Happenings, Faith & Ministries, Visions, Connections, Resources and more from the community of Blaine Memorial UMC
Senior Pastor News
Rev. Karen Yokota Love and Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos gather with George Yates, Dorine Nakamura, Rae and Shig Nishida at the 120th Anniversary Potluck luncheon. Figuring out our Faith By The Rev. Karen Yokota Love, photos by Kai Yamamoto Yesterday, I took a walk around the church neighborhood to get some exercise. Many of the trees lost their leaves because of the dreary winter season. Suddenly, my eyes lit up by the sight of tiny buds poking out at the tips of the limbs. I could see signs of hope and signs of spring. I’m grateful that God...
read moreSecond Sunday in Lent
All are Welcome! Second Sunday in Lent February 25, 2024 • 11:00am Hybrid Worship Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin Order of Worship Prelude Without His CrossMusic by Joseph M. Martin Kathy Onishi Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Mia MiKyung Park*Call to Worship (Written by Rev. Miabased on Psalm 22:23-31)Arlene Naganawa *Opening Hymn Open My Eyes, that I May See UMH #454Kathy and Eugene OnishiOpening Prayer Rev. Mia MiKyung ParkFirst Scripture Reading Romans...
read moreFirst Day of Lent, Day of Remembrance Sunday
All are Welcome First Sunday in Lent & Day of Remembrance Sunday February 18, 2024, 11:00am Hybrid Worship Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin Order of Worship Prelude I Will Arise and Go to Jesus Kathy Onishi Welcome of Grace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love*Call to Worship By Hancock, Discipleship Ministries Rev. Mia MiKyung Park *Opening HymnLord, Who Throughout These Forty Days UMH #269, Verses 1-3 Kathy and Eugene Onishi Opening PrayerRev. Mia MiKyung...
read moreAsh Wednesday
All are Welcome Ash Wednesday February 14, 2024, 11am Hybrid Worship Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin Order of Worship Prelude Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (UMH #358) Yuki Sofronas Opening Prayer Rev. Mia MiKyung ParkCongregational Hymn Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days Verses 1-3 (UMH #269) Yuki SofronasScripture Reading Joel 2:12-13 Barbara NagaokaPrayer of Confession Rev. Karen Yokota LoveScripture Reading Genesis 3:19 Barbara...
read moreTransfiguration Sunday
All are Welcome! Transfiguration Sunday February 11, 2024, 10:00am Hybrid Worship Thank you to Terri Pittman for providing today’s flower arrangement! Order of Worship Prelude He Is ExaltedMusic by Twila ParisKathy OnishiWelcome ofGrace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love*Call to Worship(Written by Rev. Mia based on Psalm 50:1-6) Rev. Karen Yokota Love*Opening HymnHonor and Praise TFWS #2018Kathy and Eugene OnishiOpening Prayer Rev. Karen Yokota LoveFirst Scripture Reading2 Kings 2:1-12 (JLB, CEB) Tsutomu...
read moreFifth Sunday after the Epiphany
All are Welcome! Fifth Sunday of Epiphany, Holy Communion Sunday February 4, 2024 • 10:00am Hybrid Worship Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin Prelude We Will Glorify the King of KingsBy Twila ParisKathy OnishiWelcome ofGrace and Greeting Rev. Karen Yokota Love*Call to WorshipBy Hancock/Discipleship MinistriesRev. Karen Yokota Love*Opening Hymn O for a Thousand Tongues UMH #57 (1-3, 5) Kathy & Eugene OnishiOpening Prayer Rev. Mia MiKyung ParkScripture Reading Mark 1:29-39...
read moreSpiritual Formation Center
In 2024, what are spiritual practices will you implement that improve faith? This year, nothing is wasted By Anne Arakaki-Lock “Nothing is wasted with God.” I know you’ve heard this somewhere, so I can’t take credit for it. Every moment of our past, including mine – the unfinished projects, criticisms, rejections, wins and losses – led me to where I am this January 2024. It’s a powerful belief that I’m going to try to remember as I start off this new year. You see, I reviewed my 2023 resolutions and realized that I had not...
read moreAssociate Pastor’s Spiritual Reflection
The Rev. John Go, Gloria, Grace, and the Rev. Mia MiKyung Park Let Me be Full, Let Me be Empty! By the Rev. Mia MiKyung Park As we approach the farewell to 2023 and usher in the new year of 2024, the words of John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer echo in my mind. “I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you. Praised for you or criticized for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have...
read moreInnovation Hub Update
Blaine Memorial UMC celebrated becoming a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network on December 3, 2023. What kind of legacy do we want to leave for future generations? By Lynne Onishi December Recap On Sunday, December 3, we gathered for a luncheon to celebrate our vote to become a Reconciling church! Thank you to all who helped put this spectacular lunch together! Later in the month, our young adults celebrated the festive holiday season at the Bellevue Botanical Garden’s holiday lights display. The end of the year is always a prime...
read moreHaiku & Senryu
Haiku and Senryu poems highlight community’s meaning of Christmas and more! By Shig Nishida, photos by Yuki Sofronas The first Blaine Memorial haiku/senryu contest was a resounding success. There were 36 entries and they were all winners. Since there were only six prizes, a jury of their peers had the difficult task of picking six “winners”. Congratulations to Kim Akimoto, Neal Komedal, Barbara Nagaoka, Gail Nomura, Lesley Okura, and Mike Takahashi. Each winner received a gift card that is worth $25. One was for a gourmet ice cream and...
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