CAL HEIGHTS UMC

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Join us at California Heights United Methodist Church (3759 Orange Avenue, Long Beach, CA) on Sunday, April 13 at 10:00 AM for worship.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Our lead pastor, Rev. Scott Andrews, will preach from Luke 19:28-40 with a sermon titled “Expecting Change.”

The anthem for the day is “In the Name of the Lord” shared with us by Fire Within Us. Our special music is "Hosanna, Hosanna!" shared with is by the Chancel Choir.

We hope to see you on Sunday.

LENT 2025

PRAYERS IN THE ATRIUM

We are holding "Prayers in the Atrium" on Mondays during Lent. Come to the church between 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and our atrium will be open for people to drop in for this unique experience. Stay as long as you like. Each week there will be a different prayer practice to engage with.

March 10: The Search

March 17: The Family Tree

March 24: Forgiveness

March 31: Finger Prayers

April 7: Breath Prayer

April 14: The Body of Christ

ALABAMA TRIP PRESENTATION

Sunday, April 13

11:15 AM

Hughes Hall

The Alabama Trip participants would like to share a video that they are making about the trip, and speak in person to share their gratitude to the CHUMC for all of their support and encouragement.

Comes to Hughes Hall following worship to find out more!

HOLY WEEK 2025

PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday this year falls on Sunday, April 13.

We will have palms for everyone to wave and be part of the procession into the Sanctuary that day. We are asking everyone to gather on the steps of the church.

Branches will be given outside the church.

We will process into the Sanctuary after a short litany.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Our Maundy Thursday service will be in Hughes Hall on Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 PM.

We will have a service which includes hand washing, elements of a Seder meal, scripture, music, a message, and Communion.

GOOD FRIDAY

The Good Friday service is Friday, April 18 at 7:00 PM.

Scripture readings, music, darkness, and reflection will be part of this evening’s service.

We will gather on the Chancel of the sanctuary (as space allows).

EASTER 2025

EASTER SUNRISE: BEACH Service

Sunday, April 20 - 6:30 AM

5400 E. Ocean Blvd.



Start your Easter morning at the beach with our sunrise service. Pastor Melinda and worship leader, Carlos Cueva, will lead us in a time of music, prayer and reflections in the most spectacular setting of all - God’s creation. 

www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

TRADITIONAL SERVICE

Our traditional Easter service will be at 10:00 AM complete with familiar hymns, scripture, orchestra, and message. A small-scale Easter egg hunt for children attending church will happen immediately following the worship service.

Our flower cross will be in front of the church for both services. Everyone is invited to bring flowers to place in the spaces provided in the cross.

HYGIENE PRODUCTS

Our next opportunity to give is Sunday, April 20. We are asking you to bring hygiene products (new and unused) to the church to be donated to the Long Beach Rescue Mission. 

Bring your hygiene product donations to the Narthex.

TACO SUNDAY

After our worship service on Sunday, May 4, stick around for hot fresh tacos and more! Our good friends from "Delicious Strawberries & More" will be curbside for all our taco needs.

Buy your tacos curbside near the parking lot, and feast with others in Hughes Hall.

The bouncy castle will also be set up for the kiddos!

MOTHER'S DAY

Celebrate Mother’s Day at California Heights UMC on Sunday, May 11 at our 10:00 AM worship service.

A gift will be given to each woman in attendance.

CHUMC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Cal Heights UMC Scholarship committee is pleased to announce that we will once again offer scholarships for eligible candidates. Scholarships are available to any California Heights UMC member or constituent to use for tuition and/or expenses of books and supplies for education or training at a post-secondary level.

Scholarship packets with applications and recommendation forms will be available beginning Monday, May 5, 2025. There are multiple ways to request the packets

• Stop by and pick them up in the church office (3759 Orange Ave.) between 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Thursday.
• Download from the church website (www.calheightsumc.org).
• Requestion them by email (office@calheightsumc.org).

All materials need to be turned into the church office on or before Thursday, June 5, 2025 and must also be turned in before the church office closes at 2:00 PM.

If you have questions, please contact the church office @ 562-595-1996.

KNITTER’S GROUP

Our knitter's group is currently on hiatus.

Please contact Esther Fairris (e.fairris@charter.net) to let her know if you are interested in joining the group.

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

REV MELINDA'S VIDEO UPDATE

(Rev Melinda's video updates will be "new to view" every other week)

Interfaith Worker Justice Seder

Thursday April 10, 6-8pm

Temple Israel, 269 Loma Ave., 90803

This is a special service that offers a Passover Meal experience. While not a full dinner, we participate in a traditional Passover meal that weaves contemporary justice work into this ancient service. Open to all persons and especially to our 2025 confirmation class.

Chat with Pastor Melinda with any questions and RSVP please.

Please RSVP in the Church Center App under “groups.” Or email Pastor Melinda (E: Melinda@BeingtheChurch.org)

Mobile Houseless Ministry

Next volunteer date: April 26

Part of Being the Church, Long Beach, the mobile houseless ministry is now in its fourth year. Questions or want to help: please contact Michael N. at 714-328-1503.

Amazing Race Fundraiser for Being the Church

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, May 31

7:00 PM

Tickets: $100 per couple (team) or $50 per participant

Join the first-ever, super fun “Being the Church” Amazing Race! Teams of two will participate in active challenges of brain and braun, across Long Beach. Then, the final clue will lead teams to a special location where more fun and fellowship will ensue. Being the Church youth and young adults will provide childcare at no additional cost. All tickets purchased will support the ongoing, year-round vital ministries of Being the Church, Long Beach, including Everyone’s Inn dinner church; Youth fun nights; Confirmation; Waffle Church; Justice events and Groundlings Camp.

Confirmation 2025

For 8th grade and up: Confirmation is a time when young people begin to think about faith for themselves. This is the time to explore the Christian faith. Along the way is fun, fellowship, and some excellent discussions!

Learn more and register online through the Church Center App.



1. What is a Christian? Rev. Dan at Grace on 3rd - Jan 26 
2. What is a United Methodist? Rev. Erika at Los Altos UMC - Feb 23
3. What are Baptism and Communion all about? Rev. Scott at California Heights- March 30
4. What do United Methodists believe? – Rev. Bomi at Belmont Heights UMC - April 27
5. RETREAT: May 16/17-18 (location to be determined), Rev. Melinda

On June 8, 2025 (Pentecost Sunday) Confirmation will be held at each Confirmand’s home church - per pastor and church scheduling.

Yoga in the Park!

4th Sundays @ 10am in Whaley Park

Upcoming - April 27

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

www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

We’re Going to the Farm!

The GIVING Farm!

Saturday, May 3

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Westminster High School 14325 Goldenwest St Westminster, CA

Join us for a meaningful morning of service. We will be working to harvest produce, weed or plant.  Following our volunteering, we will have a short time of prayer and communion together.

Dress for success in the following:

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

Please sign up via Signups on the Church Center App, or online at www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

Groundlings Kickball Game! 

All parents, campers, staff, volunteers, alumni and supporters welcome!

Sunday, May 4th

1:00 - 3:00 PM (Kickoff at 1:00 PM)

Whaley Park (Long Beach)

5620 E Atherton St

Long Beach, CA 90815

You asked; we answered. 

Join us for a simple and fun afternoon! We will play an awesome game of kickball and just be together. Please sign up so we know that we can expect you and plan well for a GREAT game! If you have a Groundlings or Being the Church t-shirt, wear it!

Please sign up in the Church Center App or under Events at www.beingthechurchLB.org

JUST FOR FUN!

Church sleepover (4th-7th gr.)

May 25-26

Cost $7 

Belmont Heights UMC

317 Termino Avenue

This is SUCH a special night for our older children and younger youth! Our younger Middle Schoolers will get to be in leadership, and our older children get to experience a fun church sleepover. 

We will play some games, enjoy a pizza dinner, and watch a Disney movie together. Then, after a short devotional time, we will hit the hay (or church floor as it were). 

The next morning is a sleepy donut breakfast, and off to home! 

Sign up by RSVP’ing in the Church Center App or email Pastor Melinda (E: Melinda@BeingtheChurchLB.org) Parent support is needed. 🙂

Being the Church Camp!

Save the Date: Oct. 3-5, 2025

Sign-ups coming soon!

Get ready for a wonderful, encouraging, uplifting time with God’s church! Hiking, yoga, small group Bible study, archery, outdoor worship, and a talent show! Make memories for a lifetime. 

• All ages are invited and encouraged. Singles, couples, families with children, retiree's, college-aged friends. All means all. :)
• Included in your cost
• Two nights in cabin-style, bunk bed accommodations. There is a limited number of non-bunkbed accommodations
• Five meals: Friday dinner - Sunday lunch, prepared by Lazy W Ranch staff
• Crafts, archery, hiking, small group Bible study, games, yoga, campfire + songs, s'mores, and the all camp talent show! Plus, lots of free time too

COST: Our goal is to make camp accessible and camperships are available to everyone. We want you at camp. Reach out to your local church pastor or Rev. Melinda if you need financial support to attend camp. melinda@beingthechurchlb.org

• Adults (16 and older): $165
• Children + Younger Youth (4-15 years): $100
• Infants (0-3 years) Free

Full payment due by September 20.

Groundlings Day Camp Registration is Open!

June 23-Aug. 4: Six Weeks of Camp

Cost: $215 - (K-5th) + $270 (6-8th)

www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

"We live grounded in God's love and 'filled with Joy and the Holy Spirit.' " ~ Acts 13:52

Groundlings Day Camp is a multi-generational ministry of Being the Church, Long Beach. Groundlings Camp provides children with an opportunity to build lasting relationships between all ages, rooted in service and Christian faith. We value our community and seek to plant the seeds of its future through fellowship and engagement. We do this by encouraging children to explore who they are as unique individuals, and empower them in their ability to impact one another and the world. Camp runs Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Alabama Trip Update!

Civil Rights + Faith Learning

June 16-21, 2025

Nine youth and two adults from our “Being the Church” congregations are heading to Alabama this June to explore their faith through a social justice lens. Participants are preparing by studying key figures and events; reading scripture; and meeting together for reflections and prayer. In June, participants will visit historic and modern sites on the civil rights trail in Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma, Alabama.  

Trip participants will be visiting all of our worshipping congregations this spring to share some reflections, and show their appreciation to our churches.

Significant fundraising efforts are making this trip possible: thank you! More are underway. Donations to support a youth can be made directly via the QR Code or please contact Pastor Melinda about details re. personal check donations. (e: Melinda@BeingtheChurchLB.org)

$1,000 sponsors a youth.

All donations are deeply appreciated.

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.