Core Value: Cause

This Sunday, we’re continuing our series on the core values of Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Our focus is on Cause — how we strive to make a difference for the most vulnerable among us.

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In Luke 4:16–21, Jesus declares his mission to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed — a mission that still calls us today.  We are delighted to welcome Jeanette Hanowsky as our speaker.  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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October 19, 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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October 26, 2025

Core Value: Cause

Mathew 25:34-40

Job 34:23-28

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November 02, 2025

All Saints Sunday

Hebrews 12:1-2

Colossians 3:15-17

Birth Announcement

With hearts full of joy, we welcome Eliza Rivantez,
born on October 15, 2025, to proud parents Horacio Cervantez and Alec Rivers.

We ask for God’s abundant blessings be with their family. Congratulations.

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 Name Badges   

All name badges will be available on October 19th. We apologize for any inconvenience. We are working diligently to ensure that the badges are as consistent and accurate as possible.

Thank you for your patience.

Meal Train Support for Judi and Wayne

We keep the Fabrizio family in our hearts and prayers as Judi courageously battles cancer.  Judi has been steadfast and faithful for many of us during the different seasons of our lives that have brought comfort, joy, love and care.

Would you support Judi and Wayne 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 to our dear sister Judi and Wayne.  If you wish to support them through their meal train, please sign up here.

Honoring Our Ancestors Celebration

Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 19th

Visit the 6th annual Honoring Our Ancestors Celebration on 9th street in Old Oakland this weekend: Friday, October 17 (5-9 pm) and Saturday 18 (12-4 pm). Old Oakland is an area that holds a lot of history, where BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities have always traversed. In keeping that legacy alive, E14 Galleries hosts a celebration to build community, foster unity, and respect by sharing cultural practices for honoring ancestors through art, music, and activities. Come see ancestral altars and more by participating student and community groups and local organizations.

Friday, October 17
5:30 – 8:00 PM Opening Process, blessing & Danza Azteca
8:00 PM Community Dinner
Saturday, October 18
12:00 PM Calling All of the Ancestors
12:30 PM Hands-on Activities Start
2:00 – 4:00 PM Cultural Dancers

Get more info at https://www.instagram.com/e14gallery/ or contact Rose Lynn @ 626.695.0687

UM Fresh Expressions Training with Rev. Dr. Michael Beck

Friday, October 17th to Sunday, October 19th

The California-Nevada Annual Conference is excited to offer a dynamic learning opportunity: UM Fresh Expressions Training with Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, October 17 to 19, 2025! These events are designed for both clergy and laity, with sessions in five locations across our conference—some offering live-stream or recordings for those who can’t attend in person.

Why Attend?
Learn practical tools to bring fresh, transformative ministry to your local church. Be inspired by Rev. Dr. Beck’s story of transformation and his experience in leading thriving communities of faith.

 

Please register for your preferred session here: https://calnev-reg.brtapp.com/FreshExpressions2025

Pastor Sunae to attend the 2025 National Exponential Conference in Castro Valley

October 28th to 30th

Pastor Sunae will be away from the office from Oct 28-Oct 30. Please email her for any concerns or questions and she will get back to you within 48 hours.  If it’s an urgent matter, please contact the church office.

Joint Charge Conference

Sunday, November 2nd, from 2 pm to 3 pm

You are invited to our Joint Charge Conference on Sunday, November 2, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. at New Bridges United Methodist Church (formerly Twin Towers UMC). This annual gathering brings together our church communities to celebrate ministry accomplishments, approve leadership for the coming year, and look ahead with prayerful vision and purpose.

 

District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will preside over the first part of the meeting, after which each congregation will gather separately for its individual session. All members are encouraged to attend as we give thanks for God’s work among us and seek the Spirit’s guidance for the year ahead

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concerts

“Contemplating Comfort & Joy”

November 7th and 8th, at 4 pm

Fall is a time of introspection and change; a time to give thanks and look forward to the rejuvenation of Spring.  In a world often filled with noise, Voci’s concerts offer space to breathe, and a chance to contemplate spiritual comfort and the quiet strength of hope, love and joy. Join Voci at 4:00 on November 7th in Oakland and on November 8th in Orinda. Tickets may be purchased at VociSings.org

Yoga

Thursdays

 After a six-week hiatus, yoga returns to the sanctuary on Thursdays. Have you ever yearned for a slow pace and contemplative, easeful peace? If so, then this class is for you. Join us for an hour each Thursday at noon in the calm peace of the worship center and unwind.

 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.

Children’s Sabbath

This Sunday, we join faith communities across the nation in observing Children’s Sabbath, a time when people of all faiths come together to pray, learn and act on behalf of children. At Lake Merritt UMC, our children and youth will lead us in worship as we celebrate their gifts and voices. Children’s Sabbath will be a sacred opportunity to reflect on God’s gift of children and to renew our commitment to protect and advocate for all children, especially those at the margins where justice is most needed.

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During worship, we’ll hear from members of our community who will help us see the global and local faces of children in need:

 

· Dr. Taharka will share about children’s health challenges here in the Bay Area.

· Satu will lift up the educational and social needs of children in Sierra Leone.

· Deacon Stephanie will speak about the desperate conditions faced by children in Gaza.

 

Together, we will open our hearts to the stories, prayers, and calls to action that remind us: every child is God’s beloved, and every one of us is called to help create a world where all children can thrive.

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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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October 12, 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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October 19, 2025

Core Value: Cause

Luke 4:16-21

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October 26, 2025

Core Value: Cause

Mathew 25:34-40

Job 34:23-28

  Nominations and Lay Leadership Development Team Meeting

Sunday, October 12th at 12 pm

The Nomination committee is meeting in person in the conference room. Bring your lunch, and we will meet over lunch.

UM Fresh Expressions Training with Rev. Dr. Michael Beck

Friday, October 17th to Sunday, October 19th

The California-Nevada Annual Conference is excited to offer a dynamic learning opportunity: UM Fresh Expressions Training with Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, October 17 to 19, 2025! These events are designed for both clergy and laity, with sessions in five locations across our conference—some offering live-stream or recordings for those who can’t attend in person.

Why Attend?
Learn practical tools to bring fresh, transformative ministry to your local church. Be inspired by Rev. Dr. Beck’s story of transformation and his experience in leading thriving communities of faith.

 

Please register for your preferred session here: https://calnev-reg.brtapp.com/FreshExpressions2025

Joint Charge Conference

Sunday, November 2, from 2 pm to 3 pm

You are invited to our Joint Charge Conference on Sunday, November 2, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. at New Bridges United Methodist Church (formerly Twin Towers UMC). This annual gathering brings together our church communities to celebrate ministry accomplishments, approve leadership for the coming year, and look ahead with prayerful vision and purpose.

 

District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will preside over the first part of the meeting, after which each congregation will gather separately for its individual session. All members are encouraged to attend as we give thanks for God’s work among us and seek the Spirit’s guidance for the year ahead

Yoga

Thursdays

 After a six-week hiatus, yoga returns to the sanctuary on Thursdays. Have you ever yearned for a slow pace and contemplative, easeful peace? If so, then this class is for you. Join us for an hour each Thursday at noon in the calm peace of the worship center and unwind.

New Name Badges   

All name badges will be available on October 19th. We apologize for any inconvenience. We are working diligently to ensure that the badges are as consistent and accurate as possible.

Thank you for your patience.

 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: Community

This Sunday we continue our conversation on the core value of Community—authentic connection and unconditional belonging. Our scripture comes from 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, reminding us that we are one body with many members, each gifted and essential in Christ’s work. We are delighted to welcome Marlene Yamashita, Co-chair of Church Council, as our speaker, who will help us reflect on what it means to belong to one another in God’s love. Join us for a time of worship, reflection, and fellowship as we celebrate the beauty of being Christ’s body together..

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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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 October 5, 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.

Celebration of Life for Aiah Philip Koroma 
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Sunday, October 5th

 You are warmly invited to join us in honoring the life and legacy of Aiah Philip Koroma on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 12:30 pm. A reception will follow the service. All are welcome.

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.

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Aiah P. Koroma Memorial Service Bulletin

 

Upcoming Sundays

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October 12, 2025

Children’s Sabbath
Laity Sunday

Mark 10:13-16

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October 19, 2025

Core Value: Cause

Luke 4:16-21