When we look through the lens of the sacred, we prepare our senses to recognize the holy in all people–to come to know them in a “steadfast and encouraging” way. Our world is crying out for harmony and being able to see the Christ reflected in each other makes a path for this to be accomplished.   

We are inspired this week to see our own walk upon this earth as part of the call to be sacred people who usher in the presence of love.  (Worship Design Studio)

 “This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ – Matthew 3: 1-12

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus…” – Romans 15: 4-13

 Dear friends joining us virtually, would you have a candle nearby and something to light with it, we will light the candle of love 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

12.04.2022

Worship Music Links

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Love Came Down at Christmas
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

 

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 4, 2022

Please read ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Preschool Room Team and Helpers are Needed!

Do you enjoy reading books to preschoolers?  Do you enjoy playing with them and love them?  This ministry is for you.  After the Children’s Moment, our preschool children will join Kate Wilson and a team of helpers to read the bible, story books, do hands-on activities, play, and eat snacks packed by their parents.  Join our amazing team and make a difference in the faith journey of our younger siblings. 

 Please contact Kate Wilson (kate1200@comcast.net) for any questions!


Christmas Pageant Video Message

Description: 

  • Video will be the message for Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th.
  • Screenplay will be compiled by S. Wood from traditional Scripture passages and “21st Century” moments with church children, youth, and adults.
  • All ages are invited to participate.  No experience needed.
  • Tentative character roles for all age groups: Angels, Shepherds, Mary, Joseph, Animals, You as yourselves.

Primary Rehearsals & Video Shoot Dates:

All four Sundays before Christmas: Nov 27, Dec 4, 11, and 18.

Time:  Adults – After Worship

Children & Youth – During Sunday School on Nov 27, Dec 11, and 18.

Place:  LMUMC & surrounding areas (Sanctuary, Yard, Basement, Front Steps, Lake)

*Duration of each after-church rehearsal or filming: 10-60 minutes

 

ADDITIONAL Moments by Invitation: House call by Susannah & her camera at your hospital, home, park, etc.

Contact Susannah Wood at sweet.theater@gmail.com or Pastor Sunae at pastor@lakemerrittumc.org


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.


Christmas Offering

At the Charge Conference, Pastor Sunae shared the need of revitalizing the Children and Youth Ministry.  Next year, the SPRC will work together with Pastor Sunae to hire a part-time Children’s Ministry Director to lead our Children’s ministry.  This year’s special Christmas offering will go towards funding our children and youth ministry.

On December 11th and 18th, Christmas offering envelopes will be available to enclose your special Christmas offering during in-person Worship. For those who wish to donate online, please go to https://www.lakemerrittumc.org/giving/ and give online under Christmas Offering toward Children and Youth Ministry.  Thank you for your generosity.


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.


Children’s Craft Fair

December 10, 2022 from 12-3PM

Lake Merritt UMC – Stark Room

Sign Up Here!


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 Christmas season is a time when the juxtaposition of the sacred and secular feels sometimes blatantly opposed, and sometimes quite blurred. The word “sacred” points to something dedicated as “holy” and “set apart.”

This year, we are invited to a spiritual journey of seeing all things pregnant with the Holy. What could our experience of the Advent and Christmas season be like if we lived it imagining that everything is reflecting the sacred?   (Worship Design Studio)

 

“… you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep… the night is far gone, the day is near.”    – Romans 13: 11-14

 “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”    – Matthew 24: 36-44

 

For our online community, have a candle nearby and something to light it with for the beginning of the service.

Come friends!  Join me as we begin our time of waiting!  We begin our first Advent worship in reflecting on “Sacred Time, Hope”.

Join us in person or via Zoom or FaceBook Live. 

Bulletin Link

11.27.2022

Worship Music Links

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus
The First Noel
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens

O Come, All Ye Faithful

 

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.

November 27, 2022

Please read ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!


Preschool Room Team and Helpers are Needed!

Do you enjoy reading books to preschoolers?  Do you enjoy playing with them and love them?  This ministry is for you.  After the Children’s Moment, our preschool children will join Kate Wilson and a team of helpers to read the bible, story books, do hands-on activities, play, and eat snacks packed by their parents.  Join our amazing team and make a difference in the faith journey of our younger siblings. 

 Please contact Kate Wilson (kate1200@comcast.net) for any questions!


Calling All Elves to Help Make Ornaments!

Our traditional crafting of Christmas ornaments will take place after Worship this Sunday, November 27th. Everyone is invited to gather in the Stark Room to create simple ornaments which our children will then place on the church Christmas tree on Sunday, December 4th. We will need many helping hands for this event!


Christmas Pageant Video Message

Description: 

  • Video will be the message for Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th.
  • Screenplay will be compiled by S. Wood from traditional Scripture passages and “21st Century” moments with church children, youth, and adults.
  • All ages are invited to participate.  No experience needed.
  • Tentative character roles for all age groups: Angels, Shepherds, Mary, Joseph, Animals, You as yourselves.

Primary Rehearsals & Video Shoot Dates:

All four Sundays before Christmas: Nov 27, Dec 4, 11, and 18.

Time:  Adults – After Worship

Children & Youth – During Sunday School on Nov 27, Dec 11, and 18.

Place:  LMUMC & surrounding areas (Sanctuary, Yard, Basement, Front Steps, Lake)

*Duration of each after-church rehearsal or filming: 10-60 minutes

 

ADDITIONAL Moments by Invitation: House call by Susannah & her camera at your hospital, home, park, etc.

Contact Susannah Wood at sweet.theater@gmail.com or Pastor Sunae at pastor@lakemerrittumc.org


Advent Giving

During this season of Advent, our church community will have several opportunities to share the spirit of Jesus’ birth with others.


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.


Christmas Offering

At the Charge Conference, Pastor Sunae shared the need of revitalizing the Children and Youth Ministry.  Next year, the SPRC will work together with Pastor Sunae to hire a part-time Children’s Ministry Director to lead our Children’s ministry.  This year’s special Christmas offering will go towards funding our children and youth ministry.

On December 11th and 18th, Christmas offering envelopes will be available to enclose your special Christmas offering during in-person Worship. For those who wish to donate online, please go to https://www.lakemerrittumc.org/giving/ and give online under Christmas Offering toward Children and Youth Ministry.  Thank you for your generosity.


Giving Tuesday – Food Ministry


Support Lake Merritt Food Ministries this Holiday Season! Here are Three Ways:

Support Lake Merritt Food Ministries this Holiday Season! Here are Three Ways:

  • Donate for next week’s “Giving Tuesday” to help us reach our goal of $10,000. Donate to our GoFundMe Campaignhere or through the church’s online giving here.
  • Use Social Media or email to ask your family and friends to donate to the GoFundMe Campaign. Look for postings you can share from LMUMC’s Facebook page or LakeLunches Instagram account. Or create your own posts.
  • Donate food or hygiene supplies. See a list of needs here [link to pdf file below]

Your participation is helping us in “serving God in downtown Oakland!”


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.


Children’s Craft Fair

December 10, 2022 from 12-3PM

Lake Merritt UMC – Stark Room

Volunteer Sign Up coming soon!


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

Giving Tuesday is coming right after Thanksgiving! 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


 

 

“Wherever you place your foot, there rests a blessing.”  – Rumi

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”  And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”  – Exodus 3:4-5

The Blessing Cup!  Blessings.  What are they?  How do they come?  What do they do for us?  The dictionary defines blessing as: “to consecrate or to hallow by a religious rite of words; to make or pronounce holy or sacred.”  To bless is not so much to “make sacred,” however, as it is to acknowledge the sacredness that is already there.  All of creation is sacred because it is made by God.   Wherever we place our feet – wherever we are – can be a blessing if we are aware of the inherent sacredness and beauty of that place.  All the places where we are standing is holy ground.

This Sunday is the Thanksgiving Sunday.  As we reflect on our gratitude to God for all that God has done for us and we pray through the Blessing Cup, may we grow in awareness of the countless blessings that are ours.  May we become more aware of how we ourselves are a blessing in the lives of others.  Most of all, may our love and appreciation for the Giver of all gifts, the best of all blessings, continue to grow and be enriched.   (The Cup of Our Life, P. 118)

Bring a cup that represents blessing of your life!  Join us.

Join us in person or via Zoom or FaceBook Live. 

Bulletin Link

11.20.2022

Worship Music Links

We Gather Together
Now Thank We All Our God
Fill My Cup, Lord

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

 

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.