The Messenger

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC

Week of Sunday, January 4, 2026

WORSHIP

EPIPHANY

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, we will celebrate Epiphany Sunday 10:00 AM. We will also be celebrating Holy Communion.

CLICK HERE to download the bulletin.

CLICK HERE to join us online.

“Epiphany” Is the sermon title for lead pastor Rev. Scott Andrews' message from Matthew 2:1-12.

“Follow That Star” is the tile of this week’s anthem shared with us by the Chancel Choir.

California Heights UMC (calheightsumc.org) is located at 3759 Orange Avenue in Long Beach, CA.

We hope to see you Sunday.

GIVING ON LINE

While placing our offering in the plate each Sunday is the way many of us grew up giving to the church, it is no longer the only way to give. At Cal Heights UMC, we utilize Vanco for our online giving.

Scan the QR code to the right to use this service.

OUTREACH

NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS

We will gather NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry at Lakewood UMC on Sunday, January 4. All items for the Broken Loaf can be placed in the Narthex.

Food pantries like the Broken Loaf are being hit extremely hard currently. They are filling the gap that many of our neighbors find themselves in right now. What ever you can give is very much appreciated!

HYGIENE PRODUCTS
We encourage everyone to bring hygiene products for the Long Beach Rescue Mission to the church on or before Sunday, January 18.

Items needed include:

·       Shampoo

·       Conditioner

·       Toothpaste

·       Toothbrushes

·       Hand and body lotion

·       Feminine Products

·       Q-tips

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC CHILDREN'S CENTER

Our Children's Center will be closed for the holidays beginning on Monday, December 22, 2025. They will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026.

For more information about the Children's Center, visit their website at www.calheightsumcc.com.

FELLOWSHIP

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Help celebrate all our December birthdays during Coffee Fellowship on Sunday, January 18.

Our January birthdays include:

Mary Kate McBride - January 2

Robyn Frey-Monell - January 3

Wesley Edgar - January 6

Linda Edgar - January 8

Marcia Gordon - January 11

Betty Patterson - January 13

Emerson Bors - January 16

Jim Kendall - January 19

Beverly Nixon - January 21

Isabella Reina - January 21

Don Gordon - January 22

Kenneth Agliam - January 23

Liz Bors - January 23

Zander Vega - January 24

Glenn Trunnelle - January 30

If you don't see your name or another member's name on the list, please let the church office know.

HARMONY BOUND CRAFTERS

The Harmony Bound Crafters are meeting on first and second Saturdays of each month from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

Please contact Donna Jenks (562-209-2833) to let her know if you will be joining them.

We invite everyone to join us for Unhanging of the Greens on Sunday, January 4 following the 10:00 AM service. Help is needed in carefully taking down the decorations that blessed our sanctuary during Advent and Christmas.

Poinsettias can be picked up at this time also.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Children's Sunday School takes place during the worship service. At Cal Heights UMC, we use Spark House curriculum during Sunday School. This curriculum is lectionary based. This means that the scripture used in worship matches the scripture in Sunday School.

Children can dropped at the Sunday School room before worship and must be signed in by a parent or guardian. Children will come to the sanctuary at the beginning of worship. They will stay in worship through the Children's Message. Then they will the leave for Sunday School. We ask that children be picked up immediately following worship.

All volunteers and staff have been vetted through MinistrySafe, live scanned, and background checked for everyone's safety.

LECTIONARY BIBLE STUDY

The Lectionary Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. We will have one session at 10:15 AM. Leading this study will be our student intern Sela Taupaki.

Each week the study will read and discuss the scripture prescribed for the upcoming Sunday.

PRAYER

The following is a list of those on our prayer list:

HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

Do you have an announcement for The Messenger? You are invited to send information to the church office for inclusion in The Messenger.

Email office@calheightsumc.org no later than Wednesday at noon.

BEING THE CHURCH UPDATES

BEING THE CHURCH, LONG BEACH VIDEO UP-DATE

Volunteering at the Giving Farm 

Saturday, Jan. 10. 9am-11am

14325 Goldenwest St, Westminster, CA 92683

Sign up via Church Center App or under “Signups” at www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

Join us for a meaningful morning of service.  We will be harvesting produce, weeding or planting.  Following our volunteering, we will have a short time of prayer and announcements.  

Dress for success in the following:

• Comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty
• Closed toe-shoes (work boots or hiking boots are preferred).  
• Thick long pants and long-sleeved shirts are preferred.

Things to bring: 

• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Water bottle 
• Personal garden gloves (optional, we will have gloves available)

Note: Do NOT park or check-in at the school entrance, the high school is closed. Parking will be onsite at the farm (behind the school).

More info - e: Melinda@Beingthechurchlb.org

Being the Church ALL AGES Games Night 

Jan. 10, 5-8pm

Cal Heights UMC, 3759 Orange Ave., Long Beach 90807

Pizza + cookies dinner

Everyone is invited for a relaxed and super fun all church games night.  We will provide pizza, fruit, drinks and cookies.  We will set up tables and chairs.  We will have a few games AND YOU ARE INVITED to bring your own.  Join us for a fun Being the Church fellowship as we start the new year together.  Donation basket will be out to offset costs of dinner.  More info - e: Melinda@Beingthechurchlb.org

5th Friday Youth Fun Night! (6th-12th gr.)

Volleyball and More!  $5 per youth

Cal Heights UMC, 3759 Orange Ave., 90807

Volleyball and more games.  Popcorn and more snacks.  Invite a friend and join more youth for a relaxed games night together!  Please sign up so we can plan well:

Church Center App  Or BeingtheChurchLB.org  (under signups).  More info - e: Melinda@Beingthechurchlb.org

HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

Do you have an announcement for The Messenger? You are invited to send information to the church office for inclusion in The Messenger.

Email office@calheightsumc.org no later than Wednesday at noon.