Worship Series: Resurrection Stories
Join us for Worship, Sunday at 10:30a.m. This past Sunday, the Hillcrest Singers joyously reminded us that “Every morning is Easter morning”. Although we celebrated the resurrection last week, Easter is not over. Our faith holds the “key to our own resurrection.” We are invited to name the things that have us “locked up” in…
Easter Sunday – Look Up
Join us for our Easter Sunday Celebration at 10:30 a.m. All are Welcome! When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. Mark 16: 1-8 Three days had passed. The women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, according to custom. No doubt the journey…
Holy Week Service Schedule
Remember to mark on your calendar for our Holy Week services. Maundy Thursday -Thursday March 28th at 7:00 p.m. You are invited to join us for an Ecumenical Service at Concord United Methodist Church 1645 West Street, Concord CA Good Friday Community Meal & Tenebrae Service – Friday, March 29thMeal in the Fellowship Hall |…
Palm Sunday – Join Us for Worship
Sunday, March 24 at 10:30 a.m. Hosanna! It’s Palm Sunday yet again, and with it the beginning of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday. In our annual re-living of Christ’s death and resurrection, Palm Sunday is the beginning of the end. The early high point before the deep tragedy of Christ’s betrayal…
Join Us for Worship – Lent 5
“Lift Up” – Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ~ John 12:32 For my birthday, I have decided to go on a hot air balloon ride. I am sure that I am not the only one who has…
Davena Jones, New NCNC Conference Minister, Installation Celebration
“May the Fourth be with you!” Come to City of Refuge UCC in Oaklandfrom 11 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, May 4, for a wonderful celebration ofthis historic installation. Please let us know you are coming with thissimple signup so we will be sure to have sufficient seating and food for all.
Join Us for Worship – First Sunday of Lent
Sunday, February 18th at 10:30 a.m. What is Jesus doing on the first Sunday of Lent?One of the reasons why I love the Lenten season is the stories about Jesus. The twists and turnsof the numerous miracles and holy encounters are more exciting than any Netflix series. On thisfirst Sunday of Lent, we hear about…
Mobile Pantry Food Distribution
Now Open! Hillcrest Church is now hosting one of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano’s Mobile Food Pantry Distribution sites. Families and individuals can pick up FREE fresh produce, proteins, dairy and a variety of nonperishable food twice a month. The Mobile Food Pantry will be held the 2nd and 4th Fridays from 2 –…
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 12 p.m. Hillcrest Church, United Church of Christ is offering an Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service in our sanctuary on Wednesday. Hillcrest Church is located at 404 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. All are welcome to attend. The churches and pastors participating in this special service include: Hillcrest United Church…
Lenten Bible Study – Thursdays via Zoom Beginning February 15, 2024 6:30pm
The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus sharing meals with disciples, friends, even tax collectors and Pharisees. Whether multiplying bread to feed a whole crowd, relaxing with his inner circle, or telling curious elites stories about even greater banquets, Jesus imparts wisdom as heshares the wine and grants forgiveness as he distributes the fish….
Ash Wednesday Service
Hillcrest Church, together with three other churches, will host an Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service on February 14th at 12 p.m. The following churches and their pastors will participate in the Ash Wednesday service: Hillcrest United Church of Christ, Rev. Kim Kendrick, Interim Senior Pastor Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, Rev Barbara Barkley, Senior Pastor First Christian…
Sunday Worship Service February 11, 2024
“He was transformed in front of them” —Mark 9:2There is a reason that we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday before we enter Lent. As artist, author, and Methodist minister Jan Richardson writes, “The rhythm of the Christian year offers its own thresholds, inviting us to enter into a deeper awareness of the God who dwells both within…
*This event has been cancelled. Healing Touch Level 1 Training at Hillcrest Church
February 10th & 17th “Healing Touch changed my life. I took the classes in 2008 after my brother was diagnosed with cancer. In addition to opening to energy fields and higher levels of spirituality, I was able to use the techniques to lessen my brother’s pain and calm his spirit.” This quote was shared by…
Volunteers Needed for White Pony Express Food Sorting
Hillcrest Church, in partnership with Temple Isaiah, will be joining together for an ICARE project of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County to support White Pony Express’s efforts to collect food donations from grocery stores and distribute the food to food banks and communities in need. Beginning Sunday, February 4th, five or more volunteers…
Pre-Post Racial America: Spiritual Stories from the Front Lines
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Pre-Post Racial America
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Message from Rev. Fred
Senior Minister
Stones in the Temple of God
As I write, MLK Day has just passed and it is the afternoon of Inauguration Day. Many things are in my heart and mind. I want to share one image, or set of images, having to do with building.
Just a little over 1,900 centuries before Martin Luther King, Jr., a preacher named Ignatius wrote a letter from jail. He was the bishop of Syria within the still-new Christian church and had been imprisoned by the empire for his faith. In his letter, Ignatius pictured the people of God as ones defined and “kindled” by “love.” And he continues, “You are as stones of the temple of [God].” What’s more, “You are then all fellow travelers, and carry with you God, and the temple.”
Along with the love that is so core to our Christian faith and that Ignatius knew so well, the imagery of building and buildings was clearly important and dear to him. He had been arrested, taken away from his people and ministry, and carted off to the imperial city for trial. He was concerned for the future of his church and for all churches. And yet he knew and felt and prayed that the love and caring to which he had been called would not stop. And not only that it would not stop, but that it would continue to build. And it would…through people. People are the stones that build God’s temple, house God’s presence, and share God’s love in the world!
Just about 160 years ago, Abraham Lincoln stood in front of the not-yet-completed capitol dome in our nation’s capitol building and used similar language to that of Ignatius. The building must continue and it must ever go on. When we stop building with and for love and peace, then who and what are we?
Sisters and brothers of Hillcrest—here’s to the Spirit of love alive among us and alive among anyone and everyone of any faith and no faith. Let us at Hillcrest ever be about leading the way in showing people what love alive in the world looks like. Like Ignatius says, we are living stones in the temple of God.
Let it be so, O God, let it be so.
Blessings,
Rev. Fred