- May 28, 2023
- 10am in the Sanctuary
- Hybrid Worship
- Today’s altar flower arrangement is designed by Terri Pitman.
- Continue scrolling for today’s bulletin or view the printed version
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We are resurrection people!
By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, additional photos by Lawrence Paltep and Jesse N. Love
Hallelujah! Christ is risen. Hallelujah! Christ is risen, indeed! I greet you with the miracle of Easter during this Eastertide season.
I’m thrilled because Blaine Memorial’s Sukiyaki Take Out benefit ministry event was an absolute success. After three years of being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a great team of leadership resurrected Sukiyaki this year. Thank you for your generous support. This event can only be successful when folks like yourselves are willing to give your time, energy and commitment. Take a look at “Sukiyaki Photos 2023” to see all of the fun.
To top that off, Easter Sunday at Blaine Memorial was magical this year. Our Blaine Youth Group (BYG) resurrected the Easter Breakfast! The BYG prepared and cooked a delicious Easter breakfast with all the fixings – scrambled eggs, mini sausages, fruit, cinnamon rolls, haupia, and so much more!
The Worship Committee decorated the sanctuary on Holy Saturday. The altar was covered in lilies with white and gold touches. Joe Adriano, Steve Sofronas and Michael Corsilles carried in the flowered cross during the processional which magnified the sanctuary. Our Church School Teachers and BYG filled and hid 300 Easter Eggs in the Social Hall and Kono Chapel for our children. Even though it rained all morning, Easter was still special with Christ’s love surrounding us with breakfast, the flowering of the cross, a dynamic worship service and an Egg Hunt. Thank you for a special Easter, Blaine Memorial. Christ Is Risen, Indeed!
Speaking of eggs, our Mother’s Day Breakfast made a comeback! We honored the women and those who identify as women at Blaine Memorial UMC on Sunday, May 14. We showed love to our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, wives, teachers, mentors, and all the women in our lives that have influenced and shaped us into the people who we are today. The men of Blaine Memorial prepared breakfast early at 6am. Thank you to Howard Nakase for chairing this year’s Mother’s Day breakfast!
May signals the importance of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. On Sunday, May 21, we will celebrate our long-standing relationship with Asian Counseling and Referral Services. Executive Director Michael Byun will join us in our worship service and share stories with us about ACRS’s long history with Blaine Memorial. ACRS promotes social justice and the well-being and empowerment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities – including immigrants, refugees, and American-born – by developing, providing, and advocating for innovative, effective, and efficient community-based multilingual and multicultural services. We’ll also hear from Audrey Hwang and Justine about the upcoming Walk for Rice event in June. Visit “Walk for Rice 2023” for more info.
Also on Sunday, May 21, we will take a straw poll after worship. This poll is to identify if we can become a reconciling congregation. It will also give us an opportunity to measure our progress and to discuss further scripture texts, intentionally facilitate dialogue, and answer any questions that one might have to become a reconciling congregation. Please look at “God’s Radical Love: Diversity”, where Lynne Onishi discusses the process more in depth.
Earlier last month, I had the honor of meeting our new Greater Northwest Resident Area Bishop, Cedrick D. Bridgeforth at a Meet-and-Greet with the SeaTac District. We also had the chance to meet his spouse, Christopher. Bishop Cedrick expressed his great passion with a wide range of social justice issues, including restorative justice, homelessness, and hunger. He articulated in his sermon that one of his goals while he serves the Greater Northwest Area is to eradicate racism and discrimination of all kinds. I look forward to Bishop Cedrick’s leadership and where he will take this conference with his vision and innovative ideas.
As we move towards Pentecost, which signifies the birthday of the church, may you feel and know the power of the Holy Spirit this season. May you celebrate and be renewed with God’s Spirit. May you use this time of deep reflection and a renewal of faith. May God be with you. Blessings to you during this season!
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Support Walk for Rice Now!
By Justine, photos by Audrey Hwang
The 33rd annual ACRS Walk for Rice will be on June 17, 2023 at Seward Park!
Blaine Memorial UMC has a special connection to the Asian Counseling and Referral Service Walk for Rice. In 1990, Sam Mitsui, with Herb and Bertha Tsuchiya, wanted a way for everyone to help feed the community. Team Blaine continues to honor Mitsui’s contribution through the Walk for Rice, commemorating 33 years of service.
This year’s Walk for Rice will be in-person at Seward Park on Saturday, June 17, 2023! We need you!
The ACRS Food Bank remains one of the busiest food banks in King County, distributing more than 1 million pounds of food annually to 5,700 clients. More than half are children under the age of 18 or seniors over 65, and many people served by the ACRS Food Bank are low-income. Proceeds from the Walk for Rice allow ACRS to buy many of the culturally familiar foods that its Asian clients rely on: tofu, noodles, and produce like bok choy. Don’t forget, rice!
Last year, Team Blaine raised over $8,300, which put us in third place! This year, ACRS hopes to raise $325,000 and Team Blaine’s fundraising goal is $7,000. You can also support us by joining Blaine Memorial at Seward Park on June 17th at the Walk for Rice celebration!
Go to our team page to donate online or join our team as a walker! You can also mail your donation (checks made out to “Walk for Rice”, memo: “Team Blaine”) to the Blaine office.
Thank you in advance for supporting ACRS Food Bank – every dollar counts!
Justine serves as Team Captain for the ACRS Walk for Rice, representing Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church.
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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By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, photos by Ryan Kozu and Kai Yamamoto, graphics by Ally and Steve
Thank you, Blaine Memorial, for making this year’s Sukiyaki Take Out fundraiser a huge success! The entire community came out to help, cook, set-up, bake, clean, and make this year’s event memorable, exciting and meaningful. This was the first year we had Sukiyaki in three years. Thank you for your commitment to the Blaine Memorial UMC community! A portion of our earnings will benefit the Rainier Valley Food Bank. We look forward to preparing more activities and opportunities to bring our community back to Blaine for fellowship and to connect with the greater neighborhood. Enjoy photos from this year’s Sukiyaki event!
David Hayasaka, Jim Mano, and Rick Mano pour out Saifun noodles. The Saifun noodles are an important ingredient for Sukiyaki.
Howard Nakase cleans and peels vegetables to be chopped.
Many Blaine volunteers fill the uncooked Sukiyaki orders so that each dish is proportionally equal.
(L-R): Carol Okano and Pam Ikegami cut tofu
(L-R): Miriam Tong, Stephanie Nishida and Barbara Kanaya cook the beef before merging it with the vegetables and Sukiyaki broth.
Justine, Lily, and Terry Adolfo sell baked goods to our community members. Some of the baked goods included cakes, cookies, bake mochi, manju, brownies, chi-chi dango, and ohagi.
Volunteers count each of the uncooked Sukiyaki servings.
Eugene Onishi and Kobe Yamamoto transfer cooked Sukiyaki into a different pan, as they get ready to package Sukiyaki orders. How much sukiyaki did you order?
(Above) Tala and Marisa happily sell baked goods to customers.
(Left) Jill Fluvog, Margaret Inouye and Donna Sekijima put different varieties of mochi and manju to make assorted packages to sell. This was sold at the Bakery and sold out within the first hour after opening at 2pm.
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Welcome!
- May 14, 2023
- Hybrid Worship
- 10pm in the Sanctuary
- Continue scrolling for the bulletin or view the printed version
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.
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!
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Welcome!
- May 7, 2023
- Hybrid Worship
- 10pm in the Sanctuary
- Scroll to view bulletin or view the print version
Order of Worship
| Prelude “In Moments Like These” by David Graham Leann Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Opening Hymn and Opening Prayer “How Can We Name a Love” (UMH #111) Miriam Tong, Leann Onishi, Neil Komedal |
| Transfer of Membership: Alma Santos, Edwin Santos and Joshua Santos Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| First Scripture Reading 1 Peter 2:2-10 (CEB,JLB) Kobe Yamamoto & Tsutomu Nagoya |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Scripture Reading Romans 12:9-21 (CEB,JLB) Kobe Yamamoto & Tsutomu Nagoya |
| Sermon “#BeUMC: ??? People of God” Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Hymn of Reflection “Help Us Accept Each Other” (UMH #560) Kathy & Eugene Onishi, Unison |
| Reconciling Ministry Moment Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Holy Communion Rev. Mia MiKyung Park and Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Communion Special Music “The Sweetness of Mary” by Joan MacDonald Boes arr. by Brenda Hunter “Amber Waltz” by Mick Doherty Leann Onishi |
| Doxology and Prayer of Dedication “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (UMH #94) Miriam Tong, Leann Onishi, Neil Komedal |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Closing Hymn “Because He Lives” (UMH # 364) Miriam Tong, Leann Onishi, Neil Komedal |
| Benediction Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Postlude Traditional American Fiddle Tunes Leann Onishi |
| Zoom Breakout Room Rev. Jeney Park-Hearn |
Sermon Reflection Questions
- As a church, we sometimes struggle with a diversity of opinions. What are the advantages of people not thinking alike? What are the challenges?
- As you reflect on the conflicts in your life and in the church, what gives you hope?
- How will you continue to remain faithful, even in the midst of difficult times?
- The primary reason Christians are resilient is because we believe in resurrection. Death does not have the final word. Where have you seen resurrection in your life and in the lives of others?
- How might God be asking you to stretch out of your comfort zone to be a welcoming presence to those who feel alone and separated from church, society, and others?
Sermon title and questions are adapted from #BeUMC campaign website.
Upcoming Lectionary Scriptures
| Monday 5/8 Psalm 102:1-17; Exodus 13:17-22; Acts 7:17-40 |
| Tuesday 5/9 Psalm 102:1-17; Proverbs 3:5-12; Acts 7:44-56 |
| Wednesday 5/10 Psalm 102:1-17; Proverbs 3:13-18; John 8:31-38 |
| Thursday 5/11 Psalm 66:8-20; Genesis 6:5-22; Acts 27:1-12 |
| Friday 5/12 Psalm 66:8-20; Genesis 7:1-24; Acts 27:13-38 |
| Saturday 5/13 Psalm 66:8-20; Genesis 8:13-19; John 14:27-29 |
Announcements
Next Week! Blaine Memorial’s Mother’s Day Breakfast is back!
Sunday, May 14, 8:30am-10:00am and 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. Calling all men and those who identify as men at Blaine Memorial! We need your help! Help us prepare the breakfast beginning at 6:00am! Please contact Howard Nakase for more information.
Wednesday Coffee & Prayer
May 10 • 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.
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. If you’d like to see Steve perform as “Walter,” please purchase your tickets here.
If you have ticketing questions, or would like help with purchasing tickets, please contact the box office.
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.
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) |
In case you missed it…
Making a Scene with Dr. Stephen Sumida
May 2023 calendar is available
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