Sunday, December 21
Advent is here! That means we are counting down the days until the annual Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 21. This is a no-rehearsal pageant titled “The Gifts of the Journey”. We will “journey” around the sanctuary looking for a special baby. All children are invited to participate, even visitors. So come to church in time to choose a simple costume representing a shepherd, a wise one, or an angel. The pageant will be during the children’s moment. Following the pageant, pre-schoolers will go to their regular class. The Godly Play group will stay in the service. Hope to see you all on the 21st.
Sunday, December 21
This Christmas, we invite you to share the love of Christ through our Christmas Offering on December 21, which will support UMCOR – the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
UMCOR provides emergency aid, disaster relief, refugee support, and long-term recovery for communities around the world. Your generosity helps bring hope where it is needed most. Thank you for shining Christ’s light through your giving.
Wednesday, December 24, 5:30 PM
Pre-Service Fellowship at 4:30 PM
Join together with other members of our Circuit Churches for a special Christmas Eve service at 5:30pm on Wednesday, December 24th, at New Bridges UMC in Alameda. (formally Twin Towers UMC).
New Bridges UMC is located at 1411 Oak Street, with on street parking on Central Ave. and garage parking across the street at 1416 Oak St.
Holiday Office Hours
December 22 – 23, 10 am – 12 pm
December 24 – January 02, Office Closed
Due to the need to travel and spend time with family and loved ones, the office hours will be reduced to 10am – 12pm on Monday, December 22 to Tuesday, December 23. The office will then be closed from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
December 27 – January 04, Pastor Sunae on vacation
During Pastor Sunae’s time away, please direct any congregational care needs to Sue Dickey, Chair of Congregational Care. For urgent pastoral care emergencies, Rev. Myrna Bernadel-Huey will be available, with Sue Dickey coordinating care as needed.
Through the end of the year, there will be baskets under the Christmas Tree ready to be filled with items that will be shared with our friends and neighbors in need. Connectional Ministries is grateful to be able to distribute your donations of new and gently used warm socks, hats/beanies, gloves/mittens, non-bulky blankets, and sleeping bags. New Hot Hands brand hand warmers, rain ponchos, and individually wrapped chocolates are also welcome.
We all enjoy Fellowship after our Church Service on Sunday morning. Currently, we are low on people to help in the kitchen and to provide food. If you would like to volunteer in the kitchen, please contact Sue Dickey at sed5455@gmail.com. If you would like to prepare and bring a main dish, salad, or dessert during the month of December, please sign up on the clipboard in the Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday.
Volunteers Needed: City of Oakland 2026 Point-in-Time Count
Thursday, January 22, 5 am – 12 pm
The City of Oakland is urgently seeking 500 volunteers for the vital 2026 Point-in-Time Count on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a bi-annual estimated census of people experiencing homelessness in a 24-hour period. It helps to track changes over time, measure the scale of homelessness, and secure critical funding and resources to combat homelessness in our city. This count, conducted in partnership with Alameda County, is more than just a survey. The more accurate our count, the better we can serve our community.
Upcoming LMUMC Holiday Events
What’s happening at LMUMC this holiday season? How are we living into our core values of Christ, Community, and Cause? Find out here!