Easter Egg Hunt |Last year’s Easter Egg Hunt was welcomed with excitement after two years of not having an egg hunt due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to your participation at this year’s Egg Hunt in the Courtyard!
New life is all around us!
By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, additional photos courtesy of Wikipedia
The season of Lent is coming to an end; the days are getting longer, the sun is shining more, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and signs of new life are starting to appear all around us. For Christians, the season of Lent prepares us to receive new life, in particular, one that we experience in the resurrection of Jesus celebrated on Easter Day. New life is all around us as Blaine Memorial UMC reignites activity through our many ministries! The campus is full of activity as gather together as a faith community while outside groups are utilizing our campus. The vibrancy at Blaine is energizing. Sukiyaki Dinner preparations are underway and we are thrilled to announce joyfully that we will host a Sukiyaki Take-Out Event on Saturday, April 29 from 2pm-6pm!
As we close-in to the end of this 40-day Lenten journey, the walk of Holy Week draws us deeper into the story of God’s profound love for the world. We will journey through the events of Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday when our emotions will range from gleeful joy to humble wonder to dark sadness. Good Friday will bring us to the broken, pain-filled sorrow of death.
On Easter Day, the resurrection of Jesus Christ reveals God’s gift to us in the truth of the new life of Jesus: the truth that God is a God of love who walks with us and brings us to a place of wholeness, a place of possibility, a place of new life. New life that is grounded in hope and compassion. New life that is deeply connected to God’s love and passionate about sharing that love with the world. New life that reveals God’s justice in ways that transform not only our lives, but the whole world.
I invite you to join us in the rituals of Holy Week!
Palm Sunday
April 2, 2023 at 10am
Celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with palm fronds!
Good Friday
April 7, 2023 at 7pm
Will will remember Jesus’ sacrifices and unwavering love for us. It will be wonderful to worship, collaborate, and reunite with our friends from Japanese Baptist Church. Join us at 6pm for a simple soup supper meal.
Easter Sunday
April 9, 2023 at 10am
Celebrate the resurrected Christ with song and word! Bring flowers for the flowering of the Cross before worship. Children and youth are invited to an Easter Egg Hunt in the Social Hall.
Peace to you during this Lenten and Easter season. My prayer: may your life be transformed by the new life of Jesus, by God’s justice, by God’s love and passion, and by this truth: Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
More news from our Senior Pastor
For the first time in a long time, the New Federation of Asian American United Methodist Caucus (NFAAUM) met on March 2, 2023 for a NFAAUM General Assembly Meeting in Nashville, Tenn. at the GCFA Denman Building. This was the first time the group met in person in more than seven years. We discussed a new name change, financial matters an implications and the future of a vibrant church. NFAAUM is one of the five officially recognized racial ethnic caucuses of The United Methodist Church and seeks to empower and advocate on behalf of Asian American United Methodist laity, clergy, local congregations, and ministries at all levels of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Karen is the chair of the National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus.
Coming Soon!
This story can be found in our April edition of the Beacon!
Wednesday, March 29, 2023: Psalm 143; Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41; Matthew 22:23-33
Thursday, March 30, 2023: Psalm 31:9-16; 1 Samuel 16:11-13; Philippians 1:1-11
Friday, March 31, 2023: Psalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19; Philippians 1:21-30
Saturday, April 1, 2023: Psalm 31:9-16; Lamentations 3:55-66; Mark 10:32-34
Announcements
Tent City 3 Meal Service
Today
Blaine Memorial Youth Group plans to cook spaghetti for Tent City 3 and deliver the food on Sunday March 26 after the worship service. Please bring any fruit, cookies, etc. if you would like to provide any desserts or our neighbors. Please contact Lynne & Lawrence (lynneonishi@gmail.com or lawrence.byg@gmail.com) for any questions.
Easter Cards Sale!
March 26 & April 2
Also, the B.Y.G. will be fundraising on Sunday, March 26, and Sunday, April 2, during fellowship hour. We’ll offer Easter cards designed by Ally S. Each set of cards comes with 5 unique designs and 5 envelopes. Sets are $10. Proceeds will go to our Youth Camping Ministries Fund, to help our youth/leaders to attend Junior High Camp and Asian American Summer Camp.
Wednesday Coffee & Prayer
March 29 • 9am on Zoom
Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, 9am. A few Lenten devotionals will be read. Brew a fresh cup of coffee or steep some tea. This is a great opportunity to pause in the middle of the week to check in with others. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to gathering on Tuesday.
Upcoming Worship Services & Easter
See Dates
Sunday, April 2, 2023: Palm/Passion Sunday
Friday, April 7, 2023: Good Friday Service at 7pm with Japanese Baptist Church at Blaine (6pm: light dinner)
Sunday, April 9, 2023: Easter Sunday
We come together to celebrate God’s love through the resurrection of Jesus Christ On Easter morning. Please bring flowers to decorate the cross and invite children to find eggs in the courtyard at Blaine!
Reconciling Ministries Bible Study
April 5 • 7pm
The Reconciling Ministries task force is excited to host space tor conversations about LGBTQIA+inclusion in the church. Join us for our last Bible study class on April 5. We will continue to explore scripture through Faithful and Inclusive: the Bible, Sexuality, and the United Methodist Church. We will examine how United Methodists read the Bible looking at passages in the New Testament. Join us on Zoom – a link will be sent out in an email prior to Wednesday’s meeting time from 7:00pm- 8:30pm. Contact Lynne Onishi with any questions at lynneonishi@gmail.com
Chips, Savory Items Needed!
Thank you all for generously donating sweet and savory treats for post-worship fellowship time. If you are able to provide individually wrapped bags of chips (potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos etc.) that would be appreciated. Please drop off your donations to the Narthex, Church Office or Social Hall when convenient either on Sunday or during Church Office Hours (Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm). If you are interested in helping serve refreshments on Sundays after worship, please contact Julie Lock at: jtlock00@gmail.com.
Apply Now! Blaine Educational Scholarships
Due May 17
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: the Vera Ing Scholarship, Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Scholarship, Yasuda Scholarship, William S. Yorozu Scholarship, and the Robert S. Sato Scholarship. READ MORE
Blaine Cookbook needs your recipes!
Due May 31
Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church will release a 120th Anniversary Edition of “Let’s Dine!”, the latest in a series of cookbooks produced by Blaine Memorial over the past 70 years. This cookbook will commemorate the 120th Anniversary of Blaine Memorial, with a scheduled release of January 2024. We are seeking submissions for the 2024 cookbook and are calling on you to contribute!
This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Please save the dates for your children and youth!
June 25-30, 2023: Jr/High Camp (for incoming 6th-9th graders):
July 10-14, 2023: Vacation Bible School, 10am-3pm
July 23-28, 2023: Asian Camp (for incoming 10th grade-2 years post-HS
Jr. High Camp (JHC) and Asian American Summer Camp (AC) will at Camp Lodestar in Wilseyville, CA.
Lent Book Study: Finding Jesus in the Psalms
All-Church Lenten Book Study for small groups: Finding Jesus and the Psalms. This year’s All Church Lenten Book Study is Finding Jesus and the Psalms with Barb Roose. Roose guides the reader through a meaningful encounter with the Psalms through the season of Lent. The Church Office has a limited supply of books available for $17, Leader Guides are $16. You can also purchase on your own on Amazon.com or Cokesbury.com.
Afghanistan and Ukrainian Refugee Donation & Collection Ministry
Collecting Items: 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 – Thursday between 10:00am-11:30am and 1:30pm-3:30pm. 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: salock@comcast.net.
Current COVID-19 policies at Blaine Memorial
Blaine Memorial UMC’s campus is open from Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm. The Church Office is closed on Mondays. Our priority is to continue to do no harm.
We encourage everyone to get the recently CDC-approved updated bivalent COVID-19 booster if eligible. Currently, anyone aged 12 years or older who has completed at least a primary series is eligible for a bivalent booster, regardless of the number or type of prior booster doses received so long as at least two months have passed since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible.
The first COVID-19 booster vaccine is required to attend in-person worship, if eligible.
We require verification of proof of full vaccination or a SAME DAY negative test available in Narthex or Church Office.
If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please have two negative rapid antigen (home) tests done five days after the onset of symptoms, and also be symptom-free before returning to church.
We require that everyone wear an N95 mask, KN95 or KF94 masks.
We thank you for your continued flexibility as these decisions can change at any time based on unpredictable infection rates.
Where do you need the gift of sight from the Spirit?
WELCOME
March 19, 2023
Hybrid Sunday Worship
10am in the Sanctuary
Welcome to Blaine Memorial’s Worship Service! It is an honor and a privilege to have you with us in person and online on this Fourth Sunday in Lent. Today is also UMCOR Sunday in the United Methodist Church. We will take the time to learn more about the UMCOR ministries in our greater connectional church. Rev. Karen Yokota Love will provide today’s sermon, 20/20 Vision. We welcome you to this time of worship!
Prelude Sanctuary by John Thompsonand Randy Scruggs Kathy Onishi
Welcomeof GraceandGreeting Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
Call toWorship Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
OpeningHymn God of LoveandGodof Power (UMH #578) Eugene & Kathy Onishi
OpeningPrayer Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
ScriptureReading 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 (CEB) Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn & Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’sMessage Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Scripture Reading John 9: 1-12 (NRSVUE) Sharon Maeda & Tsutomu Nagoya
SpecialMusic O For aThousand Tongues to Sing Blaine Memorial Choir
Scripture Reading John 9: 13-34
UMCOR Turkeyand SyriaEarthquakeResponse
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Karen Yokota Love
ScriptureReading John 9:35-41 Sharon Maeda & Tsutomu Nagoya
ClosingHymn We AreMarching (TFWS#2235b) Eugene & Kathy Onishi
Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude HowMajestic Is Your Name byMichael W. Smith Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love
ZoomBreakout Room Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
SERMON REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. In this story, we heard about how Jesus healed a blind man. For the first time in his life, the blind man could see. What is something Jesus has allowed you to “see” now that you could not “see” a year ago?
2. What spiritual clarity has God given you during this unusual time in our history? What can you “see” in the midst of the difficulties around you?
3. What insights and truths can you believe from this passage that might help you to be a light to the darkness around you? Where do you need the gift of sight from the Spirit?
4. Stop and pray. What areas of your heart are you struggling with in your walk toward Jesus?
UPCOMING LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES
Monday, March 20, 2023: Psalm 146; Isaiah 59:9-19; Acts 9:1-20
Tuesday, March 21, 2023: Psalm 146; Isaiah 42:14-21; Colossians 1:9-14
Wednesday, March 22, 2023: Psalm 146; Isaiah 60:17-22; Matthew 9:27-34
Friday, March 24, 2023: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 33:10-16; Revelation 11:15-19
Saturday, March 25, 2023: Psalm 130; Ezekiel 36:8-15; Luke 24:44-53
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Daikanreki Documentary Rehearsal
Today After Service
Blaine Memorial Archive Committee is producing a historical video documentary of the first 120 years of Blaine Memorial which will be in 2024. A dry run-through rehearsal is planned for today immediately after worship. Dress in clothes appropriate to 1942 — hats, dresses and suits or jackets, overcoats, etc. Please turn in your Participant Release Agreement form to the ushers.
Upcoming Worship Services & Easter
See Dates
Sunday, April 2, 2023: Palm/Passion Sunday, 10am
Friday, April 7, 2023: Good Friday Service at 7pm with Japanese Baptist Church at Blaine (6pm: light dinner)
Sunday, April 9, 2023: Easter Sunday, 10am
We come together to celebrate God’s love through the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter morning. Please bring flowers to decorate the cross and invite children to find eggs in the courtyard at Blaine!
Wednesday Coffee & Prayer
March 22, 9am on Zoom
Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, 9am. A few Lenten devotionals will be read. Brew a fresh cup of coffee or steep some tea. This is a great opportunity to pause in the middle of the week to check in with others. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to gathering on Tuesday.
Tent City 3 Meal Service
March 26
Blaine Memorial Youth Group plans to cook spaghetti for Tent City 3 and deliver the food on Sunday March 26 after the worship service. Please bring any fruit, cookies, etc. if you would like to provide any desserts to our neighbors. Please contact Lynne & Lawrence (lynneonishi@gmail.com or lawrence.byg@gmail.com) for any questions.
Reconciling Ministries Bible Study
March 22 & April 5, 7pm
The Reconciling Ministries task force is excited to host space tor conversations about LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the church. Join us for a short Bible study series exploring scripture through “Faithful and Inclusive: The Bible, Sexuality, and the United Methodist Church”.
We will examine how United Methodists read the Bible looking at passages in the Old and New Testaments. See what the scriptures reveal about God and human sexuality. Join us on Zoom – a link will be sent out in an email prior to Wednesday’s meeting time (March 22 and April 5) from 7:00pm- 8:30pm. Contact Lynne Onishi with any questions at lynneonishi@gmail.com.
All-Church Lenten Book Study for small groups: Finding Jesus and the Psalms
This year’s All Church Lenten Book Study is Finding Jesus and the Psalms with Barb Roose. Roose guides the reader through a meaningful encounter with the Psalms through the season of Lent. Combining an interpretation of the psalms with real life stories, the study moves through the familiar words of Psalm 23 toward the painful cries of Psalm 22 uttered by Jesus on the cross. The study includes reflections on the life of King David and the original context of the writings, along with connections between the psalms and the life and death of Jesus the Messiah. The Church Office has a limited supply of books available for $17, Leader Guides are $16. You can also purchase on your own on Amazon.com or Cokesbury.com.
Chips, Savory Items Needed!
Thank you all for generously donating sweet and savory treats for post-worship fellowship time. At this time, we are in great need of more chips and savory items. We invite you to donate store-bought individually wrapped bags of chips (potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos etc.). Please
drop off your donations to the Narthex, Church Office, or Social Hall when convenient either on Sunday or during Church Office Hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm). Thank you very much for your donations in advance! If you are interested in helping serve refreshments on
Sundays after worship, please contact Julie Lock at: jtlock00@gmail.com.
Summer Camps & VBS!
See Dates
This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Please save the dates for your children and youth!
June 25-30, 2023: Jr. High Camp (for incoming 6th-9th graders)
July 10-14, 2023: Vacation Bible School, 10am-3pm
July 23-28, 2023: Asian Camp (for incoming 10th grade-2 years post–high school
(Both Jr. High Camp (JHC) and Asian American Summer Camp (AC) will be held at Camp Lodestar in Wilseyville, CA.)
COVID-19 UPDATE
Current policies at Blaine Memorial
Blaine Memorial UMC’s campus is open from Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm. The Church Office is closed on Mondays. Our priority is to continue to do no harm.
We encourage everyone to get the recently CDC-approved updated bivalent COVID-19 booster if eligible. Currently, anyone aged 12 years or older who has completed at least a primary series is eligible for a bivalent booster, regardless of the number or type of prior booster doses received so long as at least two months have passed since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible.
The first COVID-19 booster vaccine is required to attend in-person worship, if eligible.
We require verification of proof of full vaccination or a SAME DAY negative test available in Narthex or Church Office.
If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please have two negative rapid antigen (home) tests done five days after the onset of symptoms, and also be symptom-free before returning to church.
We require that everyone wear an N95 mask, KN95 or KF94 masks.
We thank you for your continued flexibility as these decisions can change at any time based on unpredictable infection rates.
Afghanistan and Ukrainian Refugee Donation & Collection Ministry
• Collecting Items: 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: salock@comcast.net.
The latest issue of the Beacon newsletter is ready for viewing. Click the image above.
Get the latest news from Blaine Memorial UMC! The Beacon newsletter can be found in the Church office, sanctuary, social hall…and NOW at blaineonline.org! This month offers great stories and insights from our own pastoral leadership and church members. Want to subscribe? Contact Rev. Karen for details!
This year our Sukiyaki Dinner Fundraiser will be takeout only. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Rainier Valley Food Bank and please join to clean the LAC kitchen on Sunday, March 26 after worship as we prepare the event.
Your favorite recipes and stories are needed for our new cookbook! Send in your submissions by May 31, 2023!
By Marina Furuta, photo by Ryan Kozu
Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church will release a 120th Anniversary Edition of “Let’s Dine!”, the latest in a series of cookbooks produced by Blaine Memorial over the past 70 years. This cookbook will commemorate the 120th Anniversary of Blaine Memorial, with a scheduled release of January 2024. We are seeking submissions for the 2024 cookbook and are calling on you to contribute!
As we prepare for Easter, what ways will you prepare your own heart this Lenten season? Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Learn more about this image atbit.ly/easter_egg_.
Spiritual Formation Center
Preparing for Easter
By Anne Arakaki-Lock, photo courtesy of Wikipedia
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will beno more death or mourningor crying or pain…”
-Revelation 21:4
I have been praying and looking for inspiration regarding my Lenten practice this year. My radar has been up as I listen for God to tell me what I should do during the 40-day period before Easter. How does He want me to prepare my heart? For my faith development, for me to grow closer to Him, it would involve discipline and being intentional.
For the last few weeks, I have wondered why God kept bringing up the subject of pain to me so often? I have been wondering what the subject of pain has to do with Lent. I hear the word pain on my various Zoom meetings or whenever I’m talking to my friends or relatives. I read about pain in Scriptures during my routine devotions. Recently there have been visible signs brought to my attention — Reverend Karen’s arm wrap, Jill’s crutches, Steve’s foot brace. Yet very often the pain is invisible too, whether physical or emotional.
We have many, many prayer requests in our Small Group and in Coffee and Prayer with Rev. Karen for pain related issues. We know that behind each described pain, there is worry, frustration, and even costs. It can be temporary, or it can be chronic. But it’s all pain. It all hurts.
So, what am I supposed to do with pain as I prepare for Easter? What can I do for Lent? Let me share what I have been inspired by God to do:
• I can step up my exercise routine. I can personally do something for my own pain that will remind me to think about Him.
• I can write up a prayer list and every morning pray for others in pain. I can also deliver a meal, share a bag of oranges, or run an errand for someone on the list.
• I can spend time in the Word highlighting and journaling and creating a list of verses that show how God is the Mighty Physician, the Healer, so that I can readily disciple when called.
• I can get together with others in my Small Group and share pain, talk about our hurts, and encourage each other.
I can do more almsgiving to organizations like South King County Response Center, our sister church who works with our refugee, unhoused, hungry neighbors or King County Youth Chaplaincy who serves our incarcerated youth in pain.
I have a lot to do this Lenten season to prepare my heart for Easter.
Anne Arakaki-Lock is a member of Congregational Care Ministries ofBlaine Memorial UMC.
The latest issue of the Beacon newsletter is ready for viewing. Click the image above.Learn More
The Blaine Memorial UMC congregation raise hands and pray over Pastor Mia as she embarks on a week of interviews with the Oregon-Idaho Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministries – as they will determine if she will move forward with the ordination process.
