e th

C C

and faithful love comes from you, my Lord

Psalm 66:11-12

Strength belongs to God,

PAST AND PRESENT COPIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS MAY BE VIEWED AT www.scribd.com
2013 - ISSUE 20 October 15, 2013

Bixby Knolls Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) (562) 426-0428

Dear Church, A few months ago I was reading some of the psalms, and I began hearing them as if for the first time. All of a sudden it occurred to me that, perhaps, I hadnt been reading them correctly all these years. I had been reading them as I had been taught: reading them for instruction on how to live my life. But what if thats not how the psalms are to be read? What if a better way to read them is to simply notice the connection, the familiarity, the common experience of all humanity and the emotions we encounter: fear, despair, hope, wonder, depression, and joy? What if the best way to read the psalms is to recognize that despite the distance of time and space the situations and challenges we face have been common to Gods people throughout history, and

that we arent as alone as we might think when we experience times of joy or sadness? These thoughts have inspired a sermon series that Im excited to begin sharing with you this coming Sunday, October 20. Im calling it Psalms: Cries of the Heart. Well continue with this for six weeks, until we move into the season of Advent on December 1. A note about Open and Affirming: On October 6, the congregation of Bixby Knolls Christian Church voted overwhelmingly to become an Open and Affirming congregation. More specifically, we voted to be open to, and affirming of, all Gods children, though differing in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective." How will this change us? When it comes to our day-to-day ministry, I dont expect any real changes at

all. The vote is simply an affirmation of the beliefs and practices that this congregation has been demonstrating for many years now. On the other hand, being identified as an Open and Affirming church will make a big difference to some people in our community, who now know without a doubt that they will not be condemned or turned away at BKCC simply because of who they are. It lets them know that this is a safe place to present themselves before God and to seek Gods wholeness.

Every Sunday in worship, I give thanks for the ministry of this congregation especially as we gather around the Lords Table. To know that the love of God is present in such abundance fills my heart with gratitude. I vow to continue to give my best to BKCC, to strive for excellence on behalf of our ministry, and to pray for our congregations future. I invite you to do the same. Blessings, Pastor Danny

Regional Gathering

this weekend!

Prayer Concerns:
Ester Troxel, Sumbal Sardar, Keri Clark, Ed Bremel, Sean May, John & Bill Solan, Charlie Edwards, James Owen, Carol McGlasson, Phil OLaughlin, Nargis & family in Pakistan, Keri France & family (A. Hillig), Ellis Spikes Jr. (A. Hillig), Janie Oden (G. Kobel)

News & Notes

*
Carol McGlassen remains hospitalized at Memorial Medical Center. She enjoys the visits by Pastor Danny and other members of the church & community. Its been good to see Phil OLaughlin back in church lately. Musical accompaniment for our Oct. 13 worship was provided by Sam Kobel, with Grace Shitara on flute. We greatly appreciate them sharing their musical talent while Barb was away! Roni Love, Patti Heckman, and Anthony Lee were our guests on October 13. They spoke on Judaism, Buddhism, and Bahai, as part of our Interfaith Sunday, sponsored by the South Coast Interfaith Council. They are shown here with Adam Rugh & Pastor Danny. On Sunday, November 10, the SCIC presents its 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner at The Reef restaurant. For for more information, contact SCIC at 562.983.1665 or scinterfaith.org.

* *

Bixby Knolls Christian Church welcomes and affirms all Gods children though differing in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective."

Calling all Crafty People!

We are doing some things a little different and new this year for the first Sunday in Advent and we need your creativity. The first something new has to do with Chrismons. Every year we have a beautiful Chrismon tree in our sanctuary. Well, over the years some have broke and the tree has gotten larger and as a result we are in need of some new Christmons. The plan is to have individuals either create a Chrismon at home, or at a Christmon workshop (more info coming), and then on the first Sunday in Advent present and hang them on the tree during the service. There is plenty of information regarding Chrismons available if you are interested. The second something new is connected to our Alternative Christmas that will also happen on the first Sunday in Advent, but will follow the service. This year instead of having some of our vendors we are asking those of you that create to donate some of your goods to be sold from a BKCC table and then proceeds will be donated to a cause (TBD) closer to BKCC. So if you sew, knit, crochet, make jewelry, hair accessories, make ornaments, artisan bake, etc. please donate to the table. If you have questions or are willing to participate in either activity please let Gretchen Rugh know. Thank you for your creativity.

A TRUE ORIGINAL
A real Christian is an odd [individual]. He feels supreme love for one whom he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge. The man who has met God is not looking for anything; he has found it. He is not searching for light, for upon him the light has already shined. ... He is not a copy, not a facsimile. He is an original from the hand of the Holy Spirit. A.W. Tozer

Photos

from

World Communion

Sunday

Submit your articles for the next newsletter by

October 27

Check us out on Facebook

www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch website: www.bixbyknollschurch.org

A Prayer for Bixby Knolls Christian Church

Use me to bring wholeness to my neighbor. Use my church to bring wholeness to our community. Show us how your kingdom of shalom can be made real on earth through us.

The Fellowship News A publication of Bixby Knolls Christian Church of Long Beach (a Disciples of Christ Church) 1240 E. Carson Street Long Beach, CA 90807 www.bixbyknollschurch.org Editor: Monica Lanz 562-426-0428 bkcchurch@aol.com fax 562-426-0429 Pastor: Daniel Bradfield

The Fellowship News is published twice monthly.

BIXBY KNOLLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CHURCH STAFF:

(Disciples of Christ)

SUNDAY SCHEDULE: 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for Adults 10:15 a.m. Morning Worship and Childrens Church OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday closed

BOARD OFFICERS: Ken Brown Pastor Daniel Bradfield -Board President -Minister Leo Dittemore Monica Lanz -Vice President -Church Secretary Pat Cohen Barbara Neal-Peebles -Secretary -Music Director/Organist Angela Hillig Christine Perkinson - Treasurer - Church Child Care Chrysan Naw Suzie Romero - Financial Secretary - Custodian -Church Clerk