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Friday, November 6, 2026 | Vol 7. No. 179 | |
Sabbath's Worship Service
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To see is to believe is a phrase often used to verify truth. The disciples witnessed Jesus do amazing things; however, what they hoped Jesus would be was the complete opposite. The disciples' blurred vision and version of Jesus prevented them from seeing his true purpose and mission.
Does this still happen today in our Christian communities? What type of Jesus do we share with others who have never read the Bible?
Join us this Sabbath as we rediscover the real Jesus that transformed the disciples and fueled the growth of the early church.
-Pastor Ben Garcia
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Connect with us on our website (www.vallejodrive.church)
and on social media!
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Lucila T. Garcia
A long time ago in the Philippines, Matilde and Federico Tobola welcomed their firstborn daughter and named her Lucila, meaning "light." As the eldest of six siblings (Lowell, Gloria, Reuben, Susan, and Samuel), Lucila embraced the responsibility of caring for her family with joy, selling pickled vegetables and sewing clothing to support her home and help put her siblings through school.
Noticing Lucila’s deep passion for visiting people to share the love of Jesus, her mother encouraged her to become a literature evangelist. Lucila dedicated 33 years of her life to this calling, including ten years with the Central Luzon Conference, during which she met her husband, optometrist Buenaventura Garcia II. They met while she was canvassing in Metro Manila, and he purchased health literature from her for his office. In 1973, they immigrated to the United States, where Lucila made Vallejo Drive Church her spiritual home and continued her literature ministry with the Southern California Conference for 23 more years before retiring in 1997 to care for her aging parents and sister.
Her faithful canvassing yielded fruits that continue to bloom today. One rainy day in 1982 in Glendale, Lucy, as she was known by her church friends, knocked on the door of Adolfo R. Vanegas. Struggling on crutches and going through a painful divorce, Adolfo initially turned her away. Following a quiet tug from the Holy Spirit, Lucy knocked a second time—a moment of obedience that changed lives forever. She listened, prayed with him and advocated for his care. Adolfo gave his heart to Jesus, was baptized at Vallejo Drive, and went on to serve as a faithful deacon, musician, and Bible teacher for 40 years.
Reflecting on Lucy’s impact, Adolfo’s daughter, Vivian, shares: "Our story is part of Lucy’s spiritual legacy. It didn't take a fancy suit or church to impress my father—just a stranger on a rainy day who showed a little kindness and care. Lucy demonstrated God's character beautifully through her obedience. Be humble like Lucy: keep it simple, just listen, share the love, and God will do the rest." Vivian also fondly recalls visiting Lucila’s home for homemade cantaloupe juice on hot summer days and playing with Lucila’s young son, Ben.
At Vallejo Drive, Lucy also poured her heart into hospitality alongside legendary figures in our food ministry like Mrs. Rode Quisido and Mrs. Hermine Tulgar. Preparing potlucks and serving in the kitchen brought her immense joy. Lucy always believed that sharing food was a powerful way to minister—a sacred space where people could taste God's goodness, feel the Holy Spirit, and experience the sweetness of His grace. Lucy’s life is beautifully anchored by one of her favorite scriptures, Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.”
Today, Lucy’s heart for ministry shines brightly through her family: her son, our own Pastor Ben; his wife, Abigail, a dedicated nurse; and their adorable seven-year-old son, Liam-Koa. The ministry of Pastor Ben is deeply appreciated by our Grace on the Hill church family.
In a magnificent testament to God's grace across generations, we will gather with gratitude and joy on November 7 at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate Pastor Ben’s ordination into the gospel ministry.
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Please scan the QR code to indicate how you would like to support our church community. | |
Our church family consists of not only those who attend our services in person, but also those who attend online. Hence, you may not recognize some of the names on the prayer list. Those are people from across the globe who have requested our prayers.
Please pray for: James Takamune, Terry Collins, Petra Rodriguez, Alice Nassimian, Christina Bustos, Sofia Almago, Armando Aguirre, Kimberly Lee, Karen Brown, Claudia and Mimi Garcia, Low family, Wesley family, Jacqueline Baptiste, and Trudy Adams.
Prayer request for health issues is requested on behalf of one of our SCC teachers, Mr. Joel Kindrick, teacher at SFVA.
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We sadly share that Dr. Jerry McGill passed away on Wednesday, Oct 14. His funeral was on Oct 26 in Cleburne, Texas. Jerry was an active member of our church for over 30 years, regulaly teaching Sabbath School, particiapting in the Marathon Clinic (now Fitness Clinic), and frequently serving as MC in our events.
Our dear church member Trish Low has passed away on Monday, Oct 19. Her celebration of life service will be on Nov 21, at 4 pm.
We are with our church family and friends who are grieving the loss of a loved one. If you would like prayer or someone to talk to, please contact a pastor or visit our prayer ministry table on Sabbaths after the church service. You do not have to go through it alone.
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Services Offered/Needed
Overnight Postpartum Doula & Newborn Care Specialist Available:
Jacqueline Jean-Baptiste is an Adventist certified Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), offering overnight support for new families. You can rest, heal, and feel supported during this precious season of your life. She can help you with newborn care & safety, feeding support (breast & bottle), diapering, soothing & comfort care, sleep support & gentle routines, light baby-related household support, and emotional reassurance for parents.
References available upon request. 310-721-4485
| Caregiver services offered by Joyce. Please give her a call if you or someone you know needs a caregiver. 424-309-3454. | |
GENTLE CLOUD MINISTRY
Need help with your phone, computer, or other tech gadget? Rene Alvarez, an IT expert, is volunteering to help those in need, mostly seniors, via phone. Please email him if possible at renealvarez01@gmail.com or give him a call at 323-770-4108.
We thank Rene for his generosity and willingness to help.
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Substitute Teachers K-12 for the Los Angeles area needed. Visit their website at www.eestaffing.org for more information. |
Looking for more pictures like this? Click to see our photo album! |
Click on the link below to see our church's history in photographic form! |
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We are partnering with Food Cycle LA to provide fresh produce to our neighboring communities in need. We are thankful to them for adding to our Food Bank Pantry full of canned goods.
Come pick up what you need for someone in need!
Volunteers are needed to:
-pick up donations from local donors in Glendale/LA
-receive and set up donations from Food Cycle LA vendors at church on Mondays and Friday afternoons
-help distribute food on
Mondays 2:30 - 4pm & Sabbath afternoons at the Food Bank room
Please contact Pastor Ben at 818-424-4180 for more information and if you are able to help.
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We are very honored to welcome to our event Dr. Suarez--someone close to our community.
Dr. Sandra Suarez is a proud graduate from Montemorelos University Medical School in 1984. Sandra stayed home for few years to raise her two daughters, who are now adults serving in their communities--one as a physician and the other one as a CRNA.
Sandra also obtained a Masters in Business with emphasis on Health Care. Together with her husband, Dr. Ezequiel Suarez, she founded an Occupational and Rehabilitation Center in Downtown Los Angeles where she begun imparting health seminars for the industry in Downtown Los Angeles.
Eventually she left the industry to focus on women's health because she wanted to help them acquire new tools to achieve their health goals to transform their minds and hearts.
Her Bible verse for this afternoon is
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers" -3 John 1:2
Thank you for spending part of your afternoon in getting to knowing our church women of grace a little better and learning of God's bountiful gifts to us.
Women's Ministries
Grace on the Hill at the Vallejo Drive Church
| Phase 1 Roofing Project Complete | Phase 2. Gym interior in progress. Rendering of completed interior. | |
Phase 3. Rendering of renovated food bank
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Repairs of our Community Center are underway!
Please continue to pray as we renovate our Community Center. Thank you for donations and prayers for this much-needed space.
Click below to view more pictures of the renovation:
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Give Joy to Prisoners' Kids this Christmas
Join us in sharing Christ’s love with families of incarcerated parents
this Christmas through our Angel Tree Ministry!
How You Can Help
1. Sponsor a Child (Beginning November 6)
- Pick one or more Angels: Stop by the Angel Tree in the lobby starting November 7 and select one or more paper angels (each child receives two gifts: an item of clothing and a fun gift/gift card).
- Sign Out: Register your selected angels with the volunteer at the table before leaving.
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Return Gifts by November 28: Bring wrapped gifts with the complete paper angel taped to the outside back to the Angel Tree table or Hostess Desk. Please DO NOT write any personal messages as these gifts are from the incarcerated parent (Contact Alma if special arrangements are needed.)
2. Deliver Gifts (Sunday, December 6 (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- We need volunteers to help deliver gifts to local families.
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Sign Up: Register at the Angel Tree table to join the delivery team!
Contact Alma Wesley if you have questions.
Thank you for helping make Angel Tree 2026 a success to the glory of God!
— Your Angel Tree Team (Lisa, Janet, Nina, Roxane, & Alma)
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Our Online Church Directory is now up!
If you have taken a picture in our Photo Booth Station,
you're in our Online Church Directory!
search: Instant Church Directory in App Store or
go to instantchurchdirectory.com
then enter your email address
Issues logging in? Please verify that you have taken a picture in the church lobby, and then email Anne Leah at office @ vallejodrive.church.
Once you have taken a picture at our Photo Booth Station, you will be added to our directory.
Don't see your picture on the online directory?
Stop by after our church service at our photo booth station this Sabbath, write down your email address, and we will add your picture to our Church Directory!
Suggestions for the online church directory? Contact Pastor Ben Garcia.
A printed version of the directory will be available in the future.
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Nominating Committee Season is now upon us, and we would like to know how you are willing to serve the Grace on the Hill at Vallejo Drive Church. Please prayerfully fill out the form below and indicate how you would like to support the church and community.
https://forms.gle/ZFfU3y454gzVjir26
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NEED PRAYER?
Please stop by our prayer table in the courtyard. Someone in our ministry will gladly pray for you. You don't have to go through it alone.
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Stop by after church at our photo booth station this Sabbath so we can compile our Church Photo Book!
See Pastor Ben Garcia for more information.
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Want to serve but don't see where you can?
Fill out our New Ministry Form
If you have a ministry that you would like to start, please contact the church office for a 2 page form, or check out our website under Service Opportunities.
1. Submit the completed “new ministry” that you would like to lead to the church office.
2. The pastoral staff will review the ministry and discuss with you.
3. It will then be submitted to the church board for final approval.
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For information about Southern California Conference events, please subscribe to the conference's newsletter!
https://scc.adventist.org/media/subscribe/in-touch-subscribe
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Quilting Meetings: Every third Sunday, from 10 am to 3 pm, unless otherwise stated.
Meetings 2026:
Nov 15
Dec 20
Meetings 2027:
Jan 24
Feb 21
Mar 21
April 18
May 16
June 27
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Glendale Adventist Academy News | Please continue to pray for and support Glendale Adventist Academy’s faculty, staff, and students. For information, call 818-244-8671. | | |
Trying to get some exercises and movement in your schedule?
Come by the church!
Adventist Health Glendale has exercise classes on our church campus on Monday afternoons at 2 pm, Tuesday mornings at 10 am, Wednesday mornings at 10 am, and Thursday afternoons at 3 pm. Please visit adventisthealth.org/livewell or call 818-409-8354 for more information on how to join.
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FRIDAYS
3:00 p.m. Teens4Christ (Earliteen Room)
SABBATHS
9:30 a.m. Adult Sabbath School Program In-Person (Chapel
9:30 a.m. Spanish SS/Escuela Sabática (1st Floor Room 104A)
9:45 a.m. KIDS Connection (Downstairs)
9:45 a.m. Children's Sabbath School (Education Wing)
10:00 a.m. Youth Sabbath School (Upstairs, Corner Room)
10:00 a.m. Adult Sabbath School Classes (Fellowship Hall)
10:00 a.m. Gospel Conversations Class (Downstairs across from bathrooms)
11:00 a.m. Divine Worship Service In-Person / Online (Facebook/YouTube)
MONDAYS
7:00 p.m. Koinonia Bible Study with Elder Doug Warner (Zoom) - Click Here to Join
WEDNESDAYS
6:00 p.m. Seeking Jesus Bible Study Group with Pastor Mark Papendick (Zoom) - Click Here to Join
7:00 p.m. Bible Study In-Person with Pastor Jonathan Henderson (Fellowship Hall)
NEXT SABBATH
10:50 a.m. Church Life and Announcements (Sanctuary)
11:00 a.m. Divine Service
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Weekly Events:
Fitness Clinic: Sundays at 7 am at Verdugo Park in Glendale
Food Bank: Mondays 2:30 to 4; Sabbaths 1 pm to 3 pm
Koinonia Bible Study: Mondays at 7pm on Zoom with Elder Doug Warner
Zoom Bible Study: Wednesdays at 6 pm on Zoom with Pastor Mark Papendick
In-Person Bible Study: Wednesdays at 7 pm with Pastor Jonathan Henderson
T4C: most Fridays at 3 pm, in the T4C Lounge downstairs
Bell Choir Rehearsal: Fridays at 7 pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal: Sabbaths at 9 am
Monthly Events:
Laundry Love: every 3rd Tuesday of the month
Quilting Bee: 3rd Sunday of the month
Adventurers and Pathfinders: Contact Alex Knights for schedule
Youth (The Beacon): contact Pastor Cindy for updates
Youth Adults: Bible Study 2nd and 4th Sabbaths, Contact Pastor Anthony for schedule
Oct 31 Pastor Appreciation Sabbath
Nov 7 Ordination of Pastor B Garcia
Nov 8 Women’s Luncheon
Nov 13-14 Ministry Leaders Development Weekend
Dec 12 Christmas Program
Dec 19 Candlelight Concert
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Click on the cover below for an online copy of next week's Sabbath School Lesson: | |
Sabbath School & Mission Feature in our Chapel
Sabbaths @ 9:30 am
Lesson Study: Erin Stone, MD
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Year-to-Date: November 3, 2026
Total Local Church Giving $ 879,753.78
Total Local Church Spending $1,033,017.47
Budget Giving (incl. in local) $324,425.76
Budget Spending (incl. in lo cal) $597,875.02
Tithes Received 2026 $1,119,827.34 (15% increase)
Tithes Received 2025 $ 949,395.46
Giving that supports Church Budget and Church Ministries:
Total Local Church Giving 2026 $879,753.78 (7% increase)
Total Local Church Giving 2025 $817,667.34
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Friday, November 6, 2026 - 4:55 PM
Next Friday, November 13, 2026 - 4:50 PM
Glendale - Sunrise, Sunset and Daylength
"You have six days in which to do your work, but remember that the seventh day, the Sabbath, is a day of rest. On that day do not work, but gather for worship. The Sabbath belongs to the Lord, no matter where you live."
Leviticus 23:3, Good News Translation
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October 30 Terry Collins
October 30 Juliane R. Da Silva
October 30 Carolyn McGill
October 31 Joab Carlos
October 31 Ruth Pasco
November 1 Gloria Polk
November 4 Annette Chase
November 4 Cyntia 'Cindy' Drachenberg
November 4 John E Vigil
November 5 Aileen Antonio
November 5 Angelica Teresa Mesina
November 5 Helen Young Poon
November 6 Patricia Hackman
November 6 Naomi Lynn Keets
November 7 Ruthann Renaux
November 8 Grace Chen
November 8 Susan Uriarte
November 10 Amy Marcarian
November 10 Laura Thompson
November 10 Hannah Yamamoto
November 11 Rhodora Adonay
November 11 Brian K Cecil
November 11 Christine Finci
November 11 Rael O Mendoza
November 12 John Khalaf Jr.
November 12 Argelia Meszaros
November 12 Travis Paulson
November 13 Nellie E Arbias
November 13 Yanni Abdiel Campana Pena
November 13 Alex Knights
November 13 Vivian Smith
November 14 Jerome Edmeade
November 14 Steven Streeter
November 14 Joseph Andrew Valdez
November 15 Cynthia Ermshar
November 15 Jan Cristyl Lirio
November 15 Gregory Prout
November 16 Daisy Ada
November 17 Brittney Gregg
November 17 Dimitri Pierre-Louis
November 18 Anne Leah D. Guia
November 19 Nirel Rillera
November 20 Damaris Laguna
November 20 Aaron Turina
November 21 Jacqueline Gamboa
November 21 Azniv Sargsyan
November 22 Coreen L Ishihara
November 22 Margot Martinez
November 23 Melissa Gage
November 23 Amanda Hilleary
November 23 Benjamin Middleton
November 23 Herbert Puen
November 24 Kingsley Wong
November 25 Houda Issa Rizk
November 28 Tina Anh Chan
November 28 Alice S Nassimian
November 28 Janeth Quintero
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The birthday calendar is from the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists database. We apologize if your birthday is not listed.
Please contact us to update your birthday and other personal information for our records by emailing office@vallejodrive.church or clerk@vallejodrive.church. Thank you!
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