All are Welcome!
- Third Sunday of Lent
- March 23, 2025, 10:00am
- Hybrid Worship
- View the PDF Bulletin
Sermon Questions
- How does Jesus’ welcome turn us upside down? How can interruptions be an opportunity?
- How do you feel about being interrupted while speaking or in the middle of a task or meal? What distinguishes a good interruption from a bad one?
- Why was the behavior of this woman with the alabaster jar so scandalous? What would be a comparably scandalous interruption today?
- How might you prepare yourself to look for the opportunity in the next interruption you experience?
Order of Worship
| Prelude Glory in the Cross By Dan Schutte Kathy Onishi |
| Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Blaine Memorial UMC Land Acknowledgment |
| *Call to Worship Kai Yamamoto |
| *Opening Hymn O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (UMH 57, verses 1-4, 6) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Opening Prayer Kai Yamamoto |
| First Scripture Reading Isaiah 55:1-9 Tsutomu Nagoya, Kai Yamamoto |
| Children’s Message Sai Hanaoka |
| Special Music Rescuer By Benjamin Hastings, Bryan Fowler, Chris Llewellyn, Gareth Gilkeson Blaine Memorial UMC Choir |
| Second Scripture Reading Luke 7:36-50 Tsutomu Nagoya, Kai Yamamoto |
| Sermon Holy Interruptions Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Song of Meditation Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (UMH #349, sing through twice) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Introduction to the Offering Kai Yamamoto |
| Offertory Music Kathy Onishi |
| *Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #94) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| *Prayer of Dedication Kai Yamamoto |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Closing Hymn Grace Alone (TFWS #2162, sing through twice) Kathy & Eugene Onishi |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude More Like You By Scott Wesley Brown Kathy Onishi |
| Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Zoom Breakout Room Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn & Dale Kaneko |
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Sunday, March 23, 2025: Third Sunday in Lent Isaiah 55:1-9: Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 |
| Monday, March 24, 2025: Psalm 39 Jeremiah 11:1-17 Romans 2:1-11 |
| Tuesday, March 25, 2025: Psalm 39 Ezekiel 17:1-10 Romans 2:12-16; Annunciation of the Lord: Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 45 or Psalm 40:5-10 Hebrews 10:4-10 Luke 1:26-38 |
| Wednesday, March 26, 2025: Psalm 39 Numbers 13:17-27 Luke 13:18-21 |
| Thursday, March 27, 2025: Psalm 32 Joshua 4:1-13 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5 |
| Friday, March 28, 2025: Psalm 32 Joshua 4:14-24 2 Corinthians 5:6-15 |
| Saturday, March 29, 2025: Psalm 32 Exodus 32:7-14 Luke 15:1-10 |
Announcements
Prayer and Coffee • Wednesdays at 9am
Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesdays at 9:00AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. This is a great way to continue with Lent, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. We will discuss the significance of Lent. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.
Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study • See Dates and Times (Below)
Rev. Karen will lead a 7-week Lent Book Study using Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study. She will teach the class on the following days:
- Tuesday (3/25), 7:00PM, Relationships and Reciprocity, Luke 14:7-14
- Tuesday (4/1), 7:00PM, Excuses and Invitation, Luke 14:15-24
- Tuesday (4/8), 7:00PM, Hospitality and Discipleship, John 12:1-8
- Tuesday (4/15), 7:00PM, A Meal of Memories, Matthew 26:17-30 and Easter, Luke 24:13-35
The classes will be held on Zoom and the link will be released the day before. Please note that some classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays due to scheduling conflicts with other events taking place at the church. Thank you in advance for your flexibility.
This year’s All Church Lenten Book is Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study. The book is written by Cynthia M. Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. For Lent this year, our theme will be Bread of Life: Meeting Jesus at the Table.
The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus sharing meals with people. Whether multiplying bread to feed a whole crowd, relaxing with his inner circle, or telling curious elites’ stories about even greater banquets, Jesus imparts wisdom and forgiveness during mealtimes.
This book study provides biblical insights along with thought-provoking queries regarding our own time, such as whom should we invite to Sunday dinner and who is left out and left behind in our culture today. Each chapter includes questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.
Books are on sale in the Church Office for $10.00 each.
North Beacon Hill Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting @ Blaine Memorial UMC’s LAC • 3/27, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Seattle Council member District #2 Mark Solomon and Seattle Council member District #8 Alexis Mercedes Rinck will present to lead the Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting. They will address the Public Safety Concerns around the neighborhood (with an emphasis on Blaine and 25th Ave S), the Comprehensive Plan and Updates that impact District #2 and Seattle, and Small Business Support for Local Businesses around the Church and Community. I hope you can make the meeting and bring your concerns and joys!
Support BYG’s Hawaiian Food Fund Raiser! • Sunday, March 30, After Service
The Blaine Youth Group (BYG) is excited to announce our Hawaiian Food Fundraiser!
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, March 30th after service.
We’ll be serving a delicious homemade Hawaiian lunch including: pulled pork, mac salad, spam musubi, coleslaw, with a vegetarian meal option for $15.
Support our BYG as we begin raising funds for Camping Ministries! We hope to see you there!
Reconciling Ministries Network Devotional, Written by Lynne Onishi
Blaine Memorial UMC Member, Former BYG Director, and CST Seminarian Lynne Onishi has written a Lenten devotional, and it is available as a digital download for $10. You can read a little more about the RMN Lenten Devotional here: Into the Wilderness: a Reconciling Lenten Devotional – Reconciling Ministries Network.
2025 Educational Scholarships • Application period open through May 15, 2025
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. We encourage all applicants; from those just entering their next phase of education to those returning to complete or pursue continued education.
We are blessed to offer the following scholarships:
- Vera Ing Community College/ Trade School Scholarship
- Robert and Lucy Sato Scholarship
- Blaine Memorial Scholarship
- Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship
Applications are available through emailing Michelle Vaughan or through the church office. All scholarships will consider, but are not limited to, elements such as grades (if applicable), personal essay, church participation and finances. Applications and two (2) letters of recommendation must be received no later than May 15, 2025 for consideration. We are looking forward to applicants excited about pursuing their education.
For more information, visit and bookmark the Educational Scholarships 2025 page.
50th Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival at Seattle Center • April 11-13, 2025
The Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Washington are asking for your help. They need refreshments for the Volunteer Hospitality Team who is working at the 50th Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival at the Seattle Center. They are requesting potluck dish donations of mochi, onigiri, spaghetti, different salads, beverages, snacks, hot dogs, etc.
Potluck dishes may lovingly be donated the days of Friday (4/11), Saturday (4/12), and Sunday (4/13) from 11:00AM-5:00PM. Questions? Please email Emiliano Baird or call (206) 372-5156.
Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry @ Riverton Park UMC • Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Riverton Park UMC is in dire need of:
- Diapers (sizes 3 through 7)
- Diaper wipes
- Kitchen pots and pans
- Paper plates
- Toothpaste
- Long grain rice
- Cooking oil
Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Collection items can be dropped off to the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00AM-4:00PM. Please call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.
An All-Church Retreat to Refresh, Renew, and Rejoice! • August 22-24, 2025
We are bringing back the All-Church Camp Retreat! This year’s theme is Refresh, Renew and Rejoice! Please save the dates: August 22-24, 2025! Our campsite location will be in Olympia, WA. Please contact Harry Tang with questions. More information to be revealed…
The Beacon Newsletter is Now Available!
Click the image above to view our latest issue or view past issues here.
View the March 2025 Calendar
