The Reign/Rain of God

“I love puns!  There’s the Reign of God, as in the reign of a King.
And there’s the Rain of God, as in the grace that falls like water.

I have a simple idea to present to you today: God’s rain falls on the mountain of humanity, creating many creeks and streams and rivers.  Each stream, each river is from God, heading back down to God.  There’s a Muslim river, Sunni and Shia and Sufi, there’s a Jewish river, orthodox, conservative and reform, there’s a Buddhist river… and there’s a Methodist river.“

Join us as we reflect on the “Reign and the Rain of God” this Sunday.   – Guest Speaker, Rev. Deacon Mike Friedrich

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

 

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

 

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415
Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

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

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

 


May/June Special Sundays

 

June 16, 2024

Annual Conference Report
“Following Jesus,” Matthew 16:13-17
Sue Dickey, Lay Delegate to the ACS
Laurel Williams, Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to the ACS
Rev. Sunae Cho, Pastor

Defined by Generosity

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
– Winston Churchill

We are designed to be generous, but there are two voices, the voice of fear and self-gratification, that work against our God-given impulse toward generosity.  Do you struggle with this?  I am also curious about what happens when we are generous!  Come, friends and join our conversation. – Pastor Sunae

 

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

 

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

 

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415
Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

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

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

 


May/June Special Sundays

 

June 9, 2024

The Reign/Rain of God
Romans 8:38-39
Guest speaker: Rev. Mike Friedrich, Deacon

 

*

 

June 16, 2024

Annual Conference Report
“Following Jesus,” Matthew 16:13-17
Sue Dickey, Lay Delegate to the ACS
Laurel Williams, Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to the ACS
Rev. Sunae Cho, Pastor

Iridescent

Confirmation Sunday

Have you ever noticed how the large Tiffany Panels in the sanctuary sparkle?  Depending on the viewing angle, lighting situation, and time of day, these 17 foot tall mosaics show different brilliant, shimmering colors.  In other words, the Panels are iridescent.

Our scripture passage for this Sunday explores the prophet Jeremiah’s position and call into ministry.  While Jeremiah initially declined his call to prophetic witness, recognizing only his own inexperience, God called for all of Jeremiah’s contradictory facets, being resilient but sensitive, privileged but vulnerable, and smart but afraid.  God called on Jeremiah to use all of himself to speak words of grave concern for many, but also to bring soaring visions of healing and liberation, depending on the moment.

This Sunday, let us reflect on what it means to be an iridescent people, ones who shimmer brilliantly, in different ways at different times.  Let us consider what it means to bear witness to one another’s light, and how we may shine as a people of God.

 

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

 

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

 

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415
Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

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

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

 


May/June Special Sundays

 

June 2, 2024

Defined by Generosity
Proverbs 11:24-25, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

June 9, 2024

The Reign/Rain of God
Romans 8:38-39
Guest speaker: Rev. Mike Friedrich, Deacon

 

*

 

June 16, 2024

Annual Conference Report
“Following Jesus,” Matthew 16:13-17
Sue Dickey, Lay Delegate to the ACS
Laurel Williams, Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to the ACS
Rev. Sunae Cho, Pastor

Pentecost Merger Celebration of Lake Park and Lake Merritt UMC

 

            

 

Let me give you a new command:  Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when they see the love you have for each other.”
– John 13:34-35

We rejoice that God has moved the hearts of Lake Park UMC and Lake Merritt UMC so that we may now weave our futures together as one church on Pentecost Sunday. We will begin our new chapter as a new Lake Merritt United Methodist Church.

You will hear four stories of our two churches and our own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach the sermon and bless our merger. Bay District Superintendent Rev. Sun Hee Kim will be joining and leading with us. Immediately after the service, you are invited to take a church photo in front of the church on Lakeshore Ave. Then we will celebrate our merger with a great fellowship over a BBQ lunch. Friends, come and witness this historic new beginning of our churches. Amen.

 

Sunday worship begins at 10:15AM.

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

 

Bulletin Link

 

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

 

Watch Online

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415
Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415
Passcode: 326043
Or dial the following number: 1(669) 900-6833.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID & passcode above.

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

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

 


May/June Special Sundays

 

May 26, 2024

Confirmation Sunday
Guest Speaker: Hope Hilton, Joint Youth Group Director of Buena Vista UMC & Lake Merritt UMC.

 

*

 

June 2, 2024

Defined by Generosity
Proverbs 11:24-25, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

June 9, 2024

The Reign/Rain of God
Romans 8:38-39
Guest speaker: Rev. Mike Friedrich, Deacon

 

*

 

June 16, 2024

Annual Conference Report
“Following Jesus,” Matthew 16:13-17
Sue Dickey, Lay Delegate to the ACS
Laurel Williams, Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to the ACS
Rev. Sunae Cho, Pastor

Cultivating Contentment in a Fearful Age

My sermon topic for this week will be “Cultivating Contentment in a Fearful Age,” based on I Timothy 6:6-17. Our grateful acceptance of who we are and what we have in Christ frees us up to enjoy the “finer things in life.” What are those finer things? Here is how Eugene Peterson translates the second part of verse 11: “Pursue a righteous life–a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy.” While letting go of anxiety will take some effort on our part, the gift of it is fulfillment.

Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.

Bulletin Link

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

 

ZOOM Link

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415

Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415

Passcode: 326043

Dial the number below then, when asked, dial the meeting ID & Password provided.

1(669) 900-6833

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

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


May/June Special Sundays

May 12, 2024

Cultivating Contentment
I Timothy 6:6-17
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

May 19, 2024

Pentecost Sunday – A Merger Celebration of Lake Park UMC & Lake Merritt UMC
Special Guest Speaker: Minerva Carcaño
Bay District Superintendent:  Rev. Sun Hee Kim

 

*

 

May 26, 2024

Confirmation Sunday
Guest Speaker: Hope Hilton, Joint Youth Group Director of Buena Vista UMC & Lake Merritt UMC.

 

*

 

June 2, 2024

Defined by Generosity
Proverbs 11:24-25, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

June 9, 2024

The Reign/Rain of God
Romans 8:38-39
Guest speaker: Rev. Mike Friedrich, Deacon

 

*

 

June 16, 2024

Annual Conference Report
“Following Jesus,” Matthew 16:13-17
Sue Dickey, Lay Delegate to the ACS
Laurel Williams, Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to the ACS
Rev. Sunae Cho, Pastor

Threshold Moments: Is there Healing at the End of Life?

Is there healing at the end of life? In a setting that is often centered around the longing for a cure, I have borne witness to all kinds of stories, of both suffering and healing. I will be preaching on what a day in the life of a hospital chaplain looks like for me and sharing more about my calling as an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church. I’ll be inviting all of us to reflect on Lamentations chapter 3, pointing towards God’s faithfulness to us, His beloved children. Notice  in your own life and through the stories of others how God shows up most poignantly in threshold moments. These are the moments that happen between the thin line of life and death, despair and hope, disorientation and transformation, suffering and healing. I look forward to being with you!
Love in Christ,
Rev. Stephanie Gameros, BCC, CEC

Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.

Bulletin Link

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

 

ZOOM Link

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755892415

Meeting ID: 857 5589 2415

Passcode: 326043

Dial the number below then, when asked, dial the meeting ID & Password provided.

1(669) 900-6833

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

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


2024 Easter Sermon Series

Resurrection Stories

The Easter Season is a time of celebrating all the ways in which resurrection is possible in our lives. We can be in need of rising out of the depth of imprisonment, addiction, poverty, illness, and oppression – not just physically and literally, but also spiritually. What keeps us locked up inside? What binds us, keeping us from the fullness of who God created us to be? Join us for stories of courage, kindness, strength, and overcoming – Resurrection Stories – about those who have found “resurrection” in their lives. It might just inspire you to unlock your own rising up!

 

May 5, 2024

Threshold Moments – Is There Healing at the End of Life?

Lamentations 3:19-33

 

*

May/June Special Sundays

May 12, 2024

Cultivating Contentment
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Hebrews 13:5-6
Stewardship Program

 

*

 

May 19, 2024

Pentecost Sunday – A Merger Celebration of Lake Park UMC & Lake Merritt UMC
Special Guest Speaker: Minerva Carcaño
Bay District Superintendent:  Rev. Sun Hee Kim

 

*

 

May 26, 2024

Confirmation Sunday
Guest Speaker: Hope Hilton, Joint Youth Group Director of Buena Vista UMC & Lake Merritt UMC.