December 25, 2022

Please read ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Special Holiday Hours & Announcements

The church office will be closed on December 24, 26, and 30, and January 2. Please stay safe during this holiday season.

Pastor Sunae and Mike will be on vacation from December 26 through January 1. They are spending some time with their children and Sunae’s parents.

Reverend Dr. Dale Tremper will be preaching on January 1, 2023. We give thanks to God for Rev. Tremper’s presence and for sharing his leadership with us.  Thank you, Rev. Dale Tremper.


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. 


Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Sunday Virtual Worship, and Advent Offering

Circuit Joint Christmas Candle Light service is held at Twin Tower’s United Methodist Church at 1411 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501 at 5:30PM.  Jim Meredith, Alex Banash, Jane Sliheet, and Rev. Stephanie Gamero will be leading in the joint worship service.  

Christmas Day Sunday Worship service meets virtually.  Many thanks to our choir for leading the songs, Jane Sliheet for being our liturgist, Susannah Woods for creating the video message narrative and David Tavernier for compiling the message video, our music director, Jim Meredith for music, and Michael Cho for creating the virtual worship.  

Please give your Christmas offering on December 11 and December 18th online at https://www.lakemerrittumc.org/giving/, under “Christmas Offering”.  Christmas offerings will go toward funding the Children’s Ministry Director. 


Blue Christmas Service

Dec 21, 5PM at Twin Towers UMC

Blue Christmas service is a service of comfort for those who are grieving. 

Deacon Judith will be leading the Blue Christmas service at Twin Towers UMC on Dec 21 at 5PM. 

All are welcome.


The Big Sock Give

On Sunday, please pick up a package or two of thick crew socks for the Lake Lunches Christmas Giveaway.

We’ll wrap these socks with festive ribbon and some candy during fellowship hour.


Hope Through Darkness: Art Exhibit

We would like to put out a call for submissions for our 2023 art exhibit: Hope Through Darkness

Please create an art piece for our exhibit and reception – it can be 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional visual art, a written piece, or any variety of performance art.

The exhibit and reception will be in the Edwards Room. 

Here are some questions you may want to reflect on while creating:

What has given you hope during the pandemic?

How do you cope with adversity? 

What gives you hope?

What is darkness to you?

Is darkness bad? 

Submissions are due by February 28, 2023 and a reception is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, March 5. Please email vivianjromero@gmail.com with any questions. 


Food Ministry Supply Needs

400 lunches are prepared each week! ALL supplies/funds are needed and welcome.

  • #6 brown paper lunch bags
  • paper sandwich bags (#18 sandwich bag white #18 snak pak 6×7.5×6.5) Small
  • paper snack pouches
  • Cookies/Desserts in bulk or individually wrapped
  • Chip/cracker/pretzel bags (snack size)
  • Mayonnaise (in bulk preferably but any size helps)
  • Mustard (in bulk preferably but any size helps)
  • Deli meats (in bulk preferably but any amount helps)
  • Salad greens, arugula, and spinach for sandwiches
  • Cash cards to Chef’s Store, Costco, and Amazon

Hygiene Kit Supply Drive

Our programs distribute hygiene items and other goods at each lunch distribution. We are grateful for in-kind and monetary donations to ensure we can continue this valuable support. Travel-size items are most helpful!

❏ Toothbrush ❏ Toothpaste ❏ Body lotion ❏ Shampoo ❏ Razors

❏ Tampons/Pads (#5-Heavy only) ❏ Lip balm
❏ Bandaids
❏ Antiseptic wipe packets

❏ Antibiotic cream packets ❏ Cotton Swabs
❏ Soap or body wash
❏ Laundry Pods

❏ Socks
❏ Washcloths

Group effort? Set up a drive, solicit donations, and donate goods for hygiene kits given out thru Lake Lunches. Travel-size items are preferred for the kits but all donations are welcome

For more information, contact: liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or 510-465-4793


Winter Clothing Drive with Oakland YMCA

Did you know that over 15,000 children from OUSD live in some degree of homelessness and don’t have adequate clothing to wear to school? 

Help provide warmth for students from kindergarten thru 12th grade.  Oakland YMCA is accepting new or gently used coats, scarves, socks, gloves, and hygiene supplies. Would you bring the items and place them in a basket under the Christmas tree in the sanctuary? Thank you for your generosity and care. Kathleen will be dropping off the collection at YMCA.


Connectional Ministries invites you to be a part of the Food Ministry!

Sign up here or contact liftconcertoakland@gmail.com

Monthly Food Pantry Distribution & Set Up – We need hands Friday and Saturday morning this week!
It takes a village to keep it all running… Check out the many ways you can lend your help and expertise. Sign Up Today

Help us meet our $10,000 fundraising goal. Join our GoFundMe Team and get supporters!


Want to be a part of the Audio/Visual team? Sign Up Today!

Please email Randi Hoy at the office office@lakemerrittumc.org to sign up and learn to operate the live stream program and PowerPoint.


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


 

 

 Many of us look for signs to help us know what to do, or we wish we could have our own personal angel visit us to let us know the “right” next steps. Uncertainty is a fact of life–this seems ever more true. This week we will remember that there is a Christ within us constantly birthing wisdom and a deep knowing if we will but listen with a contemplative heart. Let us seek out quiet in order to hear the voice that brings peace by gently saying, “do not be afraid.”  (Worship Design Studio)

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7: 10-16

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 1: 18-25

Join us as we worship God together.  May God bless you richly today and always.

Join us in person or via Zoom or FaceBook Live. 

Bulletin Link

12.18.2022

Worship Music Links

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens
Go, Tell It on the Mountain

 

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

Worship begins at 10:15 AM. Come early and pick up your hymnals. Fellowship follows worship. We have Children’s Godly Play School with enhanced safety and fun for your children. Everyone over age 2, please wear masks (for everyone’s safety and comfort).  We have masks available at the door!

Bulletins will not be handed out in person, you are welcome to bring your own printed bulletin, use your electronic devices, or follow along on the screen as we project the order of service.

ZOOM Link

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86824473010?pwd=Z29RUE9IanVyaC9YaUlRUEIzQm1hUT09

Meeting ID: 868 2447 3010
Passcode: 326043

  To join via Telephone (no computer or smart device) please dial the number below then, when asked, dial the meeting ID & Password provided.

1(669) 900-6833

Meeting ID: 868 2447 3010
Passcode: 326043

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

December 18, 2022

Please read ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!


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. 


Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Sunday Virtual Worship, and Advent Offering

Circuit Joint Christmas Candle Light service is held at Twin Tower’s United Methodist Church at 1411 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501 at 5:30PM.  Jim Meredith, Alex Banash, Jane Sliheet, and Rev. Stephanie Gamero will be leading in the joint worship service.  

Christmas Day Sunday Worship service meets virtually.  Many thanks to our choir for leading the songs, Jane Sliheet for being our liturgist, Susannah Woods for creating the video message narrative and David Tavernier for compiling the message video, our music director, Jim Meredith for music, and Michael Cho for creating the virtual worship.  

Please give your Christmas offering on December 11 and December 18th online at https://www.lakemerrittumc.org/giving/, under “Christmas Offering”.  Christmas offerings will go toward funding the Children’s Ministry Director. 


Blue Christmas Service

Dec 21, 5PM at Twin Towers UMC

Blue Christmas service is a service of comfort for those who are grieving. 

Deacon Judith will be leading the Blue Christmas service at Twin Towers UMC on Dec 21 at 5PM. 

All are welcome.


The Big Sock Give

On Sunday, please pick up a package or two of thick crew socks for the Lake Lunches Christmas Giveaway.

We’ll wrap these socks with festive ribbon and some candy during fellowship hour.


Food Pantry Volunteers Needed this Saturday, Dec 17

We need a lot of helping hands this Saturday for our December Food Pantry from 8-10:30 am in the Church Garage. If you have been thinking about it, now is the time! Sign Up Here. For more info, contact liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or Rose Lynn 626.695.0687


Food Ministry Supply Needs

400 lunches are prepared each week! ALL supplies/funds are needed and welcome.

  • #6 brown paper lunch bags
  • paper sandwich bags (#18 sandwich bag white #18 snak pak 6×7.5×6.5) Small
  • paper snack pouches
  • Cookies/Desserts in bulk or individually wrapped
  • Chip/cracker/pretzel bags (snack size)
  • Mayonnaise (in bulk preferably but any size helps)
  • Mustard (in bulk preferably but any size helps)
  • Deli meats (in bulk preferably but any amount helps)
  • Salad greens, arugula, and spinach for sandwiches
  • Cash cards to Chef’s Store, Costco, and Amazon

Hygiene Kit Supply Drive

Our programs distribute hygiene items and other goods at each lunch distribution. We are grateful for in-kind and monetary donations to ensure we can continue this valuable support. Travel-size items are most helpful!

❏ Toothbrush ❏ Toothpaste ❏ Body lotion ❏ Shampoo ❏ Razors

❏ Tampons/Pads (#5-Heavy only) ❏ Lip balm
❏ Bandaids
❏ Antiseptic wipe packets

❏ Antibiotic cream packets ❏ Cotton Swabs
❏ Soap or body wash
❏ Laundry Pods

❏ Socks
❏ Washcloths

Group effort? Set up a drive, solicit donations, and donate goods for hygiene kits given out thru Lake Lunches. Travel-size items are preferred for the kits but all donations are welcome

For more information, contact: liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or 510-465-4793


Winter Clothing Drive with Oakland YMCA

Did you know that over 15,000 children from OUSD live in some degree of homelessness and don’t have adequate clothing to wear to school? 

Help provide warmth for students from kindergarten thru 12th grade.  Oakland YMCA is accepting new or gently used coats, scarves, socks, gloves, and hygiene supplies. Would you bring the items and place it in a basket under the Christmas tree in the sanctuary? Thank you for your generosity and care. Kathleen will be dropping off the collection at YMCA.


Connectional Ministries invites you to be a part of the Food Ministry!

Sign up here or contact liftconcertoakland@gmail.com

Monthly Food Pantry Distribution & Set Up – We need hands Friday and Saturday morning this week!
It takes a village to keep it all running… Check out the many ways you can lend your help and expertise. Sign Up Today

Help us meet our $10,000 fundraising goal. Join our GoFundMe Team and get supporters!


Want to be a part of the Audio/Visual team? Sign Up Today!

Please email Randi Hoy at the office office@lakemerrittumc.org to sign up and learn to operate the live stream program and PowerPoint.


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


 

 

The Pregnancy of Mary is connected to the promise of justice and joy in the readings this week.  Mary’s womb becomes a sacred space for the gestation of grace that moves into, and is transforming, the world.  We will ponder the spaces we inhabit at home, work, and community, asking whether they are feeding, nurturing, and reflecting the freedom and joy that is so desperately needed.  (Worship Design Studio)

“…the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” – Isaiah 35: 1-10

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Holy One has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed…” – Luke 1: 46b-55

 Dear friends joining us virtually, would you have a candle nearby and something to light with it, we will light the candle of Joy this week.  Join us as we worship God together.  May God bless you richly today and always.

Join us in person or via Zoom or FaceBook Live. 

Bulletin Link

12.11.2022

Worship Music Links

Sing We Now of Christmas
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens
The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy

 

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

Worship begins at 10:15 AM. Come early and pick up your hymnals. Fellowship follows worship. We have Children’s Godly Play School with enhanced safety and fun for your children. Everyone over age 2, please wear masks (for everyone’s safety and comfort).  We have masks available at the door!

Bulletins will not be handed out in person, you are welcome to bring your own printed bulletin, use your electronic devices, or follow along on the screen as we project the order of service.

ZOOM Link

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86824473010?pwd=Z29RUE9IanVyaC9YaUlRUEIzQm1hUT09

Meeting ID: 868 2447 3010
Passcode: 326043

  To join via Telephone (no computer or smart device) please dial the number below then, when asked, dial the meeting ID & Password provided.

1(669) 900-6833

Meeting ID: 868 2447 3010
Passcode: 326043

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

December 11, 2022

Please read ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Avery’s Basket

Bring in new, unwrapped, toys and place them in Avery’s basket and under the Christmas tree beginning on December 4th. They will be presented to representatives of The Peoples’ Choir of Oakland on Sunday, December 18th for distribution to needy children in our community. The People’s Choir of Oakland was created to invite overlooked communities into collaborative music-making to foster a sense of hope and dignity and to enrich perspectives through the power of music. They will be offering us a gift of music on the 18th.


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. 


Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Sunday Virtual Worship and Advent Offering

Circuit Joint Christmas Candle Light service is held at Twin Tower’s United Methodist Church at 1411 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501 at 5:30PM.  Jim Meredith, Alex Banish, Jane Sliheet, and Rev. Stephanie Gamero will be leading in the joint worship service. 

Christmas Day Sunday Worship service meets virtually.  Many thanks to our choir for leading the songs, Phyllis Elving for being our liturgist, Susannah Woods for creating the video message narrative and David Tavernier for compiling the message video, our music director, Jim Meredith for music, and Michael Cho for creating the virtual worship. 

Please give your Christmas offering on December 11 and December 18th online at https://www.lakemerrittumc.org/giving/, under “Christmas Offering”.  Christmas offerings will go toward funding the Children’s Ministry Director.


Food Ministry Supply Needs

400 lunches are prepared each week! ALL supplies/funds are needed and welcome.

  • #6 brown paper lunch bags
  • paper sandwich bags (#18 sandwich bag white #18 snak pak 6×7.5×6.5) Small
  • paper snack pouches
  • Cookies/Desserts in bulk or individually wrapped
  • Chip/cracker/pretzel bags (snack size)
  • Mayonnaise (in bulk preferably but any size helps)
  • Mustard (in bulk preferably but any size helps)
  • Deli meats (in bulk preferably but any amount helps)
  • Salad greens, arugula, and spinach for sandwiches
  • Cash cards to Chef’s Store, Costco, and Amazon

Hygiene Kit Supply Drive

Our programs distribute hygiene items and other goods at each lunch distribution. We are grateful for in-kind and monetary donations to ensure we can continue this valuable support. Travel-size items are most helpful!

❏ Toothbrush ❏ Toothpaste ❏ Body lotion ❏ Shampoo ❏ Razors

❏ Tampons/Pads (#5-Heavy only) ❏ Lip balm
❏ Bandaids
❏ Antiseptic wipe packets

❏ Antibiotic cream packets ❏ Cotton Swabs
❏ Soap or body wash
❏ Laundry Pods

❏ Socks
❏ Washcloths

Group effort? Set up a drive, solicit donations, and donate goods for hygiene kits given out thru Lake Lunches. Travel-size items are preferred for the kits but all donations are welcome

For more information, contact: liftconcertoakland@gmail.com or 510-465-4793


Winter Clothing Drive with Oakland YMCA

Did you know that over 15,000 children from OUSD live in some degree of homelessness and don’t have adequate clothing to wear to school? 

Help provide warmth for students from kindergarten thru 12th grade.  They are accepting new or gently used coats, scarves, socks, gloves, and hygiene supplies. There will be a bin in the Stark Hall. Kathleen will be dropping off the collection at YMCA.


Connectional Ministries invites you to be a part of the Food Ministry!

Sign up here or contact liftconcertoakland@gmail.com

Monthly Food Pantry Distribution & Set Up – We need hands Friday and Saturday morning this week!
It takes a village to keep it all running… Check out the many ways you can lend your help and expertise. Sign Up Today

Help us meet our $10,000 fundraising goal. Join our GoFundMe Team and get supporters!


Want to be a part of the Audio/Visual team? Sign Up Today!

Please email Randi Hoy at the office office@lakemerrittumc.org to sign up and learn to operate the live stream program and PowerPoint.


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