oct 28, 2010 fellowship news

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  • 8/8/2019 Oct 28, 2010 Fellowship News

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    Dear friends,As I ponder how best to lead our church, I often

    seek out stories from other congregations that are find-ing renewal and revitalization. I recently read a storyabout First Christian Church in Chico, California,which I found particularly inspiring. I share it with younow

    On Tuesday, October 5th, the Board of First

    Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Chicovoted to write a check for $10,000 to the First Chris-tian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Corning to beused for some urgent and immediate ministry needs. Like many Disciples congregations, First Christian

    in Chico isn't in a very financially stable situation.We are struggling with the reality of being an agingcongregation whose members are going on to theirheavenly reward faster than new members are join-

    ing. This affects weekly offering and when it's time

    to plan for the next year's budget, the question is of-

    ten, How can we meet the increasing ministry needsof this congregation with fewer financial resources?"

    Programs have to be re-evaluated, money has to beredistributed, and some things simply need to be cut

    out of the budget completely.So why would we give such a large amount

    of money to another congregation? The answer is simple: Outreach is one of our congregation's corevalues.

    Recently, our elders studied Ed Hammett and

    James Pierce's book Reaching People Under 40While Keeping People Over 60. The authors stress

    that declining congregations who become inwardly focused are not only destined for extinction but are

    not fulfilling the Gospel's mission imperative. Con-gregations need to look beyond their four walls andbe aware of needs not only in the community, butregionally, nationally and globally as well.

    First Christian Church in Chico recognized

    that a sister congregation thirty minutes to our

    NUMBER 21 OCTOBER 28, 2010

    Fellowship NewsBixby Knolls Christian Church(a Disciples of Christ Church)(562) 426-0428

    IN THIS ISSUE -

    ~FROM THE PASTOR~ NEWS & NOTES

    ~RING, SING, OR PLAY FOR ADVENT~ ADVENT WORKSHOP/ALTERNATIVE

    CHRISTMAS .................and so much more

    the

    A prayer forBixby 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.

    Northeast needed some help. Membership at thCorning congregation had dwindled down to a few

    core members, but some incredible ministry was tak-ing place with the homeless, the addicted, the incar-

    cerated, and other marginalized people in the com-munity. The congregation in many ways was experi-encing not only a period of revitalization, but rebirth. However, their financial resources were almost com pletely depleted. Our board recognized both the needand the hope of our sister congregation and because we

    had been good stewards of some designated outreachfunds we were able to assist.Jesus said that those who save their life will

    lose it, but those who lose their life for his sake willfind their life renewed. The story of First ChristianChurch, Chico, like so many other similar stories,proves that this is true. Its when we are willing to givegenerously and sacrificially, even when it is risky to doso, that we will find ourselves renewed and trans-formed.

    Oh, and by the way, I have recently purchasedthe book mentioned above, and plan to read it soon. If

    youd like to do the same, I bet we could have somewonderful conversations.Blessings,

    Pastor Danny

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    32nd Annual

    Festival of Music Benefit Concert

    SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 20103:00 pm

    First United Methodist Church of Torrance1551 El Prado Ave., Torrance 90501

    Reception, Free Will Offering

    Come hear musical choirs and artists delightthe audience with their playing of diverse music

    inspired by their faith traditions!

    Regional AssemblyThe Regional Assembly was held October 22-23 in Claremont, California.Worship (in three languages) included a mix of contemporary and traditionalmusic, with Tamara Nichols Rodenberg (interim president of Disciples Semi-nary Foundation) and Saundra Bryant (Director of All Peoples Christian Cen-ter) speaking. Business included confirming the nomination of regional offi-cers, and passing resolutions on topics such as immigration, older adult minis-tries, debt relief, Israel/Palestine, as well as becoming a global mission church.Programming was provided for children and youth, and a clergy dinner tookplace the night before the assembly.

    Ethan Bradfield joins Heather Rodenberg and other youth in worship at the 2010 Regional Assembly

    Seventh Annual

    Interfaith Unity Awards Dinner&

    Silent Auction

    SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 20105 - 7 pm

    Silent Auction Begins at 4:30 pmChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

    3701 Elm Ave, Long Beach 90807Reservations: $60 per person

    For Reservations please send check to: SCIC, 759 LindenAve., Long Beach, CA 90813. To donate a Silent Auctionitem please call 562-983-1665

    UUUUpcoming Events from the South Coast Interfaith Councilpcoming Events from the South Coast Interfaith Councilpcoming Events from the South Coast Interfaith Councilpcoming Events from the South Coast Interfaith Council

    Say Thanks to a VetThe card box will be in the narthax for thank you

    cards to our veterans at Veterans Hospital. Pleasetake time to send a note of thanks. The last day isSunday, Nov. 7 to be in time to deliver for VeteransDay.

    TAKE NOTE PARENTS:

    No Worship and WonderNo Worship and WonderNo Worship and WonderNo Worship and Wonder

    on November 7on November 7on November 7on November 7

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    Lydia Sykes sister, Flora Hileman, conveys herthanks to BKCC members & friends for prayingfor her when she had her recent surgery. The sur-gery went well, something Flora credits to prayer.

    Margaret Howe is now home from Pacific Hospi-tal after being treated for pneumonia.

    Carolyn Smith is in hospice care. Grace Kobel is now a great-grandmother, follow-

    ing the birth of Cadence Kobel last week. Chapman University professor Yakir Aharonov has

    been awarded the 2010 National Medal of Science.President Obama will present him with the medallater this month. (Chapman University, in Orange,is a Disciples-affiliated university.)

    Congratulations to Ben Eastman, a scout inBKCCs Troop 29, who will be honored forachieving the rank of Eagle Scout in a ceremony totake place at the church on November 6.

    John Solan will be undergoing tests regarding whatis suspected to be a torn meniscus.

    Ethan Bradfield has been cast as Young Scroogein the Long Beach Shakespeare Companys annualproduction of A Christmas Carol.

    Ginny Wagener, former executive director of theSouth Coast Interfaith Council, passed away onWednesday, October 27. Funeral/memorial servicearrangements are pending

    Do you have any news to share? Celebrations, achieve-

    ments, prayer concerns, and other news should be sent to

    Pastor Danny for inclusion in the next Fellowship News.

    Just Ring those

    Christmas Bells!!

    And we will be ringing, singing, and playing for Ad-

    vent. Rehearsals start in November for all things

    Christmas!!

    Choir and Heavenly Halos will rehearse weekly and

    Chancel choir rehearsals will start at 6:30pm on

    November 3!!!

    Come to the choir room to pick up your Advent Or-

    chestra Book. We will try to play for the four Sun-

    days of Advent Nov. 28 Dec 5, 12, &19.

    We will try to have a rehearsal on Thanksgiving

    weekend, time to be announced!

    Put music on your calendar this season.sing with

    a choir for several weeks or come ring with the

    handbells on Monday nights during Christmas!

    Everyone is Welcome!

    Eleven youth attended the Youth Group Halloweenparty on October 24. We welcomed Vernice, Charles,Dante, and Monique, who were attending for the firsttime. Others present included Tim, Sarah, Ethan,

    Kirsti, T.J., Sam, and Andi.Our next youth event: attending the South Coast

    Interfaith Council Festival of Music Benefit Concert.Pastor Danny invites all CYF (high school youth) tojoin him; Chi-Rho (middle school) youth are welcomeif a parent/guardian comes with them. The concert isNov. 7, 3:00 p.m. in Torrance (more information iselsewhere in this newsletter). We will meet at thechurch at 2:15 p.m. to carpool. Bring some money:well stop somewhere to eat afterward.

    ADVENT WORKSHOPADVENT WORKSHOPADVENT WORKSHOPADVENT WORKSHOP

    andandandand

    ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMASALTERNATIVE CHRISTMASALTERNATIVE CHRISTMASALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS

    Before and after worship service on December 5,

    the Advent Workshop and Alternative Christmas

    will take place. Come to Fellowship Hall to dosome shopping for some beautiful handmade

    Christmas gift items.

    Heifer International, Third World Hand-Arts and

    Crafts, Habitat for Humanity, Africa Team Minis-

    tries, Red Bird Mission, All Peoples Church

    and possibly Guatemala Project

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    a bible quiz

    WHO SAID THAT?

    1. Jesus Christ maketh these whole; arise, and makethy bed.

    Acts 9:34

    2. We have found him, of who Moses in the law, andthe prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the sonof Joseph.

    John 1:453. Do violence to now man, neither accuse any

    falsely; and be content with your wages.Luke 3:14

    4. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise upand walk.

    Acts 3:65. What I have written, I have written.

    John 19:226. A man can receive nothing, except it be given him

    from heaven.

    John 3:277. My mother and my brethren are these which hear

    the word of God, and do it.Luke 8:21

    8. I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.1 Samuel 27:1

    9. Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.John 4:19

    10. Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thyfather and I have sought thee sorrowing.

    Luke 2:48

    AND HOW MANY DID YOU GET RIGHT?

    Check us out on Facebook www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch

    Have you forgotten to pay for yoursanctuaryflowers? The end of the year is coming, and wedo not want to end it with a deficit in the floweraccount. If you are not sure, call Sandy

    Scrip:Scrip:Scrip:Scrip:Christmas is comin and the geese are getting fatPlease put a large scrip in the old mans hat,If you don't have large scrip a small scrip will doIf you don't have a small scrip,Then god bless you.

    Yes Christmas is just around the corner, soplease start planning to buy scrip, remembershopping with scrip will save you many trips tothe busy malls.

    Scrip Committee

    Remember to renew your Vons and RalphsCommunity Partners program. Ralphs letterwith barcode is at the Scrip table. If you haveany questions, please ask me.

    Sandy

    Thank you to all who helped withthe enchilada sale. We raisedalmost $1,000.00 which will go toseveral outreach programs.

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

    SAVE THE DATES!!!

    Camp and Conference presents --- Winter Camps 2011

    Jr. High JANboree (6TH - 8TH GRADES) Jan. 14-17

    Feb Camp (9th - 12th grades) Feb. 18-21

    Spring Fling Thing (9th-12th grades) April 2011 dateTBD

    Summer Camps 2011Mini Camp - July 6-9Jr. Camp - June 26-July 2Chi Rho Camp - July 17-23CYF 1 Camp - July 24-30CYF 11 Camp - July 31-August 6

    Those planning to attend Ashleys Grand Bethel recep-tion, on Friday, Nov. 19, 8:00pm at Lakewood MasonicCenter, 5918 E. Parkcrest St. Long, can car pool or tryto get there early as the Lodge room is small and park-ing is very limited. Thank you

    Marcia Solan