Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Holy Week Reminders
Request for Freshly Cut Flowers
Are you a home gardener? We invite you to bring freshly cut flowers from your yard on Easter morning for the children to use to decorate the cross during worship.
Easter Activities for Children
Please join us on Easter Sunday! The great surprise will be revealed during the children’s moment, and we will decorate the cross with flowers. Pre-school children will have their usual Godly Play-style storytime in the nursery. Elementary-age children will stay in the sanctuary where activity packets will be provided. Middle school helpers will hide Easter eggs during the service for our Easter egg hunt. Families don’t need to bring anything. The eggs are filled and bags will be provided. Just come on out to the courtyard right after church. See you on the 31st. –Margaret LeWright, Children’s Ministry Team co-leader.
Holy Week Worship Services
Friday, March 29
3pm Mass, 4:30 p.m. Ecumenical Good Friday Prayer Gathering
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (2808 Lakeshore Ave) invites Oakland congregations (Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, Lakeshore Baptist Church, Montclair Presbyterian Church, Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and Corpus Christi Catholic Church) to attend their afternoon mass at 3pm. At 4:30pm, we will gather and process together to the Colonnade Plaza for a prayer service for our city and world. Public officials have been invited to attend.
7 p.m. Tenebrae and Taizé Service
Through the reading of scripture and the successive extinguishing of light in the Sanctuary, we are invited to enter into the dramatic narrative of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. Join us for a service of music, scriptures, shadows, darkness, and silence, reflecting the solemn mood of this day.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83807032679
Meeting ID: 838 0703 2679
Passcode: 257687
Sunday, March 31st
10:15 a.m. Easter Celebration
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Join us for a service filled with guest musicians, choir voices, spoken words, songs, and prayers. Please bring fresh-cut flowers for the children to decorate the Easter Cross, and plan to stay for fellowship after Worship. Your Easter offering will help support our children and youth ministries.
Sound Bath Returns!
6:45pm Friday, April 12th
After a month off in March, Sound Bath returns on Friday, April 12th. What better way to end your week than by slowing down and relaxing, surrounded by meditative vibrations and melodies? Be immersed in flowing sounds as you sit in a chair or lie on the floor with your own mat, blanket, and/or pillow.
Admittance for the church community is donation based; $20 is suggested via cash, check, or Venmo. No RSVP needed. Doors open at 6:30 pm; please arrive by 6:45. Program begins promptly at 7:00pm.
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Fellowship Food Volunteers Needed
Our fellowship time after worship on Sundays needs an ongoing supply of volunteers to provide food. Nothing fancy—veggies and dip, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers are always popular. Please look for the clipboard on the food table every Sunday and sign up for your Sunday(s) of choice and what you are planning to bring. There are three signup opportunities for each Sunday. Please see Laurel Williams if you have any questions.
Oakland Marathon Information
6-10am Sunday, March 17th
The annual Oakland Marathon may affect our access to church on Sunday, March 17th between 6am and 9:30am. The race should be finished on our portion of the route between 9:30 and 10am. Click here for more details, including maps with the full route and information on how to access the church before 10am.
Interfaith Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage
Saturday, March 23rd
On Saturday, March 23rd, Lake Merritt UMC and other congregations across the Bay Area will be participating in an interfaith pilgrimage dedicated to calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The pilgrimage will consist of a daylong, 22-mile walk (broken into shorter legs) from Berkeley to Alameda, symbolizing the distance from Gaza City to the Rafah crossing refugee camp. LMUMC will be the gathering place for the 5th leg.
From 2:30 – 4:00 pm we will practice radical hospitality by opening our doors to pilgrims to offer water, food, restrooms, and a place to pray and rest. Please sign up here if you would like to support with welcoming walkers, setting up the space, or donating food items (among other tasks). In addition, we encourage you to participate in a short prayerful ceremony at 3:45 pm at church before pilgrims set off on the 5th leg, whether or not you volunteer for hospitality.
Several from LMUMC will be joining a short leg, a 1.5 mile communal walk at 12:00pm, starting at the Buddhist Church of Oakland and ending at the First Congregational Church of Oakland – culminating in a community ritual and press conference. To register or find more information about the pilgrimage, you can visit https://bit.ly/gcpeastbay. Please join us as we walk in prayerful solidarity with the people of Gaza and call for peace during this time of violence and suffering.
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concert
March 17th & 24th
Both timely and timeless, the theme of peace is often seen on choral stages. In this concert, led by Guest Conductor Ofer dal Lal, through sounds that are not only soothing but, at times, provoking, Voci will present a vision for a real peace–one that may require effort and even sacrifice. Peace on Earth requires a reconciliation of our rich and complex past, much the same way as a choir can only find harmony through mutual appreciation and collaboration among its members.
7 p.m. Sunday, March 17th
Montclair Presbyterian Church, Oakland
7 p.m. Sunday, March 24th
St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, Berkeley
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
No Sound Bath in March
Due to scheduling conflicts, we regretfully have to cancel Sound Bath on March 8th. Sound Bath will resume on April 12th.
Spring Forward
March 10th
Go to bed early this Saturday night and set your clocks forward. Daylight Savings time begins this Sunday, March 10th!
Celebration of Service and Love with Larry and Kris
March 10th
Join us during fellowship hour as we share our gratitude and support with Larry and Kris for their kind, loving service with our Lake Lunches distribution. Sign up here to bring a potluck dish (appetizer, side, main course, salad, snack, dessert). For more information, contact your Connectional Ministries Team – Galia nutrigalia@gmail.com
Fellowship Food Volunteers Needed
Our fellowship time after worship on Sundays needs an ongoing supply of volunteers to provide food. Nothing fancy—veggies and dip, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers are always popular. Please look for the clipboard on the food table every Sunday and sign up for your Sunday(s) of choice and what you are planning to bring. There are three signup opportunities for each Sunday. Please see Laurel Williams if you have any questions.
Membership Class with Pastor Sunae
March 10th & 17th
Do you wish to become a member of this diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church? We invite you to attend a two-session membership class with Pastor Sunae on March 10 and March 17 in the Wesley Conference room. Would you fill out the membership form and give it to the ushers?
Oakland Marathon Information
6-10am Sunday, March 17th
The annual Oakland Marathon may affect our access to church on Sunday, March 17th between 6am and 9:30am. The race should be finished on our portion of the route between 9:30 and 10am. Click here for more details, including maps with the full route and information on how to access the church before 10am.
Interfaith Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage
Saturday, March 23rd
On Saturday, March 23rd, Lake Merritt UMC and other congregations across the Bay Area will be participating in an interfaith pilgrimage dedicated to calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. It will consist of a daylong, 22-mile walk (broken into shorter legs) from Berkeley to Alameda, representing the distance from Gaza City to the Rafah crossing refugee camp. LMUMC will be the gathering place for the 5th leg. From 2:30 – 4:00 pm we will open our doors to pilgrims to offer water, food, restrooms, and a place to pray and rest. Pastor Sunae reminds us that this is an opportunity to practice “radical hospitality” with our neighbors on this pilgrimage.
Members of LMUMC’s Peace in Palestine/Israel group are putting out a call for volunteers to help with various hospitality tasks on March 23. If you have any questions or would like to support, please contact Rose Lynn roselynn20@gmail.com, Becky rebecca.dean11@gmail.com, or Dan danjeffstrauss@gmail.com.
There will be options to participate for all ages and levels of ability including completing one or more 4-6 mile leg, a shorter walk (1.5 miles at noon along Lake Merritt), and other volunteer roles. This pilgrimage is part of a broader global effort taking place in over 145 cities in 18 countries. For more information, you can visit https://bit.ly/gcpeastbay. Please join us as we walk in prayerful solidarity with the people of Gaza and call for peace during this time of violence and suffering.
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concert
March 17th & 24th
Both timely and timeless, the theme of peace is often seen on choral stages. In this concert, led by Guest Conductor Ofer dal Lal, through sounds that are not only soothing but, at times, provoking, Voci will present a vision for a real peace–one that may require effort and even sacrifice. Peace on Earth requires a reconciliation of our rich and complex past, much the same way as a choir can only find harmony through mutual appreciation and collaboration among its members.
7 p.m. Sunday, March 17th
Montclair Presbyterian Church, Oakland
7 p.m. Sunday, March 24th
St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, Berkeley
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Celebration of Service and Love with Larry and Kris
March 10th
Join us during fellowship hour as we share our gratitude and support with Larry and Kris for their kind, loving service with our Lake Lunches distribution. Sign up here to bring a potluck dish (appetizer, side, main course, salad, snack, dessert). For more information, contact your Connectional Ministries Team – Galia nutrigalia@gmail.com
Membership Class with Pastor Sunae
March 10th & 17th
Do you wish to become a member of this diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church? We invite you to attend a two-session membership class with Pastor Sunae on March 10 and March 17 in the Wesley Conference room. Would you fill out the membership form and give it to the ushers?
No Sound Bath in March
Due to scheduling conflicts, we regretfully have to cancel Sound Bath on March 8th. Sound Bath will resume on April 12th.
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble Concert
March 17th & 24th
Both timely and timeless, the theme of peace is often seen on choral stages. In this concert, led by Guest Conductor Ofer dal Lal, through sounds that are not only soothing but, at times, provoking, Voci will present a vision for a real peace–one that may require effort and even sacrifice. Peace on Earth requires a reconciliation of our rich and complex past, much the same way as a choir can only find harmony through mutual appreciation and collaboration among its members.
7 p.m. Sunday, March 17th
Montclair Presbyterian Church, Oakland
7 p.m. Sunday, March 24th
St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, Berkeley
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
February Food Distribution
Do you have some time to spare this weekend? We could use a few more hands on Friday from 10 – 11 am, or Saturday between 8 and 10:30.
Sign up here for the Food Pantry Distribution
For more information, contact your Connectional Ministries Team at liftconcertoakland@gmail.com
Support for Kathleen and Wayne
As Kathleen recovers, let’s support Kathleen and Wayne Bell through this mealtrain! Delivered takeout or homemade food is perfect. Click here for more details and to sign up for a meal.
Gentle Yoga
Feb 29th at Lake Park UMC
Gentle yoga classes will return to Lake Park next Thursday, February 29th; a leap-year treat! I can’t promise much leaping but plan to offer some basic yoga poses and restorative postures that will open the heart, mind, and soul! Questions? Props are available, you just need your own yoga mat! Call Kathleen Bell at 510-333-7480.
Membership Class with Pastor Sunae
March 10th & 17th
Do you wish to become a member of this diverse, inclusive and welcoming community at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church? We invite you to attend two session membership class with Pastor Sunae on March 10 and March 17 in the Wesley Conference room. Would you fill out the membership form and give it to the ushers?
Liberation Theology in Palestine & Beyond
A 5-week Lenten study
How do we read the Bible against the current reality in the Holy Land? What is the covenantal relationship between God, people, and the land? Who are God’s chosen people? What do Palestinian Christians—who belong to the oldest Christian community in the world—have to say about all of this?
Join this 5-week Lenten study of Christian liberation theology featuring readings by Palestinian pastors and theologians, including Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac. This study is sponsored by Friends of Wadi Foquin and led by Rev. Ken Schoon with readings selected from his recent course taught at the Graduate Theological Union.
Sundays, 1:30-3pm at Lake Merritt UMC
February 25; March 3, 10, 17, and 24
Register
here to sign up and receive the readings.
SAHA Community Meeting for Affordable Housing Development
6pm Tuesday, Feb 27th
Join Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) to learn more about their affordable housing development on East 12th Street, just around the corner from Lake Merritt UMC. Learn more and share feedback about their proposed community design updates. Click here to view the flyer.
6:00-7:15 pm, Dewey Academy (Multipurpose Room), 1111 2nd Ave., Oakland, CA 94606
Please read ALL of the ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Ash Wednesday Taizé Service
5 p.m. Wednesday, February 14
Join us in the LMUMC sanctuary for an early evening Ash Wednesday Taizé service to begin the season of Lent. The imposition of ashes is a reminder of God’s grace as we come into the presence of the One who is always forgiving, always merciful, always compassionate, always loving.
Super Bowl Sacking Cold Challenge
Warm Clothing Drive
While we all huddle in our homes as we are hit by storm after storm, let’s help our neighbors stay warm as part of our Lake Lunches. This Sunday, February 11th, please bring in warm clothing, sox, hats and mittens, and hand warmers to church. We will have a shelf set up to receive all donations. You may also bring in items to the documentary screening of “A Rising Tide” on Thursday, February 15th.
Film Screening of Local Documentary on Homelessness
6 p.m. Thursday, February 15
Thursday, February 15, all are welcome to LMUMC for a free screening of the documentary film “A Rising Tide: A Look at Homelessness in Alameda County.” We will have a free soup and salad meal at 6 pm followed at 6:30 pm by a screening of the 90-minute film. At 8 pm join a discussion on how we can respond in new ways as a church and community. Invite your friends and register at this
link.
Virginia Turner’s 100th birthday celebration
February 18th after worship
You are cordially invited to Virginia Turner’s 100th birthday celebration! Join the church community and Virginia’s friends and family after worship on February 18 in the Stark Fellowship Hall.
Circling Up for Peace
We are individuals who desire to connect with others in our church family to listen, share, and offer support in the face of the ongoing violence Palestine and Israel. We were grateful to share some of the ongoing conversation and support we’ve been offering one another during this time of crisis with the broader church family during fellowship hour on Sunday, January 21. Thank you to Rev. Ken Schoon, our guest preacher, for his reflections on how these events abroad connect to us here in Oakland.
This circle of conversation and action is open to all who are seeking space to expand understanding, to grieve, to connect and share personal experiences, and to those who may want to act in solidarity in a variety of ways individually or as a collective. We acknowledge the multiple perspectives and commit to listening to one another as an act of love. If you would like to connect, please complete this form or reach out to any of us: Sherri Elinson, Linda Weingarten, Becky Dean, Raja and Jane Sliheet, Dan Strauss, and Rev. Dale Tremper.
Liberation Theology in Palestine & Beyond
A 5-week Lenten study
How do we read the Bible against the current reality in the Holy Land? What is the covenantal relationship between God, people, and the land? Who are God’s chosen people? What do Palestinian Christians—who belong to the oldest Christian community in the world—have to say about all of this?
Join this 5-week Lenten study of Christian liberation theology featuring readings by Palestinian pastors and theologians, including Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac. This study is sponsored by Friends of Wadi Foquin and led by Rev. Ken Schoon with readings selected from his recent course taught at the Graduate Theological Union.
Sundays, 1:30-3pm at Lake Merritt UMC
February 25; March 3, 10, 17, and 24
Register
here to sign up and receive the readings.
Interfaith Gospel Choir Concert
7 p.m. Sunday, February 11th
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir returns to the legendary Freight & Salvage in Berkeley for its 9th Annual Black History Month Celebration this Sunday, February 11 at 7 pm.
A history lesson through song, OIGC presents a variety of music, from traditional to contemporary gospel, and performs Negro spirituals with an authenticity not often found outside of the South. Experience the music and energy up close and personal in an intimate space. See a familiar face (Dan Strauss) on stage! Tickets for this fan-favorite concert are going fast – get yours today!
https://secure.thefreight.org/13497/oakland-interfaith-gospel-choir
