All are Welcome!
- Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
- October 18, 2026
- 10:00 a.m.
- View the livestream
Scripture Reflection Questions
- How can we respond with wisdom and grace when others mistreat or provoke us without allowing their actions to control our hearts or behavior?
- How can we participate responsibly in our communities through voting and advocating for justice while upholding our Christian values, respecting those who disagree with us and keeping God first in our lives?
Order of Worship
| Prelude “Make Me a Servant” TFWS #2176 Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Land Acknowledgement Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Call to Worship Gail Nomura |
| *Opening Song “Come, Let Us with Our Lord Arise” TFWS #2084 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Gail Nomura |
| First Scripture Reading Matthew 22:15-22 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Gail Nomura |
| Children’s Sermon Sai Hanaoka |
| Special Music “It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord” UMH #352 Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Second Scripture Reading Psalm 99 (CEB) Tsutomu Nagoya, Gail Nomura |
| Sermon “Faith, Citizenship, and Keeping Your Heart with God” Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Hymn of Reflection “Wounded World that Cries for Healing” TFWS #2177 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Gail Nomura |
| Offertory Music “Kyrie” TFWS #2275 Kathy Onishi |
| *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94 Kathy Onishi |
| *Prayer of Dedication Gail Nomura |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| *Closing Hymn “This Little Light of Mine” UMH #585 Eugene and Kathy Onishi |
| *Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude “He Is Exalted” TFWS #2070 Kathy Onishi |
| Altar Flowers Masami Blowers |
*Daily Lectionary Readings are provided by Bible Gateway and Vanderbilt University.
Daily Lectionary Readings*
Blaine Memorial UMC Weekly Announcements
Dates to Remember
| Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry at Riverton Park UMC | |||
| Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. • Coffee and Prayer with Rev. Karen on Zoom | |||
| Sunday, Oct. 18, after Service • Safety and Security Announcement | |||
| Friday, Oct. 23 • Annual Reports for All-Church Conference, Due | |||
| Thursday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. • All-Church Conference | |||
| Sunday, Nov. 1 • All Saints’ Sunday • Trunk-or-Treat! |
Sunday, Oct. 18: Safety and Security Announcement
Please join us immediately following today’s worship service for our second brief, in-person presentation on safety and security at Blaine Memorial UMC. Please note that this presentation will not be livestreamed or recorded.
Sunday’s presentation will focus on the “Power of Hello” and how a simple greeting can help create a welcoming, safe and caring environment for everyone. When we feel safe and valued, we can experience God’s love more deeply and share that love with one another.
If you are unable to attend, please connect with Arlene Naganawa, Dale Kaneko or Steve Sakahara to learn more about the information presented. Please contact the church office for their contact information.
Thank you for your participation and for helping make Blaine Memorial UMC a safe, welcoming and caring community for all.
Sunday, Nov. 1: All Saints’ Sunday — Remembering Our Saints, Honoring Our Loved Ones
Join us for a special All Saints’ Sunday worship service as we celebrate the lives of our loved ones, honor the saints who have shaped our faith and remember those who have gone before us. Our service will include Holy Communion and elements of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), guided by the knowledge and wisdom of Rev. Cruz and Alma Santos.
All Saints, All Souls and Halloween: A Season of Remembrance
These traditions are connected through a shared time of remembering the dead and celebrating the enduring bonds of love and faith. Halloween, celebrated Oct. 31, comes from All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day, observed Nov. 1, honors the saints and faithful people whose lives inspire us. All Souls’ Day, observed Nov. 2, is a time when many Christians remember loved ones who have died and offer prayers for the departed.
Together, these observances invite us to reflect on life, death, faith and the hope that sustains us. This year, we will bring these traditions together in worship as we remember our loved ones and celebrate the communion of saints.
Remembering Our Loved Ones
As part of our service, we will remember Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church members who died between Nov. 1, 2025, and Nov. 1, 2026. As each name is spoken, a bell will be rung in their honor. We will also celebrate Holy Communion, gathering at Christ’s table in remembrance, gratitude and hope.
We will incorporate an ofrenda, a memorial altar inspired by Día de los Muertos. Traditionally, Mexican families create these colorful altars with photographs, candles, flowers, favorite foods and meaningful keepsakes to honor and remember their departed loved ones.
You are invited to bring an offering for the ofrenda to honor and remember your loved ones, including relatives, friends and animal companions. Photographs, artwork, small keepsakes, tokens, prose and poetry are all welcome. Please bring items you feel comfortable leaving on the altar as we remember and celebrate the lives of those we hold dear.
As we gather in worship, share Holy Communion, ring the bell in remembrance and create space for our memories, may we find comfort in one another and give thanks for the love that continues to connect us across generations.
We look forward to remembering, honoring and celebrating our saints together.
Sunday, Nov. 1: Trunk-or-Treat in the Church Parking Lot!
Join us for a fun-filled Trunk-or-Treat as we celebrate Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day together after worship!
We’re Looking for Volunteers!
Would you like to participate by decorating your car trunk and handing out treats? We’d love to have you join us! If you’re interested, please sign up using the Trunk-or-Treat Interest Sheet.
Helpful Details for Participants
Decorate Your Trunk
Let your creativity shine! Pinterest and Google Images are great places to find inspiration. Please keep decorations appropriate for all ages and avoid overly scary or gory themes.
Power-Free Décor
Electricity will not be available in the parking lot, so battery-operated lights and decorations are a great way to brighten your display.
Costumes Welcome
Everyone is encouraged to dress up! Have fun with your costume, but please avoid anything too frightening or graphic. For safety reasons, full-face masks and heavy face paint that make participants unrecognizable are not permitted. Adults should remain easily identifiable.
Treats and Teal Pumpkins
Please plan to bring candy or small prizes for approximately 20-25 children.
Trunk Games
Want to add a little extra fun? Consider including a simple game or activity near your trunk. Please keep the setup close to your vehicle so children can easily participate.
Parking on Event Day
Parking arrangements will depend on the weather. You may be directed to park under the LAC or in a designated area of the parking lot. Please look for signs or check with Adam on Sunday morning for specific instructions.
Event Schedule — Sunday, Nov. 1
- 11:15 a.m.: Begin decorating your trunk immediately after worship.
- Noon: All participating cars should be parked, decorated and ready.
- 1 p.m.: Event ends and cleanup begins.
Thank you for helping make Trunk-or-Treat such a wonderful community tradition! We look forward to celebrating faith, remembering our loved ones, sharing treats and enjoying fellowship with you.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Lew and Adam Drake
Thursday, Oct. 29: All-Church Conference
Please mark your calendars for our All-Church Conference on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall. This will be an in-person meeting only; no online option will be available. Those in attendance will have voting privileges.
During the meeting, we will review the pastor’s 2027 Pastor Support Worksheet; baptisms, memberships and deaths; the accessibility audit; the financial audit; and our accomplishments over the past year.
Committee Chairs: 2026 Annual Reports Due Oct. 23
Please submit your committee’s 2026 annual report to the Blaine Memorial UMC church office at blaineoffice@yahoo.com by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. This will give us time to organize and prepare the reports ahead of our meeting.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued dedication and service to our Blaine Memorial community!
Wednesday Coffee and Prayer With Pastor Karen
Oct. 21, 2026 | 9 a.m. | Zoom
Join Rev. Karen for Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer. We’ll share brief check-ins, a short devotional and prayer together. Bring a cup of coffee or tea and begin your day centered in Christ and connected to one another. The Zoom link will be sent Tuesday.
Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry at Riverton Park UMC
Riverton Park UMC needs:
- Diapers (sizes 3-7)
- Baby wipes
- Kitchen pots and pans
- Paper plates
- Toothpaste
- Long-grain rice
- Cooking oil
Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours
Donations can be dropped off at Blaine Memorial UMC’s Social Hall Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call the church office at 206-723-1536 before dropping off your items.
Our Story Continues
