Resurrection Sunrise Service 6:30 – 7:15 am next to the Plaza
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus… “Why do your search for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen”
Join us for this special sunrise service as we celebrate the resurrection of our King. We will have a time of singing and scripture reading before our main Resurrection Sunday Services.
This service will be outside so please bring a chair.We are meeting in the Guest Parking Lot next to the Plaza.
Join us on Resurrection Sunday at 8:30am or 10:30am in the Sanctuary
Everyone is welcome for a time of worshipping our risen King through singing, scripture reading, and hearing from God’s Word.
We are hosting Sunday School classes for kids!
Please have your Walkers–5th Graders join us at our 8:30 service and Nursery–5th Graders join us at our 10:30 service. All other ages are encouraged to sit with their family in the main services.
Antioch’s Morelia Gil-Cubillo (center) with members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (L-R) Ken Carlson, Diane Burgis, Chair Federal Glover and Candace Andersen, during the 2024 Youth Hall of Fame honors on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Source: Office of Supervisor Diane Burgis
Morelia Gil-Cubillo recognized for Leadership and Civic Engagement
By Allen D. Payton
Morelia Gil-Cubillo. Source: Antioch High School
Antioch High School junior Morelia Gil-Cubillo was recently chosen as one of the 2024 Contra Costa Youth Hall of Fame award recipients. She earned the Leadership and Civic Engagement title.
“It is an immense honor to receive this award. I’m grateful to have been recognized for my hard work and determination in the community,” she said. “I will continue to give my best through service and spirit.”
“We honor César E. Chávez and recognize his legacy of fighting injustice and improving the lives of farmworkers, their families, and so many others. We are inspired to once again commit ourselves to service to others,” said Board Chair Supervisor Federal Glover. “We also recognize our 2024 Youth Hall of Fame awardees whose commitment to service and community are to be celebrated and are the force moving forward Cesar Chavez’s legacy.”
At Antioch High, Gil-Cubillo created a documentary trailer for her English class, on the topic of immigration. Her trailer was heartfelt, informative, and clearly personal. Her teacher now uses her trailer as the model for other students that are working on this assignment.
In addition, Morelia’s activities include Earth Team, Girl Power, BATS Scholars and is Vice President of the Key Club.
Always wanting to support her peers, Morelia is on the Board of Directors for an SAT Prep seminar for under-resourced students. Their goal is to open doors for students to selective colleges and prepare them to thrive once they are there.
Morelia has served as a Resource Recovery Ambassador for the City of Antioch, where she played a crucial role in educating her peers on adopting environmentally sustainable practices in waste management. This experience led Morelia to become an integral part of the City of Antioch’s leadership group, the Antioch Council of Teens. In this role, she actively participates in community service projects, engaging in civic initiatives, and coordinating enjoyable social activities for teens in the City of Antioch and East Contra Costa County.
Most recently, Morelia participated as a panelist during the interviews for the newly established Antioch Police Oversight Committee. Her ability to engage in meaningful dialogue, ask insightful questions, and contribute constructively to the selection process highlighted her dedication to fostering positive change within her community. In tribute to her grandfather, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, Morelia plans to pursue an education in pathology, where she can search for a cure to this tragic disease.
About Gil-Cubillo, District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis said, “The newest recipient of the Leadership & Civic Engagement Youth Hall of Fame award is District 3’s Morelia Gil-Cubillo. I’m humbled by how young women like Morelia and so many Contra Costa County staff continue the legacy of Cesar Chavez every day. ¡Sí se puede!”
Musicians and dancers from Mariachi Monumental and Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl performed throughout the César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Source: Office of Supervisor Diane Burgis
The theme for this year’s celebration César Chávez was Perseverance & Progress – Perseverancia y Progreso. The festival featured keynote speaker Contra Costa Community College District Trustee Fernando Sandoval who was raised in the City of Pittsburg where he also attended school. Fernando joined the U.S. Navy like Cesar Chavez. Fernando played an instrumental role aboard the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War, where his expertise in data systems previewed the vital importance of STEM education, a field he continues to support passionately. Fernando’s book, “From Tortilla Chips to Computer Chips,” is a testament to his life’s work and an educational and motivational touchstone for students and educators alike. Fernando continues to embody the value of education, community, and family like Cesar Chavez.
The event also included live performances by Mariachi Monumental and Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl, spoken word performance by Jose Cordon, and celebratory remarks from members of the Board of Supervisors.
“Cesar Chavez was a tireless advocate for farmworker rights, and farmworkers are a crucial part of our East County community,” Burgis shared after the event. “We declared this week as National Farmworker Awareness Week in recognition to their huge contribution to our food supply and well-being, while also recognizing the unsafe work conditions they are sometimes subject to and the labor protections that farmworkers are not afforded.”
“The County and my District 3 office worked hand-in-hand with East County’s farmworker communities to make sure farmworkers were counted during the 2020 Census and kept healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the supervisor continued. “Contra Costa Health has also started partnering with nonprofit Hijas del Campo to provide a weekly mobile health clinic.”
“…it’s important that people with average risk get screened starting at age 45” – Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Gastroenterologist Arun Suryaprasad, MD
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women, and it’s the second most common cause of overall cancer deaths.
More young people are also getting diagnosed with the disease. In 2021, the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer was lowered to 45 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
“With more young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it’s important that people with average risk get screened starting at age 45,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Gastroenterologist Arun Suryaprasad, MD. “Regular screening saves lives, and it can prevent cancer altogether by finding precancerous growths. At Kaiser Permanente, we encourage our members to keep up with their health screenings.”
“Colon cancer rarely has symptoms,” Suryaprasad said. “Most patients with colon cancer have no symptoms at all. Early detection is key.”
Suryaprasad is a proponent of the highly effective FIT (fecal immunochemical) test. It is a simple test that is safely done in the comfort of patients’ homes.
“Since launching our Kaiser FIT outreach program, where more than 80% of Kaiser Permanente members are getting colon cancer screenings done every year, we have reduced colon cancer deaths by 52 percent and have prevented the incidence of colon cancer by 26 percent,” Suryaprasad noted.
As long as FIT tests remain negative, they can be repeated every year for screening. Another at-home stool test offered by Kaiser Permanente is Cologuard testing. This stool test can be done once every three years, as long as it remains negative. Cologuard measures various types of stool DNA.
“If a patient has a positive FIT test or a positive Cologuard test, we recommend a follow-up colonoscopy exam,” Suryaprasad explained. “Colonoscopies are usually done every 10 years, but they may be done sooner if precancerous growths called polyps are removed.”
Earlier and more frequent screening might be recommended for those with a family history of colorectal cancer, who have certain health conditions or hereditary syndromes and who are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Suryaprasad said maintaining a healthy weight with diet and exercise is extremely important.
“Smoking increases your risk of colon cancer,” he said. “If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. In addition, high processed foods, red meat, and processed meats such as hotdogs and deli meat can also increase your risk for colon cancer. A diet high in fruits, vegetables and fiber keeps your colon healthy. Reducing alcohol also decreases your risk of colon cancer.”
According to Suryaprasad, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for several decades. A statistic he credits to people doing their routine screenings.
“Colorectal polyps are now being found more often by screening and removed before they can develop into cancers,” he said. “By encouraging colon cancer screening, we will continue to see this reduction in colon cancer. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.”
U.S. Marshals and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies on the scene of the arrest on Almondwood Drive in Antioch on Wed., March 27, 2024. Photo by Allen D. Payton
Wanted by Pittsburg Police, has history of arrests
By Allen D. Payton
On Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service with the help of Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a wanted fugitive, Timothy Demetrius Jeffrey of Antioch, on Almondwood Drive in Antioch for escaping federal custody. According to a resident who lives in the neighborhood officers could be heard yelling through a loudspeaker, “You are surrounded. Come out with your hands up.”
According to Abigail Meyer of the United States Marshals Service Office of Public Affairs, “The Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) arrested Timothy Jeffrey, 43, on both his federal Supervised Release Violation warrant and Pittsburg PD Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant, the original charges for both were distribution of dangerous drugs. In addition, his FTA included charges for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of large capacity magazine, and resisting arrest.
The PSWRFTF requested assistance from local law enforcement and a Contra Costa Sheriff’s K9 officer assisted with the rear perimeter.”
According to localcrimenews.com, Jeffrey was arrested by Pittsburg Police on April 25, 2023 for the aforementioned charges. He had previously been arrested on Feb. 29, 2016, by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for federal (21 U.S. Code Section 846) attempt and conspiracy charges. Jeffrey was also arrested in Jan. 2010 by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for vehicle theft.
According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch, 200-pound suspect who is Black, (born 4/24/80) is being held in Santa Rita County Jail in Dublin on no bail.
Good Friday is the day we remember our Lord’s death. It is so easy to take the significance of the cross for granted because we hear about it often. We see the image of the cross everywhere. This service is a chance for us to slow down and truly reflect on what Jesus’ sacrifice means. This will be a somber time of reflection and thankfulness as we consider what Jesus did for us.
Join us at Golden Hills Community Church, as we worship through singing, the reading of scripture and prayer.
We do not recommend that young children attend this service, as it will be dark and quiet. We are offering childcare for your children for this service. Please use this link to register your child. Registration is required at least 3 days before this event (March 25) for staffing purposes.
Holy Week is the period leading up to Resurrection Sunday (you may know it as Easter Sunday). From Palm Sunday through the rest of the week, important events were taking place that set this week apart from any other normal week. This space is dedicated to providing resources to help us learn more about these days so we can reflect on and appreciate the work Jesus has done for us!
Maundy Thursday is a day where we remember the night Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and taught His disciples about being a servant when He washed their feet. This is a time for us to reflect on what it means to be a servant, love others, and remember what Jesus’ sacrifice is all about.
Join us as we worship through singing, the reading of scripture, prayer, and partaking in the Lord’s Supper together.
Antioch Police on the scene of the fatal shooting who had the Dairy Queen taped off early Thursday, March 27, 2024. Source: Facebook posts by Denise Cantrell.
Victim was 36 years old; police seek unknown suspect(s)
By Acting Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at approximately 5:22 AM, Antioch police officers responded to the 600 block of E.18th Street, near the Dairy Queen, at the request of Con Fire for a male who was found deceased with an apparent gunshot wound. (See video of police at scene)
When officers arrived, they located a 36-year-old male deceased inside a parked vehicle suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification to the next of kin. This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the community.
UPDATE: According to Detective Becerra the crime scene included the area on the street in front of Opportunity Village (homeless hotel) and the Golden Hills Community Outreach Center where multiple bullet casings were located. The victim walked to the Dairy Queen.
Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or by emailing abecerra@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.
