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
During this Advent season, we’ve been reflecting on making room for love, peace, hope and grace. On our last Sunday of 2023, we will display photos of 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 28, 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!
Christmas Donations
This Sunday, 12/24 is the last Sunday to bring in Christmas donations to share with our friends and neighbors who are in need. Connectional Ministries is grateful to be able to distribute your donations of socks, hats, gloves, small blankets, hand warmers, and individually wrapped chocolates. There will be designated baskets under the Christmas Tree for you to place your donations.
Cookie Jars
Cookie Jars are available after worship or even Delivered if you can’t make it to church! Cost will be $10 check, cash or Venmo accepted. These make lovely Christmas or hostess gifts over the coming holidays. They are lovingly assembled by some of our youth and Children’s Ministry team.
Live Worship Simulcast from Bethlehem
This year in Bethlehem, the city of Jesus’ birth, Palestinian Christians have canceled Christmas celebrations to call the world’s attention to the ongoing suffering, bombardment, and devastation in Gaza. This Saturday 12/23 at 8 a.m. Pacific, join the Christmas Lutheran Church live from Bethlehem. The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, pastor, will deliver the sermon. Central to this worship service will be their prophetic message that if Jesus were born today, he would be born “under the rubble,” and that Christmas is God’s solidarity with the oppressed and dehumanized.
This broadcast is co-sponsored by Global Immersion, Red Letter Christians, Churches for Middle East Peace, Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East, and more. Visit the following link to view the service
live on social media and YouTube.
Christmas Offering to Our Building Campaign
We are called to strengthen God’s house, our beloved LMUMC’s building. This year, we are invited to give generously for the Christmas offering which will go toward the Building Campaign. As you know, our goal is $50,000. Help us achieve this goal. I know God is leading us so therefore, we can trust and follow God’s call.
Please donate by writing a check to the church (put “building campaign” on the memo line) or give online using a credit or debit card, or as a bank transfer. To give online, click HERE. For more information follow this link.
The Table of Hope
Our hope is renewed as we direct our attention to the well-being of others. Advent directs us beyond our own immediate thoughts, feelings, and limitations towards the bigger picture of what God is doing in radical identification with the highest possibilities for all people and all of life. We are told that as John Wesley lay dying at 88 years of age, he summoned all of his strength and forcefully proclaimed two times, “The best of all is, God is with us.” Those words capture the transformative reality of incarnation, God with us. Let us make room at the table of Hope! – Pastor Dale
Next Sunday, we will gather to celebrate the birth of our Christ child. Our children, youth, and adults are preparing the Christmas Pageant. 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.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
During the Come to the Table Advent worship series, you are invited to send photos of your table and meal gatherings to Pastor Sunae at pastorsunae@gmail.com by Friday evening at 9pm. We will share a picture presentation the following Sunday. It will deepen our spirits as we witness our table gatherings.
Christmas Donations
This Sunday Dec. 17th and next Sunday the 24th, please bring in donations to share with our friends and neighbors who are in need. Connectional Ministries is grateful to be able to distribute your donations of socks, hats, gloves, small blankets, hand warmers, and individually wrapped chocolates. There will be designated baskets under the Christmas Tree for you to place your donations.
Christmas Pageant Invitation
Calling CHILDREN, YOUTH & ADULTS! The Christmas Pageant this year will be during Worship on Sunday, December 24th at 10:15 AM. All are welcome to help! Please let Susannah Wood know if you are available:
sweet.theater@gmail.com (510) 384-4905. PARENTS-especially – please let Susannah know ASAP if your child(ren) can participate.
Cookie Jars
Cookie Jars are available after worship or even Delivered if you can’t make it to church! Cost will be $10 check, cash or Venmo accepted. These make lovely Christmas or hostess gifts over the coming holidays. They are lovingly assembled by some of our youth and Children’s Ministry team.
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!
Blue Christmas
Thursday, December 21, 6pm at Twin Towers UMC
Join us as we gather on the longest night of the year aware of the losses of life, love, and livelihood that we have experienced. We will share in hope and healing that includes a Taizé Prayer Service of candlelight, beautiful chants, and thoughtful readings.
Christmas Offering to Our Building Campaign
We are called to strengthen God’s house, our beloved LMUMC’s building. This year, we are invited to give generously for the Christmas offering which will go toward the Building Campaign. As you know, our goal is $50,000. Help us achieve this goal. I know God is leading us so therefore, we can trust and follow God’s call.
Please donate by writing a check to the church (put “building campaign” on the memo line) or give online using a credit or debit card, or as a bank transfer. To give online, click HERE. For more information follow this link.
The Table of Peace
We live in a time in which a strange counter-cultural figure like John the Baptizer may seem to be more relevant than ever. Who can predict what historic shifts, transitions, debacles and transformations may happen next? When the patterns of our lives get shaken up, the fire of the Holy Spirit burns brightly, lighting the way through the darkness. This Advent is a time for claiming Jesus’ promise of a “peace that passes understanding”.
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.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Sound Bath
Already caught up in the busyness of the season? Take time out to breathe at our monthly Sound Bath Experience on Friday, Dec. 8th. Relax in a chair or on the floor with your own mat/blanket as you are surrounded by meditative vibrations and melodies. Contact Laurel Williams to sign up, or purchase tickets at Eventbrite. Doors open at 6:30 pm, program begins at 7:00.
District Superintendent Installation Service
Saturday, December 9th, 2 p.m.
With great pleasure, the California-Nevada Conference introduces you to the newly appointed District Superintendent of the Bay District, Reverend Sun Hee Kim. You are all cordially invited to her ‘Welcome Service and Celebration’ to be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Alameda Twin Towers UMC (1411 Oak Street, Alameda, CA 94501). There will be a celebration reception following.
Joint Charge Conference for Lake Park UMC & Lake Merritt UMC
We will gather in-person at Lake Merritt UMC on Thursday, December 14 at 5:45pm for joint potluck dinner. Joint charge conference will begin at 7pm. District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will preside over the charge conference.
Lake Park UMC Church Council will meet beforehand with D.S. Rev. Sun Hee Kim at 6:30pm in the Conference room.
Trustees, SPRRC, and Membership Secretary, please submit your Charge Conference reports via People’s Portal by December 4th. Contact Pastor Sunae if you have any questions.
Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
During the Come to the Table Advent worship series, you are invited to send photos of your table and meal gatherings to Pastor Sunae at pastorsunae@gmail.com by Friday evening at 9pm. We will share a picture presentation the following Sunday. It will deepen our spirits as we witness our table gatherings.
Children’s Literacy Picnic & Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday, December 9th, noon – 3pm
This Saturday, young children and their families are invited to enjoy a fun teddy bear-themed literacy celebration at Lake Merritt UMC! Teddy Bear crafts, Storyteller Susannah Wood, free books, snacks, and a photo booth… but wait.. that’s not it! Ten crafts for kids to make and take and gift wrap for their loved ones! A special singing Mrs. Claus will make merry while we craft. Here’s a multilingual flyer to pass along through text, email, and socials! Come one and all.
No young ones in your life right now? that’s okay.. we need volunteers!
Yoga class canceled 12/9
Susannah Wood’s yoga class is cancelled on Saturday, December 9th.
Christmas Donations
On the Sundays of Dec. 10th, 17th, and 24th, please bring in donations to share with our friends and neighbors who are in need. Connectional Ministries is grateful to be able to distribute your donations of socks, hats, gloves, small blankets, hand warmers, and individually wrapped chocolates. There will be designated baskets under the Christmas Tree for you to place your donations.
Christmas Pageant Invitation
Calling CHILDREN, YOUTH & ADULTS! The Christmas Pageant this year will be during Worship on Sunday, December 24th at 10:15 AM. All are welcome to help! Please let Susannah Wood know if you are available:
sweet.theater@gmail.com (510) 384-4905. PARENTS-especially – please let Susannah know ASAP if your child(ren) can participate.
Cookie Jars
Cookie Jars are available after worship or even Delivered if you can’t make it to church! Cost will be $10 check, cash or Venmo accepted. These make lovely Christmas or hostess gifts over the coming holidays. They are lovingly assembled by some of our youth and Children’s Ministry team.
Blue Christmas
Thursday, December 21, 6pm at Twin Towers UMC
Join us as we gather on the longest night of the year aware of the losses of life, love, and livelihood that we have experienced. We will share in hope and healing that includes a Taizé Prayer Service of candlelight, beautiful chants, and thoughtful readings.
Please Donate to Our Building Campaign
And they shall make me a sanctuary so that I may dwell among them (Exodus 25:8)
After more than 30 years our beloved Lake Merritt UMC church is ready for a new coat of paint and much, much more! Between now and January 7, 2024 we are seeking to raise $50,000. A grant from the Oakland Methodist Foundation will almost triple this amount so we can make our church shine again!
Please donate by writing a check to the church (put “building campaign” on the memo line) or give online using a credit or debit card, or as a bank transfer. To give online, click HERE. For more information follow this link.
