Week of Sunday, April 4, 2024

CAL HEIGHTS UMC NEWS

DOUBTIN THOMAS

We hope you can join us for worship each Sunday morning at California Heights United Methodist Church (3759 Orange Avenue, Long Beach, CA).

We are gathering this weekend on Sunday, April 7 at 10:00 AM.

Rev. Dennis Bade will be the guest preacher this weekend. His sermon title is "Doubting Thomas" from John 20:19-31.

The Anthem for the morning will be "A Place at His Table" shared with us by Fire Within Us.

WRESTING WITH DOUBT, FINDING FAITH

Does your faith make room for questions? Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a heaven? How can we know? Often, we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God.

In Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, join best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton as he discusses some of our most significant sources of doubt and shows how a steady trust in God can emerge from them. You will delve into questions like:

“Does God exist? How can I know?”

“Is the Bible true?”

“Why do prayers go unanswered?”

Rev. Adam Hamilton approaches these sources of doubt with honesty and insight, drawing on the rich wisdom of the Bible, Christian tradition, and his experience walking with thousands of people on their spiritual journey. Whether you’re a longtime Christian or someone brand new to faith, this book will lead you to a trust in God that is unafraid of hard questions. Wrestle with doubt and find faith – belief and trust, not certainty, mystery rather than simple answers.

We will begin our study of this fascinating book on Monday, April 22. Our sessions will be at 10:00 AM in the Church Parlor.

The cost of the book is $14.00 and will be available on Sunday, April 14.

KNITTER’S GROUP

Our knitter's group has returned! They gather from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday evenings in the Bride's Room. All skill levels and all questions are welcome.

Please let Esther Fairris (e.fairris@charter.net) know if you will be coming.

EASTER FLORA

Thank you to everyone who donated flowers for Easter Sunday morning! We ask that, if you so choose, you pick up your flowers on Sunday, April 7th and take them home.

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)

Spring Inn Schedule & Themes

Wednesday evenings, 5:45-7:30pm

$7 per person/$25 max per family

The Inn is closed March 27 & April 3 for Holy Week & Easter.

Join us on April 10 for Rainbows Night!

We are excited to gather as God’s church on Wednesday evenings this spring. Join us to worship and fellowship together over a yummy meal, and then head to small groups for all ages. Please sign up in advance so we can expect you!



www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

Servant Sunday: Help at Farm Lot 59

Sunday, April 14 @ 9am

2714 California Ave. Long Beach, CA. Meet at the Farm Lot 59 Parking Lot. 

Farm Lot 59 is a working urban farm that specializes in growing rare and unusual varieties of flowers and organic vegetables. The farm’s mission is to incubate and inspire the culture of urban farming in our community through education, food accessibility, and by being a model of sustainable agriculture practices. We will serve on the farm this Sunday together with simple communion and prayer. All ages are welcome!

What to Bring: Signed Waiver (access during online registration). Water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, closed-toed shoes, garden gloves, tools



Please sign up online: www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

INTERFAITH SEDER

Join Rev. Melinda and many others at the Interfaith Justice Seder

Thursday, April 18, 6pm

Temple Israel

269 Loma Ave

Long Beach, CA 90803

Hosted by Temple Israel, our churches of all ages have participated in this annual Justice Passover Seder.  We are all invited once again!  Please let reach out to Rev. Melinda with any questions and/or you would like to join her at this year’s meaningful service.

(E: Melinda@beingthechurchlb.org)

Being the Church: FUN Picnic!

Sunday, April 21. 1pm-3:30pm

Recreation Park

4900 E 7th St, Long Beach

(off of Federation Drive - near the playground)

Picnic Potluck

Sign up: ______

Join all of our churches for a fun and relaxing afternoon.  Bring a dish to share and please sign up so we know who is bringing what!  We need entrees, side salads, drinks, and desserts.  We will have games to play and lots of wonderful fellowship.  So, bring a chair along, and let’s have a picnic! 

GROUNDLINGS DATES ANNOUNCED!

4 weeks: July 15-Aug 9

Two locations: Grace UMC & Los Altos UMC

Mark your calendars for Groundlings Summer Camp. Youth and children (K-8th) will enjoy Bible stories, crafts, service opportunities and friends - long time and new - lots and lots of recreation. Registration will open in mid-March and all four weeks are sure to fill up fast! In the meantime, if you have questions, please email our camp administrator, Cynthia Navarrette Pueblos (Email: campadmin@beingthechurchlb.org) for more information!

YOUNG ADULT GROUP

All young adults (ages 18-25) are invited to join in the community, fun and fellowship of the Young Adult Group. We meet up for meaningful dialogue, group outings, and community service.

Cal Heights UMC member, Mary Kate McBride, leads the group. Please reach out to her via email: grilsquill@gmail.com to learn about the latest goings-on and get connected. 

You can also contact Rev Melinda (Melinda@BeingtheChurchLB.org) for more information.

MOBILE HOUSELESS MINISTRY

Next service day: Saturday, March 30

Together with Jumpstart Ministries, our church volunteers were serving in full force on February 24 at the LA River encampments in north Long Beach. Rev. Dan Lewis from Grace UMC offered the grace, and served communion. Our friends seemed to be in good spirits despite the recent stormy weather. You were most generous this time with blankets and fast food gift cards. We can always use men’s and women’s jeans and cold weather gear. Please drop off donations at church offices on Sunday mornings or during weekday hours.

Volunteers are needed for in person visits and/or sorting clothes, please contact Michael Naylor at 714-328 1503.

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.