Welcome!
- Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, 10am
- Third Sunday of Advent
- Hybrid Worship
- Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin
Christmas Music Sunday!
| Prelude Of The Father’s Love Begotten By C. W. Douglas Kathy Onishi |
| Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Call to Worship Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Opening Prayer Rev. Mia MiKyung Park |
| Congregational Hymn People Look East • UMH #202 Eugene & Kathy Onishi |
| Lighting the Advent Candle George, Wendy, Jamie and Lily Yates |
| Prayers of the People Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Introduction to Christmas Music Sunday Eugene Onishi |
| Special Ukulele Music Jesus Loves Me, Twelve Days of Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka Blaine Ukulele Group of Seattle |
| Congregational Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful • UMH #234, v. 1-4 Eugene & Kathy Onishi |
| Anthem I Shall Know Him When He Comes By D.E. Wagner Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Special Music God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen • By J. Wilsor Leann Onishi |
| Special Music Angels we Have Heard on High Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! Tone Chime Ringers |
| Special Music O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Lisa Hirayama, Kathy Onishi |
| 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 |
| Contemporary Music All the World Awaits by Maher, Tomlin, Ingram Blaine Praise Band |
| Special Music Christ Child’s Lullaby Leann Onishi |
| Announcements Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Closing Music Glory to God in the Highest • By J. Althouse Blaine Memorial Choir |
| Benediction Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Postlude Glory to God in the Highest • By J. Althouse Kathy Onishi |
| Passing of the Peace Rev. Karen Yokota Love |
| Zoom Break Out Room Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn |
Reflection Questions
1. What do you “hear” as you sing or listen to the songs of Christmas?
2. How do these carols contribute to your celebration of Christ’s birth?
Daily Lectionary Readings
| Monday, Dec. 18, 2023: Psalm 125; 1 Kings 18:1-18; Ephesians 6:10-17 |
| Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023: Psalm 125; 2 Kings 2:9-22; Acts 3:17-4:4 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023: Psalm 125; Malachi 3:16-4:6; Mark 9:9-13 |
| Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; 2 Samuel 6:1-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 |
| Friday, Dec. 22, 2023: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; 2 Samuel 6:12-19; Hebrews 1:5-14 |
| Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Judges 13:2-24; John 7:40-52 |
Announcements
December Worship Dates
| Sunday, December 17, 10:00AM • Christmas Music Sunday in the Sanctuary |
| Wednesday, December 20, 7:00PM • Blue Christmas Service in Kono Chapel |
| Sunday, December 24, 10:00AM • Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship Service |
| Sunday, December 24, 5:00PM • Christmas Eve Candlelight Lesson and Carols Service |
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!
Poinsettias on the Altar • Order now through December 17, 2023
Advent season is here and it is time to sign up for poinsettias for the altar. You may dedicate a poinsettia in celebration of a person or an event, in memory of a loved one or to honor God’s glory. Poinsettias may be taken home after our Christmas Eve services. Each plant is $12.00. The deadline for Poinsettia Orders will be Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • December 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. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. Join us!
| Merry Swift-mas! A Special Film Screening Event • December 22 Join us on Friday, December 22 at 7:00 PM in the Social Hall for a very special concert film screening in the Blaine Memorial Social Hall. Snacks and drinks will be provided. But please RSVP to the event through the QR code or link provided. Note: this film is rated PG-13 and may contain strong language not suitable for young children. Parental guidance is advised. Contact Lynne Onishi with questions. Sign up here! |
‘Tis the Season and the Place: Calling for Haiku and Senryu • Deadline: December 22
This year the special Advent and Christmas “ornament” for Blaine MUMC is a haiku contest dreamed up by Shig Nishida. Not just haiku, but also senryu.
Haiku is a 17-syllable poem, conventional in Japanese, in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables. Senryu, like Haiku, are 17-syllable poems about insights into society, people, rather than about perceptions of nature. Senryu are social commentary or criticism, or personal self-reflections. The poem should imply or suggest the season it occurs in, should be focused on the immediate setting or place where the poem occurs, and should try to show a spontaneous insight.
Submit your entry on a 5×7 index card (available in the entrance of the Sanctuary and in the church office) with bold and large font or handwriting in drop boxes or the office by the deadline of December 22. A panel of judges will select poems in each category submitted in Advent and the poets and their poems will be announced in church. This contest is open to members of all ages, and you may submit multiple entries with prizes awarded to winners.
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
