Congregational Care

Second Sunday After Pentecost Comments Off on Second Sunday After Pentecost

Second Sunday After Pentecost

Posted by on Jun 11, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Innovation Hub, Prayer, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

  • June 11, 2023
  • Hybrid Worship
  • Thank you to the Watanabe Family for today’s flower arrangement. Bob K. Watanabe, 98, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Bob’s Celebration of Life service was yesterday, June 10 at BMUMC. May Bob rest in peace.
  • Continue scrolling for today’s bulletin or view the print version


Order of Worship

Prelude
As the Deer
Words and Music: Martin Nystrom

Miriam Tong
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
Call to Worship
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
*Opening Hymn
Be Still My Soul (UMH #534)
Neal Komedal and Miriam Tong
Opening Prayer
Rev. Shalom Agtarap
Scripture Reading
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (NRSVUE, JLB)
George Yates and Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message
Sai Hanaoka
Sermon
Off the Sidelines
Rev. Shalom Agtarap
Hymn of Response
Grace Alone (TFWS #2162)
Neal Komedal and Miriam Tong
Introduction to the Offering
Rev. Shalom Agtarap
Doxology
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94)
Miriam Tong
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. Shalom Agtarap
Announcements
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
Closing Hymn
We Are Called (TFWS #2172)
Neal Komedal and Miriam Tong
Benediction
Rev. Shalom Agtarap
Postlude
He Is Exalted
Words and Music: Twila Paris

Miriam Tong
Passing of the Peace
Rev. Shalom Agtarap
Zoom Breakout Room
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn

Sermon Reflection Questions

  • Are there people that you have considered “not worth the trouble?” What is the rubric that goes into that conclusion?
  • How do you discern when someone is “beyond help” and when someone should be given more chances?
  • What shared values at Blaine Memorial UMC support this?

Upcoming Lectionary Scriptures

Monday, June 12, 2023:

Semi-continuous: Psalm 119:41-48; Genesis 16:1-15; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:2

Complementary: Psalm 40:1-8 ; Leviticus 15:25-31; 22:1-9; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:2
Tuesday, June 13, 2023:

Semi-continuous: Psalm 119:41-48; Genesis 17:1-27; Hebrews 13:1-16

Complementary: Psalm 40:1-8; Hosea 8:11-14; 10:1-2; Hebrews 13:1-16
Wednesday, June 14, 2023:

Semi-continuous: Psalm 119:41-48; Genesis 18:16-33; Matthew 12:1-8

Complementary: Psalm 40:1-8; Hosea 14:1-9; Matthew 12:1-8
Thursday, June 15, 2023:

Semi-continuous: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Genesis 21:1-7; Hebrews 3:1-6

Complementary: Psalm 100; Exodus 4:18-23; Hebrews 3:1-6
Friday, June 16, 2023:

Semi-continuous: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Genesis 24:1-9; Acts 7:35-43

Complementary: Psalm 100; Exodus 4:27-31; Acts 7:35-43
Saturday, June 17, 2023:

Semi-continuous: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Genesis 24:10-52; Mark 7:1-13

Complementary: Psalm 100; Exodus 6:28-7:13; Mark 7:1-13


Announcements

33rd Annual ACRS Walk for Rice • June 17, 9am

This year ACRS will hold its in-person Walk for Rice at 9:00 am on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Seward Park! Team Blaine’s fundraising goal is $7,000. Help ACRS feed AAPI community members who are experiencing food insecurity by joining or donating to Team Blaine! Go to Team Blaine’s page at ACRS’s website to donate! Or mail your donation to the Blaine office (checks made out to “Walk for Rice”, memo: “Team Blaine”) . Thanks for your support! Read more.

Special Edition Print from Blaine’s own, Glenn Mitsui! • Purchase here

From the Asian Counseling and Referral Service: 

To celebrate the return of Walk for Rice to Seward Park, we are thrilled to offer a special-edition art print designed by local artist Glenn Mitsui, the son of Sam Mitsui, who co-founded the first Walk 33 years ago. 

“The piece celebrates the beauty of the park, which my dad loved. He ran the loop and swam to the buoys countless times…In short, Walk for Rice and Seward Park were two of my father’s loves. It was an honor to try to capture why in this piece.” 

All proceeds from this special art print will benefit the ACRS Food Bank, which provides culturally familiar foods to immigrants, refugees, elders and families throughout King County. 

Join or support a fundraising team and walk with us at Seward Park on Saturday, June 17!

Join us for Father’s Day Lunch! • Sunday, June 18

Following Worship in the Social Hall Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 18 as we celebrate Father’s Day by honoring the father, father-figures and men of Blaine! Join us after worship service 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 Music Sunday at Blaine! We will kick off the summer with music from the Blaine Memorial Choir, BUGS, some special music and soloists. Join us for a full worship service filled with music! This will be the last day where the Blaine Memorial Choir will perform before taking a summer break!

Pride Month Film Night • June 30, 6:30pm-8:30pm

RSVP here or contact Lynne Onishi for more info.

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.

Summer Camps & VBS 2023! • See Dates

This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out! Save dates for your children and youth!

June 25-30
Jr. High Camp
(for incoming 6th-9th graders):
Registration is now closed
July 10-14
Vacation Bible School
10am-3pm
Register now: blainevbs.square.site
July 23-28 Asian Camp
(for incoming 10th grade-2 years post-high school)
Register by June 25, here

Ongoing Request for Chips and Savory Treats

Thank you all for generously donating sweet and savory treats for post-worship fellowship time. Currently, we need more chips and savory items: wrapped bags of chips (potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos etc.) would be appreciated. Drop off your donations to the Narthex, Church Office, or Social Hall either on Sunday or during Church Office Hours (Tuesday-Friday 10:00AM-4:00PM). Help serve refreshments on Sundays after worship by contacting Julie Lock at: jtlock00@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 – Thursday 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 June edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!


What’s Happening in June 2023

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Senior Pastor News, June 2023 Comments Off on Senior Pastor News, June 2023

Senior Pastor News, June 2023

Posted by on Jun 9, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Innovation Hub, Pastors' Columns, Prayer, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

ACRS Executive Director Michael Byun and Rev. Karen Yokota Love hold up Church Member Glenn Mitsui’s special edition ACRS art print. You can purchase your copy at ACRS.org.

News from our Senior Pastor

Celebrating the Harvest

By Rev. Karen Yokota Love

“Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.”

– Exodus 23:16

June is here, which means that summer is just around the corner! Summer is a season known for cultivating and bearing good fruit. There is just nothing like a sweet, sun-ripened, summer cherry. Could we say, it is like a taste of heaven? Summer is known to be ‘harvest time’ in the Pacific Northwest with the cherries, blueberries, marionberries to name a few. Farmers are busy, reaping and bringing in the fruits of their labors.

We, too, at Blaine Memorial are busy celebrating the hard work of our students and teachers as June signals the end of another school year. This month, we are celebrating our high school and college graduates, Church School teachers, BYG directors and leaders, dads, and father-figures alike. It also marks the season of summer activities including the National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus’ Jr. High Camp and Asian Camp, as well as, Blaine Memorial UMC’s Vacation Bible School. You are invited to celebrate our dads and father-figures at our Sunday, June 18 worship service with a special lunch provided for all of our father and father-like figures.

Thank you to our Church School teachers, BYG directors and leaders for all the flexibility, commitment, and love that you’ve demonstrated this year to our growing children and youth. You’ve all done a fantastic job continuing to share God’s good news! We also celebrate the fruits of the harvest as we honor and celebrate the good work in The Pacific Northwest Conference:

May 24, 2:00pm
PNW Clergy Session (online)
June 2 & 3, 6:00pm
PNW Focus Sessions (online)
June 13, 9:00am
PNW Opening Worship
June 13-15
PNW Plenary Sessions
June 13, 7:00pm
PNW Memorial Service
June 14, 11:30am
PNW Retirement Service
June 15, 11:00am
PNW Service of Commissioning and Ordination
June 15, 6:00pm
GNW Closing Worship

Each of these meetings and worship services are both in-person and online this year and will be available for your viewing at a later date. This year’s PNWAC representatives are Ron Nobuyama, George Yates, Lynne Onishi and myself. Rev. Mia MiKyung Park is a member of the Oregon-Idaho Conference so she will be attending her Annual Conference prior to the PNW Conference Sessions. Please visit https://pnwumc.org/ac2023 for the full schedule.

Finally, Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Walk for Rice is on Saturday, June 17 at Seward Park from 9am-12pm. Walk with Blaine for a great cause to help those who are experiencing food insecurity. Join Team Blaine and read more, here.

During this season, continue to celebrate joys and lift up your concerns. Continue to pray for friends, family, and the stranger. Together, may we grow into all that Christ longs to pour into us, Christ’s body. May we continue to pray and shout for joy as we cover everything we do with God’s guidance, presence, and love to transform lives in every way possible.

May the Holy Spirit continue to open our hearts to receive God’s abundant grace, that it may flow through us, offering healing and hope to everyone around us.

Rev. Karen Yokota Love serves as the Senior Pastor of Blaine Memorial UMC.


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!

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Trinity Sunday  Comments Off on Trinity Sunday 

Trinity Sunday 

Posted by on Jun 4, 2023 in Archives, Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Prayer, Sermons, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

  • June 4, 2023
  • Hybrid Worship
  • Celebration of Teachers, BYG Leaders and Graduates of 2023
  • Thank you to the Yorozu Family for today’s flower arrangement. Arthur S. Yorozu, 95, passed away on September 26, 2022. Arthur’s Celebration of Life service was yesterday, June 3, 2023 at BMUMC.
  • For bulletin, continue scrolling or view print version
Learn More
Sixth Sunday of Easter Comments Off on Sixth Sunday of Easter

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Posted by on May 13, 2023 in Archives, Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Innovation Hub, Pastors' Columns, Prayer, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

Welcome!


Order of Worship

Prelude
Time Now to Gather
By M.N. Keithahn and J. D. Hormon
Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
*Opening Hymn
For the Beauty of the Earth (UMH #92)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Mother’s Day Liturgy
Lynne Onishi
First Scripture Reading
John 14:15-21 (CEB, JLB)
Lynne Onishi & Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Special Music
Love Comes From God
Blaine Memorial Choir
Sermon
The Great Comforter
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Response
Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on Me
(UMH #393)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Reconciling Ministries Moment #2
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Introduction to the Offering
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Doxology
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
(UMH #94)
Kathy Onishi
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Closing Hymn
Gift of Love
(UMH #408)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude
He is Exalted
By Twila Paris
Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Zoom Breakout Room
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn


Announcements

Today! Blaine Memorial’s Mother’s Day Breakfast is back!

After worship!

Come join us as we give thanks to our mothers and mother-like figures in our lives! Join us as we honor the women and those who identify as women at Blaine Memorial UMC. Our Mother’s Day Breakfast is back! During this time, we will honor, remember and show our love to our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, wives, teachers, mentors, and all of the women in our lives that have influenced and shaped us into the people who we are today.

Wednesday Coffee & Prayer

May 17 • 9am on Zoom

Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, May 10 at 9am. The Wednesday Prayer group continues to meet each week. Our time together consists of a check-in question centering around United Methodist Founder John Wesley’s famous question, “How is it with your soul?” We continue our time together with a few readings out of The Upper Room Magazine May/June edition.

Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We pray for anyone who would like to be prayed for. Please join us! 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.


Reconciling Ministries Team

Celebrating God’s Gift: Diversity

By Lynne Onishi

Greetings from the Reconciling Ministries (RM) team at Blaine! The RM team is a lay-led group of congregation members who are passionate about LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the church. We are here to help guide this church through a process of discernment as we consider affiliating with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN).

To affiliate with RMN, our church must vote to adopt a Reconciling Statement. We want to hear what you think about this statement before we take a final vote, so we are conducting a straw poll on May 21. As we prepare to take a straw poll, we invite you to look at the Reconciling Statement below:

“We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We 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. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.”

Why are you a part of the team?

I am a member of the Reconciling Ministry Team because I know a family whose son is non-binary. I have seen their fear when prejudice and hate were directed toward their child. And I have seen their reaction to be one of honesty, courage, and love. I believe the church can come alongside families like this to provide support and community.

Terri Pittman

I am part of the Reconciling Ministries Team because I grew up in this church and have always felt included, yet also off to the side, and want to see a place that is welcoming and affirming to all.

Dale H. Watanabe

I am a member of the Reconciling Ministries Team because we, as a church, love God and God’s people. We can show our love by openly expressing welcome to our friends who are often marginalized and hurt, even though that may not be our intention. As a teacher, I worked with many youth who suffered pain and rejection because of their sexual identities. Sometimes, the pain was too much to bear. Offering an accepting (Christian?) community can metaphorically and literally save lives.

Arlene Naganawa

Reconciling Ministries Team

Yoshi Kuramoto, Arlene Naganawa, Lynne Onishi, Lawrence Paltep, Terri Pittman, Mariko Ronan, Jarrett Shirouzu, Jenna Tong, Dale Watanabe, Malia Yamamoto

The Reconciling Ministries Team invites all who are interested to join in our work! Visit rmnetwork.org for more information.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

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. Applications are due May 17. 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! Read more.

This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out!

Please save the dates for your children and youth! Summer Camps & VBS 2023!

June 25-30
Jr/High Camp (for incoming 6th-9th graders) Jr. High Camp registration is open now! Please register your youth by May 31!
July 10-14
Vacation Bible School 10am-3pm VBS registration is open now! Visit the VBS 2023 page and bookmark it for updates!
July 23-28
Asian Camp (for incoming 10th grade- 2 yrs. post-high school)

The Beacon newsletter is ready for viewing!

Printed versions are available in the office, sanctuary, and social hall!

Check out what’s happening at Blaine!

Learn More
Fourth Sunday of Easter Comments Off on Fourth Sunday of Easter

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Posted by on Apr 29, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

What are the characteristics of grace-filled people?


Welcome!

  • Fourth Sunday of Easter
  • April 30, 2023
  • Hybrid Worship
  • 10pm in the Sanctuary
  • Scroll for the bulletin or view the print version


Order of Worship

Prelude
“When God Restored Our Common Life”
by U.S.A. Folk Melody
Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Opening Hymn
“Open My Eyes, That I May See”
(UMH #454)
Kathy & Eugene Onishi,
Unison
Opening Prayer
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
First Scripture Reading
Psalm 23 (NRSVUE, JLB)
Marisa I. & Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Special Music
“And Can It Be that I Should Gain”
(UMH #363)
Blaine Memorial Choir
Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2:1-10
(NRSVUE, JLB)
Ron Nobuyama &
Tsutomu Nagoya
Sermon
“#BeUMC: Grace-filled People of God”
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Hymn of Response
“Christ Has Broken Down the Wall”
(Worship & Song #3122)
Kathy & Eugene Onishi,
Unison
Introduction to the Offering
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Doxology
“Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow”
(UMH #94)
Kathy Onishi
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Closing Hymn
“Together We Serve”
(TFWS #2175)
Kathy & Eugene Onishi, Unison
Benediction
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Postlude
“You Are Mine” by David Haas Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Zoom Breakout Room
Rev. Jeney Park-Hearn


Sermon Questions

  • Ephesians 2:1-10 tells us that we are saved by God’s grace, which is important because it highlights that our salvation is not something we can earn or achieve through our own efforts. Why is it important to know that God’s grace saves us?
  • How does understanding salvation as a gift from God help us view our faith?
  • What are the characteristics of grace-filled people?
  • How does the fruit of their lives reflect this grace?
  • As grace-filled people, how do you plan to share the love and grace of God with others this week?

Sermon title and questions are adapted from #BeUMC campaign website https://www.resourceumc.org/en/


Upcoming Lectionary Scriptures

Monday
5/1 Psalm 100; Ezekiel 34:17-23; 1 Peter 5:1-5
Tuesday
5/2 Psalm 100; Ezekiel 34:23-31; Hebrews 13:20-21
Wednesday
5/3 Psalm 100; Jeremiah 23:1-8; Matthew 20:17-28
Thursday
5/4 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; Genesis 12:1-3; Acts 6:8-15
Friday
5/5 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; Exodus 3:1-12; Acts 7:1-16
Saturday
5/6 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; Jeremiah 26:20-24; John 8:48-59


Announcements

New! Blaine Memorial UMC Church Member Stephen Sumida in “Hometown Boy” play

Throughout the month of May

Seattle Public Theater presents “Hometown Boy,” starring our very own Stephen Sumida. Performances will run every weekend in May, beginning on Friday, May 5, 2023. If you’d like to see Steve perform as “Walter,” please purchase your tickets at https://www.seattlepublictheater.org/. If you have ticketing questions, or would like help with purchasing tickets, please contact the box office at boxoffice@seattlepublictheater.org.

About Hometown Boy James hasn’t been back to his rural Georgia hometown in over a decade, but reluctantly returns to check in on his father, whose behavior has become worryingly erratic. And since the South has a way of holding onto secrets, he soon stumbles into a life he thought he had left behind as a child. That stench in the air isn’t just his father’s decaying house, but the rotten core of long-buried secrets teeming just under the surface and ready to explode.

Wednesday Coffee & Prayer

May 3 • 9am on Zoom

Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, May 3 at 9am.

The Wednesday Prayer group continues to meet each week. Our time together consists of a check-in question centering around United Methodist Founder John Wesley’s famous question, “How is it with your soul?” We continue our time together with a few readings out of The Upper Room Magazine May/June edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer.

We pray for anyone who would like to be prayed for. Please join us! 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.

JCCCW Community Event for Children’s Day

May 6

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. Applications are due May 17. 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! Read more.

Summer Camps & VBS 2023!

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 Jr/High Camp (for incoming 6th-9th graders) Jr. High Camp registration is open now! Please register your youth by May 31! July 10-14 Vacation Bible School 10am-3pm July 23-28 Asian Camp (for incoming 10th grade- 2 yrs. post-high school)

Learn More
The Three Marys Comments Off on The Three Marys

The Three Marys

Posted by on Mar 30, 2023 in Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Lenten Season, Spiritual Formation

Icon of the Three Marys in the Nea Moni Monastery of Chios (1100 AD)

Spiritual Formation Center

Can’t keep it to yourself

By Anne Arakaki-Lock, photo courtesy of Wikipedia

It’s Easter, Resurrection morning. I think about the Marys and how they are the first to check on Jesus in the tomb, Mary Magdalene, in particular. I resonate with this woman who was so initially sad, as she had just witnessed the crucifixion three days before at the Cross. At first, she couldn’t comprehend this unimaginable event of her Lord, her Savior, coming back to life! But then she does wipe off her tears, and in her excitement runs to tell others. So may I just say: I think it’s cool that a woman was chosen to be first to see, then tell others that Jesus was alive again?

The main point: she was excited and hurried to tell people. In fact, over and over, Scriptures remind us of the need to spread the Word and get others to know Jesus is alive.

I think about all the ways Blaine Memorial UMC lets the community know that Jesus is alive – in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. We have a vibrant worship service, in-person AND online, every Sunday. We have pastors that show up at events like the Day of Remembrance. Our Blaine Youth Group are hands and feet for Christ’s love at places like Kimball Elementary and the Tent Cities. Blaine’s newsletter circulation is over 600 subscribers strong and reaches beyond Seattle.

Then I also think of the not-so-obvious ways we let others know that Jesus is alive. We play basketball with non-Blaine folks. We buy altar flowers from folks who get to know us over the years. We tell our friends about the upcoming Sukiyaki Dinner who then come to know about the Rainier Valley Food Bank – which will receive some of the proceeds. We sit at Terry’s Kitchen and folks know we are Blaine people.

I guess we all have a little Mary Magdalene in us.  

Anne Arakaki-Lock is a member of Congregational Care Ministries of Blaine Memorial UMC.


Coming Soon!

Contact the Blaine Office or Rev. Karen if you would like a printed copy of the newsletter. Or, visit Blaine Memorial UMC and pick up a copy near the Sanctuary, Narthex, or Office.

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