24th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144.
- Bring form to the church office.
- Or, place this form in the offering plates by Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study • See Dates and Times (Below)
Rev. Karen continues to lead a Lent Book Study using “Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study”. She will teach the class on the following days:
- Tuesday (4/8), 7:00PM, Hospitality and Discipleship, John 12:1-8
- Tuesday (4/15), 7:00PM, A Meal of Memories, Matthew 26:17-30 and Easter, Luke 24:13-35
The classes will be held on Zoom and the link will be released the day before.
This year’s All Church Lenten Book is Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study. The book is written by Cynthia M. Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. For Lent this year, our theme will be Bread of Life: Meeting Jesus at the Table.
The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus sharing meals with people. Whether multiplying bread to feed a whole crowd, relaxing with his inner circle, or telling curious elites’ stories about even greater banquets, Jesus imparts wisdom and forgiveness during mealtimes.
This book study provides biblical insights along with thought-provoking queries regarding our own time, such as whom should we invite to Sunday dinner and who is left out and left behind in our culture today. Each chapter includes questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.
Books are on sale in the Church Office for $10.00 each.
Reconciling Ministries Network Devotional, Written by Lynne Onishi
Blaine Memorial UMC Member, Former BYG Director, and CST Seminarian Lynne Onishi has written a Lenten devotional, and it is available as a digital download for $10. You can read a little more about the RMN Lenten Devotional here: Into the Wilderness: a Reconciling Lenten Devotional – Reconciling Ministries Network.
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.
Good Friday • April 18
This year’s Good Friday Service will be a new collaboration with Beacon UMC. Blaine Memorial UMC is hosting our first Good Friday collaborative worship service with Beacon UMC at 7:00PM. We will begin our evening together with a simple soup supper meal at 5:45PM, followed with worship at 7:00PM. Join us as we remember Jesus’ seven last words and actions before being crucified. We’ll remember Jesus’ love for us. We’ll hear from different members of Blaine Memorial UMC and Beacon UMC.
Celebrate the Risen Christ, Easter Sunday • April 20
Easter Breakfast: Join us for Easter Breakfast in the LAC at 8:30AM as the Blaine Youth Group (BYG) will prepare, cook, and serve the breakfast. There will be two opportunities to eat: 8:30AM and after worship!
Flowering of the Cross: One of the most meaningful traditions that we celebrate on Easter Sunday is the Flowering of the Cross. It symbolizes new life in Christ. We invite all who are attending Easter Sunday worship (in person) to bring flowers from your garden (trimmed to a short stem). These flowers will be placed on the cross as you enter the Sanctuary for Easter worship.
Easter Egg Hunt: The Church School invites children to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt in the Courtyard (weather permitting). Please remind children to bring their own baskets, and feel free to invite your grandchildren, friends, and neighbors to join us for the hunt!
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.
In the Community
50th Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival at Seattle Center • April 11-13, 2025
The Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Washington are asking for your help. They need refreshments for the Volunteer Hospitality Team who is working at the 50th Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival at the Seattle Center. They are requesting potluck dish donations of mochi, onigiri, spaghetti, different salads, beverages, snacks, hot dogs, etc.
Potluck dishes may lovingly be donated the days of Friday (4/11), Saturday (4/12), and Sunday (4/13) from 11:00AM-5:00PM. Questions? Please email Emiliano Baird or call (206) 372-5156.
Urgent Help Needed for Asylum Seekers at Fairwood UMC/El Dios Viviente UMC
As the needs of our refugee siblings continue to grow, Fairwood UMC and El Dios Viviente UMC remain committed to providing essential services and shelter for refugee families at Fairwood UMC in Renton.
Right now, there are urgent needs for the asylum seeker program shelter, and we are reaching out for your support. The following items are needed:
- Queen-size air mattresses (24-inch)
- Blankets (any size)
- Gift cards
- Toilet paper
- White rice (grain)
- Cooking oil (Crisco or Mazola)
- Trash bags (55-60 gallon)
- Laundry detergent
- Black totes (45-gallon)
If you can donate any of these items, we would deeply appreciate it. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Cruz Santos.
Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry @ Riverton Park UMC • Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Riverton Park UMC is in dire need of:
- 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.
View the April 2025 Calendar
