Celebrating the reappointments of our pastors for the 2023-2024 year. From (L-R): Deacon Rev. Dr. Mark C. Hearn, Associate Pastor Rev. Mia MiKyung Park, Senior Pastor Rev. Karen Yokota Love and Deacon Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn.
New beginnings
By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, additional photos by Marina Furuta, et. al.
One of the fun things about this time of year is seeing the “first day of school pictures” that are being taken in my neighborhood as I walk for my daily exercise. The children are gathered on the front step or in the driveway of the home, sometimes with the family dog, and mom or dad has the cell phone in hand capturing a few pictures of the “first day” that will likely end up on Facebook or Instagram.
Saturday, September 30, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Numbers 27:12-14; Mark 11:27-33 Complementary: Psalm 25:1-9; Ezekiel 18:19-24; Mark 11:27-33
Announcements
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • Sept. 27 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?” Our time together continues with a few readings from The Upper Room Magazine September/October edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We hope you can join us!
Special thanks to Carol Kastrup for providing today’s flower arrangement.
Order of Worship
Prelude Change My Heart, O God (Eddie Espinosa) Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Call to Worship Arlene Naganawa
Opening Song Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (TFWS #2272) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Opening Prayer Arlene Naganawa
First Scripture Reading Matthew 18:21-35 (CEB) Arlene Naganawa
Children’s Message Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Special Music Amen, So Be It Natalie Sleeth Blaine Memorial Choir
Celebrating the Reappointmentof Our Pastors Arlene Naganawa
Second Scripture Reading Romans 14:1-12 (CEB) Arlene Naganawa
Message Not 7, but 77 Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Reflection Grace Alone (TFWS #2162) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Introduction to the Offering Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Prayer of Dedication Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Closing Hymn Help Us Accept Each Other (UMH #520) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude May You Run and Not Be Weary (Paul Murakami and Handt Hanson) Kathy Onishi
Sermon Reflection Questions
Does forgiveness require certain conditions for it to be fulfilled? Forgiveness has two sides: the person needing forgiveness and the person offering forgiveness. Can we really forgive another unless the other person repents of the action and regrets the act sufficiently not to want to do it again?
Is there someone in your life who you have been unable to forgive?
Saturday, September 23, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Exodus 16:22-30; Matthew 19:23-30 Complementary: Psalm 145:1-8; Zephaniah 2:13-15; Matthew 19:23-30
Announcements
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • September 20 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?” Our time together continues with a few readings from The Upper Room Magazine September/October edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We hope you can join us!
Celebrating the Re-Appointment of our Pastors with a Blaine Potluck! Today at 11:30am
Please join us today at 11:30am in the Lee Activity Center as we gather to celebrate the reappointments of our beloved pastors, Rev. Karen, Rev. Mia, Rev. Jeney and Rev. Mark, for their outstanding pastoral leadership at our church! What’s a better way than to show our appreciation than by having a ‘Blaine’ potluck? This will be the first potluck that we’re having since the start of the pandemic! Blaine potlucks have always been synonymous with special occasions and celebrating our pastors is definitely a special occasion. Joyfully celebrate!
Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 149) Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Opening Hymn Jesus Loves Me (UMH #191) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Opening Prayer Rev. Karen Yokota Love
First Scripture Reading Psalms 148 (NRSVUE, Japanese Living Bible) Sai Hanaoka, Tsutomu Nagoya
Special Music Every Move I Make Church School and BYG
Rally Sunday Celebrations! • Presentation of our Church School Teachers, BYG Directors and Leaders • Blessing of the Backpacks, Devices and School Supplies Revs. Karen and Mia
Special Music 10,000 Reasons Praise Team
Second Scripture Reading Romans 13:8-14 (NRSVUE, JLB) Lynne Onishi, Tsutomu Nagoya
Sermon Putting on the Lord Jesus Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Hymn of Reflection Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) Praise Team
Introduction to the Offering Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Reflect on what it means to owe nothing to anyone except to love (vs. 8). How does this change your perspective on your daily choices, actions, alignment with the exhortation in the verse, and relationships with others?
In verse 11, Paul urges us to wake up from our slumber. What areas of your life might need awakening or renewal in your walk with Christ?
Paul mentions “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ” in verse 14. What practical steps can you take to clothe yourself daily in Christ’s attributes and virtues?
Daily Lectionary Readings
Monday, September 11, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 121; Exodus 12:14-28; 1 Peter 2:11-17 Complementary: Psalm 119:65-72; Leviticus 4:27-31; 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:11-17
Saturday, September 16, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 114; Exodus 15:19-21; Matthew 6:7-15 Complementary: Psalm 103:8-13; Genesis 45:1-20; Matthew 6:7-15
Announcements
Rally Sunday! • Today
We will introduce our Church School teachers and talented BYG leaders for the 2023-2024 church school year! After our worship and fellowship, we invite all parents to gather in the Nishida Room for a Parents’ Meeting. (Children and youth will go to the Gym.)
Celebrating the Re-Appointment of our Pastors with a Blaine Potluck! • Next Sunday, September 17 at 11:30am
Please join us on Sunday, September 17 at 11:30am in the Lee Activity Center as we gather to celebrate the reappointments of our beloved pastors for their outstanding pastoral leadership at our church! What’s a better way than to show our appreciation than by having a ‘Blaine’ potluck? This will be the first potluck that we’re having since the start of the pandemic! Blaine potlucks have always been synonymous with special occasions and celebrating our pastors is definitely a special occasion.
We are asking folks to contribute. (If you are single, please feel free to bring just one of the items):
A – H: main dish/salad
I – S: main dish/rice
T – Z: main dish/dessert
We hope that you can join us next Sunday, September 17 to joyfully celebrate Rev. Karen, Rev. Mia, Rev. Jeney and Rev. Mark!
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • September 13 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?” Our time together continues with a few readings from The Upper Room Magazine September/October edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We hope you can join us!
Saturday, September 9, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 149; Exodus 11:1-10; Matthew 23:29-36 Complementary: Psalm 119:33-40; Ezekiel 33:1-6; Matthew 23:29-36
Announcements
Church Office will be Closed in observance for Labor Day
The Church Office will be closed on Monday, September 4 and Tuesday, September 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will resume normal office hours on Wednesday (9/6). Blaine Memorial UMC’s normal office hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10:00AM-4:00PM. Thank you for your labor and hard work! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Join Us for Rally Sunday on Sunday, Sept. 10!
Please join us on Sunday, September 10 at 10am for Rally Sunday where we will introduce our Church School teachers and talented BYG leaders for the 2023-2024 church school year! After our worship and fellowship, we invite all parents to gather in the Social Hall for a Parents’ Meeting.
Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, September 6 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?” Our time together continues with a few readings from The Upper Room Magazine September/October edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We hope you can join us!
Second Scripture Matthew 5:14-16 (NRSV, JLB) Joshua Santos, Tsutomu Nagoya
Sermon Living Your Faith Michelle Vaughan
Hymn of Meditation Breathe on Me Breath of God Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Introduction to the Offering Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn
*Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH #94 Kathy Onishi
Prayer of Dedication Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Closing Hymn I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Reuben Morgan (with Blaine Praise Band) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
*Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Reuben Morgan (with Blaine Praise Band) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Sermon Reflection Questions
Think about the practices you use to live your faith. What other ideas or practices can you incorporate into your daily life to allow you to live your faith more fully?
Do you “shine your light” for others? What does that mean to you?
How can we be more open about shining our light?
Daily Lectionary Readings
Monday, August 28, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 8; Exodus 1:1-7; Romans 2:1-11 Complementary: Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32; 1 Samuel 7:3-13; Romans 2:1-11
Saturday, September 2, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 4:1-9; Matthew 8:14-17 Complementary: Psalm 26:1-8; Jeremiah 15:10-14; Matthew 8:14-17
Announcements
Join us after worship today! End-of-Summer BBQ and BYG Bake Sale!
Join us immediately after worship in the Social Hall for a delicious BBQ with hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers! Support our BYG Camping Ministries, as well! They’ll sell delicious baked goods, homemade cookies, brownies at the BYG Bake Sale! The proceeds from the Bake Sale will go directly to Youth Camping Ministries.
Kimball Elementary School to Reopen: Ribbon-Cutting Event on Thursday, August 31, 4pm-6pm at Kimball Elementary
Blaine Memorial UMC is invited to Kimball Elementary’s Grand Opening! We’ll help Kimball celebrate the completion of the new school building! We’re meeting in front of the Blaine Memorial UMC Bus Stop at 3:45pm and we’ll walk over to Kimball together. Parking is limited. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30pm with guided tours to follow.
Innovation Hub presents: Family Film Night on Friday, Sept. 1!
RSVP to Family Film Night! When? Friday, September 1, 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Social Hall! We’ll be watching a family-focused film rated PG or G. A light dinner and snacks will be provided! Please RSVP to this event by Thursday, August 31. ! If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Onishi at lynneonishi@gmail.com. Register now!
Join Us for Rally Sunday on Sunday, Sept. 10!
Please join us on Sunday, September 10 at 10am for Rally Sunday where we will introduce our Church School teachers and talented BYG leaders for the 2023-2024 church school year! After our worship and fellowship, we invite all parents to gather in the Social Hall for a Parents’ Meeting.
