“Love Yourself Unconditionally”
Inspired by the tenets of ubuntu—the Zulu philosophy that we are each impacted by the circumstances that impact those around us, and that the world won’t get better until we all get better—the author, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, of Fierce Love lays out the nine daily practices for breaking through tribalism and engineering the change we seek. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, it demonstrates the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, our posse, and our larger communities.
In her book, she suggests that there are harmful images and beliefs about God that needs to be let go of before we are able to embrace God as love. She writes, “Unfortunately religion is too often weaponized. Wars are waged in the name of religion. People are enslaved and terrorized in the name of religion…. I’m a Christian pastor, and these are things my tribe has done, all in the name of Jesus. If humankind is to thrive, we need to let go of any religion that wounds and kills… But we need to exercise a spiritual imagination free of fear and shed the constraints of unhealthy religion”. (Fierce Love, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, p. 129)
Siblings, we must see the world through the eyes of God who is love and believe with all our heart in love. And all this begins with loving yourself unconditionally. Are you good about loving yourself?
We begin our first Sunday of 2024 with reflecting on loving ourselves as God loved us. Join us.
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 January – February Worship Series
Fierce Love
Inspired by the tenets of ubuntu—the Zulu phrase, “I am who I am because we are who we are”, that we are each impacted by the circumstances that impact those around us, and that the world won’t get better until we all get better. In her book, Fierce Love, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis shares her own experience, of being the first female and first Black minister in her church’s history, of being in an interracial marriage, and of making peace with childhood abuse – illustrates that our human capacity for empathy and forgiveness is the key to reverse a world divided and broken.She lays out the nine daily practices in her book for breaking through tribalism and engineering the change we seek but in our worship, we will reflect on six practices. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, it demonstrates the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, and our larger communities.
Sharing stories that trace her personal reckoning with racism as well as the arc of her journey to an inclusive and service-driven faith, Dr. Lewis shows that kindness, compassion, and inclusive thinking are muscles that can be exercised and strengthened. She says, Fiercely Love! Love! Period!
Jan 7, 2024 | Epiphany
Love Yourself Unconditionally. It All Starts Here.
Jeremiah 31:3
Jan 14, 2024 | Human Relations Sunday
Travel Lightly. Downsize the Burdens You Carry
1 John 4:16 – 19
Jan 21, 2024 | Christian Unity Week
Show Kindness and Affection Wildly
Luke 10:25-37
(Guest Preacher: Ken Schoon)
Jan 28, 2024
Think Inclusively! They are Your People, Too!
Luke 19:1-10
Feb 4, 2024 | Black History Month
Find Joy Purposefully! It is the Water of life!
Isaiah 12:1-6
Feb 11, 2024
Have Faith in Love! Love is the way! Period!
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Leviticus 19:18
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Confirmation Class 2024
2nd & 4th Sundays, January 28 – May 12
Buena Vista UMC & Lake Merritt UMC present Methodist Confirmation Class for High School aged students! Meetings will be held on 2nd & 4th Sundays, 10:45 am – 12:45 pm at Buena Vista UMC in Alameda, beginning January 28th. Lunch will be provided. See the flyer below for more information.
Youth Luncheon
Sunday, January 14th
On Sunday, January 14th, right after worship, Lake Merritt UMC will host a family luncheon about our new youth program and upcoming joint confirmation class with Buena Vista UMC. Lunch will be provided. This is your chance to offer suggestions and/or get involved!
Food 4 Thought Change
Food 4 Thought will not be meeting on January 7th, our next gathering will be on the first Sunday of February.
Church Leadership Virtual Training
Saturday, Jan 20th, 9am – 12:30pm
The California-Nevada Conference is offering a virtual Church Leaders’ Training on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The event on Zoom will provide critical information and updates to help your church function well during these times.
There will be specific trainings for Pastors, Lay Leaders, Administrative Board Council Chairs, SPRC/PPRC, Treasurers, Finance Committee Members, Trustees, and Nominations Committee Members. We strongly encourage not only your attendance but also the participation of both new and returning church officers, committee members, emerging leaders, and others who may be thinking of serving in your church. This training is an excellent opportunity for everyone to stay informed and equipped.
To register, click here. If you cannot attend the meeting due to a scheduling conflict, please still register so we can send you the recordings when they are available. The deadline to register is January 15th.
Friends of Wadi Foquin Palestine 101 Teach-In
Friday, Jan 5th, 6-8pm at Castro Valley UMC
At this teach-in sponsored by Friends of Wadi Foquin, we will review a brief history and background to Palestine & Israel, hear from a young adult who grew up under Israeli occupation in the West Bank, and identify actions everyone can take for ceasefire and a just peace. Register here and click on the flyer below for more information.
Rev. Dr. Dale Tremper is on vacation from Jan 7 – Jan 14, 2024.
The Table of Joy
Howard Thurman writes, “I will light candles this Christmas, Candles of Joy, despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. Candles of courage where fear is ever present, Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens. Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all the yearlong.”
We light all Christmas candles on the first Sunday after Christmas and we give God thanks for Emmanuel God with us. And we make room for the table of joy as we give God thanks for all his good and perfect gifts throughout the year and immerse ourselves in Scripture readings, and singing all your favorite Christmas songs! Send the end of the year photos to Pastor Sunae by this Friday, 12/29 by 6pm and we will witness our tables of community of love, peace, hope and joy as we wrap up 2023!
Remember to join us for a breakfast gathering at 9:30am in the fellowship hall before the worship service for a light breakfast together and a time of gratitude and prayers! Come and join us.
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 January – February Worship Series
Fierce Love
Inspired by the tenets of ubuntu—the Zulu phrase, “I am who I am because we are who we are”, that we are each impacted by the circumstances that impact those around us, and that the world won’t get better until we all get better. In her book, Fierce Love, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis shares her own experience, of being the first female and first Black minister in her church’s history, of being in an interracial marriage, and of making peace with childhood abuse – illustrates that our human capacity for empathy and forgiveness is the key to reverse a world divided and broken.She lays out the nine daily practices in her book for breaking through tribalism and engineering the change we seek but in our worship, we will reflect on six practices. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, it demonstrates the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, and our larger communities.
Sharing stories that trace her personal reckoning with racism as well as the arc of her journey to an inclusive and service-driven faith, Dr. Lewis shows that kindness, compassion, and inclusive thinking are muscles that can be exercised and strengthened. She says, Fiercely Love! Love! Period!
Jan 7, 2024 | Epiphany
Love Yourself Unconditionally. It All Starts Here.
Jeremiah 31:3
Jan 14, 2024 | Human Relations Sunday
Travel Lightly. Downsize the Burdens You Carry
1 John 4:16 – 19
Jan 21, 2024 | Christian Unity Week
Show Kindness and Affection Wildly
Luke 10:25-37
(Guest Preacher: Ken Schoon)
Jan 28, 2024
Think Inclusively! They are Your People, Too!
Luke 19:1-10
Feb 4, 2024 | Black History Month
Find Joy Purposefully! It is the Water of life!
Isaiah 12:1-6
Feb 11, 2024
Have Faith in Love! Love is the way! Period!
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Leviticus 19:18
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Pictures to share for Singing Sunday, 12/31
To wrap up the Table of Love, Hope, Grace, and Peace of Advent 2023
We’ve been reflecting on making room during this Advent for love, peace, hope and grace. On our last Sunday of 2023, we will be sharing the tables we’ve been sharing during our Advent season. Please send your photos of your table and meal gatherings to Pastor Sunae at pastorsunae@gmail.com by Dec 29, 2023.
Singing Service
Sunday, December 31st
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 31st, when we will wrap up the Christmas Season with a Singing Service. Join us in the Stark Room at 9:30 for a simple breakfast, announcements, and prayers. We will then move into the Sanctuary at 10:15 to sing all your favorite Christmas songs!
The Church Office will be closed on Jan 1 & 2, 2024
in observance of New Year’s Day
The Table of Grace
This Sunday, we celebrate Christ’s birth. Our children, youth, and adults are preparing the Christmas Pageant and it is our hope that the traditional Scripture story to break open and speak, to be reflected. There are four scenes in the Christmas Pageant: Journey to Bethlehem, The birth, The shepherds, and Tableau at the Manger. Susannah Wood has been working very hard joyfully and rehearsing with our precious children and adults to bring this story alive. We invite you to journey into the story. Come and let us adore Him. 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.
