Holy Week & Easter Schedule

We invite you to join us for a meaningful and joy-filled Holy Week as we journey together from the cross to the resurrection.

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Good Friday Service

Friday, April 3 at 6:00 PM

New Bridges UMC (Hosted by Chinese Community UMC)

1411 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501

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Join the Alameda–Oakland Circuit churches for a joint Good Friday service as we remember Christ’s sacrificial love.

Fellowship begins at 5:30 PM prior to the service.

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Easter Sunrise Service

Sunday, April 5 at 7:00 – 7:30 AM

Location to be announced

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Gather with our circuit community at sunrise to celebrate the resurrection of Christ with prayer, scripture, and song as the new day begins. Rev. Vathanak Heang, the lead pastor of Buena Vista UMC, will be leading the service.

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Easter Celebration Service at LMUMC

Sunday, April 5 at 10:15 AM

Join us for a joyful and uplifting Easter worship as we proclaim: Christ is risen!

Flowering the Cross: Children are invited to decorate the cross—please bring fresh-cut flowers from your yard.

Easter Offering: This year’s offering will support a full-time Operations Manager position, strengthening the mission and ministries of our church.

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Special Easter Sunday Activities for Kids

Sunday, April 5

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On Easter Sunday, April 5, we will have our annual Easter egg hunt in the courtyard after church. Bags will be provided so you don’t have to bring anything. We would love it if the youth could hide the eggs during worship.
For the children’s moment, we will decorate the cross with flowers. Folks with flowers in their gardens are invited to bring some to help decorate the cross.
Our pre-school class will have their usual lesson with May and Kelly. Our Godly Play group will stay in the service with special activity packets.
Parents – please pick up your children right after the service so we can start the egg hunt!
See you on Easter! Margaret LeWright, Children’s Ministry Team Lead.

No Kings March III

March 28

Calling on People of Faith to Rally Together!
Choose one of these options for walking:
Shorter
Meet in front of Lake Merritt UMC at 1:00pm; walk over to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater and hangout. Contact Marlene Yamashita (maryamca@att.net or 925-286-9682) if you plan to do this.
Medium
Meet in front plaza of City Hall around noon. Marching from the Plaza to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater is scheduled to begin ~1:00.
Longer
Meet at 11:30am at First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St. The Faith Contingent of the Rally (OCT, etc) will pray, sing, & walk 4 blocks to City Hall, where the official No Kings Rally starts.
Contact Juliet Hannafin at Juliethannafin@gmail.com or 510-919-4979 if you want to meet there.

For more details:

CLICK HERE

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LMUMC Youth Group

First Sunday and Third Weekend of Each Month

We’re excited to share that our Youth Group meets twice a month and welcomes all youth ages 14–18 to join us.

Our gatherings will include:

Scripture Study: First Sunday of each month during service

Fun Activity: Third weekend of each month

If you know a teen who might be interested, we would love to have them join us!

For more information, please contact:
Aide Flores (510-876-1730)
Andrew Champion (510-435-5567)

Sign up to Volunteer with Our Food Pantry

Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28

Fourth Saturday of every month

Our Food Ministries invite members of the congregation and the public to volunteer with our monthly food pantry. You are welcome to volunteer in different ways: On Fridays, volunteers help receive and set-up the food pantry (10 AM – 11 AM), and on Saturday, volunteers will facilitate food distribution (8 AM – 10 AM). If you are interested in serving through our ministries, click HERE.

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concerts

April 12th and 19th

In these concerts, Voci will celebrate the beauty of fresh beginnings in the world around us as well as within us. Through music by Daniel Brinsmead, Veljo Tormis, Libby Larsen, Diane White-Clayton and more, Voci will present the growth, birth and bounty of Spring. As nature’s renewal comes alive through music, we hope you will be inspired with a sense of hope and love that Spring brings!

Join Voci on April 12th in Berkeley and on April 19th in Orinda. Tickets and details are at VociSings.org

The Free Way

God is always making a way – even through the wilderness places of our lives. In Isaiah 43:16-19, God promises, “I am about to do a new thing … I will make a way in the wilderness.” And Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:12-14 to forget what lies behind and press forward toward the life God calls us to in Christ.

Along the journey, there are both stumbling blocks and stepping stones. Like the Pilgrims in The Way who lay down their stones as a sign of release, we too are invited to let go of the burdens we carry – grief, anger, fear – and trust that God is leading us toward freedom and new life.

Come, walk The Free Way, trusting that God, our rock and redeemer, walks with us every step of the journey.

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Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

Join us in person in our sanctuary or watch online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

Bulletin Link

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March 22, 2025

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

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87993979913
Meeting ID: 879 9397 9913
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

To join Sunday Worship via Facebook, click here and look for the live video at the top of the page.

To watch the livestream of our service on YouTube, click here.

Upcoming Sundays

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March 29, 2026

The Other Way

Palm Sunday

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Luke 19:28b-40 (CEB)

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April 05, 2026

Make Your Way

Easter Sunday

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Psalm 107 (NRSVUE)

Matthew 28:1-10 (CEB)

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Road Closures for Oakland Marathon

Sunday, March 22, 6 AM – 9:30 AM

The annual Oakland Marathon will take place on Sunday, March 22.

Church access during the Oakland Marathon will be available from the intersection of International Blvd and 1st Ave. Between the hours of 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM, vehicles should access International Blvd by crossing the route at 5th Ave. Vehicles will be directed to cross the route on 1st Ave when gaps in runners allow. Vehicles arriving before 7:30 AM will need to cross the course at the following intersections to access International Blvd:

– 5th Ave. & 12th St.

– 5th Ave. & Foothill Blv.

– International Blvd & 12th Ave.

Vehicles MUST wait for participants and will be directed to cross when gaps in runners allow.

In order to reduce wait times, it is highy suggested that staff and parishioners arrive within the following times during the road closures:

– Before 6:45 AM

– 7:30 AM to 8:20 AM

– After 9:30 AM

To view and download a pdf map of the road closures, CLICK HERE.

Lenten Season Small Groups

Join with others in one, two, or three of the new Small Groups that have launched for the Lenten Season. Even if you haven’t attended any of the prior sessions, each of the Small Groups is available to you!

Join the Anti-Racism book study with Rev. Myrna, the Lenten Centering Prayer Circle with Rev. Sunae (see flyer HERE), and/or the Mind, Body, & Stroll with Juliet Hannafin. These are great, short-term ways to connect and further activate our core value of Community. They are open for your participation, even if you haven’t attended a prior session.

For more details, click HERE.

Alameda-Oakland Joint Circuit Confirmation Class

March 15, 22, and 29th at 12:30 PM

Buena Vista UMC

Who: All Youth 7th through 12th Grade Students

Pastor Vathanak (Pastor of Buena Vista UMC), Joel Yos (Children and Youth Director at BVUMC), Pastor Ivana from Chinese Community UMC are facilitators.

See our Youth Teachers for more information: Andrew Champion and Aide Flores

Contact: Ivana.ccumc@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Poster-Making Party with Pizza

March 22, Stark Room, 5 PM – 7 PM

Come create signs to hold (or wear:) at the No Kings Rally. Supplies & pizza provided! Bring family & friends, connect with other rallyers, and trade meet-up details for No Kings Day. Folks from OCT, other UMCs, and Food Ministry volunteers will be joining us. RSVP to Juliet Hannafin at (510) 919-4979 or juliethannafin@gmail.com.

No Kings March III

March 28

Calling on People of Faith to Rally Together!
Choose one of these options for walking:
Shorter
Meet in front of Lake Merritt UMC at 1:00pm; walk over to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater and hangout. Contact Marlene Yamashita (maryamca@att.net or 925-286-9682) if you plan to do this.
Medium
Meet in front plaza of City Hall around noon. Marching from the Plaza to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater is scheduled to begin ~1:00.
Longer
Meet at 11:30am at First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St. The Faith Contingent of the Rally (OCT, etc) will pray, sing, & walk 4 blocks to City Hall, where the official No Kings Rally starts.
Contact Juliet Hannafin at Juliethannafin@gmail.com or 510-919-4979 if you want to meet there.

For more details:

CLICK HERE

Holy Week & Easter Schedule

We invite you to join us for a meaningful and joy-filled Holy Week as we journey together from the cross to the resurrection.

.

Good Friday Service

Friday, April 3 at 6:00 PM

New Bridges UMC (Hosted by Chinese Community UMC)

1411 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501

.

Join the Alameda–Oakland Circuit churches for a joint Good Friday service as we remember Christ’s sacrificial love.

Fellowship begins at 5:30 PM prior to the service.

.

Easter Sunrise Service

Sunday, April 5 at 7:00 – 7:30 AM

Lincoln Square Park (Playground)
11th & Harrison Street, Oakland

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Gather with our circuit community at sunrise to celebrate the resurrection of Christ with prayer, scripture, and song as the new day begins. Rev. Vathanak Heang, the lead pastor of Buena Vista UMC, will be leading the service.

.

Easter Celebration Service at LMUMC

Sunday, April 5 at 10:15 AM

Join us for a joyful and uplifting Easter worship as we proclaim: Christ is risen!

Flowering the Cross: Children are invited to decorate the cross—please bring fresh-cut flowers from your yard.

Easter Offering: This year’s offering will support a full-time Operations Manager position, strengthening the mission and ministries of our church.

.

Special Easter Sunday Activities for Kids

Sunday, April 5

.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, we will have our annual Easter egg hunt in the courtyard after church. Bags will be provided so you don’t have to bring anything. We would love it if the youth could hide the eggs during worship.
For the children’s moment, we will decorate the cross with flowers. Folks with flowers in their gardens are invited to bring some to help decorate the cross.
Our pre-school class will have their usual lesson with May and Kelly. Our Godly Play group will stay in the service with special activity packets.
Parents – please pick up your children right after the service so we can start the egg hunt!
See you on Easter! Margaret LeWright, Children’s Ministry Team Lead.

.

LMUMC Youth Group

First Sunday and Third Weekend of Each Month

We’re excited to share that our Youth Group meets twice a month and welcomes all youth ages 14–18 to join us.

Our gatherings will include:

Scripture Study: First Sunday of each month during service

Fun Activity: Third weekend of each month

If you know a teen who might be interested, we would love to have them join us!

For more information, please contact:
Aide Flores (510-876-1730)
Andrew Champion (510-435-5567)

Sign up to Volunteer with Our Food Pantry

Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28

Fourth Saturday of every month

Our Food Ministries invite members of the congregation and the public to volunteer with our monthly food pantry. You are welcome to volunteer in different ways: On Fridays, volunteers help receive and set-up the food pantry (10 AM – 11 AM), and on Saturday, volunteers will facilitate food distribution (8 AM – 10 AM). If you are interested in serving through our ministries, click HERE.

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concerts

April 12th and 19th

In these concerts, Voci will celebrate the beauty of fresh beginnings in the world around us as well as within us. Through music by Daniel Brinsmead, Veljo Tormis, Libby Larsen, Diane White-Clayton and more, Voci will present the growth, birth and bounty of Spring. As nature’s renewal comes alive through music, we hope you will be inspired with a sense of hope and love that Spring brings!

Join Voci on April 12th in Berkeley and on April 19th in Orinda. Tickets and details are at VociSings.org

If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Tuesday by noon.

The Way Home

No matter what we call home in this world, our hearts long for a deeper home—one where we are fully known, forgiven, and welcomed.

In Jesus’ parable of the wandering son in Luke’s gospel, a child who has lost everything finds the courage to return home. Instead of rejection, he is met with compassion, embrace, and celebration.

Psalm 25 reminds us that God’s ways are always love and faithfulness. The Loving Parent does not remember us by our worst mistakes but by the goodness placed within us.

Lent invites us to walk the road home—letting go of pride, shame, and grudges along the way. Wherever we are on the journey, God is already running toward us with open arms.

Come worship as we rediscover the grace of belonging and the joy of coming home.

.

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

Join us in person in our sanctuary or watch online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

Bulletin Link

.

March 15, 2025

.

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

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87993979913
Meeting ID: 879 9397 9913
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

To join Sunday Worship via Facebook, click here and look for the live video at the top of the page.

To watch the livestream of our service on YouTube, click here.

Upcoming Sundays

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March 22, 2026

The Free Way

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Isaiah 43:16-19 (NIV)

Philippians 3:12-14 (CEB)

.

March 29, 2026

The Other Way

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Psalm 37:1-9 (CEB)

Luke 19:28b-40 (CEB)

.

Lenten Season Small Groups

Join with others in one, two, or three of the new Small Groups that have launched for the Lenten Season. Even if you haven’t attended any of the prior sessions, each of the Small Groups is available to you!

Join the Anti-Racism book study with Rev. Myrna, the Lenten Centering Prayer Circle with Rev. Sunae (see flyer HERE), and/or the Mind, Body, & Stroll with Juliet Hannafin. These are great, short-term ways to connect and further activate our core value of Community. All are open for your participation, even if you haven’t attended a prior session.

For more details, click HERE.

Alameda-Oakland Joint Circuit Confirmation Class

March 15, 22, and 29th at 12:30 PM

Buena Vista UMC

Who: All Youth 7th through 12th Grade Students

Pastor Vathanak (Pastor of Buena Vista UMC), Joel Yos (Children and Youth Director at BVUMC), Pastor Ivana from Chinese Community UMC are facilitators.

See our Youth Teachers for more information: Andrew Champion and Aide Flores

Contact: Ivana.ccumc@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Humorous, Poignant Film Screening About the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict

Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 PM

Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’s Peace in Palestine (PiP) small group is screening a film with an unusual perspective on Israeli/Palestinian relations, Coexistence, My Ass. It happens at church after worship/fellowship time on Sunday, March 16 at 1 P.M., with a brief time for discussion afterward. This film screening is free of charge. The film follows an Israeli woman, Noam Shuster Eliassi, who grew up in the only village in Israel where Palestinians and Israelis intentionally live together. Shuster Eliassi uses standup comedy as a vehicle for educating people about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, and pushes her audiences to face difficult truths that aren’t always funny but do remind us that another reality is possible. If you are interested in attending, for planning purposes, please contact Dan Strauss danjeffstrauss@gmail.com, but you may also just show up the day of the screening.

Road Closures for Oakland Marathon

Sunday, March 22, 6 AM – 9:30 AM

The annual Oakland Marathon will take place on Sunday, March 22.

Church access during the Oakland Marathon will be available from the intersection of International Blvd and 1st Ave. Between the hours of 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM, vehicles should access International Blvd by crossing the route at 5th Ave. Vehicles will be directed to cross the route on 1st Ave when gaps in runners allow. Vehicles arriving before 7:30 AM will need to cross the course at the following intersections to access International Blvd:

– 5th Ave. & 12th St.

– 5th Ave. & Foothill Blv.

– International Blvd & 12th Ave.

Vehicles MUST wait for participants and will be directed to cross when gaps in runners allow.

In order to reduce wait times, it is highy suggested that staff and parishioners arrive within the following times during the road closures:

– Before 6:45 AM

– 7:30 AM to 8:20 AM

– After 9:30 AM

To view and download a pdf map of the road closures, CLICK HERE.

Special Easter Sunday Activities for Kids

Sunday, April 5

On Easter Sunday, April 5, we will have our annual Easter egg hunt in the courtyard after church. Bags will be provided so you don’t have to bring anything. We would love it if the youth could hide the eggs during worship.
For the children’s moment, we will decorate the cross with flowers. Folks with flowers in their gardens are invited to bring some to help decorate the cross.
Our pre-school class will have their usual lesson with May and Kelly. Our Godly Play group will stay in the service with special activity packets.
Parents – please pick up your children right after the service so we can start the egg hunt!
See you on Easter! Margaret LeWright, Children’s Ministry Team Lead.

Poster-Making Party with Pizza

March 22, Stark Room, 5 PM – 7 PM

Come create signs to hold (or wear:) at the No Kings Rally. Supplies & pizza provided! Bring family & friends, connect with other rallyers, and trade meet-up details for No Kings Day. Folks from OCT, other UMCs, and Food Ministry volunteers will be joining us. RSVP to Juliet Hannafin at (510) 919-4979 or juliethannafin@gmail.com.

No Kings March III

March 28

In America, we have no kings! On March 28th, Americans are showing up together again to defend ourselves and our communities (and our world) against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence. America does not belong to strongmen, greedy billionaires, or those who rule by fear. It belongs to us, the people.

Folks who want to march in the Oakland rally will march from Frank Ogawa Plaza by City Hall to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater by church. Folks who want to sit &/or stand will walk over from church to the Amphitheater and hang out. To find a No Kings rally closer to where you live, check out NoKings.org.

Find another No Kings Rally near you at Nokings.org and check out interfaithalliance.org for information that people of faith are providing. Contact LMUMC member Juliet Hannafin at Juliethannafin@gmail.com for more information and if you want to participate together in the Oakland No Kings Rally on March 28th. Also, mark your calendar for a rally poster-making event on March 22nd. More info forthcoming.

United Methodist Bishops Call for Prayer and Peace in the New Middle East War

WASHINGTON — Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone has called for prayer amid ongoing military strikes by the U.S., Israel and Iran. “As followers of Christ, let us be steadfast in prayer for those whose lives were taken that they may rest in God’s eternal peace,” she wrote on behalf of the bishops. “Let us pray for the wounded that healing and comfort may surround them. Let us pray for families and communities in mourning that they may find strength for the days ahead.”

Church and Society: Faith in Action

Action Alert: Tell Congress to Stop War With Iran

Congress has failed to rein in the President’s ability to wage war on Iran, which has already killed more than 1,200 civilians. We must stand against one more dollar for wars abroad.

Please consider sending a message to your elected officials re: the war with Iran. Our denomination has crafted an easy and faith-rooted message that is easy to use.

Read the full Church and Society Action Alert here.

Take action here by emailing your Representative or Senator.

If you would like to submit an announcement for our weekly e-blast, please adhere to the guidelines found here. All submissions are due Tuesday by noon.