Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Advent Updates!
This is the season of God coming to us. How shall we prepare for Christ’s coming?
This Sunday, we will listen to God’s promise of love through the lighting of the candle, songs, prayers, and scripture. Our children and friends will reenact the beloved story of Jesus’ birth directed by Susannah Wood. We give God thanks for the gift and grace of Susannah Wood, our children and friends. They truly shine with God’s light and love. Come and let us adore our newborn King Jesus!
There are two opportunities to share your generosity during this Advent season: one is through your Christmas offering on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 12/22. Your Christmas Offering will go toward our Children and Youth Ministry. Secondly, by continuing to bring gifts that will give warmth and comfort to our unhoused community in need. Place those gifts in worship in the basket under the Christmas tree. Our Connectional Ministries will distribute them during the Christmas season as we serve the Lake Lunches.
Christmas Eve Service meets with our Joint Circuit Churches at Twin Towers UMC at 5:30PM on December 24, 2024.
Last Sunday of 2024, December 29th, we will gather around the sanctuary in a circle and share the stories of how God’s grace carried us this year. Join us.
December Food Pantry and Lake Lunches
Please join us on Friday and/or Saturday Dec 20 and 21 to put on our monthly food distribution. We could use help on Friday for setting up from 10-11 am, an early riser on Saturday to help with set up the lines, welcoming & helping hands to work alongside our many community volunteers who come visit the church through this community service. Spread holiday cheer to our neighbors through Lake Lunches. We will continue without interruption during the holiday weeks and we’ll be sharing the goodies you’ve been donating. This is a good time to help out if you’ve been thinking about it. Help is needed with preparing food, wrapping gifts, and delivery food and goodies. Sign up here and invite your people to do the same!
Lastly, would you like to help us thank our dedicated food ministry volunteers? We have a special gift to prepare and need a couple of hands to prepare them. If that is you, please contact Kathleen or Rose Lynn (liftconcertoakland@gmail.com)
Church Office Holiday Closure
12/25, 12/26, 12/31, 1/1
Please note that the church office will be closed on December 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st. The church office will be open on December 30th and reopen for regular office hours on January 2nd. Our church administrator, Lulu, will also be on holiday from December 25th to January 1st.
Important E-blast Announcement Deadline:
The deadline to submit announcements for the December 26th and January 2nd E-blasts is Monday, December 23rd at 12pm. Please ensure your submissions are sent in by this time to be included in these editions.
Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!
Food 4 Thought to Begin New Series in February
Sound Bath On Hiatus After December
Cooking Up Solidarity:
Cooking Class Series and Fundraiser
Blue Christmas Service at Twin Towers UMC
12/21 5pm-6pm
A Blue Christmas service is offered especially for those feeling “blue” this Christmas. Join us on the longest night of the year to acknowledge the difficulties of life and to be reminded that you are not alone. We will gather in hope for healing as we journey together. The service will be held Saturday, December 21st, from 5pm-6pm at 1411 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501.
Thriving in Community 2025:
Art and Story Submission
As we step into 2025, the California-Nevada Annual Conference is continuing to embrace the bold and transformative vision adopted in 2023, focusing our attention this year on Thriving in Community. Rooted in the scriptural foundation of Jeremiah 29:7 and Acts 2:41-47, this part of our vision invites us to seek the welfare of our communities, nurture the spiritual growth of our churches, and witness the ripple effects of God’s love throughout the world. In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to get involved! Throughout the year, we will highlight stories of congregations and ministries living out the focus in powerful ways. From innovative small group ministries to creative community outreach efforts, these snapshots will inspire and challenge us to think differently about what it means to thrive. If you have a Snapshot of Thriving to share, please submit it here! Conference Communications will turn these ideas and leads into fully fledged stories.
If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Wednesday by noon.