There are FORTY worship centers in Livermore where there is a style or theology that fits everyone. Yet less than 10% of the population could attend if all were filled. To change that, I offer these Livermore ministries for your consideration. This list reflects my traditional Christian theology.
It takes FOUR months to make this tour. Arrive early for Adult Sunday School as the best way to feel the church pulse and to make a quick friend who can explain worship procedures. Expect awkwardness on your part. Most members gladly assist if you look willing. Identify yourself as a visitor. This is a good conversation starter after the worship service.
Communion modes vary. While most offer communion to all, the same rule applies, namely that you intend to lead the Christian life offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Some will pass up communion when wrestling with unforgiveness and should not be taken lightly. Follow the protocol of the congregation.
E-Mail addresses set off by brackets to lessen spam. Copy and paste address to E-mail.
Send updates or report a broken link to: brileyh@comcast.net
Harry's Tour of LIVERMORE Churches
This is less than HALF the available worship locations in Livermore.
Bethel Family Christian Center (Church of God)
[pastorbarker@sbcglobal.net] Orvel Barker, Pastor - 501 North P St
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Bible Study Groups at LLNL
Chair for 2009: Carl Bruns - An employee group at Lawrence Livermore National Lab
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Calvary Chapel of Livermore
[venefam@sbcglobal.net] Mike Veneman, Pastor - 545 North L St
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Catholic Community of St. Charles Borromeo Fr. Bob Mendonca - closed communion - visitors can go forward during communion (Eucharist) to receive a prayer of blessing instead - Services contemplative but joy-filled - 1315 Lomitas Ave
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Cedar Grove Community Church
Office: [office@cedargrove.org] Pastors: [hpedigo.cedargrove.org] Herb Pedigo, [kcromie.cedargrove.org] Keith Cromie - active drama department - 2021 College Ave
Celebration Christian Center
Office: [staff@celebrationcc.org] Pastors: [lihrig@celebrationcc.org] Larry Ihrig, Herb Maydwell - 1135 Bluebell Dr
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Christian World Church & Child Care Center
[jlbrannon@comcast.net] James Brannon, Pastor - 3820 East Ave
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Cornerstone Fellowship
Pastors: [stevem@cornerstoneweb.org] Steve Madsen, [mcalcagno@cornerstoneweb.org] Mark Calcagno - 348 North Canyons Parkway (Right across from CostCo) - Added Saturday service
Discovery Church (Church of the Nazarene)
Office: [discoverychurch@hughes.net] Pastors: [rickeastman@sbcglobal.net] Rick Eastman, [erik.goodman@lamrc.com] Erik Goodman, [didicatcha9erinthere@hotmail.com] Curtis Lillie - 5860 Las Positas Rd.
Good Shepherd Lutheran (Wisconsin Evangelical Synod)
Paul Mueller, Pastor - 486 South J St
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Granada Southern Baptist Church
David O'Brien, Pastor - rehearsal home for Cantabella Children's Chorus - 945 Concannon Blvd
St.Innocent Orthodox Church
[frleo@stinnocent.net] Fr. Leo Arrowsmith, Pastor (Note: Orthodox refer to their pastors by FIRST name) - 193 Contractors St (near I-580 Safeway shopping center off Las Positas and First St)
Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)
[oslmst@oursavior.oslm.net] [pastor@oursavior.oslm.net] Richard Brewer, Interim Pastor - 1385 South Livermore Ave
St. Matthew's Baptist Church
[smbcaturner@ yahoo.com] Allen S. Turner, Pastor - a vibrant black congregation (no ethnic requirement to attend) - Ushers will seat you - (Note: Altarpiece painting of Jesus is in black skin ... an allegorical painting) - 1239 North Livermore Ave
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Sunset Community Church (Assembly of God)
Senior Pastor: [danderson@sunsetcc.org] Darin Anderson - 2200 Arroyo Rd
National Day of Prayer coordinator for the valley- Levi Nemesio [spa4sunset@yahoo.com]
The Rock Tri-Valley Foursquare Church
[pastorrory@ therocktvfc.org]
Pastors Rory and Pam Frink
- 931 Larkspur Dr (Uses Springtown Community Hall)
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Trinity Baptist Church
Office: [trinitybapt6@hotmail.com] Pastors: [Jmeektbc@hotmail.com] Dr. Jim Meek, Merril Smoak, Chris Theilen - 557 Olivina Ave
"Equip the Saints" Theology Class 9:45am - Harry Briley [brileyh@comcast.net] and Barry Jacoby
Victory Point(formerly Crossroads Pentecostal Church) Stuart Young, Pastor - 170 Lindbergh Ave (Uses Masonic building where Cornerstone used to meet)
Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Doug and Karen Quadara, Senior Pastors - 460 N. Livermore Ave
Local Ministries or Community Service
Agape' Christian Counseling - [bobferro@ yahoo.com] Bob Ferro, Pastor/Counselor - 2155 Las Positas Crt, Suite P, Livermore - 371-1991
Grace Biblical Counseling - [gracecounseling@ comcast.net] Ed Beuerman, Pastor/Counselor - 2155 Las Positas Crt, Suite P, Livermore - 785-2038 - Details
Celebrate Recovery, Bible-based 12-step program at Cedar Grove - [recovery@ cedargrove.org]
Youth United (youth pastors in Livermore) - Aaron Chidester
A.W.A.N.A. - Pre-School to High School - Sunday 3:30-5:30pm at Trinity Baptist
B'rit Ahavah Messianic Congregation - Dr.Arnold Da Vigo, Elder - Shabbat service in Hebrew and English (Saturday 11am) with Oneg following (kosher potluck)- Commemorates high holy days of Lev.23 - Congregation draws from various ethnic and Jewish backgrounds - It follows the typical Jewish annual liturgy and weekly Torah readings - 4100 First Street (Uses former First Baptist on Stanley Blvd)
KYCC/KCJH Christian Radio - Weekly highlight: Saturday mornings 9-12am "Kids and Company" for ages 6-12 (addictive to parents) - Based in Stockton - 90.3FM Livermore
K-LOVE Christian Radio - Based in Sacramento - 89.5FM Livermore
July 3, 2009 - Tri-Valley Special Call to Prayer -
7-8:30p, Topical prayers led by pastors from Tri-Valley churches
Held at: Celebration Christian Center, Livermore. All Tri-Valley invited - Contact: Larry Ihrig
August (First Saturdays), Celebration Riders Fellowship - Breakfast at 8AM at the Rock House Sports Pub and
Grill, one block West of N. Livermore Ave on 1840 Portola Ave., the ride follows at 9:30AM - Contact: Bob Nafzinger (Rev.1/20/06)
December TBD, Livermore, 7pm. Dessert Theater presents "The Christmas Story" (in 2008). Reservations Only, $6.00 per person/8 people per table - Trinity Baptist
December TBD, Livermore, 7pm. Humor/Drama by the King's Players: "It's a Wonderful Life" (in 2008) - Cedar Grove, No charge.
December TBD, Livermore, 7pm. Musical/Drama
"The Forgotten Carols" (in 2008)- Reservations only. - Celebration
December 24 - Christmas Eve -
Attend a song-filled community event at one of many churches offering an early evening service - After wrapping presents and viewing lights in town, this is a wonderful way to close the evening thinking about Jesus - Some churches also offer an 11pm candle-lighting service with communion. - Recommended: 2008 Christmas Eve Family Carol Service (7pm) at Our Savior's Lutheran
March 2010 (first full week), Castro Valley, BASS 2009 Church Workers Convention, Over 300 Workshops, over 50 Exhibits. Keynote speakers. The conference is not expensive but many churches pay a church registration fee so all their members can attend free. Held at: Redwood Chapel and First Baptist. All Denominations. All Age Groups. (Rev. 1/2/06)
April 2010 - Passover Seder -
Attend a traditional Passover Seder during this seven day period of unleavened bread - A full seder with a lamb/chicken dinner is best - leisurely 2 to 3 hours - advance reservations advised - Dates and costs vary if catered or potluck (kosher recipes provided) - Most seder leaders make time to explain and welcome - It reveals parts of Exodus and Leviticus. Passover follows lunar calendar.
April 2010 Saturday - Easter Vigil, 8:30pm-Midnight, the equivalent of a Sunrise Service for night-owls; Candlelighting, Bible readings regarding God's redemptive work with Abraham, the Passover, and Isaiah; Lots of songs; full immersion adult baptisms (only done at Eastertide) in new in-ground baptismal unit (find a seat nearby to really appreciate the baptisms); followed at 11:30pm with Communion service for Catholics only. Held at: Catholic Community of St. Charles Borromeo. (Rev.4/2007)
April 2010 Sunday - Community Easter Sunrise Services
OPTION 1: 6am-7am Shadow Cliffs Regional Park - Gate open 5:30am -
Songs, Centurion Drama Monologue, Speakers - Stanley Blvd between Pleasanton and Livermore - Crisp 40 to 45 degrees - Need warm coat, hat, gloves, and padding for concrete steps - Free parking for the service only - Contributions defray expenses with excess to local charity - Hosted by: Pleasanton CenterPointe Presbyterian Church (also the back-up facility in case of of rain). If light rain, we stay. If downpour, we move. Heed chilly warning. Promptly starts at 6am, BEFORE sunrise
Possible (?) OPTION 2: 6am-7am Wente Winery Concert Lawn - Gate open 5:30am -
Songs, Soloists, Speakers - Arroyo Blvd south of VA Hospital, Livermore - Crisp 35 to 45 degrees - Need warm coat, hat, gloves, and padding for cold concrete - Free parking - Contributions defray expenses with excess to local charity - Hosted by: Livermore Evangelical Pastors Association. Heed chilly warning. Promptly starts at 6am, BEFORE sunrise
May 7 - First Thursday - "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield", 56th Presidential National Day of Prayer -
7-8:30p, Topical prayers led by pastors from Tri-Valley churches
Held at: Celebration Christian Center, Livermore. All Tri-Valley invited - Contact: Larry Ihrig
Bell-weather [mestesm241@msn.com] Mike Manning. His "My Opinion" election newsletters gives reasoned points from a traditional Christian position for propositions and candidates.
