Core Value: Christ

This week we continue exploring our Core Value of Christ—what it means to truly live and love like Jesus. Drawing from Colossians 1:11-20 and Luke 23:33-38, we’ll reflect on Christ who holds all things together and how He shapes every aspect of our lives. Indeed, our identity is forever transformed when we become His followers, leaving behind our old selves and embracing the new life He offers.  Your former pastor, Rev. Renae Extrum-Fernandez is preaching the last session of the Core Value of Christ.  Come and join us.

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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

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November 23, 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 Facebook, click 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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God With Us Advent 2025 | Embracing the Story of Jesus

(From the United Methodist of Greater New Jersey worship series)

In the season of Advent, we prepare to welcome Jesus, the Messiah in God With Us. This year, as we await our Lord, we will put ourselves in the place of the first people who awaited and celebrated Jesus’ birth. Through their stories, we will learn what it meant for God to be with them, and we will open our eyes to experience God with us, too.

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November 30, 2025

God With Joseph, the Dutiful

Matthew 1:18-25

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December 7, 2025

God With the Shepherds, The Dismissed

Luke 2:8-10

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Thanksgiving Meal Volunteer Sign-up

Our 40th annual Community Thanksgiving meal will soon arrive!  We are excited to report that all volunteer slots are currently filled; however, there are still ways for you to help! LMUMC members are encouraged to attend and serve as hosts and greeters for the event.  Let’s make our 40th Thanksgiving meal extra special! For questions, contact Kathleen Bell or Tom Huetteman.

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.

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.

Meal Train Support for Wayne

We keep the Fabrizio family in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.  Judi was steadfast and faithful for many of us during the different seasons of our lives that brought comfort, joy, love and care.

Would you support Wayne and Julie with the gift of food? All food is greatly appreciated, homemade, semi-homemade, store/restaurant prepared.  Above all, continue to pray and share your healing energies and comfort.  If you wish to support them through their meal train, please sign up HERE.

Calling All Elves To Help Make Ornaments

Sunday, November 23

Please join us after Worship on Sunday, November 23rd to make Christmas ornaments. Everyone is invited to gather in the Stark Room for Fellowship and to craft simple ornaments for our Church Christmas tree.
No crafting experience is necessary, and we need many helping hands for this fun activity! Our children will decorate the tree on Sunday, November 30th, during Worship.
City of Oakland Community Day of Thanks

Tuesday, November 25

The City of Oakland invites our community’s unhoused residents, seniors, and low-income families throughout the city to enjoy a delicious FREE turkey lunch at the beautiful Oakland Marriott City Center from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Meals will also be distributed by various local organizations, including LMUMC, through our regular Lake Lunches program. If you or someone you know might benefit from a free meal, click the links below to find out more about the 12 meal distribution sites participating in this event.

City of Oakland Community Day of Thanks Flyer

ENGLISH | CHINESE

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.

Bay Area Religious Nationalism Tour: An Interfaith Conversation and Response

The Weaponization of Hinduism in Northern California and the Relationships to Global Religious Nationalisms

November 20-23

The Religious Nationalisms Project (TRNP) of the New York State Council of Churches, in partnership with representatives from the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) in California, is organizing a series of seminars in the Bay Area from November 19 to 24, 2025, on the theme of Religious Nationalisms, with a special focus on Hindutva as a central case study. These seminars will also explore Christian nationalism.

To RSVP for any of the dialogues listed below, click HERE

Seminar Schedule:

November 20, United Methodist Church of Roseville, Roseville, 6:00 to 8:30
November 21, First Church Berkeley, United Church of Christ, Berkeley, 6:30 to 9:00
November 22, Buena Vista United Methodist Church, Alameda, 12:00 to 3:00
November 22, Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in San Jose, 5:30 to 8:30
November 23, Christ UMC, Santa Rosa, 9:30 (worship) 11:00 to 1:30 (Program)

Oakland Churches Together (OCT) Gratitude Service and Simple Supper

Sunday, November 23 at 5 PM

Join together with people from the ecumenical group OCT (Oakland Churches Together) for a Gratitude Service and Simple Supper. This is a coming together by several local churches for a short service of prayer, Scripture, poetry, and music, followed by gratitudes, and a simple supper of soup, bread, and dessert.  Your Lake Merritt representatives to OCT (Dan S. & Marlene Y.) will be there. If you want to RSVP or have questions, please RSVP to Actionandjustice@stjohnsoakland.org or talk with Marlene Yamashita (925-286-9682, maryamca@att.net) or with Dan Strauss (510-504-4765, danjeffstrauss@gmail.com).  For more details, click HERE.
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.)

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.

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.

Core Value: Christ

This Sunday, we continue reflecting on one of our core values — Christ: striving to live and love like Jesus. In a world where self-interest often takes center stage, we turn again to the heart of our faith — the way of humility, compassion, and service revealed in Christ.

Our guest speaker, Chris Logan, will share a message based on Philippians 2:1–11, inviting us to rediscover what it means to “have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.” Come, be inspired to live and love as Jesus did — with courage, humility, and joy.

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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

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November 16, 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 Facebook, click 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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November 23, 2025

Core Value: Christ

Colossians 1:11-20

Luke 23:33-38

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November 30, 2025

God With Joseph, the Dutiful

Matthew 1:18-25

Thanksgiving Meal Volunteer Sign-up

Our 40th annual Community Thanksgiving meal will soon arrive!  Please sign-up to volunteer with preparations beforehand or on Thanksgiving day. We also need 40 pies! Sign-up to bring one as well. Sign-up by clicking this link or find it on the church website homepage.  Let’s make our 40th Thanksgiving meal extra special! For questions, contact Rose-Lynn Abesamis-Bell or Tom Huetteman.

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.

Meal Train Support for Wayne

We keep the Fabrizio family in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.  Judi was steadfast and faithful for many of us during the different seasons of our lives that brought comfort, joy, love and care.

Would you support Wayne and Julie with the gift of food? All food is greatly appreciated, homemade, semi-homemade, store/restaurant prepared.  Above all, continue to pray and share your healing energies and comfort.  If you wish to support them through their meal train, please sign up HERE.

Invitation to New Bridges Merger Celebration

November 16 at 4 PM

New Bridges UMC would like to invite our Alameda-Oakland Circuit churches to join their Merger Celebration of worship and fellowship. Dinner will be provided after the service.
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Event Details:

What: New Bridges UMC Launch Celebration Worship

When: Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 PM

Where: 1411 Oak St. Alameda CA 94501

For more information about the event, view the flyer here.

Calling All Elves To Help Make Ornaments

Sunday, November 23

Please join us after Worship on Sunday, November 23rd to make Christmas ornaments. Everyone is invited to gather in the Stark Room for Fellowship and to craft simple ornaments for our Church Christmas tree.
No crafting experience is necessary, and we need many helping hands for this fun activity! Our children will decorate the tree on Sunday, November 30th, during Worship.

Oakland Churches Together (OCT) Gratitude Service and Simple Supper

Sunday, November 23 at 5 PM

Join together with people from the ecumenical group OCT (Oakland Churches Together) for a Gratitude Service and Simple Supper. This is a coming together by several local churches for a short service of prayer, Scripture, poetry, and music, followed by gratitudes, and a simple supper of soup, bread, and dessert.  Your Lake Merritt representatives to OCT (Dan S. & Marlene Y.) will be there. If you want to RSVP or have questions, please RSVP to Actionandjustice@stjohnsoakland.org or talk with Marlene Yamashita (925-286-9682, maryamca@att.net) or with Dan Strauss (510-504-4765, danjeffstrauss@gmail.com).  For more details, click HERE.
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.)

Taylor Memorial UMC Holiday Party

Saturday, December 6 from 2 PM – 6 PM

On Saturday Dec. 6 from 2p-6p Taylor Memorial U.M. Church will be hosting a Holiday Party. You’re invited to come and have a good time celebrating the holiday season. Tickets are $50 and children under 12 are free. A flyer with details is attached HERE.

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!

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.

Core Value: Christ

This Sunday, we continue our series on the core values of Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Our focus is on Christ — we strive to live and love like Jesus.

 

Siblings, why do you follow Jesus? What draws you to strive to live and love as he did when our world seems to be living in scarcity and fear as the federal employees are working without pay, furloughed workers are taking out bank loans to pay their bills, healthcare premiums are skyrocketing, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are at risk?

 

In a time when faith can feel fractured or co-opted by fear, we return to Jesus’ radical compassion and love and how he taps into God’s divinity in him. Come and join us as we seek together the way of Jesus—grounded in love, guided by grace, and open to transformation.

.

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 09, 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 Facebook, click 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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November 16, 2025

Core Value: Christ

Philippians 2:1-11

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November 23, 2025

Core Value: Christ

TBD

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