CAL HEIGHTS UMC

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

EVERYONE is invited to join California Heights United Methodist Church (3759 Orange Avenue, Long Beach, CA) on Sunday, March 23 at 10:00 AM for worship.

Our lead pastor, Rev. Scott Andrews, will preach from Luke 13:1-9 with a sermon titled “No Quick Fixes.”

The anthem for the day is “The Name of the Lord” shared with us by the Chancel Choir.

We hope to see you on Sunday.

NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS

Our next opportunity to bring in non-perishable food items will be Sunday, April 6. Please bring your donations to the Narthex. We hope that you remember the many in our community who are having trouble making ends meet.

We will continue to ask that on the first Sunday of every month in 2025 everyone consider bringing non-perishable food items with them to worship. Non-perishable items are listed on a handout available on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

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: Building Blocks

April 7: The Rock Pile

April 14: The Body of Christ

LENTEN STUDY

The 2025 Lenten Study has begun! We have two groups: the first at 10:00 AM and the second at 7:00 PM. Both will meet in Church Parlor. 

We are using the book The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World by Rev. Adam Hamilton as our source material. 

Copies of the book are available to pick up in the Narthex or can be picked up in the Church Office. Cost for the book is $12.00.

NEW MEMBER CLASS MOVED

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to move the New Members Class to Sunday, March 30. Everyone interested in becoming a member of California Heights UMC is invited to join Rev Scott in the Church Parlor at 11:15 AM. Visit the church potluck and then come to the class.

CHURCH CLEAN-UP

The Board of Trustees are looking for a few good souls! Our semi-annual clean-up day at Cal Heights UMC has been scheduled for Saturday, April 5 beginning at 9:00 AM. A wide variety of cleaning and repair projects need to be completed to get us ready for Easter. Come join the fun!

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.

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)

Everyone’s Inn Dinner Church:  It’s a Masquerade!

March 26, 2025

5:45 - 7:30 PM

Los Altos UMC

All are welcome and there is always room for more!

We hope that you will join us for this mid-week dinner church. We will have a short and relaxed time worship over a simple meal. Following our dinnertime, we will head to small groups (children, youth and adults) plus clean up, of course! Our adult group will be reflecting on readings from the Lenten Devotional “Learning Together: A Lenten Exploration of Anti-Racist Values in Matthew, Mark and Luke.” Please sign up to receive the link for the materials, and join the adult small group by emailing Pastor Melinda (E: Melinda@BeingtheChurch.org). 

Dinner church continues through the winter and spring until May 14. Please sign up to join dinner church (one time for the entire season) online under “Events Calendar:” www.BeingtheChurchLB.org Or in the Church Center App

Lenten Adult Small Group @ Everyone’s Inn

Wednesday evenings, March 5 - April 9

We will read daily devotions through Lent, and meet to discuss the readings on Wednesday evenings. The devotional was inspired by a desire to showcase, through the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus’ faithful demonstration and engagement of anti-racist values – values of shared power, shared responsibility and authority, and openness and curiosity. These values are antithetical to the values by which our society is shaped and ruled– values such as power hoarding, individualism, and holding to one right way for doing everything. Along with the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) and New International Version (NIV), the First Nations Version (FNV), an Indigenous translation of the New Testament, was also used for this Lenten devotional writing.

Come to the first gathering on Ash Wednesday to receive a copy of the devotionals.

Please sign up to join the small group with Pastor Melinda (E: Melinda@BeingtheChurch.org)

Or, directly in the Church Center App under “groups.”

Mobile Houseless Ministry

Next volunteer date: Mar. 29



It is wintertime at the encampments on the LA River. Please donate any winter gear that you may have to support our next visit. Other big demand items always include jeans, tennis shoes, towels, and blankets. 

We have a strong donations’ sorting crew and serving volunteers. We continue to see turnover as the city helps place our friends in shelter or housing, but new faces appear. Our efforts complement the nice meal served by Jumpstart Industries with Grace on 3rd Pastor Dan Lewis providing communion. 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.

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 - March 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

www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

Interfaith Youth Get-Together

Sunday, March 30

11:30am-12:30pm

Belmont Heights UMC

317 Termino Ave

Temple Israel youth are worshipping with us at the 10:30am Belmont Heights service. Then, following the service, youth (6th-12th gr.) are invited to join us for some bagels and youth community time with “Minute to Win It” games.  Hope to see you there!

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

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)

Amazing Race Fundraiser for Being the Church

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, May 31, 7pm

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.

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.