Blog


Remember

By Pastor Miguel Verazas
March 30, 2023
If there is something that I enjoy, it is food! Who doesn’t love a great meal?  I’m what you might call a “foodie.” I love trying new foods, especially when fused with different culinary cultures. Along with smelling and tasting the food, I enjoy t...

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Revelation Simplified!

March 24, 2023
Which book of the Bible most intimidates you? Which book is most often misunderstood? If you answered the book of Revelation, then perhaps this Sabbath is for you! This Sabbath, we are blessed to have guest speaker, Shama Stock, present from the book of Revelation. But here&rs...

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Paul's Footsteps

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 16, 2023
Since March 6th, Pastor Miguel and I, along with 90 other pastors and their spouses, have been visiting the many Biblical sites found in the countries of Turkey and Greece. Most notably, we toured the seven churches of Revelation, including Ephesus and Laodicea. We also visited T...

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Pan De Vida Tours

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 09, 2023
You may have heard The Hill is planning a Holy Land Tour next year! Originally, we set a goal of 50 of our church members to attend the trip, but less than a week after the tour announcement, we currently have 56 signed up! We don’t want to turn anyone away, so a second bus...

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Holy Land Pilgrimage!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 02, 2023
Have you dreamed of taking a boat ride upon the Sea of Galilee, or visiting the site of Jesus’ baptism, or walking the streets of Jerusalem, or seeing the cave where Jesus was born in Bethlehem? Next Spring your church will be taking a tour of the Holy Land. This tour will ...

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Black History Sabbath

February 25, 2023
She was known as the “Moses of her people,” She was enslaved herself, escaped, and then helped others gain their freedom as a leader in the Underground Railroad. Over a course of years, Harriet Tubman not only led hundreds of abused slaves to freedom in the north, but...

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Ministry Engagement

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 18, 2023
Last Sabbath we were reminded that a healthy church cannot function effectively with only a few persons doing the work of ministry. Not even Peter, along with the other apostles, could keep up with the demands of the Acts church. There came a time to delegate and empower the memb...

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Disaster In Turkey

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 11, 2023
The aftermath of one of the deadliest earthquakes to strike this century is being experienced in Turkey and Syria this week. The 7.8 earthquake has been followed by over 100 aftershocks, some as massive as 7.5. Nearly 6,000 buildings have collapsed in Turkey. Hundreds of thousand...

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Looking Back and Forward

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 02, 2023
One of my favorite Ellen White quotations is this: "We have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord led us, in our past." Earlier this week, your church held a Business Meeting reviewing how the Lord has blessed us in 2022. If you misse...

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The Power of Connection

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 28, 2023
Last Sabbath we examined the book of Acts and rediscovered one of the secrets of the first-century Christian church! We saw that the first church was connected! They were first connected with the Holy Spirit and then they were connected with one another! The way they grew closer ...

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Coats and Shoes

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 21, 2023
When was the last time you were without a proper coat or shoes? Yet that is the case for many people living on the streets all around us. How can we make a difference? By giving from our plenty! If you have an extra coat or shoes in your closet, please bring them to church thi...

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Goodbye Friend

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 14, 2023
Most of us are still reeling from the shocking news that our sweet sister, Sally Nam, has fallen asleep. The always smiling, always friendly and always serving Sally touched each one of us in ways that we will never forget. She exemplified Jesus with an attitude of love, kindness...

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Welcome To 2023!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 07, 2023
Happy new year! As we proceed into the unchartered territory of a new year, have you reflected upon 2022? How has the Lord shown His grace, by bringing you through trials, challenges and disappointments? In what ways has the Lord shown you His favor? Taking inventory is a he...

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Prescription for Immunity

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 08, 2022
The past two and half years has reminded us of an indisputable truth: Our health cannot be taken for granted. With a pandemic that has recently swept the world off its feet, everyone knows that excellent health is foundational for fighting chronic diseases and infections. Whi...

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Fall Plans

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 01, 2022
The excitement is building for our upcoming fall Church Retreat, at Leoni Meadows Camp, on September 16-18. With approximately 170 registered, it promises to be a great event! We also have additional people coming up for Sabbath. If you have any questions or want to confirm y...

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Get Ready!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 25, 2022
What in the world is going on? Have you had a family member, friend or co-worker ask you such a question? With the plethora of unprecedented events taking place, many are wondering what is happening to our world? As Adventists, we recognize the birth pangs of a world soon com...

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Back to School!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 18, 2022
It’s hard to believe that we are entering back into the season of school. This week, Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy (PHAA) began classes with its highest enrollment in many years. Under the leadership of our new principal, Dr. Philip Williams, the Lord has brought a fl...

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High Sabbath!

August 11, 2022
It’s hard to believe, but exactly six years ago this month, Pastor Miguel began as our Youth Pastor for The Hill. In those six years, Pastor Miguel has served in many ways, baptizing countless youth, leading praise music, overseeing our AV expansion to live-stream, over...

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Work Bee!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 04, 2022
All are invited to roll up their sleeves and prepare Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy for the new school year. This Sunday, August 7, from 7:30 AM to Noon, we have a great opportunity to help clean up and beautify the campus in a major way. Our work bee will not only focus...

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Thank You Pastor Miguel!

By Reena Cho
July 28, 2022
Over the past years, Pastor Miguel has shared his talents, his gift of music, and most of all his love for Jesus with our church family. He is charismatic, passionate and genuine. He wears his heart on his sleeve and when being in the same room with hi...

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Mountaintop Experience

By Pastor Mitch Williams
July 22, 2022
Have you registered yet for our upcoming Church Retreat, scheduled for September 16-18, at Leoni Meadows Campground? If not, please don’t delay. We have a limited number of lodge rooms and cabins. Meals will be served in the cafeteria. Many fun activities are planned for...

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Committed in Concert

By Pastor Miguel Verazas
July 14, 2022
Committed is an a cappella singing group comprised of five educated young men who love creativity, music, and God. The group began in 2003 at Forest Lake Academy and solidified their sound while at school at Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL. Committed has grown to be a ...

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Summer Recess

By Pastor Mitch Williams
July 07, 2022
I trust you are enjoying a wonderful summer with your family and friends.   Just to keep you in the loop, many exciting developments are taking place at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy (PHAA)! We have hired a new principal, Dr. Philip Williams, and he and his wife...

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Bread that Speaks

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 30, 2022
In a world filled with strife and divisiveness, the church offers us peace and unity. As Christians, we have the opportunity to escape the chaos of this world and instead experience the stability of the church. The church is indeed the body of Christ. So when we gather togethe...

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Get Ready for Christ Because He is Ready for You!

By Gene Valdez
June 23, 2022
Church Family, I want to tell you in preparing my sermon I have reflected on the past 9 years that I have been elder and how special that time has been on my spiritual growth and seeing the growth and triumph of our church in face of much adversity. I can tell you one thing, ...

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Mountain Top Experience!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 09, 2022
Thanks to the pandemic and wild fires, our annual Church Retreat has been cancelled the last two years. But finally we are scheduled to return to Leoni Meadows Camp this fall, September 16-18! The Church Retreat is a church-wide event and everyone of all ages is invited. L...

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Incredible Stories!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 02, 2022
Sometimes, when we read the Bible, it can feel like those kinds of miracle stories just don't happen in 2022. Yet I’m here to tell you, this Sabbath we have three individuals that are proof positive, God still does perform Bible-sized miracles in our time. The first ...

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Two Funerals!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 26, 2022
This weekend we especially remember the many soldiers who gave their lives in defense of our nation. The Bible tells us there is no greater love a person can show than to give their life for another. May we pause this weekend and reflect upon the incredible sacrifice of those ...

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Celebrations & Farewells

May 05, 2022
This Sabbath we celebrate a new member and say goodbye to others. First, we rejoice over the baptism of Michael, son of Ken and Gilda Kreider. Michael, who is just finishing the 4th grade at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy, has been studying the Bible with Pastor Miguel for t...

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Showers of Blessings!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 28, 2022
Spring showers brings May flowers – or so goes the promise! What a beautiful spring we’ve have experienced, and the rain has been a special bonus! This Sabbath, we will be blessed with more showers, in particular, the rain of the Holy Spirit! The Lord will bles...

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Reconnecting!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 22, 2022
Loneliness was a problem in America before the pandemic. But now after two years of shutdowns, closures, isolation, social distancing, and masking, the trauma of protecting our health has significantly affected our connectedness. With the pandemic losing steam, we see lif...

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Season of Hope!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 14, 2022
We live in a time when good news seems to escape us. Whether it be a persistent pandemic, relentless inflation, random shootings, wars and threats of world war, or degrading morals, we live in troubling times. It was troubling times 2000 years ago on a Friday, when the foll...

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Alumni Sabbath!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 07, 2022
This Sabbath we celebrate how the Lord shapes and matures our youth through Adventist education. Our guest speaker, Dr. Lindsay Bautista Gammenthaler, will present the message. All alumni of Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy (PHAA) are invited to our service. We will especially ...

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Spring has Sprung

March 31, 2022
Hope you have enjoyed the budding trees, blooming flowers, and longer days. The spring showers have also prolonged the green hills all around us. After a long and dormant winter, who is the One the who wakes up nature? Through him all things were made; without him nothing was ...

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Photobomb

By Pastor Miguel Verazas
March 24, 2022
Never in this bride's dreams would she have imagined Tom Hanks photobombing one of her wedding pictures. Everyone is talking about actor Tom Hanks surprising Grace Gwaltney on one of the happiest days of her life. She and her bridesmaids were getting into the limo from their ...

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Cheerful Benevolence

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 17, 2022
Earlier this week, an Adventist Church in Nikolaev reported that a Russian missile landed just 25 feet from their structure. With God’s help and protection it did not explode, but was half buried in the ground. Upon impact there were people in the church basement see...

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Optimize Your Brain

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 10, 2022
How would you like to improve your EQ (emotional intelligence)? How about improving your mental performance, including your capacity to learn, retain, and apply knowledge? Would you like to learn how to increase your motivation, creativity, and ability to set and achieve goal...

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Helping Ukraine!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 03, 2022
Many are wondering what can be done for our Adventist brothers and sisters in Ukraine. With nearly 800 churches, and over 43,000 members, the need is great as Ukraine tries to deal with the recent Russian invasion. Many are living in basements and shelters. Others have see...

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SALT Outreach

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 24, 2022
Perhaps you have been wondering how you can make a tangible difference for those hurting in our community? This Sabbath, SALT Outreach, a Florida-based SDA ministry specializing in serving the homeless, will be our special guests. Their founder, Eric Camarillo, will share how...

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God's Perfect Timing!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 17, 2022
Over six months ago, Blessings Robertson-Winn, along with her two children, Sadia and Shannon, began attending our church. During the pandemic, Blessings began to sense God calling her back to church. Since then, she and her children have been doing Bible studies and this Sab...

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Sharing His Light

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 10, 2022
Beginning this Sabbath, a new class begins on the powerful keys to personal evangelism. Ely DeGracia and Lena Williams will facilitate this 13 week study that will cover, among other things: How to be the most effective witness for Jesus. How to surrender yourself m...

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War Zone

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 03, 2022
Earlier this week I received a text from a good friend. It’s the kind of text you never want to receive. He informed me that a mutual friend named Joe was hit by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle and was instantly killed. His wife Martha, who was riding with him...

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Coming Up!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 27, 2022
This Sabbath our sermon will be given by guest speaker, Jim Lorenz, former pastor at The Hill and currently the Ministerial Director for the Northern California Conference. His sermon is entitled: Appreciating the Creator and His Creation Here’s a sermon teaser: Ma...

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In Brotherly Love

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 20, 2022
Last Sabbath we kicked off a new sermon series entitled: My Brother’s Keeper. We were reminded that Jesus calls us to treat other people the same way we want to be treated – with compassion and a helping hand. Today there is an epidemic of homelessness in the G...

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Let's Pray!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 13, 2022
What kind of year will we have in 2022? Only the Lord knows! But as we begin this new season, why not build it on a foundation of prayer with other like-minded believers? Why not have a Pentecost moment now? Why not gather as the early church did when they prayed for the Apos...

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Happy 2022!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 06, 2022
Welcome to a new year! With 2021 behind us, most of us are hoping for a better year. Less pandemic, less fear, less isolation, and less uncertainty. Only the Lord knows what He has in store for us in 2022. But let’s all be in agreement, Jesus was with us last year in so ...

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Merry Christmas!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 23, 2021
As you gather with your family and friends for fellowship, food, festivities and gifts this Christmas, may we not lose sight of what we are truly celebrating! Just think, the voice that made the cosmos could be heard crying in the manger in Bethlehem. The hands that placed...

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Upcoming Christmas Celebrations!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 16, 2021
This weekend we celebrate Christmas with an incredible playlist bringing us back to the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem. Christmas Concert – Friday, 7:00 PM  Be prepared to hear beautiful and melodious voices sing the Christmas carols and hymns we have come to l...

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Baby Stories!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 09, 2021
December is turning out to be a big month for birth announcements! First off, Pastor Miguel & Ashley finally had their baby on December 6, at 10:27 PM. His name is Noah Michael and he is a rather big baby boy, weighing in at 10.2 lbs. and a whopping 23 inches in length! Pr...

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Christmas Time!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 02, 2021
The busiest time of year has begun! But in the midst of the Christmas planning, decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, socializing, spending, traveling, and the list goes on, let’s not forget the reason for the season! Let’s be intentional to keep Jesus and H...

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Abundant Blessings!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
November 25, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving! It was exactly 400 years ago that the pilgrims made a feast to thank the Lord for bringing them safely across the Atlantic and through their first winter. As you gather around your thanksgiving table today, may your conversations dwell upon the abundant...

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Goodbyes

By Pastor Mitch Williams
November 18, 2021
One of the hardest things in life is saying goodbye to a family member or friend. Such will be this case this Sabbath as we say farewell to a family that has been a part of our church since 1978. George and Wisal Khoury moved here from Lebanon to escape tough times in their...

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A Simple Gift

By Pastor Mitch Williams
November 11, 2021
With the Christmas season nearly upon us, we have an opportunity now to help impact children around the world with the good news about the birth of our Savior, Jesus! Since its inception in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has reached over 188 million children in over 150 c...

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Moving Day

By Pastor Mitch Williams
November 04, 2021
The time had finally come for Dave and Nina to move into their new home. After a year of preparations, including the installation of new water, sewer and utilities lines, it was time for their new home to be delivered. The triple-wide prefabricated home was carefully towed to ...

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Tactile Worship!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
October 28, 2021
Can you believe it’s been nearly two years since we last washed one another’s feet? The pandemic has prevented us from experiencing one of our most sacred rituals, but this Sabbath we celebrate communion in the fullest sense. After serving one another on our kn...

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Food Drive!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
October 21, 2021
The 2021 Pathfinder Food Drive culminates this Sabbath! Please bring your bag(s) of canned foods, dry pasta, cereal, juice, baby food and food gift cards to church this Sabbath, October 23. Last Sabbath, the Pathfinders distributed paper bags to hundreds of homes in the Pleas...

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Love One Another

October 14, 2021
Jesus said if we want to be His disciples, we must love one another. (John 13:35). In our day, during this pandemic and political climate, how is your love for others? It's no secret that many issues today are testing our patience and ability to love one another. Lines are...

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Food Drive!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
October 07, 2021
The annual Pathfinder-sponsored food drive officially kicks off this Sabbath. Each year we collect food items both from the church and the community. These food items are later distributed at our Adventist Community Service Food Pantry. This Sabbath, October 9, a paper sac...

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New Testament Style

September 30, 2021
The sweetest thing about life is friendships. Whether it be the friendship between a husband and wife, or the friendship between church members, family members, neighbors or co-workers, life is so much richer when we live it with friends. The Lord designed us to be happiest...

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Building Community

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 23, 2021
Last Sabbath we were reminded that Jesus’ preferred method of growing His followers is through a small group model. With loneliness at record levels, thanks to the pandemic, what better time than now to reconnect with people, particularly those of your faith? In the ...

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Welcome Back!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 16, 2021
This Sabbath your church reopens its doors! Everyone is invited back to in-person church to worship, grow, and fellowship in the name of Jesus. Even though it’s been just a few weeks since we last assembled, it feels like it’s going to be a grand reunion. Fact is, ...

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Showing Kindness!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 09, 2021
Friends, the leper is healed! I’m symptom free! And praise God no one else is positive with Covid-19 (from what we know) as a result of the exposure at church! I have been so moved by your loving messages as I recovered from Covid-19. Your words lifted my spirits and...

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Today's Leprosy

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 02, 2021
Trust me, no one wants to be the leper. Not in Jesus’ day and certainly not today. But when you are diagnosed with Covid-19, as I was earlier this week, you are like a modern-day leper. Lepers are to isolate from their community, including their own family members. Si...

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Important Updates

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 26, 2021
Hello Church family! Here are a few important announcements: 1. This Sabbath, Pastor John Lomacang, from Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN), will be our special guest speaker. His message is a timely one entitled: The Direction of the Storm. We live in troubling times...

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Invisible Firefighters

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 19, 2021
It began on Saturday and soon became the fourth largest fire in California, out of the 19 currently active wildfires. The Caldor fire rapidly spread east, charring over 54,000 acres and in its path, Leoni Meadows. The beloved camp was evacuated on Monday and soon the digital ...

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Miracles in Rwanda!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 12, 2021
It was 16 years ago when I had the privilege of visiting the country of Rwanda in the heart of Africa. While there, I took in the lush vegetation and rolling hills. The people were so incredibly warm, friendly and full of smiles. But behind the wonder of this incredible count...

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Summer Rest!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 05, 2021
Hard to believe August is already here! Amazing how quickly the summer has flown by, at least for some of us. I do hope you are being refreshed during the summer season. Here are a few important announcements: 1. We will be having our monthly potluck this Sabbath in the ...

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Impossible God!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
July 29, 2021
It has been said that the fear of public speaking is greater than even the fear of death. The scientific word for fear of public speaking is “glossophobia.” It comes from the Greek words “glossa” (tongue) and “phobos” (dread or fear). I h...

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Growing the Family

By Pastor Miguel Verazas
July 22, 2021
If you have ever encountered Brody, you know how deep and thoughtful he is by having a conversation with him. You would also know that Brody loves to help. There has not been one time that I have encountered Brody where he does not ask, "Pastor Miguel, can I help you with any...

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Mystery

By Pastor Miguel Verazas
July 15, 2021
I consider it a pure joy to be able to be part of the body of Christ! As the lyrics to this well-known song state, “I’m so glad I'm a part of the family of God…” Have you ever stopped to think about the mystery of being part of the family of God? W...

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Sacred

By Pastor Miguel Verazas
July 08, 2021
Reading the story of Uzzah and how God struck him dead in 2 Samuel 6 has always bothered me. You know Uzzah was just trying to keep the Ark of the Covenant from falling to the ground. The oxen carrying the ark stumbled going to the threshing floor of Nakon. Uzzah, while trying...

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Remembering Freedom!

July 01, 2021
This weekend we celebrate our nation's birthday, when our 13 collective states declared themselves no longer a colony of England but an independent nation. On that momentous date, a letter was signed and sent to England declaring our independence and determination to be a fre...

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Preaching from the Grave

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 24, 2021
In just 100 days in 1994, Hutu extremists slaughtered more than a million Tutsis in Rwanda. In the face of such evil carnage, a young Adventist Tutsi refused to break God’s commandments. As with Daniel and his three friends, God repeatedly intervened to not only save his...

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New Beginnings!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 17, 2021
This week, your church joins the state of California in fully reopening! After a 15-month hiatus due to the pandemic, The Hill reopens indoors! Many have been busy preparing for this very special grand-reopening Sabbath! All Sabbath Schools (Children and Adults) will be me...

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40 Sabbaths!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 10, 2021
What began as an “experiment” turned into one of the biggest blessings during the pandemic! It was exactly 40 Sabbaths ago that we held our first outdoor worship service at The Hill. Since September 12, with the exception of one Sabbath due to excessive smoke, the ...

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Graduation Blitz!

June 03, 2021
Do you remember how you felt when you graduated? Graduation is that milestone in life that we all pass through on the road to adulthood. It’s an important occasion to pause and celebrate what God has done in the life of the graduate. Beginning today and into the weeke...

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Upper Room

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 27, 2021
It’s hard to believe, but we have not enjoyed a corporate, in-the-flesh, communion service in well over a year! But this Sabbath, all that changes as we receive the emblems of the bread and cup. Communion is one of those unique worship experiences that tangibly reminds ...

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Special Sabbath!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 20, 2021
Special guest speaker Clive Coutet will share his incredible testimony this Sabbath. Clive was raised in England where he became very proficient in video production and was sought after by the media giants. But Clive committed his talents to the God and therefore the Lord led...

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Season of Milestones

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 13, 2021
We have entered the season when tassels will be moved from the right to the left. Just last Saturday evening, our own Pastor Miguel Verazas attended a virtual graduation through Andrews University Theological Seminary where he officially graduated with a master's degree in Pa...

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Saying Goodbye

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 06, 2021
Earlier this week I received the phone call that none of us like to receive. A good friend had died. She had been fighting stage 4 cancer for four long years. Although she had initially been given only 6 months to live, her will to live, coupled with her faith in Jesus, extend...

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Expanding Family

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 29, 2021
In January of this year, Diana and Amon Samweli began attending our church. They approached me asking to dedicate their infant daughter Ariana, which we did (some of you may remember). As I got to know Diana and Amon better, I discovered some interesting things about them. Dia...

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Indoor Church, Anyone?

April 22, 2021
As most of you have heard, Governor Newsom recently announced that California will be fully reopening on June 15. The governor even promised that in light of the improving pandemic outlook, he anticipated the four-tier color system to be eliminated. The one thing that would r...

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Alumni Sabbath

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 15, 2021
This Sabbath we celebrate the many ways the Lord has blessed families at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy (PHAA). Established in 1952 and serving grades K-12, PHAA has been shaping generations of young people. Students are trained not just academically, but spiritually, giving...

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Revelations of Hope

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 08, 2021
Thanks to the many of you who have been attending physically or virtually for the Revelations of Hope seminar being held this week. If you haven’t been able to tune in, it’s not too late to catch the last four meetings, occurring each night at 7 PM, concluding t...

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Revelations of Hope

By Gene Valdez
March 25, 2021
It's hard to believe that it has been an entire year of social distancing, mask wearing, event cancelling, toilet paper hunting, and a myriad of other obstacles in dealing with a worldwide pandemic. One of the things that has been especially difficult is connecting with other...

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Busy Sabbath!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 18, 2021
It was January 11, 2020, when I first noticed him. A voice from the back of the church proclaiming uninhibited “Amens” and “Let’s go” and “That’s good” during the sermon. He came to church the next Sabbath and the next, always br...

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Door to Door

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 11, 2021
Let’s be honest, health is on everyone’s mind right now. What is repeatedly stressed is wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing, yet very little is said about ways to improve our immunity. Perhaps now is the best time to love our community by giving the...

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Prayers for a Miracle!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 04, 2021
It was a sunny Friday afternoon nearly two weeks ago when Slava Gospodchikov went for a jog. But soon into his run he started feeling significant chest pains. Rather than ignore the pain, he wisely grabbed his cell phone and dialed 911. Soon the paramedics arrived and quickly ...

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Outdoor Experiment

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 25, 2021
What began as an experiment in early September has now become a staple for The Hill, namely Outdoor Church. Sabbath after the Sabbath, the Lord has enabled us to physically gather together, despite the colder temperatures and intermittent threats of rain. Yet some are aski...

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Preparing the Harvest

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 18, 2021
How are you doing with the three-to-five outreach initiative? Are you consistently praying for three to five individuals in your life who may not yet know Jesus? They could be a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker. Beyond praying for them, they are people you want to...

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Farewell Pastor John

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 11, 2021
Three years ago, Pastor John became an official part of the pastoral team at The Hill. Pastor John joined us after retiring from a productive 40 plus year career as an ordained pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We have been blessed to have Pastor John serve in th...

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Two New Births!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
February 04, 2021
This Sabbath, the Lord will bring two more to the waters of baptism. Elijah and Emmanuel Menefee, adolescent brothers, have studied the Bible, prepared their hearts, and are ready to proclaim to the world their love for Jesus! You are especially invited to join the Heavenly H...

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It is finished!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 28, 2021
What began last May has finally been finished. The sanctuary lobby bathrooms, originally constructed in 1956, are now fully renovated and open for use beginning this Sabbath for Outdoor Church. A special thanks for each one of you who contributed to the renovation phase tw...

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Fishers of Men

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 21, 2021
I am so encouraged by our church members who are taking the challenge seriously to be a witness for Jesus in 2021! For example, Julie Bunn, a family physician, began to talk with one of her patients named Mindy about Jesus. Those conversations led Julie to invite Mindy to her...

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You Are Sent!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 14, 2021
This Sabbath we take a break from our Thriving in the Wilderness sermon series to hear from special guest speaker, Pastor Jose Marin. His sermon teaser is as follows: “A new year is here, but for some of us, 2021 presents what may seem to be overwhelming challenges. As...

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Ten Days of Prayer

By Pastor Mitch Williams
January 07, 2021
Happy New Year! With the holidays behind us and a new year upon us, what better time than now to refocus our hearts and minds on the highest priorities! Have you wondered, what are God’s plans for you, your family and your church in 2021? How does Jesus want to grow you...

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Christmas Star

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 24, 2020
Earlier this week while riding my mountain bike up a trail in Briones Regional Park an hour after dusk, I noticed there were many others on the trail as well. They were intently looking into the night sky. That night, December 21, the “great conjunction” occu...

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Christmas Witness

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 17, 2020
“Do you know the real reason for Christmas?” I asked him. He answered somewhat sarcastically, but with a smile, “You mean it’s not about Santa Claus?” Such exchanges were common for us as we developed a friendship over the past several months. Gre...

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Christmas Time is Here!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 10, 2020
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just two weeks away! Yikes! With so much yet to do, coupled with the hardships of the pandemic, the joy of Christmas is being tested! How easy it is to make Christmas all about the presents, decorations, cards, desserts, gather...

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Winter Church

By Pastor Mitch Williams
December 03, 2020
It’s hard to believe that we have been offering outdoor church for approximately three months. For those of you who have physically attended The Hill, it has been a real blessing to reconnect with church members, meet new people, and enjoy baptisms again. But now th...

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Happy Thanksgiving!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
November 26, 2020
With a year like this one, it may be difficult to count your blessings. But indeed, the Lord has blessed you in so many ways! Consider this timely hymn to put you in the thanksgiving mood: Count Your Blessings – by Johnson Oatman, Jr. When upon life’s billows yo...

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Stocking the Food Pantry

By Pastor Mitch Williams
November 19, 2020
As you probably know, the church operates a food pantry (Adventist Community Services) that distributes food to over 200 families in our community every month. This time every year, the Pathfinder Club collects approximately 7,000 items of canned goods from Pleasant Hill resi...

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Finishing the Year Strong

By Executive Finance Team
November 12, 2020
2020 has been a year like none other! We appreciate the many who have stayed connected to the church via live-stream or in person during these difficult times. The church focus in 2020 has been twofold: First, to present the best worship service and outreach effort possible in...

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One Solitary Life

By Pastor Mitch Williams
November 05, 2020
This week has been all about political candidates, particularly two running for the most powerful office on Earth. And with the 2020 election results pending, I am reminded that there is no politician on earth who comes close to giving us the hope found in one other life. H...

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The Election

October 29, 2020
There was a time in America when proper etiquette espoused never to speak about two things: politics and religion. However today, when it comes to the presidential election, have you noticed that many are not afraid to share their thoughts about it? Social media posts, text...

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Great Disappointment

By Pastor Mitch Williams
October 22, 2020
Hasn’t 2020 been a great disappointment? Vacation plans cancelled. School life scuttled. Work life turned upside down. Social isolation. Loneliness. Fear. Confusion. The hopes we had in January for a wonderful new year and decade have been marred by the many unprecedente...

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Future Graduates

By Pastor Mitch Williams
October 15, 2020
Do you remember your senior year in high school? I remember feelings of anticipated freedom as well as some apprehension over my immediate future. Was I ready to leave my family and the structure of home? Was I ready for college to pursue a degree? Was I ready for my values a...

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How to Help?

By Pastor Mitch Williams
October 08, 2020
When you pass through water, I will be with you; when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched — the flame will not burn you. Isaiah 43:2 This Bible promise has been especially meaningful recently as t...

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Miraculous Protection!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
October 01, 2020
Fire season continues to strike with early, record-setting vengeance, this time with a raging fire in Napa Valley. The Glass, Shady, and Lightening Fires continue to scorch and destroy many homes, wineries, and even schools, including Foothill Adventist Elementary. Sadly, at ...

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The Unlikeliest Guests

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 24, 2020
There she sat, one of many guests we had at our very first outdoor church service. Though she knew no one, Isabel had the courage to attend. She told me, “Pastor, I have been looking for a church and now I found one.” But how she found us is quite remarkable. I...

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Register to Attend!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 17, 2020
Well . . . if we don’t have any local fires, or heavy smoke, or hurricanes, or floods, and if the pandemic doesn’t get out of hand between now and Sabbath, then we will proceed with our very first outdoor church this Sabbath! I don’t mean to make light of the...

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End Times

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 10, 2020
For those of us living in the Bay Area, when we awoke yesterday morning, we were greeted by eerie darkness and an apocalyptic sky. What made it especially strange was that the sunlight didn’t penetrate until midday, and even then, it always felt like dusk. With no strong...

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A New Era

By Pastor Mitch Williams
September 03, 2020
After an astounding half-a-year of being physically separated from one another due to COVID-19, the time has finally arrived to physically gather and worship once again as a church. Please mark your calendar for Sabbath, September 12, at 11:15 AM, when the era of outdoor chu...

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Purging Time

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 27, 2020
One of the benefits of this pandemic season and sheltering in place has been an opportunity to take inventory and organize. Whether it’s cleaning out the garage, your closet, or any number of piles that may have accumulated in your home over time, what better time than n...

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Helping Beirut!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 20, 2020
A few weeks ago, I was moved when my 20 year old nephew, Gil Fayard, said he was headed to Beirut, Lebanon, as a result of the massive explosion that struck the capital city on August 4. The huge blast killed over 200 people, wounded more than 5,000 people and left more than ...

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Reopening Church

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 13, 2020
Last week, you were invited to take a survey asking if you would be willing to attend church if it were held outdoors. You responded with a clear majority in favor of reopening. Last night, your Executive Finance Committee met and voted to officially reopen The Hill, beginning...

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Outdoor Church

By Pastor Mitch Williams
August 06, 2020
This summer, your church leadership has been praying and planning for the possibility of reopening the church. But then a second wave of COVID struck, causing the governor to issue a ruling closing all churches. Nonetheless, some California churches have adapted to the unpred...

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Jesus and COVID

By Pastor Mitch Williams
July 30, 2020
If Jesus were living here today, how would He be living under COVID-19? Would His focus be on protecting His health or blessing others? I can imagine that Jesus would be feeling compassion and love for those who had suffered and comforting the families who experienced loss...

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Watch List

By Pastor Mitch Williams
July 23, 2020
You may have heard Governor Newsom’s announcement that churches and schools are to remain closed until their county falls off the state’s “watch list.” Being on the watch list means your county has over 100 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people in a ...

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Church Renovation Phase 2 Update

By Ely De Gracia
July 16, 2020
The first quarter of 2020 has been an unprecedented time in modern history. Almost every business in the nation has been brought to a screeching halt and countless buildings, stadiums, schools, facilities, and houses of worship sit in temporary abandonment. Against al...

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Youth Ministry Update

By Pastor Miguel Verazas
July 09, 2020
My greatest passion in ministry is working with the youth! My mission is Proverbs 22:6. However, the past 17 weeks of youth ministry has been rather challenging in light of COVID-19. Nevertheless, we have been making the most of our youth ministry downtime by connecting ...

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Modern Prodigal

By Pastor Mitch Williams
July 02, 2020
This Sabbath we are privileged to hear the testimony of a 20-year-old whose reckless living almost cost him his life on multiple occasions. Ironically, he did end up dying the death Jesus calls all of His followers to experience. Even though Westin Mendoza grew up in the c...

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Virtual Communion

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 25, 2020
This Sabbath will be a first for most of us – a virtual communion service! With our church still closed due to Covid-19, we still want to experience the joy and power of celebrating the Cross of Christ through the emblems of the bread and cup. This communion will tak...

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Adventist Education

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 18, 2020
You may not know it, but the biggest ministry of The Hill, from a financial investment, is Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy (PHAA). Every month, your church sends nearly $7,000 to help support Adventist Christian education. From Kindergarten to 12th grade, PHAA is all about educat...

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Discoveryland Preschool

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 11, 2020
Perhaps you’ve heard the news . . . due to COVID-19, Sweet Tomatoes, the all-you-can-eat buffet right down the street from our church, is closing its doors. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict not only human beings, but businesses, causing many to d...

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The Tipping Point

By Pastor Mitch Williams
June 04, 2020
As if the world-wide pandemic were not enough, our nation has been brought to its collective knees with the continued plague of racism. All of us have been incensed by the vicious and barbaric murder of a man named George Floyd at the hands of four police officers. Because the en...

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Reopening Church

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 28, 2020
Can you believe this Sabbath will mark our 11th worship service that we’ve been closed? In some ways the time has gone by quickly, but in other ways, it’s been the longest 11 weeks of our lives. Let’s face it, we miss seeing one another at church! We miss lookin...

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His Name is Ravi

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 21, 2020
When Ravi Zacharias was a young boy on the streets of India, his mother called him in to meet the local palm reader. “Looking at your future, Ravi, you will not travel far or very much in your life,” he declared. “That’s what the lines on your hand tell me...

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Growing Hotter!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 14, 2020
Could it be that the architect of rock ‘n roll, the originator himself, the one who inspired Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Elton John, also considered himself a Seventh-day Adventist? Born to a devout Seventh-Day Adventist family, Richard Penniman began singing and playin...

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Connect Groups

By Pastor Mitch Williams
May 07, 2020
Recent research studies show how much we crave community and friendship. A study of 3,000 women with breast cancer found that those with a large network of friends were four times more likely to survive as women with few social connections. A French study monitored nearly 17,000 ...

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Your Digital Church

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 30, 2020
By now you have accepted the reality that your church has left the building. Everything we do is now by assistance of technology. Live-streaming worship services, church app, Zoom Sabbath School classes, teleconference prayer meetings, and various digital platforms for our small ...

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Life Under Lockdown

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 23, 2020
In 1918, the Spanish flu became the most severe pandemic in recent history. In the course of a few months it infected 500 million globally, approximately one third of the world’s population at the time. It’s estimated that more than 50 million people died from the pan...

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Alumni Sabbath

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 16, 2020
This Sabbath, our virtual church service honors alumni from Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy. Guest speaker Pastor Ron Torkelsen will deliver the sermon entitled: Growing Up Adventist Pastor Ron’s sermon teaser is as follows: “I am a fourth generation Adventist. I a...

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Happy Easter!

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 09, 2020
Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, having just finished the most tormenting hours of His life. He had been prayerfully anguishing over the anticipated and horrific road leading to crucifixion. But He had also come to accept that this was the path the Father would have Him g...

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Virtual Connections

By Pastor Mitch Williams
April 02, 2020
As we shelter at home for at least another month, your church is doing its best to help you feel connected. We have temporarily moved from a brick and mortar church to the virtual house of worship through wireless connectivity. In an effort to ease this transition for our members...

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Staycation

By Pastor Mitch Williams
March 26, 2020
Have you made the most of your forced staycation? It’s tempting to dwell on purely the negative side of the greatest pandemic to strike our earth in the past 100 years. Indeed everyone in the world is at some risk for catching COVID-19. As a result, the American population ...

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Perfect Timing

By Mitch Williams
March 19, 2020
I am so thankful to have received a text that came at the perfect time earlier this week. In light of COVID-19, and the recent “shelter in place” mandate for all citizens, it appeared that our “All About Jesus” Seminar needed to be canceled this week. How ...

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All About Jesus

By Mitch Williams
March 12, 2020
As you know, this Friday, March 13, at 7 PM, we are scheduled to have Pastor Lee Venden begin his “All About Jesus” seminar. This long-anticipated seminar provides the essentials for how to have an authentic, dynamic and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ! W...

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Taking Precautions

By Mitch Williams
March 05, 2020
As Christians, troubling times are opportunities to support each other as we exercise our faith. There is much nervousness around the Coronavirus right now. Some people are taking drastic steps like buying face masks and stockpiling all kinds of products. But some simple common...

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The Real Power

By Mitch Williams
February 27, 2020
An almost unbelievable yet true story happened just a few weeks ago. An Adventist church in Oregon had been encouraging its members to come together and pray in preparation of their upcoming evangelistic meetings beginning January 17, 2020. It was decided that a prayer room would...

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Men's Group

By Mitch Williams
February 20, 2020
Who has more friends, men or women? Typically, ladies are more able to bond and form more deep friendships than men. Guys are more likely to form friendships and bond by doing activities together. But women connect best by simply talking and sharing their feelings. As men get old...

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Screenagers

By Mitch Williams
February 13, 2020
No doubt you’ve seen kids scroll through their life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span. You may have observed your own child staring at their cell phone, seemingly oblivious to anything else around them. With the average kid spending 6.5 hours a d...

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Black Wall Street

By Mitch Williams
February 06, 2020
Can you believe there was an event in our country where 300 people were murdered, hundreds more injured, and a population of approximately 10,000 displaced from their homes? It has since been described as the worst civil disturbance in American history.  It all began on M...

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All About Jesus

By Mitch Williams
January 30, 2020
Have you ever wondered if you truly have a personal relationship with Jesus? Many of us know all about Jesus and His miracles and teachings. But do you truly have a personal connection to the Savior of the world? This March, we are privileged to host a special seminar entitled...

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Phase Two

By Mitch Williams
January 23, 2020
On Monday evening, your church met for its annual business meeting. After listening to various ministry reports, the church heard a presentation about the merits of a Phase Two Renovation. Thereafter, a vote was taken. 37 voted in favor of the renovation, 3 opposed.  Spec...

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Reflecting Upon 2019!

By Mitch Williams
January 16, 2020
With the new decade upon us, it is only apropos that we pause and reflect upon how the Lord has blessed and led “The Hill” this past year. From baptisms to a new baptistry; from ministry events to community engagement; from financial growth to a newly updated sanctuar...

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Church on Fire!

By Mitch Williams
January 09, 2020
Welcome to 2020! As we embark on a whole new decade as a church, what better time than now to launch a new series about the first Christian church. This Sabbath we jump into the book of Acts with our series entitled: Church on Fire! Acts was written by Luke, not a disciple, bu...

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2020 Vision

By Mitch Williams
January 02, 2020
As we begin a brand new decade and new year, what better time than now to recalibrate our spiritual vision! Are we looking at life with spiritual eyes, or the eyes of the flesh? Are we clearly seeing God’s will for our life, or are we simply looking at the allures and cares...

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The Night Before Christmas!

By Mitch Williams
December 19, 2019
May your Christmas be wonderful as you share it with family and friends. As you celebrate Jesus’ first advent, may your thoughts also wonder to His soon second appearing. Enjoy this poem I ran across from an unknown author entitled: T’was the Night Before Christm...

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Celebrating Christmas!

By Mitch Williams
December 12, 2019
I don’t want you to panic, but it’s less than two weeks before Christmas! Help! Perhaps you are ready to be done with the holiday season and all of the extra demands. Or perhaps it’s your favorite time of year. Whatever is the case for you, be sure to not let Ch...

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Merry Christmas!

By Mitch Williams
December 05, 2019
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And feels like it too! With the constant rain, lower temperatures, and shorter days, winter is upon us, and with it, the Christmas season. Have you decorated your tree yet? Finalized your Christmas holiday plans? Started your Chr...

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Happy Thanksgiving!

By Pastor Mitch
November 21, 2019
Thanksgiving is America’s second favorite holiday, after Christmas. What are your Thanksgiving plans? Hopefully you will find yourself with family and friends, celebrating the many blessings the Lord has granted you. But sadly, some in our church family may be alone on T...

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In Gratitude!

By Pastor Mitch
November 14, 2019
Thanks for your “Pastor Appreciation” gifts and cards. We are so grateful the Lord brought us to this beautiful community over three years ago. We treasure our church family and appreciate the love and support we feel. My family is blessed to be a part of a healthy, v...

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Waking Up Spiritually

By Pastor Mitch
November 07, 2019
Last Sabbath afternoon, Dr. Arlene Taylor blessed our church with a presentation about the importance of sleep and brain health. She indicated that adequate sleep is independently linked to greater longevity. If we sleep enough, we will live longer. But if we routinely short ours...

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Brain Guru

By Pastor Mitch
October 31, 2019
What has been called the first computer, only weighs 3 lbs., and is the most complex organ in the human body? That’s right, the brain. This Sabbath, November 2, we host a guest speaker, Arlene Taylor, PhD, who will captivate our attention with the topic of the brain. Con...

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Food Drive!

By Pastor Mitch
October 24, 2019
Have you ever wanted to make a tangible difference for the betterment of your community? This Sabbath is your opportunity! For over 20 years, the Pleasant Hill SDA church, working in conjunction with our Pathfinder Club, has collected thousands of foods items from around our comm...

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What are we celebrating?

By Pastor Mitch
October 17, 2019
What is the second most costly holiday in America? None other than Halloween. Over 9 billion dollars will be spent to celebrate and make light of death, sorcery, ghosts, and witchcraft. Millions of children will don costumes, knock on doors and collect treats. But why not conside...

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