ISSUE 17

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

the

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AUGUST 18, 2015

Dear Church, The partnership between

the United Church of Christ

and the Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) has been in

existence since the days of my

childhood. Over the decades,

our two denominations have

engaged in mission together,

organized camps together

(especially JanCamp & Feb-

Camp), and twice our General

Assembly and the UCC’s Gen-

eral Synod have met together.

This summer, the UCC

elected a new General Minister,

who begins in that position

September 1. His name is John

C. Dorhauer. (The Disciples’

General Minister – Sharon Wat-

kins – has two years left; we will

elect our next General Minister

at the 2017 Assembly in Indi-

anapolis.)

Even before he begins his

work as the UCC’s new General

Minister, Dorhauer is making

news. He recently said this: “It’s

not my job to preserve the in-

stitution. It’s my job to remind

us that regardless of our de-

nominational identity, we have

a calling: to preach the gospel

in such a way that lives are

transformed.”

On the UCC facebook

page, comments in reaction to

this statement vary. Most sup-

port Dorhauer’s statement, but

a few are upset by it.

What do you think? Is it

the job of church leaders to

preserve the institution?

Keep in mind that church

leaders, perhaps more than

others, have a vested interest

in preserving the institution.

They want the institution to be

preserved, for many reasons.

But at the same time,

many of them – like Dorhauer

– understand that their primary

calling is not to preserve the

institution. Their primary call-

ing, as Dorhauer says, is to

“preach the gospel in such a

way that lives are transformed.”

This is because we are follow-

ers of Jesus, who carried out

his mission and ministry at the

cost of his own life. Self-

preservation comes second to

faithfulness to one’s call.

Of course, the good news

is that through faithfulness,

there is new life. Jesus knew

that the path he was on would

lead to his own death, but he

trusted in God’s goodness, and

in the end God did not allow

death to be the final word.

The new life Jesus re-

ceived is also promised to us:

“All who want to save their

lives will lose them. But all who

lose their lives because of me

and because of the good news

will save them” (Mark 8:35).

It’s time to renew our Community Partners program

If you are registered with BKCC’s program at

Ralph’s markets, please pick up the re-

registration instructions at the scrip table or

request they be mailed to you. So there is no

gap in your contributions, you need to register

Sept 1st. This last year we averaged $25 a

quarter in refunds from Ralph’s.

Christian Women’s Fellowship Begins New Year

Thursday, September 17th, CWF will have a

“picnic” in the fellowship Hall at 11:00. All

women of the church and their friends are in-

vited. Just bring a sandwich for yourself and all

else will be provided. This will be a fun, fellow-

ship event catching up since our summer break

So let us never back down from the work and

mission to which we are called!

Blessings,

Pastor Danny

Helen Tedesco Sumbal Sardar

Keri Clark (daughter of M. Lanz) Hattie Johnson

Grace Kobel Porter Family, Ruthie Atkin (friends of B. Smith)

Nargis & family in Pakistan (family of Sumbal Sardar) Keri France (family of A. Hillig)

Venus (friend of A. Hillig) Heather Arondel (B. Hillig) Marcia Solan (foot surgery)

∗ Our weekly suppers will return on Wednes-day, September 9 - 6:00 p.m.

∗ As of August 1st, Von’s markets has discontinued

it’s eScrip program. Thank you to all who sup-ported this program.

∗ Scrip will be ordered August 31. Any special requests need to be ordered by Sunday, August 30. Extra bonus’ are on Albertsons, Boston Mar-kets, JC Penney and TGI Fridays.

Aug 23-28 Pastor Danny vacation Aug 30 - Aloha Shirt Sunday Sept 13 - Oct 4 - Stewardship Campaign Sept 26 - Rock the Loch Oct 4 - World Communion Sunday & Joint Worship Oct 10 - Appreciative Inquiry Event Nov 15 - Alternative Christmas Nov 27 - Greening of the Church Dec 6 - Advent Workshop Dec 20 - Choir Cantata / CWF Christmas Tea Dec 24 - Christmas Eve Worship / 5:30 p.m.

AUGUST 30

The Interfaith Unity Bike-a-Thon brings together individuals of many different cultures and faiths to enjoy a day of social bicycling and great food. Donations help to support the South Coast Inter-faith Council and its supporting organizations. The ride is on Labor Day, Sept. 7, and registration information can be found at www.scinterfaith.org.

Aug 23 - 1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11, 22-30, 41-43 “Home is Where the Heart is” Aug 30 - Mark 7:1-8 “The Arc of Scripture”

For many, many years BKCC has provided din-

ner once a month for Christian Outreach in Ac-

tion (COIA), located in downtown Long Beach.

The dinner serves 125 people and averages

$200 per month. At this time the fund is low.

Please consider making

a donation. Please

write “Feed the Home-

less” on the memo line

or on your envelope.

Pat Cohen

Community Action

∗ Evan Leibl’s Los Alamitos Pony

League All Star baseball team

won the Bronco division (12yr

olds) World Series by defeat-

ing Puerto Rico 6-3. Congratulations Evan!! Proud grandparents are Ken & Sandy Jeglum.

∗ E-mail received from Marcia Solan. Hello.

Well, I'm going to try again to have foot sur-

gery on the 26th of August. The other time

had to be canceled due to too high of blood

pressure. With a heart doctor we have the

blood pressure under control. Also, today John

and I have been married 56 years and Tuesday

is our birthday I'll be 74 and John will be 77. At

times be both feel our age. Hope all are well

and a big hello from Buckeye. Marcia

Sarith Pheng 1 Ken

Brown 6

Madison Kobel 17

Angela Hillig 21

Sarah Pheng 25

James Rugh 30

Ruth Settle 30

September Birthday Blessings!!!

The following (in part) was received from Church World Service. “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever.” PSALM 112:9 Dear Friends: Your donation to the Church World Service Blankets+ program tells people in crisis, “You’re not alone. Someone cares.” We are deeply grateful for your support. On behalf of all the people who feel more hopeful and less alone because of your gen-erosity, we thank you. May God bless you for your support, Rev. John L. McCullough President and CEO Church World Service

Confronting the Powers: An Anti-Racism Workshop

What is the difference between racism and personal prejudice? Why does racism still grip the U.S.? How can we dismantle racism internally and socially?

Facilitators: Sandhya Rani Jha (author of Pre-Post-Racial America) and David Bell

Friday, September 18, 1pm-8pm &

Saturday September 19, 9am-5pm

Westminster Gardens 1420 Santo Domingo Avenue, Duarte, CA 91010

More info: payuyo@gmail.com

Suggested donation: $10 Co-sponsored by Progressive Christians Uniting

Join friends from around the region for the 2015 Regional Gathering;

mark your calendar and plan to attend!

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

BOARD OFFICERS: Leo Dittemore -Board President Scheri Dubon -Vice President Pat Cohen -Secretary Angela Hillig - Treasurer Chrysan Naw - Financial Secretary -Church Clerk

BIXBY KNOLLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) SUNDAY SCHEDULE: 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for Adults 10:15 a.m. Morning Worship and Children’s Church OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday closed

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.

Check us out on Facebook

www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch

website: www.bixbyknollschurch.blogspot.com

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)

Help cook food for Christian Outreach in Action (COA). Every 2nd Thursday at 8:00 a.m. in our church kitchen.

Our prayer circle meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in room 115. Join this dedicated group in praying for our church, community, & world.

Our next litter pickup is Aug. 30 at 11:45, to pick up litter in Somerset Park and along our neighborhood sidewalks & gutters.

Our Wednesday Night Dinners return on Sept 9! Join us each week at 6pm for a simple yet hearty “pay-what-you-can” meal.

Submit your articles for the next newsletter by

August 30