All are Welcome!
- Second Sunday of Advent
- December 8, 2024, 10:00am
- Hybrid Worship
- View the PDF
Order of Worship
| Prelude I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light By Kathleen Thomerson Kathy Onishi |
| Words of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Call to Worship Ron Nobuyama |
| Opening Hymn People Look East (UMH #202) Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Ron Nobuyama |
| Lighting the Advent Candle Howard, Jill, Katelyn and Zach Nakase |
| Special Music O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Setting by Don Gillespie Blaine Memorial Choir |
| First Scripture Reading Ruth 1 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Ron Nobuyama |
| Second Scripture Reading Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 (JLB, CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Ron Nobuyama |
| Sermon We Can’t Go Alone Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Music of Reflection Toda la Tierra (All Earth is Waiting) (UMH #210) Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Offertory Invitation Ron Nobuyama |
| Doxology Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH #94 |
| Prayer of Dedication Ron Nobuyama |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Closing Hymn Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (UMH #216) Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude Some Children See Him (By Alfred Burt) Kathy Onishi |
| Today’s Flowers Carol Kastrup |
Sermon Questions
- Ruth “should” go home to her family of origin. Why do you think she commits herself to Naomi? What risks does she take? What does she give up or gain?
- Ruth and Naomi travel together to Bethlehem paralleling Mary and Joseph’s journey. When has companionship helped you weather a difficult journey?
- What would it look like to foster deep connections in this Advent season – by sharing your messy, holy, complicated life? What might this look like for you and for the people at Blaine Memorial UMC?
- Bonding occurs between people who are alike. When have you experienced bridging? What would it look like for Blaine Memorial UMC to be a bridge-builder?
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Sunday, December 08, 2024 Second Sunday of Advent Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4 • Luke 1:68-79 • Philippians 1:3-11 • Luke 3:1-6 |
| Monday, December 9, 2024 Psalm 126 • Isaiah 40:1-11 • Romans 8:22-25 |
| Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Psalm 126 • Isaiah 19:18-25 • 2 Peter 1:2-15 |
| Wednesday, December 11, 2024: Psalm 126 • Isaiah 35:3-7 • Luke 7:18-30 |
| Thursday, December 12, 2024 Isaiah 12:2-6 • Amos 6:1-8 • 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 |
| Friday, December 13, 2024 Isaiah 12:2-6 • Amos 8:4-12 • 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 |
| Saturday, December 14, 2024 Isaiah 12:2-6 • Amos 9:8-15 • Luke 1:57-66 |
Announcements
Special Talk with Bethlehem Native, Adam Manasra
Adam Manasra, guest speaker, is visiting us on Sunday (12/8) and will give a presentation in the Webb Room after worship. Adam is a Palestinian who lived his whole life in a village near Bethlehem in the West Bank, Palestine. He will provide reflections and life experiences with updates about the reality of life in the West Bank.
Holiday Card Signing in the Social Hall. Today!
You’re invited to sign Christmas cards for our church members who are sick, recovering from being ill, grieving a loss of a loved one, or in a skilled facility home. The cards are in the Social Hall, today.
Giving Tree 2024!
Giving Tree, Wrapped Gifts Due
Sunday, December 8, 2024
NJAUMC Caucus Advent Study Group • Tuesdays, 12/10, 12/17 at 6:30pm-8:00pm
Members of the NJAUMC Caucus have put together an Advent study based on The Christmas Letters. All NJAUMC churches are invited to attend the study. The facilitators are US Navy Chaplain Rev. John M. Miyahara and Pastor Brian Lee from Simpson UMC in Denver, Colorado, Rev. Ki Choi from Centenary UMC and Rev. Karen Yokota Love from Blaine Memorial UMC. The meeting dates are Tuesdays 12/10, 12/17 from 6:30pm-8:00pm on Zoom. You don’t need to read the book to join the group.
Prayers and Coffee on Zoom • Wednesdays at 9am
Join the Rev. Karen Yokota Love for prayer and community on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. This is a great way to start your morning, 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.
Anniversary Aprons…Now Available!
Blaine Memorial UMC 120th Anniversary Aprons will be available for sale after worship on December 8. They are made from cotton rice bags from long ago. They make unique Christmas gifts, too. They are $40.00 each. Please contact Dale Kaneko at dkaneko@windermere.com with questions.
Order Now: Poinsettias on the Altar
It’s time to sign up for poinsettias for the altar. You may dedicate a poinsettia in celebration of a person or an event, in memory of a loved one, or to honor God’s glory. Poinsettias may be taken home after our Christmas Eve services.
Each plant is $12.00. The deadline for Poinsettia Orders is next Sunday (12/15).
Pick up a form at the Church Office or download an order form. Please share! You can also find a copy of the poinsettia order form in the November/December Beacon newsletter. The order form should be filled out and mailed to Blaine Memorial UMC, Attn: Poinsettias, 3001 24th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98144.
Advent & Christmas Announcements
| Children and Youth Christmas Play Sunday, Dec. 15, at 10am. All are invited to come to the Lee Activity Center to witness our children and youth perform in a special Christmas Play. |
| Blue Christmas Service Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 7pm. Our Blue Christmas Service provides space for prayer, reflection, and remembrance for those grieving during this holiday season (Livestreamed) |
| Christmas Music Sunday Sunday, Dec. 22, at 10:00am. Christmas Music Sunday will feature jams from our Blaine Memorial Choir, B.U.G.S., young adults, and more. |
| Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 4pm. We will have one Traditional Christmas Eve Lesson and Carols Candlelight Service. |
2024 Congregation Photograph
On December 15, 2024, we will be taking a 120th anniversary commemorative photo of our whole congregation in the Lee Activity Center after the children’s Christmas program. Please stay for this photograph which will be a snapshot of our present 2024 congregation in our 120th year as a church family. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this Blaine Memorial UMC 120th Anniversary photo!
120th Anniversary Sunday Service and Potluck
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. 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, missions 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.
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
