Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Advent Updates!
This is the season of God coming to us. How shall we prepare for Christ’s coming?
Third Sunday of Advent, December 15th, we will hear God’s promise of joy in our life. Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22nd, we will listen to God’s promise of love through the Christmas Program directed by Susannah Wood. She will help guide our children to reenact the beloved story of Jesus’ birth. We give God thanks for the gift and grace of Susannah Wood and our children for sharing their presence. They truly shine with God’s light and love. Come and let us adore our newborn King Jesus!
There are two opportunities to share your generosity during this Advent season: one is through your Christmas offering on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 12/22. Your Christmas Offering will go toward our Children and Youth Ministry. Secondly, by continuing to bring gifts that will give warmth and comfort to our unhoused community in need. Place those gifts in worship in the basket under the Christmas tree. Our Connectional Ministries will distribute them during the Christmas season as we serve the Lake Lunches.
Christmas Eve Service meets with our Joint Circuit Churches at Twin Towers UMC at 5:30PM on December 24, 2024.
Last Sunday of 2024, December 29th, we will gather around the sanctuary in a circle and share the stories of how God’s grace carried us this year. Join us.
Sound Bath On Hiatus After December 13th Gathering
Join us in the Sanctuary on Friday, December 13th for a special Sound Bath gathering featuring two special sound healers, Ege Sanli and Madhu Anziani.
Together they will take you on a relaxing journey with their meditative melodies and vibrations, created with various instruments.
Doors open at 6:30, with an introduction beginning at 6:50. Doors close promptly at 7:00.
Please bring your own mat/blanket. Admittance for the church community is donation based. Admittance for the church community is donation-based; $20 is suggested via cash, check, or Venmo. No RSVP needed. Share our
Eventbrite page to invite family and friends!
Our monthly Sound Bath will be on hiatus beginning in January 2025.
We may celebrate with various sound healers at different times during the year
and will let you know when these events are planned.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this beautiful ministry.
December Food Pantry and Lake Lunches
Please join us on Friday and/or Saturday Dec 20 and 21 to put on our monthly food distribution. We could use help on Friday for setting up from 10-11 am, an early riser on Saturday to help with set up the lines, welcoming & helping hands to work alongside our many community volunteers who come visit the church through this community service. Spread holiday cheer to our neighbors through Lake Lunches. We will continue without interruption during the holiday weeks and we’ll be sharing the goodies you’ve been donating. This is a good time to help out if you’ve been thinking about it. Help is needed with preparing food, wrapping gifts, and delivery food and goodies. Sign up here and invite your people to do the same!
Lastly, would you like to help us thank our dedicated food ministry volunteers? We have a special gift to prepare and need a couple of hands to prepare them. If that is you, please contact Kathleen or Rose Lynn (liftconcertoakland@gmail.com)
Church Office Holiday Closure
12/25, 12/26, 12/31, 1/1
Please note that the church office will be closed on December 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st. The church office will be open on December 30th and reopen for regular office hours on January 2nd. Our church administrator, Lulu, will also be on holiday from December 25th to January 1st.
Important E-blast Announcement Deadline:
The deadline to submit announcements for the December 26th and January 2nd E-blasts is Monday, December 23rd at 12pm. Please ensure your submissions are sent in by this time to be included in these editions.
Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!
Oakland Churches Together (OTC) Presents
Holiday Caroling at the Grand Lake Farmers Market
December 15th, 10:15am
Join us as we gather at the Grand Lake Theater at 10:15 a.m. before moving across the street to the Grand Lake Farmers Market. Wear festive lights, hats, sweaters to celebrate and highlight the Advent Season. Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church will provide songbooks and lead the singing. All are welcome!! Afterward, some of us will gather at Peet’s on Lakeshore Avenue for more socializing. For more information, contact Dan Strauss danjeffstrauss@gmail.com or Marlene Yamashita maryamca@att.net. Hope to see (and hear) you there!!
(Re)Kindling a Steadfast Hope
December 15th, 3-6pm
You, your friends, communities, and circles are warmly invited to an Interfaith4Ceasefire year-end gathering to hear from recently returned faith-rooted activists, reflect with them, strengthen our solidarity, and support Palestinian crafts people. Enjoy community building around some food and crafts, all supporting local Palestinian crafts people or relief efforts in Palestine. We’ll hear from Rev. Allison Tanner (Apartheid-Free Communities), Shelley Sella (Chavurah for a Free Palestine), and Noura Khouri (Al-Awda), each of whom spent time recently in Palestine. We seek to strengthen our solidarity by seeing, hearing, and understanding what the community there is doing and what they are asking of us. The event will be held at Barnett Hall, 3534 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland. Please RSVP here.
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.
Sundays, 3:30 – 6:30 pm, Lake Merritt UMC
Jan. 26, 2025 – Mezzes (Salads)
Feb. 23, 2025 – Maklouba (Vegetarian & Chicken)
Mar. 23, 2025 – Halwaa (Sweets)
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, including Green Valley Soccer Academy (serving 100+ kids); Emergency Fund (for those food insecure); Green Valley Grocery Store (accounting system); Tomor al Amal (used refrigerator for date storage).
Co-sponsored by the Lake Merritt UMC Peace in Palestine/Friends of Wadi Foquin Circle.
Thriving in Community 2025:
Art and Story Submission
As we step into 2025, the California-Nevada Annual Conference is continuing to embrace the bold and transformative vision adopted in 2023, focusing our attention this year on Thriving in Community. Rooted in the scriptural foundation of Jeremiah 29:7 and Acts 2:41-47, this part of our vision invites us to seek the welfare of our communities, nurture the spiritual growth of our churches, and witness the ripple effects of God’s love throughout the world. In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to get involved!
Snapshots of Thriving:
Throughout the year, we will highlight stories of congregations and ministries living out the focus in powerful ways. From innovative small group ministries to creative community outreach efforts, these snapshots will inspire and challenge us to think differently about what it means to thrive. If you have a Snapshot of Thriving to share, please submit it here! Conference Communications will turn these ideas and leads into fully fledged stories.
Art Call:
In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to submit art that will serve as our logo for the 2025 focus, as well as the 2025 Annual Conference Logo. Please read the guidelines below before submitting.
Submission Guidelines:
Please submit the art as a PNG or JPG. Art must be Conference header size,1,875×625 pixels. If your art is not within this size, Conference Communications reserves the right to resize and make edits to the art as needed. You are welcome to include the phrase, “Thriving in Community” within the art, as well as the California-Nevada Conference Logo, which can be downloaded here. While the art must be submitted in a digital format, you are welcome to paint, sketch or use any other mediums and then scan it for submission. We are so excited to see the creativity and hear the stories of Thriving in Community from across the California-Nevada Conference. To submit, click here. If you have any questions about either , please contact Conference Communications by emailing communications@calnevumc.org.
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.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Youth Group
Sunday, 12/8, 12-2pm
Join us for our next youth group gathering this coming Sunday, 12/8, from 12-2pm. Pizza will be served for lunch and we’ll have advent programming. St John’s Episcopal Church is hosting at 1707 Gouldin Rd, Oakland 94611. Lulu is available to give rides to St. John’s. Please let her know by Saturday night if your youth is attending. You can contact Lulu at office@lakemerrittumc.org
Sound Bath On Hiatus After December 13th Gathering
Join us in the Sanctuary on Friday, December 13th for a special Sound Bath gathering featuring two special sound healers, Ege Sanli and Madhu Anziani.
Together they will take you on a relaxing journey with their meditative melodies and vibrations, created with various instruments.
Doors open at 6:30, with an introduction beginning at 6:50. Doors close promptly at 7:00.
Please bring your own mat/blanket. Admittance for the church community is donation based. Admittance for the church community is donation-based; $20 is suggested via cash, check, or Venmo. No RSVP needed. Doors open at 6:30 pm; please arrive by 6:45. Program begins promptly at 7:00pm. Share our
Eventbrite page to invite family and friends!
Our monthly Sound Bath will be on hiatus beginning in January 2025.
We may celebrate with various sound healers at different times during the year
and will let you know when these events are planned.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this beautiful ministry.
Oakland Churches Together (OTC) Presents
Holiday Caroling at the Grand Lake Farmers Market
December 14th, 10:15am
Join us as we gather at the Grand Lake Theater at 10:15 a.m. before moving across the street to the Grand Lake Farmers Market. Wear festive lights, hats, sweaters to celebrate and highlight the Advent Season. Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church will provide songbooks and lead the singing. All are welcome!! Afterward, some of us will gather at Peet’s on Lakeshore Avenue for more socializing. For more information, contact Dan Strauss danjeffstrauss@gmail.com or Marlene Yamashita maryamca@att.net. Hope to see (and hear) you there!!
Food 4 Thought Taking Advent Break
The Food 4 Thought small group will not be meeting in December and will begin a new lecture series on the first Sunday of the New Year. More information to come! Please see Laurel Williams if you have any questions.
Thriving in Community 2025:
Art and Story Submission
As we step into 2025, the California-Nevada Annual Conference is continuing to embrace the bold and transformative vision adopted in 2023, focusing our attention this year on Thriving in Community. Rooted in the scriptural foundation of Jeremiah 29:7 and Acts 2:41-47, this part of our vision invites us to seek the welfare of our communities, nurture the spiritual growth of our churches, and witness the ripple effects of God’s love throughout the world. In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to get involved!
Snapshots of Thriving:
Throughout the year, we will highlight stories of congregations and ministries living out the focus in powerful ways. From innovative small group ministries to creative community outreach efforts, these snapshots will inspire and challenge us to think differently about what it means to thrive. If you have a Snapshot of Thriving to share, please submit it here! Conference Communications will turn these ideas and leads into fully fledged stories.
Art Call:
In preparation for this year long focus, we are inviting all in the California-Nevada Conference to submit art that will serve as our logo for the 2025 focus, as well as the 2025 Annual Conference Logo. Please read the guidelines below before submitting.
Submission Guidelines:
Please submit the art as a PNG or JPG. Art must be Conference header size,1,875×625 pixels. If your art is not within this size, Conference Communications reserves the right to resize and make edits to the art as needed. You are welcome to include the phrase, “Thriving in Community” within the art, as well as the California-Nevada Conference Logo, which can be downloaded here. While the art must be submitted in a digital format, you are welcome to paint, sketch or use any other mediums and then scan it for submission. We are so excited to see the creativity and hear the stories of Thriving in Community from across the California-Nevada Conference. To submit, click here. If you have any questions about either , please contact Conference Communications by emailing communications@calnevumc.org.
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concerts
December 7th & 8th at 4pm
This December, two of the Bay Area’s leading choirs will come together to create a sensational tour de force of seasonal choral music. Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble and WomenSing, directed by Ofer dal Lal, will present Synergy, a varied program that will include works for double-choir, choir with solo, and other choral combinations. Allow the music to envelop you as you hear these stellar singers create a unity of sound that will be more expressive and affecting than any single part. The concerts will be held on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8. Tickets may be obtained at www.vocisings.org
Saturday, Dec 7, 2024 – 4 PM
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda
Sunday, Dec 8, 2024 – 4 PM
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman St., Berkeley
OIGC 39th Annual Holiday Concert
December 7th, 7pm
Join the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir for an evening of soul-stirring music, holiday spirit, and interfaith harmony at its 39th Annual Holiday Concert, hosted by Amar Khalil, acclaimed singer/songwriter and former lead vocalist for Tony! Toni! Toné!. Taking place on Saturday, December 7 at 7 PM at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, this celebration of Healing Through Song features guest vocalists JaCoree Prothro, Reverend Reginald Finley, and Jackie Tolbert, with dynamic ASL interpretation by Half-N-Half (Sherry Hicks and Michael Velez). The Oakland Interfaith Community Choir and Youth Choir will join OIGC for a powerful performance to celebrate life and uphold freedom. More information can be found 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.
A Promise to Rejoice In
This third Sunday of Advent, the prophet Zephaniah reminds us of the profound joy that comes from God’s promises of restoration and presence among his people. Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:4-7, 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This is a timely reminder in this season of Advent. Rev. Jeff Kunkel 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
December 15th, 2024
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
*
December 15th, 2024
A Promise to Rejoice In
Zephaniah 3:14-20 + Philippians 4:4-7
*
December 22nd, 2024
A Promise of Love – Christmas Program
Scripture: Luke 1:39-55
*
December 24th, 2024
Joint Alameda and Oakland Circuit Christmas Eve Service
5:30 PM at Twin Towers UMC/Embrace Church
*
December 29th, 2024
Our Church Members Witness to God’s Grace this Year
Psalm 66:16-20 and Hebrews 11:1
A Promise to Put Our Hope In
In this season of Advent, we are encouraged to celebrate the promise God has kept, and also to keep faith in the promises God has yet to fulfill. Living in between kept and unkept promises takes great trust, and developing that trust is the major spiritual discipline of Advent.
Just like Jesus’ birth story, our life is filled with disorientation, danger, displacement, exclusion, betrayal, and fear. It’s easy to get impatient and even cynical while we wait for God to keep that promise. When we are tempted to give up on God’s promises, the psalmist of Psalm 25 reminds us to turn to God with our frustration and lament. Paul reminds us of the witness of the church: the community of saints who hold faith for each other with their love, their joy, and their commitment to each other. With God and with each other, we hold our hope in Christ’s return. 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
December 1st, 2024
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
Advent Worship Series:
Promises: Awaiting Christ in a Weary World
(worship series by Deep Well Worship resource)
Following the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent Year C, this four-week Advent sermon series encourages our congregation to celebrate the promises God has kept, and also to keep faith in the promises God has yet to fulfill. Living in between kept and unkept promises takes great trust, and developing that trust is the major spiritual discipline of Advent.
*
December 1st, 2024
A Promise to Put Our Hope In
Psalm 25:1-10 + 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
*
December 8th, 2024
A Promise of Peace
Malachi 3:1-4 + Luke 3:1-6
*
December 15th, 2024
A Promise to Rejoice In
Zephaniah 3:14-20 + Philippians 4:4-7
*
December 22nd, 2024
A Promise of Love – Christmas Program
Scripture: Luke 1:39-55
*
December 24th, 2024
Joint Alameda and Oakland Circuit Christmas Eve Service
5:30 PM at Twin Towers UMC/Embrace Church
*
December 29th, 2024
Our Church Members Witness to God’s Grace this Year
Psalm 66:16-20 and Hebrew 11:1
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Food 4 Thought Taking Advent Break
The Food 4 Thought small group will not be meeting in December and will begin a new lecture series on the first Sunday of the New Year. More information to come! Please see Laurel Williams if you have any questions.
Grace Over Greed: Post Election November Update
Faith in Action
Now that the US Congress has returned from recess, The General Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church has recommendations on actions people can take and urges your elected officials to prioritize grace over greed. More information can be found here.
Sonos Handbell Concert
This Sunday, December 1st, 2pm
Sonos Handbell Ensemble is excited to perform again for the Lake Merritt community. Directed by LMUMC Music Director, Jim Meredith. “This is our most ambitious program so far. It includes the famous Borodin Polovtsian Dances No. 17 (from which the song, “Take My Hand I’m a Stranger in Paradise” was derived.) It’s with percussion and is thrilling. hope all of you get to hear this free concert.” Sunday, December 1, 2:00 PM.
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concerts
December 7th & 8th at 4pm
This December, two of the Bay Area’s leading choirs will come together to create a sensational tour de force of seasonal choral music. Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble and WomenSing, directed by Ofer dal Lal, will present Synergy, a varied program that will include works for double-choir, choir with solo, and other choral combinations. Allow the music to envelop you as you hear these stellar singers create a unity of sound that will be more expressive and affecting than any single part. The concerts will be held on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8. Tickets may be obtained at www.vocisings.org
Saturday, Dec 7, 2024 – 4 PM
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda
Sunday, Dec 8, 2024 – 4 PM
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman St., Berkeley
OIGC 39th Annual Holiday Concert
December 7th, 7pm
Join the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir for an evening of soul-stirring music, holiday spirit, and interfaith harmony at its 39th Annual Holiday Concert, hosted by Amar Khalil, acclaimed singer/songwriter and former lead vocalist for Tony! Toni! Toné!. Taking place on Saturday, December 7 at 7 PM at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, this celebration of Healing Through Song features guest vocalists JaCoree Prothro, Reverend Reginald Finley, and Jackie Tolbert, with dynamic ASL interpretation by Half-N-Half (Sherry Hicks and Michael Velez). The Oakland Interfaith Community Choir and Youth Choir will join OIGC for a powerful performance to celebrate life and uphold freedom. More information can be found 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.
