Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Create Your Own Celebration of Life

This Sunday, May 5th at noon

  After hearing Deacon Stephanie’s call and her ministry as a chaplain serving at San Leandro Kaiser, we are invited to reflect on the celebration of your life after your passing. We are invited to write our own Funeral or Memorial service from 12 noon to 1:30pm after a brief fellowship time in the Stark Fellowship hall.  The Funeral Planning form is found here.  Please spend some time reflecting on the questions.  You do not need to complete all the sections. If you would like to bring your Bible, that would be great.  We will provide Bibles and hymnals for this session.


No Food 4 Thought in May

Due to a scheduling conflict, there will be no Food 4 Thought gathering in May. We will reconvene the first Sunday of June.


9th Annual LIFT Concert

3-5pm May 11th

Are you wondering how you can help out with the upcoming LIFT Concert? Let’s fill the sanctuary for the musicians and the community we serve! Reserve your ticket today. Spread the word! Invite your friends and families. It’s less than a month away!

Email liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or talk to your Connectional Ministries team for more info: Tom, Galia, Kathleen, and Rose Lynn

Lake Park & Lake Merritt UMC Merger Celebration

Pentecost Sunday May 19th

Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger.  Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us.  Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!

The Pentecost Merger Celebration Worship service is on May 19th at 10:15 followed by a BBQ lunch gathering.  The main BBQ will be provided by the church. We invite our church family to bring the sides, salads, and desserts for our fellowship lunch. Judi Fabrizio is helping organize the sign-ups for the potluck dishes.  Please see Judi to sign up and also if you have any questions.


Buena Vista UMC Bazaar

noon-5pm Sunday, May 5th

Join BVUMC’s annual bazaar and fundraiser featuring taiko drumming, music, food, and a panel discussion. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges – Bringing Hope,” will bring together panelists from two organizations: Tsuru for Solidarity (a nonviolent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates) and T’ruah (a collective of progressive rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish cantors) — two organizations committed to the critical and grace-filled work of healing in our world, for greater human dignity for all.

Share the event flyer and view the schedule here. A limited number of meals will be available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. Order your meal in advance and purchase raffle tickets here: buenavistaumc.org/bazaar2024


Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert

4pm Sunday, May 5th

The Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its concert “Luminosity” on Sunday, May 5, at 4:00 pm, at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Note: Our sanctuary will be set up facing the lake for worship on May 5th in preparation for the concert.

The program features the radiant young flutist and composer Cadence Liu performing her new Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, bookended by Vaughan Williams’ beloved Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and the brilliant Divertimento from Le Baiser de la fée (The Fairy’s Kiss) by Igor Stravinsky. Also on the program is the seldom heard and charming Music for Symphony Orchestra by Yasushi Akutagawa. Read more and purchase tickets here.


Voci Concert

4pm Sunday, May 5th

Voci is proud to present a concert of madrigals and related musical forms from the Renaissance, early Baroque, and 20th century. Small ensembles, soloists, and the full choir will perform a rich variety of settings of beautiful and thought-provoking poetry in English, French, Italian and even Macedonian. We’ll sing about love and lovers, loss, internal struggle, and celebration. Please join Voci and Guest Director, Susan Swerdlow, for this End of Season Concert and celebratory gathering of refreshments and community.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Dr., Orinda
Purchase tickets here

A Face and a Name

As we reflect upon the mysterious biblical saga of Jacob/Israel, let’s think about how God encounters us and changes our understanding of ourselves. Genesis 32:22-32 forms the basis of my preparation. –Pastor Dale

Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.

Bulletin Link

You may give your Tithes & Offerings by mail or click here.

 

ZOOM Link

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415

Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415

Passcode: 326043

Dial the number below then, when asked, dial the meeting ID & Password provided.

1(669) 900-6833

To join Sunday Worship via Facebook, log onto your Facebook account and search for the ‘Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’ page or click here.

To watch the live stream of our service on YouTube, click here.


2024 Easter Sermon Series

Resurrection Stories

The Easter Season is a time of celebrating all the ways in which resurrection is possible in our lives. We can be in need of rising out of the depth of imprisonment, addiction, poverty, illness, and oppression – not just physically and literally, but also spiritually. What keeps us locked up inside? What binds us, keeping us from the fullness of who God created us to be? Join us for stories of courage, kindness, strength, and overcoming – Resurrection Stories – about those who have found “resurrection” in their lives. It might just inspire you to unlock your own rising up!

 

May 5, 2024

Threshold Moments – Is There Healing at the End of Life?

Lamentations 3:19-33

 

*

May/June Special Sundays

May 12, 2024

Cultivating Contentment
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Hebrews 13:5-6
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

May 19, 2024

Pentecost Sunday – A Merger Celebration of Lake Park UMC & Lake Merritt UMC
Special Guest Speaker: Minerva Carcaño
Bay District Superintendent:  Rev. Sun Hee Kim

 

*

 

May 26, 2024

Confirmation Sunday
Guest Speaker: Hope Hilton, Joint Youth Group Director of Buena Vista UMC & Lake Merritt UMC.

Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!


9th Annual LIFT Concert

3-5pm May 11th

Are you wondering how you can help out with the upcoming LIFT Concert? Let’s fill the sanctuary for the musicians and the community we serve! Reserve your ticket today. Spread the word! Invite your friends and families. It’s less than a month away!

Email liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or talk to your Connectional Ministries team for more info: Tom, Galia, Kathleen, and Rose Lynn

Lake Park & Lake Merritt UMC Merger Celebration

Pentecost Sunday May 19th

Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger.  Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us.  Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!

The Pentecost Merger Celebration Worship service is on May 19th at 10:15 followed by a BBQ lunch gathering.  The main BBQ will be provided by the church. We invite our church family to bring the sides, salads, and desserts for our fellowship lunch. Judi Fabrizio is helping organize the sign-ups for the potluck dishes.  Please see Judi to sign up and also if you have any questions.


UMC General Conference

April 23-May 3

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is convening April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. UM News reporter Heather Hahn has created a video summarizing recent events in the denomination leading up to this conference, including the matters of LGBTQ inclusion, the COVID pandemic, and church departures. If you would like to find information, news, and resources, click on the following link with Resource UMC.


Create Your Own Celebration of Life

noon Sunday, May 5th

Deacon Rev. Stephanie is a singing chaplain serving at San Leandro Kaiser.  She will be preaching on May 5th Sunday and share her call as a Deacon serving in the world at a hospital.  The title of her sermon is “Threshold Moments: Healing at the End of Life?”  After the worship service, you are invited to reflect on the celebration of your life after death on earth.  Yes, you heard me right.  You are invited to write your own Funeral or Memorial service from 12 noon to 1:30pm after a brief fellowship time in the Stark Fellowship hall.   Please join us.

String Quartet Concert

3pm Saturday, April 27th

You are warmly invited to the first-ever concert by the Musical Chairs Quartet, an Oakland-based string quartet composed of musicians in the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony: George Han, Mark Hodgson, Laurence Lewis, and Ken Schoon. We’re excited to perform a wide-ranging program of string quartets not commonly heard, including works by two African American composers, Florence Price and William Grant Still, and a rarely played string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn.

Saturday, April 27, 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert. Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)


Buena Vista UMC Bazaar

noon-5pm Sunday, May 5th

Join BVUMC’s annual bazaar and fundraiser featuring taiko drumming, music, food, and a panel discussion. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges – Bringing Hope,” will bring together panelists from two organizations: Tsuru for Solidarity (a nonviolent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates) and T’ruah (a collective of progressive rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish cantors) — two organizations committed to the critical and grace-filled work of healing in our world, for greater human dignity for all.

Share the event flyer and view the schedule here. A limited number of meals will be available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. Order your meal in advance and purchase raffle tickets here: buenavistaumc.org/bazaar2024


Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert

4pm Sunday, May 5th

The Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its concert “Luminosity” on Sunday, May 5, at 4:00 pm, at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Note: Our sanctuary will be set up facing the lake for worship on May 5th in preparation for the concert.

The program features the radiant young flutist and composer Cadence Liu performing her new Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, bookended by Vaughan Williams’ beloved Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and the brilliant Divertimento from Le Baiser de la fée (The Fairy’s Kiss) by Igor Stravinsky. Also on the program is the seldom heard and charming Music for Symphony Orchestra by Yasushi Akutagawa. Read more and purchase tickets here.


Voci Concert

4pm Sunday, May 5th

Voci is proud to present a concert of madrigals and related musical forms from the Renaissance, early Baroque, and 20th century. Small ensembles, soloists, and the full choir will perform a rich variety of settings of beautiful and thought-provoking poetry in English, French, Italian and even Macedonian. We’ll sing about love and lovers, loss, internal struggle, and celebration. Please join Voci and Guest Director, Susan Swerdlow, for this End of Season Concert and celebratory gathering of refreshments and community.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Dr., Orinda
Purchase tickets here

Resurrection Story: Found

Did Jesus invent the “Dinner church”?  Jesus himself used the meal table and meal time throughout his ministry.  If we were to watch a day in the life of Jesus, we would mostly see him healing, teaching and eating.  Jesus performed much of his salvific work from a dinner table at homes.
That was the case when Jesus showed up in the midst of the disciples who were huddled together behind the locked doors after Jesus’ death, afraid that the authorities would come after them.  Jesus comes and doesn’t scold them or reprove them or shame them … he simply says, “Peace be with you” and asks, “Have you anything here to eat?”  And he ate with them.
Meals are one of the best ways to be with people and create a sense of belonging, a home.  There is something about sitting down together and eating.  I wonder what it would be like to resurrect our families, neighborhoods, and communities through more regular and intentional meal practices together and be home together?  I wonder how our church can embody God’s presence and create the sense of belonging and be home?  Join us.

Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.

Bulletin Link

You may give your Tithes & Offerings by mail or click here.

 

ZOOM Link

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415

Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415

Passcode: 326043

Dial the number below then, when asked, dial the meeting ID & Password provided.

1(669) 900-6833

To join Sunday Worship via Facebook, log onto your Facebook account and search for the ‘Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’ page or click here.

To watch the live stream of our service on YouTube, click here.


2024 Easter Sermon Series

Resurrection Stories

The Easter Season is a time of celebrating all the ways in which resurrection is possible in our lives. We can be in need of rising out of the depth of imprisonment, addiction, poverty, illness, and oppression – not just physically and literally, but also spiritually. What keeps us locked up inside? What binds us, keeping us from the fullness of who God created us to be? Join us for stories of courage, kindness, strength, and overcoming – Resurrection Stories – about those who have found “resurrection” in their lives. It might just inspire you to unlock your own rising up!

 

April 28, 2024

A Face and a Name
Genesis 32:22-32

 

*

 

May 5, 2024

Threshold Moments – Is There Healing at the End of Life?

Lamentations 3:19-33

 

*

May/June Special Sundays

May 12, 2024

Cultivating Contentment
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Hebrews 13:5-6
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

May 19, 2024

Pentecost Sunday – A Merger Celebration of Lake Park UMC & Lake Merritt UMC
Special Guest Speaker: Minerva Carcaño
Bay District Superintendent:  Rev. Sun Hee Kim

 

*

 

May 26, 2024

Confirmation Sunday
Guest Speaker: Hope Hilton, Joint Youth Group Director of Buena Vista UMC & Lake Merritt UMC.

 

*

 

June 2, 2024

Defined by Generosity
Proverbs 11:24-25, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

June 9, 2024

The Reign/Rain of God
Romans 8:38-39
Guest speaker: Rev. Mike Friedrich, Deacon

 

*

 

June 16, 2024

Annual Conference Report
“Following Jesus,” Matthew 16:13-17
Sue Dickey, Lay Delegate to the ACS
Laurel Williams, Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to the ACS
Rev. Sunae Cho, Pastor

 

Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Special Charge Conference

12:45pm Sunday, April 21

The Church Council is scheduled to meet for a Special Charge Conference to adjust Pastor Sunae’s adjusted compensation regarding housing on April 21 at 12:45 pm.  Rev. Meina Ko from Oakland Chinese Community UMC will be presiding.


9th Annual LIFT Concert

3-5pm May 11th

Are you wondering how you can help out with the upcoming LIFT Concert? Let’s fill the sanctuary for the musicians and the community we serve! Reserve your ticket today. Spread the word! Invite your friends and families. It’s less than a month away!

Email liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or talk to your Connectional Ministries team for more info: Tom, Galia, Kathleen, and Rose Lynn

Lake Park & Lake Merritt UMC Merger Celebration

Pentecost Sunday May 19th

Join us as we celebrate this historic merger of our two significant churches and consecrate our ministry and mission before God with the blessing of our annual conference, churches, friends and families near and far. You will hear the stories of our two churches as we become one. Our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger.  Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will join and lead us.  Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Share this invitation with your family and friends!

The Pentecost Merger Celebration Worship service is on May 19th at 10:15 followed by a BBQ lunch gathering.  The main BBQ will be provided by the church. We invite our church family to bring the sides, salads, and desserts for our fellowship lunch. Judi Fabrizio is helping organize the sign-ups for the potluck dishes.  Please see Judi to sign up and also if you have any questions.


UMC General Conference

April 23-May 3

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is convening April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. UM News reporter Heather Hahn has created a video summarizing recent events in the denomination leading up to this conference, including the matters of LGBTQ inclusion, the COVID pandemic, and church departures. If you would like to find information, news, and resources, click on the following link with Resource UMC.



Clergy Retreat

Pastor Sunae and Deacon Stephanie are attending the Called to Wholeness retreat by the Board of Ordained Ministry.  It is an invitation for a time of renewal and growth for clergies.  They will be at the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos from April 23 – 25.  Would you keep them in your prayers?  


Create Your Own Celebration of Life

noon Sunday, May 5th

Deacon Rev. Stephanie is a singing chaplain serving at San Leandro Kaiser.  She will be preaching on May 5th Sunday and share her call as a Deacon serving in the world at a hospital.  The title of her sermon is “Threshold Moments: Healing at the End of Life?”  After the worship service, you are invited to reflect on the celebration of your life after death on earth.  Yes, you heard me right.  You are invited to write your own Funeral or Memorial service from 12 noon to 1:30pm after a brief fellowship time in the Stark Fellowship hall.   Please join us.

String Quartet Concert

3pm Saturday, April 27th

You are warmly invited to the first-ever concert by the Musical Chairs Quartet, an Oakland-based string quartet composed of musicians in the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony: George Han, Mark Hodgson, Laurence Lewis, and Ken Schoon. We’re excited to perform a wide-ranging program of string quartets not commonly heard, including works by two African American composers, Florence Price and William Grant Still, and a rarely played string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn.

Saturday, April 27, 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert. Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)


Buena Vista UMC Bazaar

noon-5pm Sunday, May 5th

Join BVUMC’s annual bazaar and fundraiser featuring taiko drumming, music, food, and a panel discussion. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges – Bringing Hope,” will bring together panelists from two organizations: Tsuru for Solidarity (a nonviolent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates) and T’ruah (a collective of progressive rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish cantors) — two organizations committed to the critical and grace-filled work of healing in our world, for greater human dignity for all.

Share the event flyer and view the schedule here. A limited number of meals will be available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. Order your meal in advance and purchase raffle tickets here: buenavistaumc.org/bazaar2024


Oakland Civic Orchestra Concert

4pm Sunday, May 5th

The Oakland Civic Orchestra presents its concert “Luminosity” on Sunday, May 5, at 4:00 pm, at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Note: Our sanctuary will be set up facing the lake for worship on May 5th in preparation for the concert.

The program features the radiant young flutist and composer Cadence Liu performing her new Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, bookended by Vaughan Williams’ beloved Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and the brilliant Divertimento from Le Baiser de la fée (The Fairy’s Kiss) by Igor Stravinsky. Also on the program is the seldom heard and charming Music for Symphony Orchestra by Yasushi Akutagawa. Read more and purchase tickets here.


Voci Concert

4pm Sunday, May 5th

Voci is proud to present a concert of madrigals and related musical forms from the Renaissance, early Baroque, and 20th century. Small ensembles, soloists, and the full choir will perform a rich variety of settings of beautiful and thought-provoking poetry in English, French, Italian and even Macedonian. We’ll sing about love and lovers, loss, internal struggle, and celebration. Please join Voci and Guest Director, Susan Swerdlow, for this End of Season Concert and celebratory gathering of refreshments and community.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
66 St. Stephen’s Dr., Orinda
Purchase tickets here