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Rock -- We call Christ "the Solid Rock," remembering his parable about the wise and foolish builders (see Matthew 7:24, NIV). Jesus changed his disciple Simon's name to Peter, meaning rock, saying he'd build his church "on this rock." Although some Christians understand Peter to be the rock-foundation of Christ's church, others interpret the foundation as faith in Christ, which, Jesus said, was revealed to Peter by God.
Bixby Knolls Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) (562) 426-0428
ISSUE 2012-19 SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

IN THIS ISSUE ~ NEWS & NOTES ~ ROCK THE LOCH ~ STEWARDSHIP and so much more..... Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. Yoda Dear Church, It has been discouraging to read in the news lately about the violence and animosity taking place around the world, much of it fueled by religious extremism. The recent violence began when an obscure California filmmaker made an extremely offensive and hateful film about the Islamic prophet Mohammed. Islamic extremists responded in many places with violent riots and attacks on American embassies. News like this makes me realize just how important it is to work for peace and understanding among people of different religions. I am always eager to tell people how much Bixby Knolls Christian Church has helped me understand this. Our congregation has a long history of interfaith involvement, including a long partnership with the South Coast Interfaith Council, the largest and oldest interfaith organization in southern California. Ive learned that Yoda was right: much of the hate and suffering in our world originates with fear. In fact, Ive come to believe that, in many ways, the opposite of love is fear. We live in a fearful culture we especially fear those who are different and fear keeps us from loving as Jesus taught us. Through my own involvement in the South Coast Interfaith Council (Im on the board of directors), Ive met Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, and other religious people. Every single one of them is a person of peace and love. As a movement for wholeness in our community and our world, our task is to let people know that the worlds great religions all call for peace and love. Those who give in to fear, anger, and hate are misguided, and do not represent the majority of their religious brothers and sisters. Only when Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths grow in understanding will the violence end. Peace,

Pastor Danny

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.

Alternative Christmas / Advent Workshop is

December 2. Time is getting short and is in need a
volunteer to handle the Alternative Christmas/Advent Workshop. The biggest part of the job is making a few phone calls to organizations and asking if they would like to participate in our Alternative Christmas. The list of organizations, their phone numbers and contact names are provided. Please listen to your heart and consider volunteering for this as the organizations must be called as early as possible to get a commitment. See Monica

Toward Wholeness
[from Disciples News Service] I have learned that the work of doing justice is slow and it cannot be done by alone. It requires perseverance and the willingness to work with others, said Pastor Margot Connor of Karl Road Christian Church in Columbus, Ohio. The congregation received a grant from Reconciliation Ministry to assist the congregation in their work with a local organizing network, Building Responsibility, Equality and Dignity (BREAD). Our congregation has been a part of a movement that actually changes systems - whether it is predatory lending, education, institutional racism, or unfair housing practices. Our church is one 54 faith communities that work together. One of my church members said she now even reads the paper differently because of this work, Connor said. This work has been a blessing and transforming for me and my church. BREAD is currently working collaboratively on juvenile justice and has reduced the number of juveniles in detention by half in the past year. The special Reconciliation offering (which will be collected at Bixby Knolls Christian Church October 7) supports grants like these as well as experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue across racial and ethnic differences. In support of the Churchs call to be pro-reconciling and anti-racist, the funds also support leader development in small group studies, camps, communities and congregations.

How are you rich toward God? Do you pause to look at the moon, or the sunset, and give thanks for the beauty of the skies? Do you smile and make conversation with people you meet, including bank tellers and grocery store checkers? Do you spend some time in service, doing things for others for little or no compensation or recognition? Do you share what youve been given to support the work of the church? God has blessed us abundantly. We have not all been given the same gifts, but to each of us gifts have been given. How will you use what youve been given in a way that brings glory to God and meaning to your life? As we continue with our stewardship campaign, remember to use a sticky note to post your rich toward God note on our bulletin board. And dont forget the final Sunday of our stewardship campaign will be September 30. Be sure to bring your pledge cards with you to worship on that day as we celebrate all the ways we are rich toward God.

Sharon Lebot has bought a house in Grove, Oklahoma, and will be making that her permanent home, although she hopes to return to BKCC for visits with her church family. Joe Anda son-in-law to John & Earlene Thomas passed away from cancer. Betty Rollo who is recovering from a bout of pneumonia is feeling better and thanks everyone for their prayers.

V
Rekindle is our monthly Sunday evening worship service. Its simple, informal format is designed to appeal to younger generations, although people of all ages are welcome. We start with song, move into scripture & discussion, and end with communion. Visitors are most definitely welcome; bring a friend! Rekindle the gift of God that is within you 2 Timothy 1:6

To have your news, joys, or concerns included in next months newsletter, send a note to Pastor Danny at dannybradfield@gmail.com, or call the church office.

Regional Assembly
October 19-20, 2012 Mill Creek Christian Church Bakersfield, CA The Regional Assembly is the biennial gathering of the congregations of the Pacific Southwest Region. It is a time to gather with fellow Disciples from throughout southern California, southern Nevada, and Hawaii in order to engage in business, worship, learning, service, and fellowship. This year, each congregation is asked to participate in a special project: creating a garden box that consists of plants from members gardens or that represent the congregations unique location or culture. In addition, the regional assembly will include a special mission project to help meet hygiene needs of Bakersfields homeless community. If you would like to participate in this project, here is what you need to do:

For our friends and family please pray: Ester Troxel Sumbal Sardar as she proceeds with her education. Keri Brindle Clark (Monicas daughter) for a medical condition Mohamed Zakkaria (a friend of Chuck Fowler)

1. Grab a gallon-sized zip lock bag. 2. Fill the bag with: a. A pair of socks b A washcloth c. A hotel-sized bottle of shampoo d. A hotel size bar of soap e. A comb f. A disposable razor g. A tissue pack h. A toothbrush i. A small tube of toothpaste Bring your zip-lock bag to church and place it in the box in the narthex. These will be taken to the Regional Assembly. For more information, visit www.disciplespswr.org

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Rock the Loch

Saturday, September 22 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Cost: $10

October

Rahail Sardar - Oct 7 Betty Jo Williamson - Oct 9 Hattie Johnson - Oct 14 Robert Charboneau - Oct 25 Gayle Charboneau - Oct 29 Alice Flaig - Oct 29 Note: there will be no dinner next week, September 26. There will be dinner this week, September 19. Come join us for food and fellowship!

A day-long music festival at Loch Leven, the camp and conference center owned & operated by Bixby Knolls Christian Church and the other congregations of the Pacific Southwest Region.

You are invited to bring a picnic lunch and lawn chairs/blankets. There will also be food available to purchase, and Jamba Juice will be sold during the afternoon. In addition, a silent auction and a free-will offering will take place in support of Loch Leven.

The arms of Jesus

A teacher took her class of 7-year-olds to visit residents of an Alzheimers care center. One boy spied an elderly woman sitting alone on a bed, slipped into her room and gave her a hug. She and many who saw the interaction shed tears. The boy scurried back to his group, apologizing for making the woman cry. She just looked like she needed a hug, he said meekly. To the boys surprise, the teacher commended him: Your arms were the arms of Jesus to her. Scripture tells of Jesus taking children in his arms (Mark 10:13-16). This child became Jesus to someone in her second childhood, taking her in his arms and blessing her. Based on She Needed a Hug, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories Sampler (Simon & Schuster eBook, 2011)
Not only is this a fun event for the family, but it is also a great way to support a place that does so much to help Disciples grow spiritually and train new leaders. Every year, Bixby Knolls Christian Church sends youth to camp at Loch Leven, and they return with smiles and a deeper understanding of Gods love and direction for their lives. If you are not able to attend Rock the Loch, but still want to support the ministry that takes place at Loch Leven, you may make a donation to Loch Leven.

To Tell the Truth To prepare for a sermon on honesty, a pastor asked church members to read Joshua 25. The next week, he asked, How many of you read it? Half the hands in the church went up. Great, the pastor said. Youre the ones I want to talk tobecause Joshua has only 24 chapters. From The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, Charles Swindoll

UPCOMING SCRIPTURES
a bible quiz
1. What unproductive tree did Jesus wither by cursing it? Matthew 21: 17-20 How many loaves did Jesus use to feed the four thousand? Matthew 15: 32-39 What woman had her daughter healed even after Jesus told her that he had been sent to the Jews, not to foreigners? Matthew 15: 22-28 Which apostle cut off a mans ear at Jesus arrest and then watched Jesus heal he ear? Luke 22: 49-51 What man of Bethany did Jesus bring back to life? John 11 What was the affliction of the man Jesus healed on the Sabbath at the home of a Pharisee? Luke 14: 1-4 What Roman of Capernaum asked the Jesus heal his servant? Matthew 8: 5-13 When Jesus was healing people, what prophet did he claim to be fulfilling? Matthew 8:17 Where did Jesus send the demons he drove out of he Gadarene demoniacs? Matthew 8:28-34

Sept 23 - Psalm 119:105-112 Sept 30 - Number 11:4-6, 10-17, 24-25 Oct 7 - Mark 7:1-8 Oct 10 - Mark 10:17-31

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Sunday, Sept. 30

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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.

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Check us out on Facebook

10. What did Jesus tell the two blind men not to do after he healed them? Matthew 9: 27-31

www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch

BIXBY KNOLLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(Disciples of Christ)

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

CHURCH STAFF: Pastor Daniel Bradfield -Minister Monica Lanz -Church Secretary Barbara Neal-Peebles -Music Director/Organist Christine Perkinson - Church Child Care Suzie Romero - Custodian

BOARD OFFICERS: David Rugh -Board President -Vice President Pat Cohen -Secretary Angela Hillig - Treasurer Chrysan Naw - Financial Secretary Phil OLaughlin -Church Clerk