Resistance to Multi-Tasking
This Sunday, we reflect on Sabbath as resistance to multitasking. Drawing from Walter Brueggemann’s critique of ancient Israel’s distorted Sabbath practices, we examine how multitasking—a drive to do more, control more, and extend power—can compromise effectiveness and productivity.
The Sabbath command is an urgent summons to break the pattern of the divided heart… before it is too late. No wonder Jesus says, “Do not be anxious” Join us in exploring the importance of honoring and keeping the Sabbath practices.
Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.
Join us in person in our sanctuary or watch online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.
Bulletin Link
February 2nd, 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
Sabbath as Resistance
February 2, 2025
Resistance to Multi-Tasking
Amos 8:4-8
February 9, 2025
Sabbath as Rhythm
Genesis 2:2-3, Ecclesiastes 3:1
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Celebrating February Birthdays
February 2nd
On Sunday, February 2nd, we will be honoring everyone who will be celebrating their birthdays in February.
There will be birthday cake for all to share during Fellowship time immediately following Worship.
Food 4 Thought Begins New Study Series
February 2nd
The Food 4 Thought small group will gather on Sunday, February 2nd for a potluck supper and to begin a new 10-month study series titled “Living the Questions”. These sessions feature over 30 scholars, theologians, and other experts exploring and reflecting on various aspects of Christianity. It also includes spiritual practices, opportunities for social justice engagement, and original jazz interpretations of classic hymns. Everyone is welcome to attend, please see
here for details.
Children’s Choir
Starting February 2nd
Lake Merritt UMC’s Children’s Choir launches next month in February 2025! Let’s try to bring our kids every first Sunday of the month (Communion Sundays) to this exciting new monthly program, led by parent volunteers. The 20-minute choir class will take place following the Children’s Moment in worship, just prior to Godly Play/childcare. We are excited to teach and sing together the songs of our faith, and we welcome children and youth of all ages! For questions, please contact Dr. Anne Hege at annehegemusic@gmail.com or Rev. Stephanie Gameros at singingchaplain@gmail.com.
Youth Gathering
February 9th
The next youth group gathering will be on February 9th from 12pm to 2pm at LMUMC. Join us for faith, food, and fellowship! To RSVP, please reach out to Lulu at office@lakemerrittumc.org.
CalNev Supporting Our Immigrant Family and Neighbors: A Zoom Discussion
February 4th
Join Bishop Sandy and clergy and laity from across the Annual Conference to work together toward a faithful response to the current realities of our migrant siblings. Discussion forum will be held on Zoom on Feb. 4, 2025 at 6pm. Please register HERE.
Know Your Rights Cards
Rev. J. Martin Lee, California-Nevada Conference, Executive Director of Connectional Ministries, has shared the updated “Know Your Rights” cards with the conference. You can find the English version here. For questions or more information please contact: Rev. J. Martin Lee at Martinl@calnevumc.org.
Ways to Support Those Impacted by the Los Angeles Fires
Let us pray for our siblings impacted by the devasting fires in Los Angeles. We also pray for the firefighters, first responders, and community leaders. Here are a few ways to support financially:
1. Donate directly to the church. The funds will be used to help people who lost their homes cover immediate expenses and for the church’s eventual reconstruction. Donate
here.
2. Donate to the Los Angeles Fire Recovery Fund through the UMC California Pac Conference. These funds will benefit all the Los Angeles communities suffering in the fires. Donate
here.
3. Donate to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for its disaster relief for all the California fires. Donate
here.
4. Send donations of e-gift cards (amazon, target, grubhub. etc.) to palisadesmethodist@gmail.com. These will be given to community members who lost their homes and belongings.
5. Donate to the recovery efforts for Altadena UMC
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 Wednesday by noon.
Resistance to Coercion
Brueggemann writes “Sabbath is not simply a pause. It is an occasion for reimagining all social life away from coercion and competition to compassionate solidarity. Such solidarity is imaginable and capable of performance only when the drivenness of acquisitiveness is broken. Sabbath is not simply the pause that refreshes. It is the pause that transforms.” (Sabbath as resistance, Saying No to the Culture of Now, p. 45). This Sunday, we are invited to reflect on “Sabbath as Resistance to Coercion”. Guest preacher, Chris Logan, is preaching this Sunday. Join us.
Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.
Join us in person in our sanctuary or watch online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.
Bulletin Link
January 26th, 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
Sabbath as Resistance
January 26, 2025
Resistance to Coercion
Deuteronomy 5:12-14
February 2, 2025
Resistance to Multi-Tasking
Amos 8:4-8
February 9, 2025
Sabbath as Rhythm
Genesis 2:2-3, Ecclesiastes 3:1
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Pastor Sunae and Lulu on Vacation
Pastor Sunae is on vacation on January 23rd and 26th. We are grateful to our guest preacher, Chris Logan, for preaching this Sunday. Lulu will be working remotely on January 29th. She will be on vacation on January 30th and February 2nd.
E-Blast Announcement Deadline
The deadline to submit announcements for January 30th E-blasts is Tuesday, January 28th at 12pm. Please ensure your submissions are sent in by this time to be included in this edition.
Youth Gatherings This Sunday!
January 26th
This Sunday, January 26th, we’ll have a pizza and mini-golf outing with the joint youth group from 12 PM to 2:30 PM. We’ll also kick off our Youth Sunday School program with a Bible & Boba series. To RSVP, please reach out to Lulu at office@lakemerrittumc.org.
Food 4 Thought Begins New Study Series
February 2nd
The Food 4 Thought small group will gather on Sunday, February 2nd for a potluck supper and to begin a new 10-month study series titled “Living the Questions”. These sessions feature over 30 scholars, theologians, and other experts exploring and reflecting on various aspects of Christianity. It also includes spiritual practices, opportunities for social justice engagement, and original jazz interpretations of classic hymns. Everyone is welcome to attend, please see here for details.
Children’s Choir
Starting February 2nd
Lake Merritt UMC’s Children’s Choir launches next month in February 2025! Let’s try to bring our kids every first Sunday of the month (Communion Sundays) to this exciting new monthly program, led by parent volunteers. The 20-minute choir class will take place following the Children’s Moment in worship, just prior to Godly Play/childcare. We are excited to teach and sing together the songs of our faith, and we welcome children and youth of all ages! For questions, please contact Dr. Anne Hege at annehegemusic@gmail.com or Rev. Stephanie Gameros at singingchaplain@gmail.com.
Ways to Support Those Impacted by the Los Angeles Fires
Let us pray for our siblings impacted by the devasting fires in Los Angeles. We also pray for the firefighters, first responders, and community leaders. Here are a few ways to support financially:
1. Donate directly to the church. The funds will be used to help people who lost their homes cover immediate expenses and for the church’s eventual reconstruction. Donate here.
2. Donate to the Los Angeles Fire Recovery Fund through the UMC California Pac Conference. These funds will benefit all the Los Angeles communities suffering in the fires. Donate here.
3. Donate to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for its disaster relief for all the California fires. Donate here.
4. Send donations of e-gift cards (amazon, target, grubhub. etc.) to palisadesmethodist@gmail.com. These will be given to community members who lost their homes and belongings.
Cooking Up Solidarity:
Cooking Class Series and Fundraiser
Please join
Friends of Wadi Foquin and Adam Manasra to cook, eat, and talk about food, culture, solidarity, and the taste of home.
Cost: $115/workshop or $300 for the whole series.
Click here to register. All funds beyond the cost of materials will be considered tax deductible and benefit current FoWF programs. If cost is a barrier, please talk to one of our organizers about a scholarship. Email Deacon Ken Schoon (kenneth [dot] schoon [@] cnumc [dot] org) or any member of our Peace in Palestine/Friends of Wadi Foquin small group.
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.
Resistance to Anxiety
In Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now, Walter Brueggemann presents a thought-provoking exploration of the Sabbath as a profound act of defiance against the anxiety-driven demands of contemporary culture.
Drawing on the Exodus and the Ten Commandments, Brueggemann argues that observing the Sabbath offers a countercultural stance against the relentless pressures of consumerism, productivity, and ceaseless striving. He invites readers to embrace Sabbath as a spiritual and practical discipline that fosters rest, renewal, and trust in God’s provision. By resisting the idolization of work and the anxiety of scarcity, the Sabbath becomes a revolutionary practice of freedom, abundance, and liberation. Come and join us. Rev. Mary Elyn Bahlert is preaching.
Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.
Join us in person in our sanctuary or watch online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.
Bulletin Link
January 19th, 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
Sabbath as Resistance
*
January 19, 2025
Resistance to Anxiety
Exodus 20:12-17
*
January 26, 2025
Resistance to Coercion
Deuteronomy 5:12-14
*
February 2, 2025
Resistance to Multi-Tasking
Amos 8:4-8
*
February 9, 2025
Sabbath as Rhythm
Genesis 2:2-3, Ecclesiastes 3:1
*
