March 19, 2023
In our Lenten journey, we’ve been following the footsteps of Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem. Jesus continues to risk: he risks his reputation, he risks the results of righteous anger, and he risks teaching in the temple and faces challenges to his proclamation. But Jesus is not alone in this risky business. His disciples knew the risks: they have associated themselves with a man who has made enemies of the high priests; they are friends with a man whom Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, sees as a threat. They are followers of a man who will be crucified as an enemy of the Roman State, and as a “king.” This Sunday we see an unnamed woman anointing Jesus and taking risks – not only of public criticism for her act of love and generosity. She risks even whether Jesus will accept her gift of generosity. Comes friends, let us hear the story of this unnamed woman and her extravagant love for Jesus.
During the Lenten season, we are creating sacred space and time to be still before God in worship. Online community, please create your own altar or a prayer station at home. No words needed at the prayer stations. Come and be still. Quiet, still, be, let our God love you.
Please send your prayers and gratitude to pastor Sunae via email by Saturday morning and she will lift up your prayer and gratitude as we pray together as a church.
Come as you are! Come and let us worship God together.
To join Sunday Worship via Facebook, log onto your Facebook account and search for the ‘Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’page or click here.
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Please read ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Lenten Worship Series (Feb 22, 2023 – April 9, 2023)
The Lenten journey began on Ash Wednesday and continues as we walk toward Easter together, which is April 9, 2023.
This year’s Lenten theme is “Entering the Passion of Jesus”. We invite you to prepare your heart for this year’s Lenten journey by walking with Jesus in his final days and hours on the way to the cross. See below for the Lenten Worship Series information and join us.
3/19, Fourth Sunday in Lent
The First Dinner: Risking Rejection
Mark 14:3-9
3/26, Fifth Sunday in Lent
The Last Supper: Risking the Loss of Friends
Luke 22:14-27
4/2, Sixth Sunday in Lent or Palm/Passion Sunday
Gethsemane: Risking Temptation
John 18:1-11
4/7, Good Friday: Tenebrae Service at 7 PM
4/9, Easter Sunday
Christ is Risen!
John 20:1-18
The Oakland Marathon &
Church Access, This Sunday, March 19
The annual March Marathon is happening this Sunday, March 19.
To access the blocked roads to church this Sunday, please bring the access map and the “Blue Pass” that the City of Oakland approved. Give yourself about 30 minutes allowance to get to church on time for worship. If you do not have the “Blue Pass”, please print it at home with blue colored paper.
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New COVID Masking Policy
After careful discernment, the Lake Merritt Church Council has decided to take another step in our evolving response to COVID-19. Effective this Sunday, March 19, we will implement a new COVID-19 policy that will include making the wearing of face masks optional.
The policy reflects local and state changes to masking requirements put in place last year while also working to continue to be responsive to those among us who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Based on the State of California and Alameda County COVID-19 guidelines for masking (here and here), and the current designation of “low” COVID-19 transmission rates in Alameda County, LMUMC is adopting the following COVID-19 policy for all church-sponsored activities, effective March 19, 2023:
- Wearing face masks is optional at Lake Merritt UMC while COVID-19 transmission rates in Alameda County are designated as “low.” If that designation changes, we will re-evaluate our policy based on State and County guidelines.
- Small groups, choirs, and the food ministry may elect to adopt more stringent masking policies.
- Persons who have been exposed to or contracted COVID-19 are expected to follow State guidelines for quarantining and masking found here when deciding to visit LMUMC.
- All persons should stay home when they feel sick to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses such as COVID-19.
We also recognize that people attending our church are at different levels of risk based on their age and health, and they need our compassion and support. For this reason, we will also take the following steps to support those who are more vulnerable.
- We will place additional chairs along the sides of our worship space, spread out at least six feet from each other.
- For the next two months, we will open a portion of the partition wall during worship services to increase ventilation. We will reevaluate this measure in two months.
- We will continue to have masks available at church and we ask everyone to be mindful of those people who continue to wear masks and their potential increased vulnerability. Please be conscientious and consider wearing a mask around someone at greater risk.
Please contact your Church Council co-chairs, Tom Huetteman, Joseph Koroma, or Pastor Sunae for any questions or feedback on this change.
Children’s Ministry Fellowship & Activities
The Children`s Ministry of Lake Merritt & Lake Park UMCs invite you to join us during the fellowship hour on Sunday, March 26 for a gathering of families in the courtyard.
(Formerly scheduled for March 19, this event was rescheduled due to the impact of the Oakland Marathon on church accessibility.)
We want to hear your wants, needs, and visions for the future of our children and youth programs.
Activities for children- decorating Easter bags for our Easter egg hunt after church on Easter Sunday. Activities for adults- filling Easter eggs with candy/stickers, and an opportunity to share your thoughts for our children and youth ministry programs. Please bring any/all of the following- yourself, your children, your ideas, empty Easter eggs, and pre-wrapped candy/stickers. Hope to see you there!
Margaret LeWright, Children`s Ministry Coordinator
Meal Train for Judi and Wayne
Judi continues her treatment and we are adding more dates to the Meal Train to support them. We continue to keep their household in our thoughts and prayers. We love you, Judi and Wayne. Sign up here to help.
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble
Spring Concerts
In the Time of Brahms
Music for Women’s Voices
from the Master and his Friends
with piano 4 hands, 2 horns, and harp
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Sunday, March 26, 2023 4:00P
St Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley
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Saturday, April 1, 2023 7:30P
St. Perpetua Catholic Church
3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette
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LIFT Concert
Save the date! April 29 is our 8th annual Lift Concert to lift up the ways in which we build community and meet hunger in the food ministries through music! It is “lift” to make the Lift Concert happen each year so please consider lending a hand. We can match your interest and availability to the many tasks needed to make this beautiful event happen!
Food Ministries Update
Our partners at Alameda County Community Food Bank ensure we have food each week for our church’s food ministries and they advocate for at the local and national level. Check out their newly released 2023 Policy Agenda. Consider taking this step to tell your congressional representative how SNAP helps families and seniors facing hunger.
Lake Lunches Support
We are seeing an increase in folks seeking lunches and so we invite your help in meeting this need by helping with food preparation or many other tasks big and small to help us serve over 430 lunches twice a week. At this time, we could use some help with slicing cooked roast beef or prepping chicken salad for sandwiches! Timing is flexible! Connect with your Tom, Rose Lynn, Galia, or Kathleen if you are interested.
LMUMC Choirs Information
To join the voice choir, contact the Music Director,
Jim Meredith jimmeredith@mac.com
To join the handbell choir, contact the Handbell Director,
Margaret LeWright margaretlewright@gmail.com
March 12, 2023
We continue our Lenten journey as we follow the footsteps of Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem. Jesus continues to risks, he risks arrest when he enters Jerusalem to public acclaim and so brings himself to the attention of those who see his kingship as a challenge to their own political authority. He turns over tables at the Temple and thus risks the results of righteous anger. This Sunday we continue to see Jesus at the temple teaching and risking challenges to his proclamation. Join us.
During the Lenten season, we are creating sacred space and time to be still before God in worship. Online community, please create your own altar or a prayer station at home. No words needed at the prayer stations. Come and be still. Quiet, still, be, let our God love you.
Please send your prayers and gratitude to pastor Sunae via email by Saturday morning and she will lift up your prayer and gratitude as we pray together as a church.
Come as you are! Come and let us worship God together.
To join Sunday Worship via Facebook, log onto your Facebook account and search for the ‘Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’page or click here.
–
Please read ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Lenten Worship Series (Feb 22, 2023 – April 9, 2023)
The Lenten journey began on Ash Wednesday and continues as we walk toward Easter together, which is April 9, 2023.
This year’s Lenten theme is “Entering the Passion of Jesus”. We invite you to prepare your heart for this year’s Lenten journey by walking with Jesus in his final days and hours on the way to the cross. See below for the Lenten Worship Series information and join us.
3/12, Third Sunday in Lent
Teachings: Risking Challenge
Matthew 22:15-22
3/19, Fourth Sunday in Lent
The First Dinner: Risking Rejection
Mark 14:3-9
3/26, Fifth Sunday in Lent
The Last Supper: Risking the Loss of Friends
Luke 22:14-27
4/2, Sixth Sunday in Lent or Palm/Passion Sunday
Gethsemane: Risking Temptation
John 18:1-11
4/7, Good Friday: Tenebrae Service at 7 PM
4/9, Easter Sunday
Christ is Risen!
John 20:1-18
Daylight Savings Time Starts, March 12, 2023
Sunday, March 12, 2023, 2AM clocks are turned forward 1 hour to 3AM.
Church Access, March 19
The annual March Marathon is happening this March 19.
Road closures will impact our members who come to church that Sunday. We are working with Oakland Police Department to determine how to safely access the church for worship that day.
We will keep you updated.
Children’s Ministry Fellowship & Activities
The Children`s Ministry of Lake Merritt & Lake Park UMCs invite you to join us during the fellowship hour on Sunday, March 26 for a gathering of families in the courtyard.
(Formerly scheduled for March 19, this event was rescheduled due to the impact of the Oakland Marathon on church accessibility.)
We want to hear your wants, needs, and visions for the future of our children and youth programs.
Activities for children- decorating Easter bags for our Easter egg hunt after church on Easter Sunday. Activities for adults- filling Easter eggs with candy/stickers, and an opportunity to share your thoughts for our children and youth ministry programs. Please bring any/all of the following- yourself, your children, your ideas, empty Easter eggs, and pre-wrapped candy/stickers. Hope to see you there!
Margaret LeWright, Children`s Ministry Coordinator
Meal Train for Judi and Wayne
Judi continues her treatment and we are adding more dates to the Meal Train to support them. We continue to keep their household in our thoughts and prayers. We love you, Judi and Wayne. Sign up here to help.
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble
Spring Concerts
In the Time of Brahms
Music for Women’s Voices
from the Master and his Friends
with piano 4 hands, 2 horns, and harp
Sunday, March 26, 2023 4:00P
St Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley
Saturday, April 1, 2023 7:30P
St. Perpetua Catholic Church
3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette
–
LIFT Concert
Save the date! April 29 is our 8th annual Lift Concert to lift up the ways in which we build community and meet hunger in the food ministries through music! It is “lift” to make the Lift Concert happen each year so please consider lending a hand. We can match your interest and availability to the many tasks needed to make this beautiful event happen!
Food Ministries Update
Our partners at Alameda County Community Food Bank ensure we have food each week for our church’s food ministries and they advocate for at the local and national level. Check out their newly released 2023 Policy Agenda. Consider taking this step to tell your congressional representative how SNAP helps families and seniors facing hunger.
Lake Lunches Support
We are seeing an increase in folks seeking lunches and so we invite your help in meeting this need by helping with food preparation or many other tasks big and small to help us serve over 430 lunches twice a week. At this time, we could use some help with slicing cooked roast beef or prepping chicken salad for sandwiches! Timing is flexible! Connect with your Tom, Rose Lynn, Galia, or Kathleen if you are interested.
LMUMC Choirs Information
To join the voice choir, contact the Music Director,
Jim Meredith jimmeredith@mac.com
To join the handbell choir, contact the Handbell Director,
Margaret LeWright margaretlewright@gmail.com
March 5, 2023
This Lenten journey, we journey through Jesus’ last days from the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to his prayerful agony in Mt. Gethsemane. These are stories of risk. Jesus risks arrest when he enters Jerusalem to public acclaim and so brings himself to the attention to those who see his kingship as a challenge to their own political authority. This Sunday we reflect on Jesus entering the temple courts and driving out people who were buying and selling and overturning the tables of the money changers and thus risks the results of righteous anger. (The Passion of Jesus, p. 15). Join us.
During the Lenten season, we are creating sacred space and time to be still before God in worship. We have created four prayer stations, three prayer stations with candles and a prayer station at the cross. No words needed at the prayer stations. Quiet, still, be, let our God love you.
For the communal sharing of your prayers and gratitudes, would you email your prayer and gratitudes to Pastor Sunae by Saturday morning? She will lift up your intercessory prayer and gratitude as we pray together as a church.
Come as you are! Come and let us worship God together.
To join Sunday Worship via Facebook, log onto your Facebook account and search for the ‘Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’page or click here.
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