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PAST AND PRESENT COPIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS MAY BE VIEWED AT www.scribd.com
2014 - ISSUE 07 April 8, 2014

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

move beyond the simplistic faith we were taught as children. As the Apostle Paul says, When I was a child, I To maintain physical spoke like a child, reasoned like a child, thought like a child. But now that I have become a man, Ive put away childish things (1 Cor. 13:11). Some of the things we once thought were true turn out not to be true; meanwhile, we discover a deeper truth that is more powerful than anything we knew before. What Ive learned as a pastor is that it is possible to work spiritual muscles too hard. If the challenge to old beliefs is too great, a persons faith might be injured. However, for many Christians, the greater risk is not working those spiritual muscles at all. Its too easy to be lazy, and just cling to our old, childish beliefs. Letting go of old beliefs can be disorienting, especially if those beliefs have been with you for a long, long time. need to Sometimes we be disoriented.

things and embrace a deeper truth. Starting on Easter Sunday, I will embark on a sermon series based on the Principles of Identity for the Disciples of Christ. This series will continue until Pentecost. I have several goals for this sermon series. One is to explain the basics of who we are and what we believe. These sermons will be important for anyone who is new to the church, or who is thinking about membership/baptism. Please invite a friend or neighbor to join you for worship on Easter Sunday. Another goal is to work your spiritual muscles. This spiritual workout will include the return of table questions during our fellowship time. Please do plan to stick around after worship and discuss the questions that you will be given. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, just opportunities muscles. And then, once were done with that, anyone who wants to can join me in doing some pushups. Blessings, Pastor Danny to stretch your and strengthen spiritual

letter of apprewas received

ciation

from the South Coast Interfaith Council for your recent donation. It is the mission of the South Coast Interfaith Council to promote mutual understanding, respect, appreciation and cooperation extending offering among the people of faith . by educational and hospitality,

health, exercise is important. Working out is most effective when the body is challenged to exert just a little more effort than it has before, in ways that are constantly new. This causes the muscles in the body to actually tear just a little bit, and over the next day or two, as the body heals that tear, it heals it so that it is a little better than it was before. In other words, the muscle repairs itself so that, next time, it will be able to handle the exertion. The pain one feels after a hard workout? Thats the muscles healing themselves, making themselves stronger than they were before. It is possible to work the muscles too hard. This results in a more serious injury, a sprain, a major tear, a pulled muscle something that requires more than a day or two of recovery. But lets be honest: for most of us, that is not a risk we face. The risk we face is doing too little, putting forth too little effort, and never allowing our muscles to strengthen. Growing in faith works the same way. In exercising our spiritual muscles, we

opportunities Your

working for justice. contribution enables us to continue executing the mission of SCIC.

Sometimes we need to let our old beliefs die, and allow our faith to be resurrected into something new. Hopefully the challenges you face will be just enough that, in the long run, your faith will grow stronger and stronger as you put away childish

Condolences to Leo Dittemore and family on the passing of his brother, Andy. Max Stephens (nephew of Sheri Dubon) Sumbal Sardar Virginia Lalla Keri Clark (daughter of Monica Lanz) Porter Family (friends of B. Smith) Nargis & family in Pakistan (family of Sumbal Sardar) Keri France & family (family of A. Hillig) Gathered in the sanctuary, seated in a circle, let us hear about Maundy Thursday Let us enjoy a fellowship meal, just as Jesus did with his disciples Let us remember the stories they remembered Let us discover new meaning in common, everyday bread Let us encounter Christ, who breaks the chains that hold us back Join us for a very special Maundy Thursday worship on April 17 at 7:00 that is interactive, multi-sensory, and good for all ages. You wont want to miss this significant worship experience. p.m. Its an all-new service this year, one stories of freedom, liberation, and hope Jean Woodward (friend of Becky Carroll) Ellis Spikes Jr. (friend of A. Hillig) My Gift to You by Monica At some time we all have missed church service for some reason or another and missed the sermon. Or perhaps you hear something in the sermon that struck a cord and you want to hear it again or, perhaps share it with someone? and log on to All of these are very good reasons to get on your computer

www.bixbyknollschristian.blogspot.com
and click on sermons. Pastor Danny presents Gods Word in such a way as to reach out and grab you. Read or re-read it as it may answer a question(s) you have been struggling with. Do not be shy about sharing it with others. If necessary, print it out be handing over the answer that person needs the gift of life. A note from Grace Kobel - Thanks for your and give it to them as a gift. You just may

On Good Friday, the sanctuary will be open beginning at noon for those wishing to come in to pray.

prayers - turned out to be a knotted muscle in my right chest wall - and boy did it hurt. Thanks again. Grace

2014 Summer Camp at Loch Leven

June 29-July 5: Junior (grades 4-6) July 6-9: Mini (grades 2-3) July 6-9: Special Needs July 10-12: Parent/child July 13-19: Chi-Rho (grades 7-8) July 20-26: CYF 1 (grades 9-10) July 27-Aug 2: CYF 2 (grades 11-12 & 14 grads) Camp Scholarships: For families that are active at Bixby Knolls Christian Church, our camp scholarship fund will pay half the cost of camp. This is made possible by donations to the fund, as well as contributions received from our annual potato lunch and profit from our soda machine. For those requiring additional aid, regional scholarships are also available. Applications for regional scholarships must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation, and must be postmarked by April 30. May 25 - Psalm 119:105-112; Luke 2:41-46 June 1 - John 17:1-5, 20-24 June 8 - Acts 2:1-21 April 13 Palm Sunday - Matthew 21:1-11 April 20 Easter Sunday - Matthew 28:1-10 April 27 - John 20:19-31 May 4 - Luke 24:13:25 May 11 - Matthew 16:13:23 May 18 - Romans 6:1-11 There will be no Scrip sales on Easter Sunday. For this month, Scrip will be ordered on the last Sunday.

Wednesday Night Dinner

Why we celebrate
Jesus is a redeemer, a restorer in every way. His day on the cross looked like a colossal failure, but it was his finest moment. He launched a kingdom where the least will be the greatest and the last will be first, where the poor will be comforted and the meek will inherit the earth. Jesus brought together the homeless with the privileged and said, Youre all poor, and youre all beautiful. The cross leveled the playing field, and no earthly distinction is valid anymore. There is a new us people rescued by the Passover Lamb, adopted into his family and transformed into saints. It is the most epic miracle in history. That is why we celebrate. Jen Hatmaker, 7:An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

Join us every Wednesday for dinner at 6pm. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow BKCC friends better; plus, you dont have to cook! If you can, bring a couple of dollars to put in the basket (and if you cant, thats ok).

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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.

the next newsletter by

Monday, April 21

Bixby Knolls Vision Statement To know what the Lord requires of us; to do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)

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