At the ACRS’ Walk For Rice, Team Blaine raised $11,800 for low-income families!
THANK YOU, BLAINE COMMUNITY!
A big THANK YOU to our Team Blaine walkers and the rest of the Blaine community for everyone’s amazing support with this year’s ACRS Walk for Rice! Team Blaine had a fantastic turnout on June 17th at Seward Park – with close to 50 walkers this year, we were the largest team walking on a misty Saturday morning to support the ACRS Food Bank.
ACRS Executive Director Michael Byun, Rev. Karen, and Justine
At the closing ceremony, Team Blaine was recognized by ACRS as being in second place among all Walk for Rice fundraising teams for raising over $11,500! That is the most Team Blaine has raised in the nine years that I’ve been walking in the Walk for Rice – WAY TO GO!!
Team Blaine members socializing before the walk
Our donations will help ACRS to provide culturally familiar food for low-income seniors and families for many months. ACRS has not yet reached their $325,000 fundraising goal, and they will still be accepting donations during the summer, so it’s not too late to donate to Team Blaine and the Walk for Rice. Thanks so much for your support of this important community resource!
Team Blaine had a strong showing with over 45 walkers at Seward Park!
Justine serves as the captain for Team Blaine for this year’s ACRS’ Walk for Rice.
Read our latest issue of the Beacon!
The July edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!
It’s summertime. The weather is changing. It’s so much lighter, so much later – what a joy! I gazed outside a few evenings ago, assuming that at such a late hour the sun had retired for the day. To my surprise, the sun was shining with no sign of a sunset. I thought, “no matter how I think this should go, the sun will not set until it’s ready.” Imagine if we were such pillars of light that we allowed nothing to get in the way of our shining. When the sun rises, nothing can stop it, it is so high that nothing can get in its way.
This year, all our pillars of light are once again, rising! Nothing seems to get in the way of shining for the people at Blaine.
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park, Masato Takahashi, Janet Kometani, Tom Kometani and Rev. Karen Yokota Love honor those who fought in combat and served our country.
Blaine Memorial UMC members showed up at Lakeview Cemetery for the 78th Annual Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Day Service. Together we honored relatives, friends, and remembered those who fought in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, served in the Military Intelligence Service and remembered all the Japanese American soldiers who fought and died in wars thereafter.
Erika L. Moritsugu, Dale Watanabe, Rev. Karen Yokota Love, and Chaplain Lisa Ishihara each contributed the NVC Ceremony.
White House Deputy Assistant to President Biden and Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison Erika L. Moritsugu was this year’s keynote speaker. Church Member, Dale Watanabe, provided this year’s Christian-based message and tied in the history of his father and relatives who served in World War II. He also talked about the names that are listed on the Honor Roll Wall at the Minidoka National Historical Site in Hunt, Idaho. Minidoka had the highest percentage of incarcerees from the 10 incarceration camps to serve in the military. Dale tied this link to the Nisei War Memorial at Lakeview Cemetery which honors the 56 American soldiers of Japanese origin.
Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth preaches his Opening Sermon at PNWAC, Tacoma.
At this year’s PNW Annual Conference, Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth announced both Rev. Mia and my appointments to continue to serve as your pastors for the July 2023-June 2024 appointment year. Rev. Jeney and Rev. Mark are also appointed in secondary appointments serving at Blaine. I look forward to what this new year will bring for us and the sparks of light that will be ignited through our ministry together!
Rev. Mia gets ordained by Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth. Her mother, husband (Rev. John Go), mentor, and Rev. Karen (representing the PNW Board of Ordained Ministry) lay hands during service.
I also want to take the time to congratulate Rev. Mia MiKyung Park on her ordination as a Full Elder in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. This is a huge accomplishment and milestone in her life! Ron Nobuyama, Lawrence Paltep, and I flew to Meridian, Idaho, to witness Rev. Mia’s ordination on June 11. What an exciting moment to witness!
Rev. Karen, George Yates, and Ron Nobuyama sit together at the Closing Plenary at the PNW Annual Conference at Mason UMC in Tacoma. Rev. Karen is the clergy representative while George and Ron are lay delegates for BMUMC.Susan Lee provides information on this year’s Vacation Bible School, during Sunday Worship.
Jr. High Camp, VBS and Asian Camp are standing pillars of light and reminders that we are in the thick of summer. It’s wonderful to see our Church School kids, youth and young adults meeting new friends, reconnecting with old friends while finding new ways to connect with God. This year’s VBS theme is Food Truck Party: On a Roll with God, and we are praying that everyone who joins this party will know and experience God’s love, presence, and faithfulness.
This Zoom-only event is coming soon. Contact Lynne Onishi for more details!
Our Reconciling Ministries Team continues to shine a light on an intentional discernment process to explore the outreach, affirmation, and intersectional ministry with and for LGBTQIA+ people at Blaine Memorial UMC. We will continue to engage in deep conversations over the summer by discussing what it means to celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. In our conversations, we continue to discuss what it means and looks like to welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more.
At the end of July, I’ll be facilitating a retreat sponsored by the National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus at Lake Tahoe’s Zephyr Point. There will be 100 attendees and a few from Blaine Memorial are attending. Other attendees are coming from our sister Japanese American churches including Wesley UMC, Sacramento Japanese UMC, and members from other historical Japanese American churches of different denominations.
One of the many festive blooms from July 4th in Federal Way, Wash.
As we celebrated Independence Day, I continued noticing that the chains of slavery are just as present as they have ever been – whether it be the inequity that persists in the world, or something as mundane as our slavery to our work or our own busyness. I would like our community to channel the prophet inside of us. I’d like us to slow down and to take this freedom and privilege that we embody to the world and to every interaction we have with every person we meet.
With so much going on in the world, we, who are brave, must continue to be intentional about spreading God’s love. We must continue to rise and shine. Let’s look even deeper, get even more uncomfortable, and let our little lights come together to create a sun that doesn’t go down because someone thinks it should, but a sun that shines, no matter what time of day it is. It’s great to be in community with you and to do ministry with you. Be well and stay healthy. You are loved and a child of God. Be the hope and continue to help your neighbor! Rise up and shine your light of faith!
The Rev. Karen Yokota Love serves as Senior Pastor of Blaine Memorial UMC.
Read our latest issue of the Beacon!
The July edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!
Prelude Blessed Assurance Music by Phoebe P. Knapp Setting by John Carter Yuki Sofronas
Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
*Call to Worship Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
*Opening Hymn Jesus Loves Me (UMH #191) Michelle Vaughan and Yuki Sofronas
Opening Prayer Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Scripture Reading Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (NRSVUE) Malia Yamamoto, Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka
Special Music Just a Closer Walk with Thee (TFWS #2159) Phil Onishi and Yuki Sofronas
Sermon What is Your Call to Do and to Be? Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Hymn of Reflection What a Friend We Have in Jesus (UMH #526) Michelle Vaughan and Yuki Sofronas
Introduction to the Offering Malia Yamamoto
*Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94) Michelle Vaughan and Yuki Sofronas
Prayer of Dedication Malia Yamamoto
Announcements Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Closing Hymn You Are the Seed (UMH #583) Michelle Vaughan and Yuki Sofronas
*Benediction Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Postlude Peaceful Meditation Music by Paul Fey Yuki Sofronas
Passing of the Peace Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Have a wonderful week!
Sermon Reflection Questions
In verses 16-19 in today’s passage, Jesus uses a metaphor of children in the marketplace. What is the meaning behind this metaphor, and what is Jesus trying to convey?
In verses 28-29, Jesus offers a famous invitation to those who are weary and burdened. What does he mean by “my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” and what does Jesus’ promise to those who come to him?
In verse 29, Jesus describes himself as “gentle and humble in heart.” What does this reveal about his character, and how does it apply to you?
What is an invitation of Jesus in today’s passage that applies to you, and how can you share it with others?
Upcoming Lectionary Scriptures
Monday, July 10, 2023 Semi-continuous: Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Genesis 27:30-46; Romans 1:18-25 Complementary: Psalm 131; Jeremiah 27:1-11, 16-22; Romans 1:18-25
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 Semi-continuous: Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Genesis 29:1-14; Romans 3:1-8 Complementary: Psalm 131; Jeremiah 28:10-17; Romans 3:1-8
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 Semi-continuous: Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Genesis 29:31-35; John 13:1-17 Complementary: Psalm 131; Jeremiah 13:1-11; John 13:1-17
Saturday, July 15, 2023 Semi-continuous: Psalm 119:105-112; Isaiah 2:1-4; John 12:44-50 Complementary: Psalm 65:9-13; Isaiah 52:1-6; John 12:44-50
Announcements
VBS is this week: July 10-14!
VBS Collections • July 8-16
We are preparing for this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) from July 10-14! This year’s theme is Food Truck Party on a Roll with God! We are asking kindly for the following items:
Portable Picnic Table with foldable seats: We are looking to borrow this from Saturday, July 8-Sunday, July 16.
Koinobori/Fish kite decorations: Indicate your name on each item so we can return it to you! Small packs of snacks including: granola bars dried fruit juice boxes soda pop
Hygiene products: soap toothbrushes toothpaste shampoo conditioner deodorant shaving gel hand sanitizer Please leave your donations in the black treasure chest box in the Narthex and feel free to contact Pastor Mia at miablaine2020@gmail.com and/or Susan Lee at blainevbs@gmail.com with questions.
VBS 2023 and Asian Camp!
This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Save dates for your children and youth!
Sumi Strokes of Summer Exhibit • July 5 – August 24
Puget Sound Sumi Artists (PSSA) presents Sumi Strokes of Summer, an exhibit of Sumi Fine Art and a memorial tribute to its founder, Fumiko Kimura (December 1929-March 2023), and a retrospective of 37 years of PSSA art. This event will be held at the Premier Gallery at the Puyallup Activity Center (210 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371), July 5 – August 24, 9am-4pm, M-F (except holidays). Read more.
Reconciling Ministries Virtual Film Screening (Zoom only) • July 18 and 19
Join the Blaine Innovation Hub and Reconciling Ministries team for a virtual film screening and discussion event. We’ll be watching and discussing the 2019 documentary film UnUnited: Fighting for LGBTQ Inclusion in the United Methodist Church.
We will host 2 different screening dates/times:
Tuesday, July 18 from 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Wednesday, July 19 from 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
The Zoom link to join this event will be shared via email on the day of the event. If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Onishi at lynneonishi@gmail.com.
Ongoing Donations for Afghan and Ukrainian Refugees
Items being collected: At this time, we have an abundance of some items and so we are NOT in need of clothing or children’s toys. Especially needed items are women’s products, toothpaste, personal care items, rice cookers, blenders, mixing bowls, microwave ovens, toasters, mixers, irons, dish sets, towels, and blankets.
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.
South King County Response Center Collection & Volunteer Hours:
The Donation Center is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays from 10am-2pm, same time as the Tukwila Pantry at 3118 S. 140th St. Seattle. Please text Kim Parks at (206) 683-1707 when you would like to help. Please wear a mask and bring a marking pen and measuring tape if possible. Please contact Donna Sekijima at: donnasek@outlook.com and/or Anne Arakaki-Lock at: aarakakilock@gmail.com.
Read our latest issue of the Beacon!
The July edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!
Saturday, July 8, 2023 Semi-continuous: Psalm 45:10-17; Genesis 27:18-29; Luke 10:21-24 Complementary: Psalm 145:8-14; Zechariah 4:1-7; Luke 10:21-24
Announcements
Wednesday Coffee & Prayer • July 5, 9am on Zoom
Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, July 5 at 9am. The Wednesday Prayer group continues to meet each week. Our time together consists of a checking-in with each other, reading devotionals, and we end in prayer. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to gathering on Tuesday.
VBS Collections • July 8-16
We are preparing for this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) from July 10-14! This year’s theme is Food Truck Party on a Roll with God! We are asking kindly for the following items:
Portable Picnic Table with foldable seats: We are looking to borrow this from Saturday, July 8-Sunday, July 16.
Koinobori/Fish kite decorations: Indicate your name on each item so we can return it to you! Small packs of snacks including: granola bars dried fruit juice boxes soda pop
Hygiene products: soap toothbrushes toothpaste shampoo conditioner deodorant shaving gel hand sanitizer Please leave your donations in the black treasure chest box in the Narthex and feel free to contact Pastor Mia at miablaine2020@gmail.com and/or Susan Lee at blainevbs@gmail.com with questions.
VBS 2023 and Asian Camp!
This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Save dates for your children and youth!
Sumi Strokes of Summer Exhibit • July 5 – August 24
Puget Sound Sumi Artists (PSSA) presents Sumi Strokes of Summer, an exhibit of Sumi Fine Art and a memorial tribute to its founder, Fumiko Kimura (December 1929-March 2023), and a retrospective of 37 years of PSSA art. This event will be held at the Premier Gallery at the Puyallup Activity Center (210 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371), July 5 – August 24, 9am-4pm, M-F (except holidays). Read more.
Read our latest issue of the Beacon!
The July edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!
Friday, June 30, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 13; 2 Chronicles 20:5-12; Galatians 5:7-12 Complementary: Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Jeremiah 25:8-14; Luke 17:1-4
Saturday, July 1, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 13; Genesis 26:23-25; Luke 17:1-4 Complementary: Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Jeremiah 28:1-4; Luke 17:1-4
Music of Summer Sunday! • Today
Today, we’ll kick off the season of Summer with music from the Blaine Memorial Choir, Blaine Ukulele Group of Seattle (B.U.G.S.), and special music with soloists. This will be the last day where the Blaine Memorial Choir will perform before taking a summer break!
Puyallup Valley JACL at Blaine Memorial • Today
The Puyallup Valley JACL will be at Blaine Memorial UMC with their remembrance gallery of names next Sunday, June 25. This is a name wall that honors and remembers each family who was assembled at the Camp Harmony Assembly Center in Puyallup, WA in 1942. The wall of names will be displayed in the Social Hall. Please come to see your family name. They are researching to ensure that all names are spelled correctly.
The Puyallup Valley Chapter of the JACL seeks support and endorsement of its effort to build the “Puyallup Assembly Center” Remembrance Gallery on the Washington State Fair (WSF) located in Puyallup, Wash. It will be located inside the iconic grandstands, where up to 1 million annual visitors will pass.
This project works…
To honor the over 7,600 Japanese and Japanese Americans who were unjustly removed from their homes and imprisoned on the Puyallup fairground during WWII.
To highlight the social injustices of this wartime experience and make comparisons to those being denied justice today to ensure this part of history is never repeated.
We are preparing for this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) from July 10-14! This year’s theme is Food Truck Party on a Roll with God! We are asking kindly for the following items:
Portable Picnic Table with foldable seats: We are looking to borrow this from Saturday, July 8-Sunday, July 16.
Koinobori/Fish kite decorations: Indicate your name on each item so we can return it to you! Small packs of snacks including: granola bars dried fruit juice boxes soda pop
Hygiene products: soap toothbrushes toothpaste shampoo conditioner deodorant shaving gel hand sanitizer Please leave your donations in the black treasure chest box in the Narthex and feel free to contact Pastor Mia at miablaine2020@gmail.com and/or Susan Lee at blainevbs@gmail.com with questions.
VBS 2023 and Asian Camp!
This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Save dates for your children and youth!
Sumi Strokes of Summer Exhibit • July 5 – August 24
Puget Sound Sumi Artists (PSSA) presents Sumi Strokes of Summer, an exhibit of Sumi Fine Art and a memorial tribute to its founder, Fumiko Kimura (December 1929-March 2023), and a retrospective of 37 years of PSSA art. This event will be held at the Premier Gallery at the Puyallup Activity Center (210 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371), July 5 – August 24, 9am-4pm, M-F (except holidays). Read more.
Read our latest issue of the Beacon!
The June edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!
Saturday, June 24, 2023 Semi-continuous: Psalm 86:1-10; Ezekiel 29:3-7; Luke 11:53-12:3 Complementary: Psalm 69:7-10, 16-18; Jeremiah 20:1-6; Luke 11:53-12:3
Saturday, June 24, 2023 Semi-continuous: Psalm 86:1-10; Ezekiel 29:3-7; Luke 11:53-12:3 Complementary: Psalm 69:7-10, 16-18; Jeremiah 20:1-6; Luke 11:53-12:3
Announcements
Join us for Father’s Day Lunch! • Today!
We’ll celebrate Father’s Day with a Hawaiian-themed plate lunch by honoring our Dads and the father-figures in our lives! Join us after worship in the Social Hall to celebrate Father’s Day!
Music of Summer Sunday! • June 25 in Worship
Join us for a special worship service with the Music of Summer Sunday at Blaine! We’ll kick off the season of Summer with music from the Blaine Memorial Choir, Blaine Ukulele Group of Seattle (B.U.G.S.), and special music with soloists. This will be the last day where the Blaine Memorial Choir will perform before taking a summer break!
Puyallup Valley JACL at Blaine Memorial • Next Sunday, June 25
The Puyallup Valley JACL will be at Blaine Memorial UMC with their remembrance gallery of names next Sunday, June 25. This is a name wall that honors and remembers each family who was assembled at the Camp Harmony Assembly Center in Puyallup, WA in 1942. The wall of names will be displayed in the Social Hall. Please come to see your family name. They are researching to ensure that all names are spelled correctly.
The Puyallup Valley Chapter of the JACL seeks support and endorsement of its effort to build the “Puyallup Assembly Center” Remembrance Gallery on the Washington State Fair (WSF) located in Puyallup, Wash. It will be located inside the iconic grandstands, where up to 1 million annual visitors will pass.
This project works…
To honor the over 7,600 Japanese and Japanese Americans who were unjustly removed from their homes and imprisoned on the Puyallup fairground during WWII.
To highlight the social injustices of this wartime experience and make comparisons to those being denied justice today to ensure this part of history is never repeated.
We are preparing for this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) from July 10-14! This year’s theme is Food Truck Party on a Roll with God! We are asking kindly for the following items:
Portable Picnic Table with foldable seats: We are looking to borrow this from Saturday, July 8-Sunday, July 16.
Koinobori/Fish kite decorations: Indicate your name on each item so we can return it to you! Small packs of snacks including: granola bars dried fruit juice boxes soda pop
Hygiene products: soap toothbrushes toothpaste shampoo conditioner deodorant shaving gel hand sanitizer Please leave your donations in the black treasure chest box in the Narthex and feel free to contact Pastor Mia at miablaine2020@gmail.com and/or Susan Lee at blainevbs@gmail.com with questions.
VBS 2023 and Asian Camp!
This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Save dates for your children and youth!
Sumi Strokes of Summer Exhibit • July 5 – August 24
Puget Sound Sumi Artists (PSSA) presents Sumi Strokes of Summer, an exhibit of Sumi Fine Art and a memorial tribute to its founder, Fumiko Kimura (December 1929-March 2023), and a retrospective of 37 years of PSSA art. This event will be held at the Premier Gallery at the Puyallup Activity Center (210 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371), July 5 – August 24, 9am-4pm, M-F (except holidays). Read more.
Read our latest issue of the Beacon!
The June edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!
