Love Without Limits


A church member asked me this past Sunday, “So which step are we in now?” I was glad to hear this question. We are in Step 9 of the Twelve Step Spirituality of Alcoholic Anonymous. Step 9 continues with making amends, and it cautions us that we must make amends in ways that “we do not injure others.” Join me as we continue this deep spiritual journey of finding joy and freedom in our addicted world  –Pastor Sunae

 

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

September 15, 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 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

 

12-Step Spirituality

 

 

September 22, 2024

Keep At It—Consciously, Intentionally, Stubbornly
John 21:7, 1 Corinthians 10:12

 

*

 

September 29, 2024

An Alternative Mind
Psalm 46:10, Matthew 26:39

 

*

 

October 6, 2024

Pass It On!
Luke 13:10-17, Mark 5:19

Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Sound Bath

6:45pm Friday, September 13

Sound Bath returns this Friday, September 13th with Maryzello Ungo. What better way to end your week than by slowing down and relaxing, surrounded by meditative vibrations and melodies? Be immersed in flowing sounds as you sit in a chair or lie on the floor with your own mat, blanket, and/or pillow.

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. Download our flyer and share our Eventbrite page to invite family and friends!


“Bad Faith” Screening

2:30pm Sunday, Sept 15

The ecumenical group, Oakland Churches Together (OCT) is screening the film, “Bad Faith”, a documentary about Christian Nationalism. The film will be shown on Sunday, Sept 15 at 2:30pm in the Lake Merritt UMC sanctuary. For more information about the OCT group, click here.


“Where Olive Trees Weep” Screening

12:30pm Sunday, Sept 29

Please join LMUMC’s Peace in Palestine – Friends of Wadi Foquin small group for a film screening and Q&A in our sanctuary on Sunday, September 29 starting around 12:30–after fellowship hour, which will feature Palestinian food that day.

Where Olive Trees Weep is a new documentary that chronicles life in the West Bank under Israeli occupation and paints a vivid picture of what life is like for our siblings living there. We have also invited Rev. Emily Lin from Friends of Wadi Foquin to give updates on the current situation in the village of Wadi Foquin and how we can help.


Sierra Leone School Project Jollof Rice Dinner

6:30-8:30pm Saturday, Oct 5 in Stark Rm

The Koroma family and friends at Lake Merritt UMC invite you to come and enjoy typical Sierra Leonean cuisine and support fundraising efforts for the Sierra Leone School Project.

Only about half of the population of Sierra Leone (in Africa) can read and write. The vision of the Sierra Leone School Project is to start a primary school in the town of Lungi in Northwest Sierra Leone to help address the low illiteracy in the country. Funds raised will go towards paying teachers, buying school materials, building additional classrooms, and providing other necessary support for the school.

Please make donations to Lake Merritt UMC and write “Sierra Leone Project” in the memo line (if paying by check) or note section of our online giving platform.  May God richly bless your donation. Visit Sierra Leone School Project website for more information: safieko.com


Community Concert

11am-4pm Saturday, 9/14 & Sunday, 9/15

Enjoy community-building activities and vibrant performances by Kev Choice Ensemble (9/14, 4:00 p.m), Meche-Ita & Tierra Suelta in Drag (9/15, noon), & Marimba Cultural Maya Todosantera (9/15, 4pm) celebrating the multicultural spirit of our city in honor of Latino Heritage Month and the return to school for all our youth.

When: Sat and Sun, Sept 14 and 15, 2024
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Fruitvale BART Plaza, Oakland
(Avenida de la Fuente, between 12th and International)
Sponsored by Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, Bay Area Creative Corps, Fundación Caminante, Fruitvale Peace Initiative


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.

Love Without Limits


Join us this Sunday for our Pride Celebration! God is creating a new way of being church and being in relationship with all creation, and that is best exemplified by how we love and how we are loved.   –From Rev. Izzy Alvaran (Reconciling Ministries Network)

 

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

September 8, 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 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

 

12-Step Spirituality

 

 

September 15, 2024

Making Amends or Restitution
Luke 19:1-10

 

*

 

September 22, 2024

Keep At It—Consciously, Intentionally, Stubbornly
John 21:7, 1 Corinthians 10:12

 

*

 

September 29, 2024

An Alternative Mind
Psalm 46:10, Matthew 26:39

 

*

 

October 6, 2024

Pass It On!
Luke 13:10-17, Mark 5:19

Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Pride Festival Weekend

Why does Lake Merritt UMC celebrate Pride Sunday in October when Pride month is in June? Because we celebrate on the occasion of Oakland’s very own Pride Festival!

Join us this Sunday for a very special worship service with guest preacher Rev. Izzy Alvaran from the Reconciling Ministries Network. Afterwards, we will have a brief fellowship hour, and we invite you to join other LMUMC members in heading over the festival downtown.


Pronoun Stickers for Pride Sunday

This Sunday, when you pick up your name badge, we invite you to place a sticker on your nametag with the pronouns you would like to be referred by (ex. she/her, he/him, they/them). This is a practice of inclusion for our LGBTQ+ siblings that lets others know how each person desires to be addressed.


Looking for Preschool and Godly Play Teachers

This summer we have had to say goodbye to our preschool teacher, Aaliyah, and one of our Godly Play Teachers, Sia Linda. We are in the process of hiring teachers to fill these positions. In the meantime, we are looking for volunteers for both the pre-school and elementary age groups. We especially need pre-school volunteers for the 3rd & 4th Sundays and Godly Play volunteers for Sept 8 & 15. If you are able to help with the pre-school, please contact Kate Wilson via email (kate1200@comcast.net). For the Godly Play group, contact Margaret LeWright via email (margaretlewright@gmail.com).


Sound Bath

6:45pm Friday, September 13th

Sound Bath returns next Friday, September 13th with Maryzello Ungo. What better way to end your week than by slowing down and relaxing, surrounded by meditative vibrations and melodies? Be immersed in flowing sounds as you sit in a chair or lie on the floor with your own mat, blanket, and/or pillow.

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. Download our flyer and share our Eventbrite page to invite family and friends!


“Bad Faith” Screening

2:30pm Sunday, Sept 15

The ecumenical group, Oakland Churches Together (OCT) is screening the film, “Bad Faith”, a documentary about Christian Nationalism. The film will be shown on Sunday, Sept 15 at 2:30pm in the Lake Merritt UMC sanctuary. For more information about the OCT group, click here.


“Where the Olive Trees Weep” Screening

12:30pm Sunday, Sept 29

Please join LMUMC’s Peace in Palestine – Friends of Wadi Foquin small group for a film screening and Q&A in our sanctuary on Sunday, September 29 starting around 12:30–after fellowship hour, which will feature Palestinian food that day.

Where Olive Trees Weep is a new documentary that chronicles life in the West Bank under Israeli occupation and paints a vivid picture of what life is like for our siblings living there. We have also invited Rev. Emily Lin from Friends of Wadi Foquin to give updates on the current situation in the village of Wadi Foquin and how we can help.


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.

Reflecting on Our Relationships


Alcoholics Anonymous Step 8 says, “Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.”

Step 8 asks us to make a list of those we have harmed. The challenge is a continuation of the journey we began in the Fourth Step. There we looked mainly at our character defects. We made a written inventory of our strengths and weaknesses, our assets and liabilities. Now we are being asked to turn the spotlight on our relationships. Step 8 says to us, reflect on your relationships and not make lists of who hurt you and me, but instead make lists of people you and I have hurt, failed, or mistreated. Then do something about it.

Siblings, this step might be one of the hardest steps.  With God’s help, we can. Join me.  –Pastor Sunae

 

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

September 1, 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 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

 

12-Step Spirituality

 

 

September 8, 2024 / Pride Sunday

Love Without Limits
Isaiah 43:19

 

*

 

September 15, 2024

Making Amends or Restitution
Matthew 5:23-24

 

*

 

September 22, 2024

Keep At It—Consciously, Intentionally, Stubbornly
John 21:7, 1 Corinthians 10:12

 

*

 

September 29, 2024

An Alternative Mind
Psalm 46:10, Matthew 26:39

 

*

 

October 6, 2024

Pass It On!
Luke 13:10-17, Mark 5:19