The Way Around

On this third Sunday of Lent, we continue our journey on the Way with Jesus.

 

In a world full of expectations about who we should be, Jesus shows us another path. Threatened and misunderstood, he does not abandon his mission. Instead, he stays rooted in compassion and courage.

 

Psalm 32 reminds us that when we stop hiding and release our stubbornness, God shows us the way we should walk. Even when others try to redirect us, God surrounds us with unfailing love.

 

Come. God is our hiding place and our guide.

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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 8, 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 15, 2026

The Way Home
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Psalm 25: 4-10 (CEB)

Luke 15:11b-32 (The Message)

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March 22, 2026

The Free Way
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Isaiah 43:16-19 (NIV)

Philippians 3:12-14 (CEB)

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Daylight Saving Time Change

Sunday, March 8th at 2 AM

On Sunday, March 8th, clocks will “spring forward” by one hour at 2 AM. If you have any clocks, watches, or devices that do not spring forward automatically, be sure to adjust them Saturday night.

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.

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.”

Read more. 

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.

Find a 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.

Church and Society Lenten Webinar Series:

“Ashes to Action: Lent as Non-Violent Resistance”

As we approach the Lenten season, communities across the United States and around the world are confronting growing threats to democracy and civil and human rights. Lent is not only a season of reflection; It calls us to denounce systems of oppression and turn toward God’s promise of justice, dignity, and new life. Join the 2‑hour interactive webinar series for practical tools in nonviolent resistance and insights into the power of noncooperation.

Church and Society: Faith in Action

Action Alert: Tell the Senate to Stop the SAVE America Act to Protect U.S. Elections

The SAVE America Act proposes sweeping changes to federal voting law, including requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship like birth certificates to register to vote and stricter photo identification, such as passport requirements for casting a ballot. As United Methodists, we believe the right to vote is a sacred trust—one of the clearest ways we help shape a nation grounded in justice, dignity, and the common good.

Stand with the United Methodist Church and contact your senators by taking action through the message form below.

TAKE ACTION

Want to receive updates and information on up to 30+ issues on which the United Methodist Church has claimed a position? CLICK HERE to sign up for the Church and Society Newsletter, and choose the causes that matter to you.

 

 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 with Jesus: The High Way

Second Sunday in Lent

This week on our Lenten journey, we follow The High Way—God’s way of abundance. While the world teaches that everything costs, Isaiah proclaims: “Come, buy and eat… without money and without price.” God’s grace is not earned; it is given.

 

Psalm 37 reminds us that God holds our hand along the way. At the Communion table, we remember the feast scene in The Way, where the host greets each pilgrim, “We were expecting you.”

 

Today, we hear those words for ourselves.
Welcome. We were expecting you.

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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 1, 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 08, 2026

The Way Around
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Psalm 32: 1-11 (CEB)

Luke 13:31-34 (CEB)

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March 15, 2026

The Way Home
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Psalm 25: 4-10 (CEB)

Luke 15:11b-32 (The Message)

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Celebrating March Birthdays

Sunday, March 1st

This Sunday, March 1st, we will be honoring everyone who will be celebrating their birthdays in March. There will be birthday cake for all to share during fellowship time immediately following Worship.

LMUMC Events This Lenten Season

This year the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th and concludes with Easter Sunday on April 5th. During this time, weekly gatherings are being offered for those who wish to pause, reflect, and be intentional about their spiritual practices. Find out details 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.  All are open for your participation, even if you haven’t attended a prior session.
For more details, click HERE.

Lenten Events with our OCT Partners

Interested in broadening your church experience?  If so, check out the events for the Lenten season being held at our ecumenical church partners’ locations through OCT (Oakland Churches Together). They are meaningful opportunities to pray, learn, and journey together across our local church community. All are welcome!
For more details, click HERE.

Sign up to Volunteer with Our Food Pantry 

Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 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 – 10:30 AM). If you are interested in serving through our ministries, click HERE.

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. 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.

Church and Society Lenten Webinar Series:

“Ashes to Action: Lent as Non-Violent Resistance”

As we approach the Lenten season, communities across the United States and around the world are confronting growing threats to democracy and civil and human rights. Lent is not only a season of reflection; It calls us to denounce systems of oppression and turn toward God’s promise of justice, dignity, and new life. Join the 2‑hour interactive webinar series for practical tools in nonviolent resistance and insights into the power of noncooperation.

To register for these webinars, CLICK HERE.

Church and Society: Faith in Action

Action Alert: Tell the Senate to Stop the SAVE America Act to Protect U.S. Elections

The SAVE America Act proposes sweeping changes to federal voting law, including requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship like birth certificates to register to vote and stricter photo identification, such as passport requirements for casting a ballot. As United Methodists, we believe the right to vote is a sacred trust—one of the clearest ways we help shape a nation grounded in justice, dignity, and the common good.

Stand with the United Methodist Church and contact your senators by taking action through the message form below.

TAKE ACTION

Want to receive updates and information on up to 30+ issues on which the United Methodist Church has claimed a position? CLICK HERE to sign up for the Church and Society Newsletter, and choose the causes that matter to you.

Denomination-Wide Survey & Webinars

To read the full message from the California-Nevada Conference, please click HERE

Surveys open now through February 15

The Council of Bishops is inviting United Methodists across the connection to help discern the future of the Church through a denomination-wide survey (open now through Feb. 15, 2026) and a series of churchwide webinars on Wesleyan identity and vision.

To take the survey, please click HERE

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Webinars and Recordings

UMCOM will host three churchwide webinars in order to help us discern our Wesleyan identity and new vision:

January 24, 2026, 7am-9:30am PT (10am-11:30am ET): Wesleyan Theology, “Love Boldly” (Recording will be available later this week at ResourceUMC.org)

February 21, 2026, 7am-9:30am PT (10am-11:30am ET): Wesleyan Misson, “Serve Joyfully”

March 21, 2026, 7am-9:30am PT (10am-11:30am ET): Wesleyan Leadership, “Lead Courageously”

To register for webinars, please click HERE.

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 Stewardship in a New Day

A California-Nevada Conference Workshop

Various Locations Beginning in March

In the last two decades, churches have seen enormous change in the areas of stewardship and funding mission and ministry. After many decades during which the practice of stewardship hardly changed at all, churches have struggled to keep up. All this in the context of a world that changes rapidly, and culture often pushes back against.

Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Generosity at Discipleship Ministries, has come to travel to various Districts of our Conference to share his view of the changes we have been through, where we have adapted well and not so well, and what he sees we need to be open to in the days that are ahead.

These workshops will occur at a variety of locations across California and Nevada. Two of the locations in the Bay Area are listed below:

Monday, March 23
9:00 am
San Jose, Korean UMC of Santa Clara Valley
1001 Ginger Lane, San Jose, CA 95128

Tuesday, March 24
9:00 am
Daly City UMC, Daly City
1474 Southgate Avenue, Daly City, CA 94015

To register, click HERE

For questions, please contact Rev. J. Martin Lee (martinl@calnevumc.org), Executive Director of Connectional Ministries, California-Nevada Annual Conference.

 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 Wandering Way

First Sunday in Lent

Lent begins with a journey. After his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness—a place of testing, decision, and deep discovery. Like travelers on pilgrimage, we too walk paths marked by uncertainty, temptation, and the longing to find our true direction.

 

Inspired by the promise of Isaiah—“I will make a way in the wilderness”—and reflecting on the human journey portrayed in The Way, we enter this holy season trusting that even when we feel lost, God is guiding our steps. Together we begin The Wandering Way, a Lenten pilgrimage of reflection, courage, and renewal, discovering that in our wandering, God continues to shape us into lives rooted like trees planted by living water. Join us.

.

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

.

February 22, 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

.

March 01, 2026

The High Way

Psalm 37: 23-27

Isaiah 55: 1-9

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March 08, 2026

The Way Around

Psalm 32: 1-11 (CEB)

Luke 13:31-34 (CEB)

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