Author Archive for Robb Serna

INSTEAD @ LAUMC

Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 11:30am

DISCUSSION & INSIGHT 
INSTEAD: Telling Stories and Deepening Community, our new series, continues on the 4th Sunday of every month in the Sanctuary. Coffee will be available at 11:30am and then we will gather together in the Sanctuary. Childcare is available with advance registration by clicking here.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Storyteller David Ahn will join INSTEAD after worship. We will be building community through stories in the Sanctuary, in-person and live streamed for the whole congregation. Instead of just waving to each other after worship, let’s learn more about each other!

Join us in person or watch online at live.laumc.org

Holy Week 2023

Palm Sunday, April 2
8:30am, 10:00am,& 5:00pm (Creekside)

Maundy Thursday Dinner ServiceLAUMC in Creekside
April 6, 6:00pm – 7:30pm (Registration Open)
Led by our Pastoral Team, this special Dinner Service that takes place in Creekside, and livestream, is not to be missed.

Good Friday: April 7, 7:00PMLAUMC Sanctuary
Our LAUMC Pastoral Team will lead a meaningful in-person and livestream service.

Easter Sunday: April 9
Sunrise Service6:30am
Pastor Dirk Damonte will lead this special in-person service in the Sanctuary Garden.

Traditional Sanctuary Services8:30am, 10:00am, & 5:00pm (Creekside)

Led by our Pastoral Team, these special services that take place in the Sanctuary at 8:30am and 10:00am, and at 5:00pm in Creekside, and livestream service, are not to be missed.

Holy Week services commemorate Jesus’ life, death on the cross, and resurrection on Easter. Join Jesus in His last gathering with his disciples on Maundy Thursday, His sacrifice and sorrow on Good Friday, His time of waiting on Holy Saturday, and His astonishing resurrection on Easter Sunday. As you journey through Holy Week with LAUMC, may you discover a richer, more joy-filled Easter.

Fresh Produce Sunday

Sunday, March 26

This Sunday is Fresh Produce Sunday with our partnership with St. Paul’s UMC of San JoseYou are invited to bring fresh produce (from your garden or store bought) that will be a part of “The Weighing of the Produce” by our children during the service. 

Easter Flowers 2023

Due Dates: Ordering – March 26, Payments – March 30

Donate toward the cost of our Easter flowers in honor or memory of a loved one. Fill out a flower envelope located in the pews or at the Connection Point with your information and enclose $15 per plant, or you may order by clicking on the button below. Orders are due by March 26 and payments are due by March 30. The flowers can be picked up after services on Easter Sunday. For more information email us here.

LAUMC Women’s Book Group

Thursday, March 16 at 7:30pm

* This month the group will be discussing the book via email due to meeting time conflicts.

Women’s Thursday Night Book Group

Thursday, March 16 at 7:30pm

The LAUMC Women’s Book Group will be discussing “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Marquez Garcia. For more information and the Zoom link, please contact us at info@laumc.org. “The Valley of Heart’s Delight” by Robin Chapman will be discussed  April 20. The LAUMC Women’s Book Group meets the third Thursday of the month on Zoom.

Church Council Meeting – March 2023

Sunday, March 12 at 12:30pm

All are invited to join the Church Council Meeting on Sunday, March 12 at 12:30pm via Zoom. 

Zoom Video/Audio Call
Meeting ID: 330-528-7062    
Passcode: 677236

Welcome Our New Director of Youth Ministry

Biography: Timothy Loewen-Elofson has been working in youth ministry for eight years. Prior to joining LAUMC, he and his wife, Olivia, lived just outside of Sacramento for two years after getting married in October 2021. A native of New England, he loves the outdoors, but decided after experiencing eighteen years’ worth of winters to move out west to avoid the snow. During down time, Timothy is an enjoyer of all sorts of games–from board and card games to tabletop, cooking, and finding new places to eat around town. Olivia, on the other hand, loves all things movies and music and travelling. They both are avid bookworms. Timothy earned his MDiv from Emory University where he was a Woodruff Scholar, and a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry and the Humanities from Azusa Pacific University.  Olivia earned her Bachelor of the Arts in Theater and the Humanities from Azusa Pacific University.

Lenten Devotional

Click the graphic above to view the Lenten Devotional

Lenten Studies Series

Starts February 23 (Thursdays), 6:00-8:00pm

The Deepening Faith Practice Committee is sponsoring a six week:  Fellowship Dinner and Lenten Study Series starting on February 23.

Dinner:  6:00 – 6:45 pm   (The dinner in Creekside will be free as we receive the meals in exchange for providing a local caterer use of our commercial kitchen.)
Thurs. 3/9: Chicken and veggie fajita with rice, salad and tortilla
Thurs. 3/16: Moussaka with salad and bread
Thurs. 3/23: Lebanese Chicken and rice with salad and hummus
Thurs. 3/30: White sauce linguini mixed with ham, mushroom or veggies topped with cheese, with salad & bread

*Classes:   7:00 – 8:00 pm   (held in Creekside and adjacent rooms)
Four Classes to Choose From:

The Movie Class – Teacher/Facilitators: Pastor Dave Samelson & Kyle Aiken-Forderer
Each week one of this year’s Academy Award nominees for Best Picture will be discussed – focusing on the values and beliefs that are embodied in the movie.  Four movies have been pre-selected and the class will select the final two movies.  
The pre-selected movies:  February 23: The Fabelmans, March 2: Elvis, March 9: Top Gun-Maverick, &  March 16: Avatar 2-The Way of Water. If you are interested in The Movie Class – think about watching these movies (not a requirement for participating).

The Movie Class Zoom Link (we still want you to sign up)
Meeting ID: 872 4120 0932   Passcode: 104887

The History of Music in Worship – Teacher: Pastor Dirk Damonte
Music is an essential part of Christian worship. Has that always been true? How did today’s worship music evolve to where we are today? What are some of the trends in worship music? This class will explore the history, theology, and functionality of music in worship. It will be a fast, fun, interactive overview of 2000 years of Christian music.

The Beauty and Power of Forgiveness – Teachers: Pastor Jeong Park and Bob Olah
Forgiveness matters to us on the journey of our life and in our Christian faith. That’s why Jesus taught his disciples about forgiveness and emphasized its importance in the Lord’s Prayer. The Spirit of Forgiveness is really Jesus. In the special season of Lent, we are invited to learn about the Spirit of Forgiveness and find its gift and power to enrich our faith and life skills. The aim of this course is not to teach you what you need to know about forgiveness. Rather, we will share our own understandings and perspectives and will learn from one another, and Jesus will be one of the teachers among us.

Creative Kids with Ms. Sharon – Teacher: Sharon McClintock
Children ages 3-10 can nurture friendships, have fun, and grow in faith together. Activities will include music, art, storytelling, and games. Childcare is available for infants and toddlers.

*Childcare available 7:00pm-8:00pm for infants and toddlers

Annual Ramadan Interfaith Iftar Dinner

Sunday, April 16 at 6:30pm
Register by Thursday, April 13

Celebrate the break fast meal called Iftar with our Muslim friends from the Pacifica Institute. Enjoy a delicious catered dinner, music and information about the significance of Ramadan.

Please register by Thursday , April 13, for a very special break fasting dinner being held at LAUMC in partnership with our friends from The Pacifica Institute in the Creekside Center on April 16th. We will enjoy music, a short program about Ramadan, Adhan (call to prayer) and a delicious meal together. Please plan on arriving at 6:30 to check-in and to find a table. Space is limited so contact Jan McDaniel for more information or register by Thursday, April 13 .There is no charge for the meal, although we are encouraging people to consider donating during the registration process, $10.00 per person or $20 for a family to help offset the cost of the meal. Children’s activities will be provided for free. You will not want to miss this fun event.