Welcome!
- Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, 10pm
- Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Hybrid Worship
- Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin
- Thank you to Sharon Maeda for providing today’s flowers!
Order of Worship
| Prelude In Silence We Wait By John Parker, Lloyd Larson Kathy Onishi |
| Words of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Congregational Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful UMH #234, verses 1-5 Kathy Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Lighting of the Christ Candle The Rev. Cruz Santos Family |
| Special Music What Shall I Give Him By Gustav Holst, Howard Helvey Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Introduction to Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| First Lesson Genesis 22:15-18 Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| First Carol It Came Upon the Midnight Clear UMH #218, all verses Yuki Sofronas |
| Second Lesson Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Dale Watanabe |
| Second Carol O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH #211 Verses 1-3, 6-7 Yuki Sofronas |
| Third Lesson Isaiah 11: 1-3a; 4a; 6-9 Michelle Vaughan |
| Third Carol Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming UMH #216, all verses Kathy Onishi |
| Fourth Lesson Luke 1: 26-35; 38 Shig Nishida |
| Fourth Carol The First Noel UMH 245, verses 1-2, 4-5 Yuki Sofronas |
| Fifth Lesson Luke 2:1-7 Mariko Ronan |
| Fifth Carol Away in the Manger UMH #217, all Verses Kathy Onishi |
| Sixth Lesson Luke 2: 8-12 Edwin Santos |
| Sixth Carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing UMH #240, all verses Yuki Sofronas |
| Seventh Lesson Luke 2:15-20 Sharon Maeda |
| Seventh Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem UMH #230, all verses Yuki Sofronas |
| Offertory Invitation Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Offertory Music Kathy Onishi |
| Prayer of Dedication Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Eighth Lesson Matthew 2:1-12 Joshua Santos |
| Eighth Carol We Three Kings UMH #254, all verses Kathy Onishi |
| Ninth Lesson John 1:1-14 Barbara Nagaoka |
| Christmas Eve Meditation The Light Within Us Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Ninth Carol Silent Night, Holy Night UMH #239, all verses Kathy Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude Joy to the World UMH #246, all verses Kathy Onishi |
| All Bible scriptures are from the NRSV interpretation |
Sermon Questions
1. What is your Christmas story?
2. What does the manger of your life hold?
3. Who might be sitting there in darkness? Are there those who are facing Christmas for the first time since losing their beloved spouse, or partner, or parent, or child? Are there those who are separated from their families because of divorce, or deployment, or illness, or unresolved conflict?
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Sun. Dec. 24, 2023: Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 |
| Sun. Dec. 24 & 25, 2023: Nativity of the Lord – Proper I Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) Sun. Dec. 24 & 25, 2023: Nativity of the Lord – Proper II Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 Sun. Dec. 24 & 25, 2023: Nativity of the Lord – Proper III Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14 |
| Tues. Dec. 26, 2023: Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Samuel 1:19-28; Hebrews 8:1-13 |
| Weds. December 27, 2023: Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Mark 11:1-11 |
| Thurs. Dec. 28, 2023: Psalm 148; Jeremiah 31:15-17; Matthew 2:13-18 |
| Fri. Dec. 29, 2023: Psalm 148; Isaiah 49:5-15; Matthew 12:46-50 |
| Sat. Dec. 30, 2023: Psalm 148; Proverbs 9:1-12; 2 Peter 3:8-13 |
Announcements
Holiday Office and Campus Closure
The Blaine Memorial UMC Church Office and the ENTIRE CAMPUS will be CLOSED from December 25-30, 2023 and January 1-2, 2024.
We will have worship on December 31, 2023. The Church Office and Campus will open on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. All groups may resume activities on Wednesday, January 3. This time away gives our pastoral and church staff the opportunity to spend Christmas and the New Year with their families. Thank you for your understanding and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Wednesday Prayer and Coffee • Canceled, Dec. 27, 2023
We will resume the Wednesday Prayer and Coffee Hour on Wednesday, January 3, 2024! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Guatemala Mission Trip Info Meeting • January 21, 2024
Are you interested in going on a mission trip this coming August? Do you have a desire to serve others in an underdeveloped country? Are you not sure about going, but want to learn more?
Blaine will again partner with Mission Guatemala and send a mission team to San Andrés Semetebaj, Guatemala. Please join us for a short informational meeting Sunday, January 21 in the Webb Room at 12:00. If you have any questions, please contact Bob or Donna Sekijima.
Sukiyaki Dinner Returns!
Saturday, March 2, 2024 • Blaine Memorial UMC
More information to come!
Read our latest Beacon!
December 2023 – January 2024 Calendar
