Blessings to you my brothers and sisters at Lake Merritt and Lake Park United Methodist church!

 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 – Isaiah 9:6

What a wonderful time of year it is as once again we pause and remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know the word “pause” might seem like an odd one to use during this time of year when everything about the season seems to be so chaotic.

Yet, I believe it is relevant and important for us to “pause” and keep our minds and eyes on the Jesus!

The first Christmas night was busy, hectic, noisy, and heavy trafficked due to people traveling to their hometown to register for the census! In their midst, we see that some people brought their hearts to bow before a little baby in a manger and brought him excellent gifts.

Let us take a ‘pause’, ‘be still’ and say, “O, Come Let us Adore Him. O, Come Let us Adore Him”.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But today, he wishes to be born within your heart. This Christmas season receive the greatest gift that can ever be given. Open your heart and let the One who was born in a stable in humility, died on a cross in love, and rose from the dead in power, enter in to your heart!

This Christmas Eve, six of our circuit churches are joining together at Twin Towers UMC in Alameda at 5:30pm for a joint candlelight worship service. The worship service will be live steamed and please see the link below.  Come and let us worship Jesus Christ!

Christmas Sunday morning worship, we will be gathering virtually in the Spirit of our living God.  LMUMC and LPUMC kids and adults have created a Christmas Pageant message as we reflect Immanuel God with us.  We are truly blessed by their deep reflection and their story of God with us.  Gather your whole family on Christmas day to worship after opening their Christmas gifts with hot cocoa or Eggnog.  The worship is filled with songs, prayers, and Christmas pageant message and is only 20 minutes!!!  Isn’t that amazing?  It will fill your spirit!  Come and let us adore God.

The worship link for the Christmas Sunday morning is sent via an Eblast and it is also found in our church website, www.lakemerrittumc.org under the Worship Link.   The Christmas Eve Live Streaming link is here:  https://www.embracechurch.org/live

Come and let us adore Him!

May the wonder of Jesus Christ’s love for you and his saving grace renew and refresh you in your heart and in your family during this Christmas time. May you experience the power of Christ’s birth anew this season.  May you be blessed with peace and joy through this Christmas season and into the coming year.

Christ is born!    Rev. Sunae Cho