Lahaina, Hawaii (Aug. 16, 2023) – Wildfire damage in Lahaina. Remains of the U.S. Seamen’s Hospital (U.S. Marine Hospital), 1024 Front Street, Lahaina, Hawaii, first built 1833, in Lahaina Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Dominick Del Vecchio
Our Bazaar: “Sowing Generously” for Maui
By Anne Arakaki-Lock
As I write, my heart aches for my fellow Hawaiians who have lost family, homes, jobs, and maybe even hope due to recent wildfires. I cry for their pain. Then I think about all the willing people, members as well as friends of Blaine – who with no second thoughts – want to help at our upcoming Bazaar coming up on October 7.
God will provide the resources we are to use for His work – the “seeds” that we will cultivate to produce the “crops” to send to Maui through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Bringing Lahaina back is daunting, but we know that our Almighty God is big and does miracles.
On August 8, the island of Maui experienced a major wildfire disaster fueled by windy and dry conditions. As of the time of writing, much of the community of Lahaina was considered destroyed and 97 fatalities had been discovered. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Hawai’i Pacific District 14.
We are to just give of ourselves generously and give thanks to Him. God will bless and do the rest. The generosity of our community, the use of resources that God has given us to do his work are plentiful. We know that it must be put to good use. Lord, I pray that the generous spirit of our people will reap a harvest so bountiful for our brothers and sisters in Maui, so they can find new life. May we always serve you with a generous heart so others will see your light.
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God,” -2 Corinthians 10-11.
Burned out cars and the remains of buildings are seen in Lahaina town in this image captured Wednesday by U.S. Civil Air Patrol. View is on 900 block of Front Street, looking Northwest. Photo courtesy of US Civil Air Patrol.
Anne Arakaki-Lock is a member of Blaine UMC’s Congregational Care team.
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Rev. Mia and her family celebrated ChuSeok (Korean Thanksgiving) while watching a traditional Korean dance performance at McCaw Hall.
A Reflection on Rainy Days
By the Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Coolness brings the refreshing essence of the season, with the changing colors of the leaves serving as a vivid reminder that we are truly in the midst of fall. The arrival of the rain deepens the season and stirs my emotions.
I have always had a deep affection for rain. During my childhood, rainy days held a special place in my heart. These were the days when my parents would finish their work in the fields earlier than usual and return home. I eagerly anticipated the delightful homemade snacks that my mother would prepare. She would be at home before my siblings and I returned from school. My excitement would escalate as the last school bell rang.
One memory that stands out is when my father surprised me by visiting my elementary school. That morning, I had forgotten to carry an umbrella in my backpack, even though rain was expected. My dad reminded me to take the umbrella, but I forgot. I distinctly remember sitting in class, gazing out of the window, and spotting my dad making his way towards my classroom, passing by the playground. (Back then, parents could visit their children’s classrooms without going through the administration office.) He returned home early, saw my umbrella sitting by the shoe rack, and didn’t bother to bring it to me.
Sometimes, I wondered if my parents truly loved us. They didn’t always express their love in words, but moments like my mother making homemade snacks even when she was tired and my father’s unspoken gesture with the umbrella were testaments to their deep and unspoken love. These are the moments that anchored my heart with the love and care of my parents.
However, after experiencing two dreadful floods that affected my parents and learning about the challenges faced by the homeless during bad weather, I began to struggle with my emotions on rainy days. It is heartbreaking to know that many people are not sheltered during challenging weather days.
I find myself caught between loving memories of my childhood and the heartache of reality. I become vulnerable once again. Such struggles never truly cease, I know. I will continue to grapple with them as I practice loving God and loving my neighbors as I love myself. Right before our children started school, all four of us fell ill one by one. I was the last to get sick, so I took care of the rest of the family. However, when I wasn’t feeling well, it was a significant struggle to look after everyone else.
What does God want me to do? What is the best way to love God and my neighbors as I love myself? I understand that it’s not just my challenges but everyone’s.
For the October Bible memorization in the Church School, we’ll be memorizing Matthew 22:37-39: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
These words guide us on our journey to love and care for one another. Love is mysterious, and it only grows when we share it, but it will decrease if we don’t share. As we navigate the changing seasons and the seasons of life, let us remember God’s love and compassion for each and every one and God’s blessing upon us as a gateway of heavenly blessings through us.
Our children, youth, and their parents at Blaine Memorial seem to be settling into their new schedules, and it’s a joy to hear about their weekly activities, which will strengthen them physically and intellectually. Our Church School and BYG are in full swing with lessons and activities that will help our children and youth grow spiritually. I am grateful to our Church School teachers and BYG Directors and Leaders for their dedicated work. A huge thanks to them and to you all for sharing your love whenever you can! Have a great October!
The Rev. Mia MiKyung Park serves as the Associate Pastor of Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church.
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Hymn of Meditation Be Thou My Vision(UMH #451) Eugene Onishi and Miriam Tong
Introduction to the Offering Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Offertory Music What Does the Lord Require of You (Jim Strathdee) Miriam Tong
Together We Serve (By Charles Damon) Miriam Tong
Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Eugene Onishi and Miriam Tong
Prayer of Dedication Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Closing Hymn We Are Called (TFWS #2172) Eugene Onishi and Miriam Tong
Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude Great is the Lord (By Michael W. Smith and Deborah D. Smith) Miriam Tong
Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Sermon Questions
How have you experienced the presence of God in your ministry?
What gifts, skills, and abilities do you bring to Blaine Memorial UMC’s ministry?
What are you doing for personal spiritual growth?
Daily Lectionary
Monday, October 23, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 63:1-8; Exodus 40:34-38; Revelation 18:1-10, 19-20 Complementary: Psalm 98; Daniel 3:1-18; Revelation 18:1-10, 19-20
Tuesday, October 24, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 12:1-9; Revelation 18:21-24 Complementary: Psalm 98; Daniel 3:19-30; Revelation 18:21-24
Wednesday, October 25, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 13:1-2, 17-14:9; Matthew 17:22-27 Complementary: Psalm 98; Daniel 6:1-28; Matthew 17:22-27
Thursday, October 26, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 31:14-22; Titus 1:5-16 Complementary: Psalm 1; Numbers 5:5-10; Titus 1:5-16
Friday, October 27, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 32:1-14, 18; Titus 2:7-8, 11-15 Complementary: Psalm 1; Deuteronomy 9:25-10:5; Titus 2:7-8, 11-15
Saturday, October 28, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 32:44-47; John 5:39-47 Complementary: Psalm 1; Proverbs 24:23-34; John 5:39-47
Announcements
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.
Pastor’s Appreciation Celebration Lunch • Today after worship in the Social Hall!
Choir openings are available! Contact Eugene Onishi for more info!
Choir members needed! • Tues. at 7pm, Sun at 9am, 11:45am
Join us as we bring musical messages to the Blaine family each week. If you sing, or if you would like to learn to sing, please come join! Whether you sing in public or just in the shower or are available “full-time” or “part-time,” all are welcome! Contact Eugene Onishi (eaonishi@hotmail.com).
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • Oct. 25 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!
For more information, contact the church office for details!
Reconciling Ministries Voter Registration • See Dates Below
Important Dates
Today: Last Day for RM Voter Registration
Oct. 24, 7pm: Faith and Gender Workshop (Zoom)
Oct. 23-27: Ballot Distribution
Oct. 30-Nov. 4: Return Mail-In Ballots
Nov. 5: In-Person Voting
“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.”
Register online or in-person by Sunday, October 22 for our Reconciling Ministries vote! Attend church on November 5 to register and vote in person. Ballots will be distributed the week of October 23-27. Mail them to the church office or return them in-person between October 29 and November 5 (mail needs to be received by November 4). Ballots will be counted after worship on Sunday, November 5. Scan the QR code for the online registration form or sign up in-person on Sundays. Find our form in the office or social hall!
Looking for a learning opportunity? Join us for a Gender and Faith Workshop on Tuesday, October 24 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. We’ll explore binaries, the difference between gender and sex, what it means to be intersex, and many other helpful and important topics.
Donations needed for Harvest Festival! • Saturday, Oct. 28, 11am-2:30pm
Donations are needed!
3 bags of Hot Dog Buns (24 per package)
2 packages of Kirkland Bun Size Hot Dogs (12 per package, 3-package bundle)
2 bags of Pirate’s Booty or something similar (contains no dairy or nuts and gluten-free)
2 bags of Family-sized Chips 1 bag of Cash & Carry Salad
This year’s All-Church Conference will be on Tuesday, November 14 at 7pm. This gathering holds great significance for our faith community as we come together to celebrate our ministries in 2023. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Derek Nakano will preside over the meeting. All are invited to hear about the state of our church and other important updates. More details to come!
Thanksgiving Meal Work Party • Sunday, Nov. 19 & Monday, Nov. 20
BYG is once again partnering with Kimball Elementary School to provide Thanksgiving meals for food-insecure families. We’ll gather on Sunday, November 19, after worship to prepare apple crisps together in the LAC kitchen. Additionally, on Monday evening at 6pm in the LAC kitchen, we’ll make mashed potatoes and bake apple crisps (a light dinner will be provided). We plan to deliver the meals to Kimball Elementary School on Tuesday, the 21st, in the morning. Please contact BYG Directors or Terri Adolfo for more details.
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Retired Bishop Roy I. Sano and Rev. Karen at the NJAUMC Clergy Gathering in Burlingame, CA.
Signs of autumn signal celebrations
By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, additional photos by Jesse N. Love and Kai Yamamoto
The days are getting shorter and it’s getting dark earlier. Red leaves are piling up and for me, it is a reminder that Autumn has many signs and signals. There is a shift of the changing of the seasons. The year is wrapping up and I wonder where the time went – how are we in October already? As I watch the leaves fall, it urges me to let go of the busyness and the burdens that I carry. The urge is affirmed, especially now that the Bazaar is over.
BYG’s prized Suno Dog sells well at the Bazaar.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Blaine Benefit Bazaar a huge success! We had a whole lot of fun, didn’t we? I appreciate you making the effort to come to our Benefit Bazaar which helped raise funds for Maui Relief and Recovery through United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Because of you and your unwavering commitment to our faith community, we had an amazing turnout. The donations continue to come in. Your attendance and active support played an important role in our Bazaar’s success — thank you and thank you, evermore. Your generosity and support are encouraging reminders of why Blaine Memorial resurrected the Bazaar in the first place … to help our Lahaina, Maui siblings. Through your support to UMCOR, you are providing food, water, hygiene items and tools to help survivors recover their belongings in the town of Lahaina (and in other neighborhoods) on Maui. Thank you for your prayers and for your support for the people of Maui in the aftermath of the wildfires.
Lori Matsukawa helps prepare udon noodles.
Last month, I gathered with members of the National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus (NJAUMC). We met at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA. Clergy from our sister churches from Wesley UMC (San Jose), Faith UMC (Torrance, CA), UJCC (Fresno, CA), and many other churches, came together for the first time in person since the 2019 NJAUMC Clergy and Laity Convocation. Our goal was to see each other, discuss opportunities and resources available to support one another in ministry, dialogue about the changing landscape in our churches, and tend to our needs for care in a post-pandemic world. We discussed the joys and struggles of the historical Japanese American UM churches, lifted up those who have retired and have been ordained, and remembered our siblings who have gone before us. We received updates from Camping Ministries, Japanese Language ministries, and the state of the greater church across the country. More importantly, we came together in Word and in prayer.
NJAUMC Clergy gather to discuss their dreams for the future of the historical UMC JA churches.
Retired Cal-Pac West DS Rev. Mark Nakagawa provided a compelling sermon about our saints who have passed away during the pandemic.
I provided a message based on Isaiah 43 about something new, filled with life, springing forth in the middle of a wasteland of the desert. I asked,
“What does new life in our historical Japanese American churches look like and what contributes to that movement as we look to the future?”
Aldersgate UMC (Palo Alto, CA) pastor, Rev. Dr. Sungrae Kim, provided Holy Communion in both English and Korean on our last day together.
Life seems as though we are walking through a dry desert. Earlier this month, the world awoke to news of a deadly attack on Israel by a Palestinian militant group, Hamas. Escalating violence has killed or injured thousands and an unknown number have been abducted — reportedly including the elderly, women, and children. I ask for prayers for those who have lost family members and livelihoods, the injured, for those who perpetuate violence and for World Leaders that they may work for peace, the churches, and all religious leaders and for those who work for peace in the region. The situation is complicated, and it’s important to recognize the fear and sense of injustice that is felt, but it’s essential to call on both sides not to resort to further violence and to engage in negotiation to establish a peaceful solution for all who live in the Holy Land.
Autumn signals that the time has arrived for this year’s Reconciling Ministries Vote. For the past few years, Innovation Hub Convener Lynne Onishi and the Reconciling Ministries Task Force led our faith community in thought-provoking conversations, documentaries, small group discussions, online Bible Study classes, and provided safe spaces to discuss what it means for Blaine Memorial UMC to become a Reconciling Ministries Church. The time has arrived to cast your vote! Here is the statement that our church will be voting on after worship on Sunday, November 5, 2023:
“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.”
If you are an active church member or active participant at Blaine Memorial UMC, I encourage you to register to vote. You may vote by registering online by scanning the QR code on page 6.
Autumn signals great celebrations, including this year’s Harvest Festival and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 28 from 11:00AM-2:30PM. There will be games and activities for all! We encourage you to dress in family-friendly costumes — please no masks allowed. Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another. At 2:00PM, the children will gather and participate in the Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot. Invite your family and friends!
Autumn signals a time to remember our ancestors by celebrating All Saints Sunday on November 5 during worship. On All Saints Day, United Methodists publicly remember and honor our loved ones who have passed away. You’re invited to bring photos of your saints which we will place on the altar.We will say the names of Blaine Memorial members who passed away from November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023 and we will ring a bell to remember them.
Autumn signals the beginning of Blaine Memorial’s 2024 Stewardship Campaign, Together for Joy, based on Psalm 98.
We have so much to celebrate and to be joyful about. Spread your joy, love others, and be the hope!
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Prelude The Summons Traditional Scottish; by John Bell Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 106) Jordan L.
*Opening Hymn Sanctuary (TFWS #2164) x 2 Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Opening Prayer Jordan L.
Scripture Reading Philippians 4:1-9 (NRSVUE, JLB) Mia I., Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Special Music Draw the Circle Wide Blaine Memorial Choir
M. I. L. E. Laity Enhancement Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Faith Sharing of Camp Experiences Blaine Youth Group
JHC and Asian Camp Video Blaine Youth Group
Hymn of Reflection Matthew 11 Blaine Youth Group
Introduction to the Offering Marisa I.
*Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
*Prayer of Dedication Tala C.
Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Closing Hymn Pass It On (UMH #572) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
*Benediction Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Postlude He is God Words and Music by Wes Terasaki, arr. by Randy Way Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Camping Ministries Sunday!
About Junior High Camp
Junior High Camp is geared toward incoming 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. We strive for our youth to leave with a sense of relationship to Christ through tangible and practical life applications. In addition, we encourage their growth towards outreach through their local churches and leadership in their own communities.
About Asian Camp
The United Methodist Church Asian American Summer Camp, in its 49th year history of empowering and inspirational ministry, has developed a reputation amongst its participants as a family-like community, yielding lifelong relationships and faithful servants of God. Asian Camp is a camp geared towards incoming 10th, 2nd year college.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 97; 2 Kings 17:7-20; John 6:25-35 Complementary: Psalm 34; Song of Solomon 7:10-8:4; John 6:25-35
Thursday, October 19, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 99; Exodus 33:7-11; 3 John 9-12 Complementary: Psalm 96:1-9; Judges 17:1-6; 3 John 9-12
Friday, October 20, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 99; Exodus 31:1-11; 1 Peter 5:1-5 Complementary: Psalm 96:1-9; Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Peter 5:1-5
Saturday, October 21, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 99; Exodus 39:32-43; Matthew 14:1-12 Complementary: Psalm 96:1-9; Isaiah 14:3-11; Matthew 14:1-12
Announcements
Choir openings are available! Contact Eugene Onishi for more info!
Choir members needed! • Tues. at 7pm, Sun at 9am, 11:45am
Join us as we bring musical messages to the Blaine family each week. If you sing, or if you would like to learn to sing, please come join! Whether you sing in public or just in the shower or are available “full-time” or “part-time,” all are welcome! Contact Eugene Onishi (eaonishi@hotmail.com).
Free Hearing Tests! • Sunday Oct. 15 in the Library
Do you have trouble understanding conversation in noisy places? Do you ask people to repeat themselves? Have people told you to get your hearing checked? If you are experiencing any of these concerns, there will be an opportunity immediately after worship to have your hearing checked. Offerings include a free screening of your hearing, a free cleaning of your ears. If you use hearing aids, you can have those checked, as well. Please go to the Blaine Library to have your hearing checked!
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • Oct. 18 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 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.
Pastor’s Appreciation Celebration Lunch • Sunday, Oct. 22 after worship in the Social Hall
For more information, contact the church office for details!
Donations needed for Harvest Festival! • Saturday, Oct. 28, 11am-2:30pm
Donations are needed!
3 bags of Hot Dog Buns (24 per package)
2 packages of Kirkland Bun Size Hot Dogs (12 per package, 3-package bundle)
2 bags of Pirate’s Booty or something similar (contains no dairy or nuts and gluten-free)
2 bags of Family-sized Chips 1 bag of Cash & Carry Salad
This year’s All-Church Conference will be on Tuesday, November 14 at 7pm. This gathering holds great significance for our faith community as we come together to celebrate our ministries in 2023. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Derek Nakano will preside over the meeting. All are invited to hear about the state of our church and other important updates. More details to come!
Thanksgiving Meal Work Party • Sunday, Nov. 19 & Monday, Nov. 20
BYG is once again partnering with Kimball Elementary School to provide Thanksgiving meals for food-insecure families. We’ll gather on Sunday, November 19, after worship to prepare apple crisps together in the LAC kitchen. Additionally, on Monday evening at 6pm in the LAC kitchen, we’ll make mashed potatoes and bake apple crisps (a light dinner will be provided). We plan to deliver the meals to Kimball Elementary School on Tuesday, the 21st, in the morning. Please contact BYG Directors or Terri Adolfo for more details.
Bazaar in Photos!
Blaine Memorial UMC’s volunteers help grill chicken during the Bazaar. Thank you to our contributors!The Blaine Youth Group are ready to serve Suno Dogs at Bazaar!Jordan enjoys Suno Dogs!
Prelude We Will Glorify the King of Kings By Twila Paris Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 19) Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Opening Hymn How Great Thou Art (UMH #77) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Opening Prayer Rev. Karen Yokota Love
First Scripture Reading Matthew 21:33-46 (CEB, JLB) Eunice Gong, Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka
Special Music There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy Blaine Memorial Choir
Second Scripture Reading Luke 10:25-37 (CEB, JLB) Eunice Gong, Tsutomu Nagoya
Sermon M. I. L. E.: Itineration and Location Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Hymn of Reflection Seek Ye First (UMH#405) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Introduction to the Offering Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love
*Closing Hymn Living for Jesus (TFWS #2149) Eugene and Kathy Onishi
*Benediction Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Postlude He Is Exalted By Twila Paris Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Sermon Reflection Questions
Consider the question that the expert in the law asked Jesus: “Who is my neighbor?”
How does this parable redefine the concept of a neighbor?
Who in your life might be considered an unexpected neighbor, and how can you extend love, compassion, and care to them?
Reflect on a time when you received help or kindness from an unexpected source. How did it affect your perspective on compassion and generosity?
In what ways can you practically apply the lessons from the Good Samaritan parable in your communities, workplaces, and families to create a positive impact that we could help our neighbors to be a better location of their well-being?
Daily Lectionary Readings
Monday, October 9, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 119:49-56; Deuteronomy 5:1-21; 1 Peter 2:4-10 Complementary: Psalm 144; Ezekiel 19:10-14; 1 Peter 2:4-10
Wednesday, October 11, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 119:49-56; Deuteronomy 6:10-25; John 11:45-57 Complementary: Psalm 144; Song of Solomon 8:5-14; John 11:45-57
Thursday, October 12, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:1-8; 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14 Complementary: Psalm 23; Isaiah 22:1-8a; 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14
Friday, October 13, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:9-11; James 4:4-10 Complementary: Psalm 23; Isaiah 22:8b-14; James 4:4-10
Saturday, October 14, 2023: Semi-continuous: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:12-18; Mark 2:18-22 Complementary: Psalm 23; Isaiah 24:17-23; Mark 2:18-22
Announcements
Choir members needed! • Tues. at 7p, Sun at 9a and 11:45a
The Blaine Choir love to sing to God. Rehearsals are Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings, and provide music for Blaine’s Sunday morning services. Our goal is to develop spiritually and musically through fellowship, singing and through scripture. Join us as we bring musical messages to the Blaine family each week. If you sing, or if you would like to learn to sing, please come join! Whether you sing in public or just in the shower – or are available “full-time” or “part-time”, all are welcome! Contact Eugene Onishi (eaonishi@hotmail.com).
Girl Scouts Meeting • Today at 11:30a
We will be restarting our Blaine Girl Scouts troop this month. We meet every second Sunday of the month from October to June so our first meeting will be next Sunday, Oct 8th from 11:30-2:30pm in the Education Wing. We start with a light lunch and then will begin our meeting at noon.
Our troop includes Brownie Girls starting in the 2nd grade and goes up to the Senior level which is 12th grade. For any girls who are interested in joining, you and your parents can come and learn about us for the first meeting. There is no commitment to attend the first meeting. There will also be a parents meeting at 1pm where all details and applications will be passed out.
We hope to have some new girls join us this year. We have a lot of fun activities like rock climbing, roller skating, ice skating, archery, selling cookies and more. If you have any questions, please come up to talk to Eunice Gong during social time or email Eunice G.
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • Oct. 11 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!
Bazaar in Photos!
Friends prepare Tsukemono, or salt-pickled cabbage.The Blaine Youth Group practices making Suno Dogs. Ohagi, or sweet rice balls, are made by our volunteers.Lesley leads us with pie-making.Our team helped marinate bbq chicken for the grill!
