The Messenger

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC

Week of Sunday, February 1, 2026

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BISHOPS 
CONDEMN VIOLENCE IN MINNESOTA

Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church



January 26, 2026

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

In recent days, events in Minnesota and beyond have caused deep grief, concern, and alarm across our connection. The use of lethal force in public spaces, the detention of naturalized citizens, members of our indigenous communities, children, documented and undocumented immigrants, and the treatment of other vulnerable persons have weighed heavily on the hearts of many in our church. These actions have unsettled communities, strained trust, and intensified fear among those already living at the margins.

CLICK HERE to read more.

WORSHIP WITH US!

EVERYONE IS WELCOME to California Heights United Methodist Church (3759 Orange Avenue, Long Beach, CA) on Sunday, February 1 at 10:00 AM for worship.

We will celebrate Holy Communion.

CLICK HERE to download a bulletin,

CLICK HERE to view our worship service.

Our lead pastor, Rev. Scott Andrews, will preach from Matthew 5:1-12 with a sermon titled “Blessed to Be a Blessing."

Fire Within Us will share our anthem titled “Come to the Table of Grace.”

We hope to see you!

NON-PERISHABLE FOOD

We will gather NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry at Lakewood UMC on Sunday, February 1. 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 in great demand lately. They are filling the gap that many of our neighbors find themselves in right now. What ever you can give is appreciated!

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Last November, we collected over 700 cans of green beans and cranberry sauce to bless others at Thanksgiving. In that spirit, we want to challenge Cal Heights UMC to continue our giving.

The NFL’s Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 8. We are going to piggyback on this and have our own Souper Bowl Sunday!

There are four Sundays between now and then. We have four weeks to collect as many cans of soups as we can. The easy open cans are preferred but we will accept all single serve cans. There will be a table set up in the Narthex separate from the one used for non-perishable food.

Cans of soup may be brought in until Sunday, February 8. They will be then be given to the Broken Loaf Food Pantry.

HYGIENE ITEMS

Everyone is encouraged to bring hygiene products for the Long Beach Rescue Mission to the church on or before Sunday, February 15.

Items needed include:

·       Shampoo

·       Conditioner

·       Toothpaste

·       Toothbrushes

·       Hand and body lotion

·       Feminine Products

·       Q-tips

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL MEETING

It's hard to believe but the time has come to once again meet and plan for this year's Vacation Bible School.

A meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, February 15 immediately following worship to set a date and begin looking at options for VBS 2026.

Everyone interested in VBS please meet in the Church Parlor. If you have questions, please contact Millie Mendez-Andrews at 760-702-1282 or the Church Office at 562-595-1996.

SHROVE TUESDAY

Pancakes! Bacon! Beads! Jazz!

Come down to Hughes Hall as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday, February 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

A free will offering will be collected.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 18 this year. The Imposition of Ashes will begin at 6:00 to 6:30 AM, and the second will be from 11:50 AM until 12:10 PM. Both sessions will be in the Narthex.

Our Ash Wednesday Worship Service will begin in front of the church with the burning of last year’s palm branches at 6:30 PM (weather permitting). After the burning of the branches, we will process into the Narthex where those who have not received ashes yet can do so.

Our service will begin in the Sanctuary after all who wish to receive ashes have done so. Communion will be shared during this service.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

Help celebrate all our February birthdays during Coffee Fellowship on Sunday, February 22.

Our February birthdays include:

Abby Gregg - February 12

Dawn Swanson - February 18

Linda Benson - February 25

Sharon Collier - February 26

Julian Silva - February 27

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

LENTEN STUDY

Notice the unexpected Easter.

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are at the heart of the story of Easter. But the resurrection was not witnessed in isolation; it unfolded before a crowd. What might the stories of those women and men teach us today? How will they help us step into the story of Easter? Here, we can see what has been overlooked, not just in the grand moments but in the in-between: the silence, the side characters, and the questions.

Gain new insight from the crowd on the themes of:

• Devotion
• Opposition
• Freedom
• Courage
• Companionship
• Alliances

By seeing the Easter story through their eyes, we may discover that the resurrection is not just a past event, but an invitation into something new, unexpected, and unlikely. Walk through this season with eyes wide open, ready to see where God is moving, even in the margins. Since the cross is not the end of the story, embrace every unlikely moment along the way.

Our Lenten Study will meet Wednesdays beginning February 25 at 10:15 AM and at 7:00 PM. 

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.

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

Everyone’s Inn WINTER Season:

Superbowl Night (02.04)

Wednesdays through May 13

5:45pm - 7:30pm @ church campuses across Long Beach

$8 pp/$30 max per family

This week, show your TEAM SOME LOVE! by sporting a jersey (any team!) Also, did you know that the Inn typically predicts the Superbowl winner, so come on over and vote! Our Wednesday dinner church offers a shared meal, time of prayer, music and scripture.  After dinner, small groups for children, youth and adults are offered and our hearty clean up crew gets to work, too!  Volunteer hands are always welcome and we look forward to being the church with you.

Please sign up to attend via - 

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

5th Friday Youth Fun Night!

(6th-12th gr.)

Friday, January 30

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.