The Widow and the Judge

In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow who demands justice from an indifferent judge. Her relentless pursuit is not just about personal gain—it’s a bold claim that justice matters, even in the face of resistance. As Amy-Jill Levine reminds us, this parable challenges us to reflect on our own persistence: Are we as committed to justice as this widow? Do we trust that God, unlike the unjust judge, hears our cries and acts with compassion?  Join us. Rev. Mary Elyn Bahlert is preaching this Sunday.

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

Bulletin Link

May 11th, 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

The Widow and the Judge

In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow who demands justice from an indifferent judge. Her relentless pursuit is not just about personal gain—it’s a bold claim that justice matters, even in the face of resistance. As Amy-Jill Levine reminds us, this parable challenges us to reflect on our own persistence: Are we as committed to justice as this widow? Do we trust that God, unlike the unjust judge, hears our cries and acts with compassion?  Join us. Rev. Mary Elyn Bahlert is preaching this Sunday.

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

Bulletin Link

May 11th, 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

The Mustard Seed

The parable of the mustard seed invites us into mystery. It isn’t a neat promise that “If you have faith, everything will be fine.”  It’s a challenge.  A seed, small and seemingly insignificant, asks us: What is possible, even amid our doubts?

As Amy-Jill Levine reminds us from her book, “Short Stories of Jesus”, the parables of Jesus are not puzzles with one solution – they are provocations. They spark imagination. They leave us asking, “What do you get out of that?”  In a world where faith often feels fragile, and hope can seem absurd, Jesus names the tiniest of seeds as the doorway to the Kingdom of Heaven here and now.  Not because it’s perfect, but because it grows. Wildly. Unexpectedly. Even disruptively. 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

April 27th, 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

Easter Vision: A New Beginning

Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed! Come celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter Sunday as we gather for a powerful time of worship, reflection, and joy.

This Easter will be especially meaningful as your lay leader, Tom Huetteman, and Pastor Sunae unveil our church’s refreshed vision and branding of Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, inspired by the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13-16:

“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Come hear the heart behind the changes and explore how we’re growing into the future while honoring our rich legacy. All are welcome. Come as you are. Bring your family and friends! Let’s step into this new chapter together this Easter!

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

Bulletin Link

April 20th, 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

When We Keep Silent

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian liturgical calendar. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed Him by waving palm branches and praising God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.

This moment is both joyful and solemn. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus to rebuke his disciples to be quiet. Jesus replied and said, “I will tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. Did you hear that? Jesus said, “If the disciples are quiet, the stones will cry out.” Join us. Christ Logan is preaching this Sunday.

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

Bulletin Link

April 13th, 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

When There’s Not One Right Answer

From our childhood schooling, we are trained to believe that there is always one right answer, one best answer, in any situation. Yet life–and faith–is messier and more complicated than that. Today’s story, John 12:1-8 poses an either/or question: is it better to lavishly care for Jesus, or to feed the poor? For Mary, what was the most beautiful thing for her to do at that moment, when the man who raised her brother back to life sat in her house? When she knew—knew in a way that few seemed to fully realize—that his own life was about to be snuffed out with jeers and nails?

When I think about it that way, I can only be awed by Mary’s choice. To sit in a room of judgmental people, to give away not only her perfume but her love, to show Jesus that even as he walks to the cross, someone sees his sacrifice. We reflect on “When there is not one right answer.” Rev. Jeff Kunkel is preaching. 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

April 6th, 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