The Messenger

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC

Week of Sunday, November 23, 2025

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

EVERYONE IS WELCOME to California Heights United Methodist Church (3759 Orange Avenue, Long Beach, CA) on Sunday, November 23 at 10:00 AM for our worship service.

As we will be celebrating “Hanging of the Greens” after worship, everyone is invited to wear comfortable clothes to worship.

Our lead pastor, Rev. Scott Andrews, will preach from Luke 23:33-43 with a sermon titled “Words of Grace."

Fire Within Us will share our anthem titled “How Beautiful.”

We hope to see you on 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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: EVENT SUPERVISOR

California Heights UMC is seeking a few church congregation members who are interested in serving as Event Supervisor to assist with activities at our church that are sponsored by non-church members.

Background

The Board of Trustees has decided that an Event Supervisor must be present at all events and meetings at our facilities that are sponsored by non-church members. The sponsors of non-member events and meetings will be charged a fee for the church to provide an Event Supervisor if it occurs when the church office is closed. Church members who sponsor an event may act as the Event Supervisor for their own event if they follow the duties below.

Position Description and Duties

The Event Supervisor:

• is an ad-hoc “volunteer” position; this is NOT a staff position
• may be filled by a current church employee
• must receive training prior to serving
• will perform the following tasks:
• open doors and turn off alarms
• turn on lights
• welcome the group when they arrive
• understand the contract use provisions for the group
• remind the group contact and/or enforce the use provisions (such as no smoking on the property, limits on which rooms are available, etc.) during the event
• answer questions from the group
• remain visible near the group activity and available for questions throughout the rental time
• keep a list of contact numbers if a problem arises
• at the event conclusion, ensure all occupants have left; turn off lights; close and lock all doors; set alarm prior to leaving
• will not be responsible for cleaning after an event
• will receive an honorarium of $18 per hour, or regular hourly wage if a current church employee

Qualifications

The Event Supervisor must:

• be a current church member
• be at least 21 years old
• complete training to be offered by the church
• be able to perform the duties of Event Supervisor without supervision

Training will include:

• learning how to open and lock/unlock the doors and turn on lights
• how to operate the alarm system
• emergency phone numbers
• and other tasks

GREEN BEANS & CRANBERRY SAUCE

Once again Cal Heights UMC, you have stepped up and met the challenge for 100 cans of greens and 100 cans of cranberry sauce! You surpassed the challenge once again! We collected 199 cans of cranberry sauce! We also collected 304 cans of green beans!

Christian Outreach in Action picked up the cans and expressed their gratitude! Well done good and faithful servants!

HANGING OF THE GREENS

This MUCH anticipated annual event is just around the corner! Our Hanging of the Greens event will be held on Sunday, November 23^rd following worship. A lot of hard work goes into this event so we will have a luncheon for all of those who participate!

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Help us celebrate all our November birthdays during the 5th Sunday Potluck. We will serve birthday cake as our desert.

Our November birthdays include:


Jake Gregg - November 2

Ruby Kim - November 2

Bryan Doukenick - November 3

Daniel Bors - November 6

Susie Gregg - November 8

Emily Weimer - November 9

Bob Dougherty - November 11

Kelley Gillaspy - November 11

Sadie Vega - November 11

David Herstad - November 18

Linnett Ukpong - November 25

Scott Andrews - November 25

Millie Mendez-Andrews - November 26

Ned Geohegan - November 27

Anna DeMichele - November 29

5TH SUNDAY POTLUCK
The next “5th Sunday Potluck” is fast approaching. On Sunday, November 30 we will break bread together.

Please bring a dish to share. We will meet in Hughes Hall following worship that Sunday morning.

Dessert will be provided!

WHERE IS HUMPHREY?

We continue the tradition of “Where is Humphrey?” again this year. Humphrey the camel (from our sanctuary Nativity set) is on the loose! Each week Rev Scott hides Humphrey somewhere in the Sanctuary or the Narthex.

This is a fun game for all ages. Each person is challenged to “find” Humphrey but then not tell anyone until the “big reveal” each week during the Children’s Message.

Humphrey will begin hiding on Sunday, November 30.

ADVENT STUDY 2025

We will once again hold an Advent Study using Revs. Andy Langford & Ann Langford Duncan’s book Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.

You are invited on an Advent-to-Christmas pilgrimage to draw closer to Jesus and invite others to join you on this journey. Traditional Scripture readings and acts of worship reveal anew the treasures of God’s grace for all people. Let this book guide you to open your heart to the priceless gifts of the good news. Start your pilgrimage today and experience the full riches of God's love.

During Advent and Christmas, explore:

·     An Early Prophet: Isaiah

·     Two Later Prophets: John the Baptist and John the Theologian

·     The Mother of God and First Disciple: Mary

·     The First Witnesses: Angels, Shepherds, Simeon, and Anna

·     Grace Born in Bethlehem

Our study begins on Monday, December 1. We will meet at 10:15 AM and at 7:00 PM in the Church Parlor. Copies of the book are available in the Narthex. The cost is $14.00.

ADVENT WREATH

With Advent right around the corner, we are looking for volunteers to help with lighting the candles of the Advent Wreath. We have five opportunities to help. Each week we need a family, an individual, or a group of friends to light one of the candles and share a reading. We will also have an opportunity to light the Christ candle on Christmas Eve

The Sundays of Advent are:

1st Sunday of Advent: November 30

2nd Sunday of Advent: December 7

3rd Sunday of Advent: December 14

4th Sunday of Advent: December 21

Christmas Eve is: Wednesday, December 24

Please contact Rev Scott at revscottandrews@gmail.com to sign up.

NON-PERISHIBLE FOOD ITEMS

We will gather NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry at Lakewood UMC on Sunday December 7. All items for the Broken Loaf can be placed on the table to the right of the sanctuary center double doors.

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!

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.

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

Interfaith Waffle Congregation

Saturday, Nov. 22

9:30 - 10:45 AM

Temple Israel

268 Loma Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90803

Free will donation accepted.

Together with Temple Israel, Being the Church, Long Beach is hosting a morning that is not to be missed. This very special morning is for all ages and all stages from infant to elders. 

🧇 Yummy Waffle Breakfast

🧇 Generous Community time

🧇 Interfaith exploration and learning on common scripture - great for all ages!!

Sign up in the Church Center App or online under “signups” at www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

Yoga in the Park!

9:00 AM in Whaley Park 

Upcoming - Nov. 23

Join us for some relaxed stretching, deep breathing, and some yoga poses, too. We will gather together out in nature, under a beautiful morning sky. Free parking is available. We meet on the north side of the park (E Los Santos Drive side). Suggested donation $10 supports all “being the church” ministries. Learn more online via media @BeingtheChurchLB and website: BeingtheChurchLB.org

Journey to Christmas

@ Everyone’s Inn

Grace on 3rd UMC

2325 E. Third St.

Long Beach, CA 90814

Wednesdays, December 3, 10, & 17, 2025

5:45 - 7:30 PM

Cost: $8 pp/ $30 max per family

No one turned away for lack of funds.

Start getting ready now for our Dec. 3 Holiday Kahoot competition! 

Join the community for a mid-week meal, relaxed worship and lots of cheer. Each week, we will learn about our Christmas story with all ages together. Plus, Christmas crafts and music. Hope to see you there! 

Please email Pastor Melinda (Melinda@BeingtheChurchLB.org) to learn more or volunteer to help make dinner church happen.

Sign up in the Church Center App or under “signups” at www.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.