Released from Trauma
Contrary to “conventional wisdom”, when we are facing the traumas in our lives, “forgive and forget” is a lie. The truth is found when we “forgive and remember (and heal)”. In our highly unstable moment in history, we are often tempted to lose faith and hope. How, for us, does the Risen Christ appear in the midst of our lives, giving us a transformative task? My sermon, rooted in John 20:19-23, is titled “Released from Trauma”. I pray that it will be a experience of resurrection that we may share. –Pastor Dale
Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.
Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.
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 14, 2024
Released from Trauma
John 20:19-23
*
April 21, 2024
Found
Luke 24:36-43
*
April 28, 2024
A Face and a Name
Genesis 32:22-32
*
May 5, 2024
Threshold Moments – Healing at the End of Life
Lamentations 3:19-33
*
May 12, 2024
Calmed
Romans 15:5-7, 13
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Sound Bath Returns!
6:45pm Friday, April 12th
After a month off in March, Sound Bath returns on Friday, April 12th. 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 to invite family and friends!
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.
LIFT Concert
Join the team!
Save the date for our annual LIFT concert on May 11, 2024 from 3-5 pm. This is both our big fundraiser and community gathering hosted by us and to benefit the food programs: Lake Lunches and Food Pantry and more!
We need a team of folks to make this happen. It is only a monthly away! Please consider this seriously! Email liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or talk to your Connectional Ministries team for how to plug in: Tom, Galia, Kathleen and Rose Lynn
Gentle Yoga
Thursdays at noon
Gentle Yoga for body and soul is an excellent way to stretch and breathe tranquility into our mind, body, and soul. Resuming April 11th, Kathleen Bell will lead weekly classes, Thursdays at noon at Lake Merritt UMC. All are welcome.
Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition
Friday, April 12th
The Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition is meeting on Friday, April 12th, 7-9pm in the Laney College Auditorium. Join them as they announce a major milestone and invite other organizations to celebrate and plan next steps to protect and support Lake Merritt.
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.
When: Saturday, April 27 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert
Where: Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)
Disruptive Faith
As we continue in the Easter season with “Resurrection Stories,” this week I get to preach from Acts 16:16-34 on the Philippian jailbreak story. Karen Kaiser is a fine contemporary poet, who also happens to be an active United Methodist lay Christian. Here is one of her recent works:
“For Good”
I cannot say
exactly
when it will happen
but this I know…
someday
what has been torn apart
will be mended
what has been shattered
will be repaired
every
single
broken
thing
will one day
come together
for good
Claim your transformation this day and this season. –Pastor Dale
Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.
Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.
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 7, 2024
Disruptive Faith
April 14, 2024
Released from Trauma
John 20:19-23
*
April 21, 2024
Found
Luke 24:36-43
*
April 28, 2024
A Face and a Name
Genesis 32:22-32
*
May 5, 2024
Threshold Moments – Healing at the End of Life
Lamentations 3:19-33
*
May 12, 2024
Calmed
Romans 15:5-7, 13
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Easter Egg Return for Recycle & Reuse
If you have empty easter eggs from Easter Sunday, you may return them for reuse next year. We will have a basket to collect them in worship this Sunday. Thank you! –Margaret LeWright, Children’s Ministry Team co-leader.
Sound Bath Returns!
6:45pm Friday, April 12th
After a month off in March, Sound Bath returns on Friday, April 12th. 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 to invite family and friends!
Gentle Yoga
Thursdays at noon
Gentle Yoga for body and soul is an excellent way to stretch and breathe tranquility into our mind, body, and soul. Resuming April 11th, Kathleen Bell will lead weekly classes, Thursdays at noon at Lake Merritt UMC. All are welcome.
Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition
Friday, April 12th
The Lake Merritt Conservancy Coalition is meeting on Friday, April 12th, 7-9pm in the Laney College Auditorium. Join them as they announce a major milestone and invite other organizations to celebrate and plan next steps to protect and support Lake Merritt.
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.
When: Saturday, April 27 3-4pm. Doors open at 2:45, with a reception following the concert
Where: Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (use lakeside entrance)
Easter Sunday
According to the gospel of Mark, after the women disciples hear the good news of Jesus’ resurrection and are commissioned to go and tell, they utterly fail, leaving in fear and saying nothing to anyone. That is where Mark leaves the ending of his resurrection story! What’s up with that ending?
Recently, biblical scholars have begun to change their minds about Mark’s choice for an abrupt ending. They agree that his resurrection story was not a crash landing but a brilliant one. Mark leaves the ending open as an invitation for us to join in and finish writing it. Do you have an unfinished story that awaits resolution? Resurrection isn’t a conclusion, it’s an invitation.
Come and see. Come and hear! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.
Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.
Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.
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.
March 29, 2024 | Good Friday
3 p.m. Mass, 4:30 p.m. Ecumenical Good Friday Prayer Gathering
3pm Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes (2808 Lakeshore Ave)
4:30pm Procession to the Lake Merritt Colonnade
for Ecumenical/Interfaith Prayer Service
*
7 p.m. Tenebrae Taizé service
In-person at Lake Merritt UMC
Or join Zoom meeting:
Meeting ID: 838 0703 2679
Passcode: 257687
*
March 31, 2024 | Easter Sunday
Easter Celebration
Mark 16:1-8
