For more information visit www.goldenhills.org or www.teamjesusoutreach.org.

This year’s theme: “Ignite Passion for God”

The Spark Conference 2025, hosted by Bethesda Community Church, will be held Thursday, October 30 to Sunday, November 2. The exciting and spiritually impactful event will take place at 2400 Sycamore Drive, Suite 5 in Antioch.

Hosted by Bishop Dr. Johnson Ejomah and featuring Guest Speaker Prophet Kofi Yeboah of Canada, this life-transforming gathering is more than just an event; it is a God-ordained movement designed to ignite passion, purpose and power within the body of Christ. Through vibrant worship, dynamic teaching and Spirit-led impartation, we believe this conference will set hearts ablaze for the Lord and stir a deeper hunger for spiritual awakening in our region and beyond.

Our theme this year is: “Ignite Passion for God” (2 Timothy 1:6; Leviticus 6:12–13; Acts 2:3-4), calling on believers to never let the altar fire go out.

For more information about the Spark Conference or Bethesda Community Church call (925) 405-2124 or email bcc178@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/Bishopbcc.org.

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Community embraces restoration of 157-year-old bell from First Congregational Church of Antioch

By Tom Menasco & Carla Baker Marymee

The Antioch Historical Museum is excited to announce a groundbreaking ceremony to restore the 157-year-old First Congregational Church Bell and construction of the Unity Bell Tower. The ceremony is scheduled for July 23, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend.

The 700-pound brass bell, donated by First Congregational Church Board member Paul Fish, is one of the oldest artifacts from the settling of Antioch by early Americans. The church bell is said to have brought early members of the church together as it rang loudly across the city. It was heard by Antioch’s founders; Rev. W.W. Smith and Captain George W. Kimball, as well as Thomas Gaines, the first known Black settler who was a sexton of the church.

“The First Congregational Church of Antioch traces its roots to June 12, 1865, when it was founded as the city’s pioneer church under the United Church of Christ (UCC) banner.

“Over its 150-year history, the church has prioritized hospitality—welcoming all without exception, including African Americans as early as 1875 and children of Chinese laborers building the Delta levees,” Dwayne Eubanks, Antioch Historical Museum board member said.

“Antioch is the third largest city in Contra Costa County with a population of more than 117,097 residents. Over the decades the demographics of Antioch have changed. We are a diverse community with an amazing history and story to tell. Our goal is to become a reflection of an inclusive, multiracial, and multicultural city that embraces all people. It is our wish that this bell and the Unity Bell Tower will symbolize growing appreciation for all people,” he said.

“We thank the Antioch community for recognizing the importance of preserving this valuable piece of the city’s history. Because of generous donations, we were able to raise $85,000.00,” Eubanks added.

Work on the Unity Bell Tower is being accomplished by Wayne E. Swisher Cement Contractor, Evan & Son Masonry, and Drill Tech who have made significant in-kind contributions to this project.

The project has also been generously supported by individual donors, the Antioch City Council, local businesses, and non-profit organizations including: Delta Veteran’s Group and Antioch Veterans Banner Program, St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Fontana Family Foundation, Antioch Rotary Club, Kiwanis Delta Antioch, and Class of ’66 Antioch High School.

Individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations individuals who would still like to support this project, can make online donations at our website: https://antiochhistoricalmuseum.org/unity-bell-tower-donation/

There are eight sponsorship levels, providing a range of giving opportunities – diamond, gold, platinum, silver, bronze, copper, sapphire, and ruby. Names of sponsors will be permanently inscribed at the exhibit site. Contributions are tax deductible.

The project’s dedication is expected by Fall 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the society’s creation and the 25th year being located at the 1910 Riverview High School site.

The Antioch Historical Museum resides within the 1910 Riverview High School, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum, located at 1500 W. 4th Street, is also home of the Antioch Sports Legends Hall of Fame program. The Sports Legends Hall of Fame showcases and honors the achievements of 253 individual athletes and 17 teams.  

For more information and construction updates, visit our website http://antiochhistoricalmuseum.org/. Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/antiochhistoricalmuseum/

For additional information contact: Dwayne Eubanks at the Antioch Historical Society Museum at (925) 757-1326 or AntiochHistoricalSociety@comcast.com.

Get your unwanted documents shredded at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1360 East Tregallas Road, Antioch on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations will raise funds for scholarships and other charitable purposes coordinated by the church’s Endowment Committee.

Through its endowment, the church has given scholarships to students pursuing college degrees as well as continuing education opportunities such as gaining teacher certification. It has also given a grant to support training school tutors, said Eileen Blumhardt-Butler, chair of the endowment committee.

The endowment has provided a grant to a childcare center to enhance art education. A teacher received a grant to purchase microscopes for her middle school classroom

“These grants are a way our church can share God’s love with the community,” Blumhardt-Butler said.

St. John’s Lutheran Church has Sunday School and services at 9 a.m.  on Sundays. stjohnsantioch.org.

Include Daily Prayer, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday services

Golden Hills Community Church is located at 2401 Shady Willow Lane in Brentwood. For more information visit https://goldenhills.org.

For more information about Golden Hills Community Church visit www.goldenhills.org.

For more information about Golden Hills Community Church visit www.goldenhills.org.

Entry deadline: Feb. 18

Presented by Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch and Grace Arms

The Black History Month Contest is open to all grade school students in Contra Costa County school districts. Two winners will be selected from each category. The contest categories are Essay, Art and Entrepreneurial. Students may only enter one submission per category. Winners will receive a scholarship check ($100-$500) after graduating from high school and going to college.

Eligibility: Each contestant must be a student in the Contra Costa County School District.

Entry dates: All entries must be submitted to Anthony Randolph by Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Email: webmaster@gbfofantioch.org or delivered to Grace Bible Fellowship Church at 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch. Phone (925) 522-2017.