Annual Children’s Christmas Pageant

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.


Christmas Offering: Supporting UMCOR

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.


Holiday Office Hours

December 22 – 23, 10 am – 12 pm

December 24 – January 02, Office Closed

December 27 – January 04, Pastor Sunae on vacation

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.

In addition, Pastor Sunae and the Church Administrator will both be out of office at times during this period. If you plan to hold an event or have other matters that would require the consideration of the office, please plan accordingly.


Donations Needed During Advent

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.


Sunday Fellowship Hour Volunteers and Meals Needed for December

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.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER: Here
Remember to select “OAKLAND” as your service location.
For more information visit their website at Oaklandca.gov/PITCount or contact them at pitcount@oaklandca.gov

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!


 If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Tuesday by noon.

God With the Shepherds, The Dismissed

This Sunday, we light the Candle of Love and remember the shepherds—the ones dismissed, unseen, and uninvited—who were the first to hear heaven’s song. In a field under the stars, ordinary people were chosen to proclaim extraordinary news: ‘Emmanuel, God with us.’

God’s love reaches those on the edges and invites each of us to take our place in the story. Come and worship the One who transforms the forgotten into messengers of joy, and who meets us in the ordinary moments of our lives.

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Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

Join us in person in our sanctuary or watch online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

 

Bulletin Link

.

December 07, 2025

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You may give your Tithes & Offerings by mail, or click here to give online.

 

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87993979913
Meeting ID: 879 9397 9913
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

 

To join Sunday Worship via Facebookclick here and look for the live video at the top of the page.

To watch the livestream of our service on YouTube, click here.

 

 

Upcoming Sundays

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December 14, 2025

God With Mary, The Faithful

Luke 1:26-38

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December 21, 2025

God Is With Us

Luke 2:1-14

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Sunday Fellowship Hour Volunteers and Meals Needed for December

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.


Donations Needed During Advent

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.


Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 6 at 7 PM

Folks who attend Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s annual holiday concert find it to be one of their most joy-filled evenings of the year! Hope in Harmony is this year’s theme, which is something we can all use a dose of in these troubling times. It is also their 40th anniversary concert! Come see if you can spot LMUMC members Dan Strauss and Juliet Hannafin on the stage. Get your tickets soon. There’s no guarantee how long the discount will apply.

For additional event details, check out the flyer HERE. To purchase tickets, click HERE.


Celebrating December Birthdays

Sunday, December 7

This Sunday, December 7th, we will be honoring everyone who will be celebrating their birthdays in December. There will be birthday cake for all to share during Fellowship time immediately following Worship.


Steadfast Resistance: Community Market

Sunday, December 7, 3 PM – 6 PM

Did you miss the Holiday Market last week supporting the village of Wadi Foquin in Palestine’s West Bank? Here is another holiday solidarity shopping opportunity being held right in our church, organized by Interfaith for Palestine network. Steadfast Resistance will be held on Sunday, Dec 7, from 3-6 pm in the Stark Room. The event will include a Community Market and program, including a play and testimonies from a recent visit to the West Bank by Rev. Allison Tanner of Lakeshore Baptist Church. The event will wrap up with an outdoor communal ritual reminding us to be steadfast in our hope for Palestinian liberation.
To volunteer to support the event, email Rose Lynn at roselynn20@gmail.com.

Annual Children’s Christmas Pageant

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 and hear the Christmas story and special music. Hope to see you all on the 21st.


Celebration of Life for Judi Ann Fabrizio

Saturday, January 17 at 11 AM

With grateful hearts for a life filled with love, generosity, and faith, we invite you to a Celebration of Life for Judi Ann Fabrizio on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church.
Together, we will honor Judi’s beautiful spirit, give thanks for her life among us, and commend her into God’s everlasting embrace. A reception will follow the service, and all are welcome to stay, share stories, and support the family.
For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom option is available. Zoom link and details will be shared closer to the date.
Please hold Judi’s family, Wayne and Julie, and loved ones in your prayers during this tender season of remembrance and grief. We hold our Judi’s loving spirit in our hearts and prayers.

Church Administrator Out-of-Office

December 15th to 31st

The Church Administrator will be out of the office from December 15 – 31. If you have any business that needs attending to from the Church Office, such as event announcements, reservation requests, etc., please try to submit that material by next Thursday, December 11.


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!


Sign-Up for Church & Society “Faith in Action” Newsletter

The UMC General Board of Church and Society invites you to subscribe to their Faith in Action newsletter, which includes insights into social justice issues, inspiring stories, and actionable steps to make a difference in our churches, communities, country and the world. It’s a meaningful way to stay informed and connected to efforts for justice and peace that are driven by our United Methodist Social Principles.

If you’d like to join this community, you can sign up HERE.


New Parking Permits for 1st Ave. Parking Lot

Friends, in order to ensure that the 1st Ave. church parking lot remains available for church staff, volunteers, and regular users of our church, we are instituting a Parking Permit system.

 

These permits only apply to long-term renters and LMUMC Staff. Members and periodic volunteers do not need a Permit; therefore, please do not be concerned if you see other cars with the bright, red Parking Permit while you do not have one.

 

I you often leave your car parked in our lot for extended periods of time, then please come by the Church Office to see if you should have a Parking Permit. We will begin distributing permits later this week.


Community Alert: Preparing Together for ICE mobilizations

May we stand in solidarity and peace amid uncertainty after 100 federal agents were dispatched to Coast Guard Base Alameda last month. Stay informed, stay united: Know Your Rights and Support our community.  See important information HERE.


 Many Ways to Help Our Food Ministry  

Our food ministry program needs more help from the congregation. Please review and complete this survey (here), which includes a list of all the ways you can volunteer. There are many options, and some can be done from home. You don’t need to make a long-term commitment, just check out the experience and decide from there if and how you want to help.  Contact Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell or Tom Huetteman if you have questions


 If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Tuesday by noon.

God With Joseph, The Dutiful

This Sunday we enter the holy season of Advent—four weeks of preparing our hearts to welcome Jesus, the Messiah, God With Us.  This year we journey alongside the people who first waited for and welcomed Christ into the world. Through their stories, we will discover anew how God is with us here and now.

We begin with Joseph, the Dutiful (Matthew 1:18–25).  The Christmas story starts with a dilemma: Mary is pregnant, and Joseph knows the child is not his. Out of duty and decency, he plans a quiet divorce. But God interrupts his dutifulness with revelation—inviting him not just to “do the right thing,” but to participate in God’s extraordinary plan.

Come join us as we enter Advent through Joseph’s faithful yes.

.

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

Join us in person in our sanctuary or watch online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

 

Bulletin Link

.

November 30, 2025

.

You may give your Tithes & Offerings by mail, or click here to give online.

 

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87993979913
Meeting ID: 879 9397 9913
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

 

To join Sunday Worship via Facebookclick here and look for the live video at the top of the page.

To watch the livestream of our service on YouTube, click here.

 

 

Upcoming Sundays

.

December 7, 2025

God With the Shepherds, The Dismissed

Luke 2:8-10

.

December 14, 2025

God With Mary, The Faithful

Luke 1:26-38

Church Office Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28

The Church Office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28 in observance of the holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Monday.  We wish you and your loved ones a blessed and restful Thanksgiving!


Sunday Fellowship Hour Volunteers and Meals Needed for December

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.


Donations Needed During Advent

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.


Celebration of Life for Edward Morse Hazzard

Sunday, November 30 at 3 PM

You are invited to a Celebration of Life for Edward Morse Hazzard on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church.
We will gather to give thanks for Ed’s life, remember his love and kindness, and commend him into God’s eternal care. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Please keep Ed’s family, Norm and Naomi in your prayers in this tender time.
See below for the Zoom link for those who are unable to attend in person.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87993979913
Meeting ID: 879 9397 9913
Passcode: 326043

Celebration of Life for Judi Ann Fabrizio

Saturday, January 17 at 11 AM

With grateful hearts for a life filled with love, generosity, and faith, we invite you to a Celebration of Life for Judi Ann Fabrizio on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church.
Together, we will honor Judi’s beautiful spirit, give thanks for her life among us, and commend her into God’s everlasting embrace. A reception will follow the service, and all are welcome to stay, share stories, and support the family.
For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom option is available. Zoom link and details will be shared closer to the date.
Please hold Judi’s family, Wayne and Julie, and loved ones in your prayers during this tender season of remembrance and grief. We hold our Judi’s loving spirit in our hearts and prayers.

Friends of Wadi Foquin Holiday Bazaar

Sunday, November 30, Fellowship Hour

Join our Peace in Palestine small group for a Holiday Bazaar during Fellowship Hour on Nov 30th to raise funds for Friends of Wadi Foquin. Browse beautiful local and handmade products from Palestine—perfect for meaningful Christmas gifts. All proceeds will go directly to support partner programs in the village, including: Green Valley Soccer Academy (serving more than 100 children), the Emergency Fund for families experiencing food insecurity, and the purchase of new farm equipment to strengthen local livelihoods.

For more information, see the flyer HERE


Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 6 at 7 PM

Folks who attend Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s annual holiday concert find it to be one of their most joy-filled evenings of the year! Hope in Harmony is this year’s theme, which is something we can all use a dose of in these troubling times. It is also their 40th anniversary concert! Come see if you can spot LMUMC members Dan Strauss and Juliet Hannafin on the stage. Get your tickets soon. There’s no guarantee how long the discount will apply.

For additional event details, check out the flyer HERE. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

To receive a 30% discount on your ticket purchase, go to General Tickets, click the UNLOCK button and enter code OIGC40 (all sections except VIP). Then, select your seats and check out! (If you select seats before entering the code, the discount won’t be applied.)


Annual Children’s Christmas Pageant

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 and hear the Christmas story and special music. Hope to see you all on the 21st.


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!


Sign-Up for Church & Society “Faith in Action” Newsletter

The UMC General Board of Church and Society invites you to subscribe to their Faith in Action newsletter, which includes insights into social justice issues, inspiring stories, and actionable steps to make a difference in our churches, communities, country and the world. It’s a meaningful way to stay informed and connected to efforts for justice and peace that are driven by our United Methodist Social Principles.

If you’d like to join this community, you can sign up HERE.


New Parking Permits for 1st Ave. Parking Lot

Friends, in order to ensure that the 1st Ave. church parking lot remains available for church staff, volunteers, and regular users of our church, we are instituting a Parking Permit system.

 

These permits only apply to long-term renters and LMUMC Staff. Members and periodic volunteers do not need a Permit; therefore, please do not be concerned if you see other cars with the bright, red Parking Permit while you do not have one.

 

I you often leave your car parked in our lot for extended periods of time, then please come by the Church Office to see if you should have a Parking Permit. We will begin distributing permits later this week.


Community Alert: Preparing Together for ICE mobilizations

May we stand in solidarity and peace amid uncertainty after 100 federal agents were dispatched to Coast Guard Base Alameda last month. Stay informed, stay united: Know Your Rights and Support our community.  See important information HERE.


 Many Ways to Help Our Food Ministry  

Our food ministry program needs more help from the congregation. Please review and complete this survey (here), which includes a list of all the ways you can volunteer. There are many options, and some can be done from home. You don’t need to make a long-term commitment, just check out the experience and decide from there if and how you want to help.  Contact Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell or Tom Huetteman if you have questions


 If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Tuesday by noon.