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NUMBER 2011-07 MARCH 20, 2012

IN THIS ISSUE ~ NEWS & NOTES ~ REKINDLE ~ WOMENS TEA ~ and so much more.....

Dear friends, A prayer for After several weeks of waiting, Bixby Knolls Christian Church the book I had been waiting for Use me to bring wholeness to my neighbor. finally arrived on my Kindle. Its by Diana Butler Bass, and is titled, Christianity Use my church to bring wholeness to our After Religion: The End of the Church and the Birth of a community. New Spiritual Awakening. (An intriguing title, dont Show us how your kingdom of shalom can you think?) Im about halfway through it now, and be made real on earth through us. there is much in the book that is good, but I want to share just one thing from it. The author tells a story about a time when we were having an argument about the resurrection, whether or not it had happened and whether or not it could be proved. One of my friends shared the story of how she had asked a liberal bishop if he actually believed in the resurrection. Believe it? he answered incredulously. Ive seen it too many times not to! As we continue through Lent and get closer to Easter, our thoughts turn toward the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Following the bishops lead, I must say that Ive seen the crucifixion too many times not to believe it: all the ways that life and wholeness are denied in this world; but Ive also seen the resurrection too many times not to believe that, in the end, life and love will triumph. In particular, resurrection is present in our congregation. Here are just some of the signs of new life I see: New visitors in worship A standing-room only crowd for our annual potato bake A successful Rekindle worship service last Sunday night Members reporting to me how their experience in worship has made a real impact in their lives The completion of a number of facility maintenance projects The fact that we have already welcomed several new members so far in 2012 Financial reports which show that, so far in 2012, income is slightly ahead of projections New landscaping in front of the church and along the sanctuary (courtesy of a group of students from Brethren Christian High School) What signs of new life do you see? As we get closer to Holy Week and Easter, keep both eyes open, because Im sure that we will see the resurrection many more times in the weeks to come. Blessings,

Pastor Danny

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

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April 1: Palm Sunday Worship at 10:15 with palm processional April 5: Maundy Thursday Worship at 7:00 pm April 6: Good Friday Sanctuary open for prayer, noon-1:00 pm April 8: Easter Worship at 10:15 with special music from the choir and an Easter message from Pastor Danny 1:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Guest speaker, Claudine Burnett, retired Long Beach librarian and historical author. This will be an afternoon of special music, prizes, and hearing many mysteries from Long Beachs past. The $12.00 donation goes directly to BKCCs general fund.

A new generation of worship. April 22, 6:12 pm. What is Rekindle? It could be described as a youth worship service that isnt just for youth. It is informal. It is participatory. It is multi-sensory. It is experiential. Who is Rekindle for? Its for everyone! Young people might enjoy its style of music and informality. Those with responsibilities during morning worship might enjoy the opportunity to worship without those responsibilities. Those who long for something new and creative will also find Rekindle meaningful to them. When does Rekindle meet? Rekindle meets once a month on a Sunday evening at 6:12pm. Upcoming Rekindle services are scheduled for April 22, May 20, and June 24.

Founders Day is this week! Still not registered? Consider what youll miss Three lectures by Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt Divinity School. A self-described Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly Christian divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt. A Friday evening Shabbat with Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana. Worship on Saturday morning in the Wallace All Faiths Chapel, with Rev. Felix Carrion preaching, and Chapmans DOC & UCC students leading. An hour concert by the Chapman Concert Choir on Saturday afternoon. A Saturday afternoon conversation between Dr. Levine & three of Chapmans finest faculty: Dr. Marvin Meyer, Dr. Marilyn Harran, and Dr. Julye Bidmead. Two reunion events for Chapman DOC alumni & parents. To register online, visit: www.chapman.edu/churchrelations/founders.asp. Registration materials are also be available in the church office.

Order your Easter lily today! The cost is only $6. Checks can be made payable to Bixby Knolls Christian Church and placed in the offering tray - just remember to note Easter lily on the memo line. You can also call in your order to Monica in the office. All orders will be placed on Wednesday, March 28. Order forms are in the narthex. Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Lillian Hester and her daughter (Nancy) will be attending the celebration of 100 years of existence of Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, Texas, beginning March 22, 2012 thru March 25, 2012. Lillian will be the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni of Excellence Award. Jarvis Christian College was founded by Mr. T.J. Frost and Mr. Charles A. Berry Sr., (her father). Jarvis in the only remaining Black College in the brotherhood of the Disciple of Christ faith. Congratulations Lillian from your Church family. Welcome new member Leslie Reese! Leslie lives here in Long Beach and joined BKCC on March 11. Later this spring, Leslie will be baptized during worship. Sharon Lebot had surgery this week. Lets keep Sharon in prayer.

Wednesday Night Dinner

Join us every Wednesday for our pay-whatyou-can community supper. Whats on the menu? Come and find out!

Ethan Bradfield is participating in Brethren Christian High Schools production of Godspell; performances take place the next two weekends. Thank you to the Brethren Christian for the outstanding job they did in planting new plants in the front of our church as well as in the planters.
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.

The General Ministries serve on your behalf around the globe. Ministries that provide education, agricultural and medical training; missionaries who operate after-school programs and more are dependent on your generosity. Your Easter Offering gifts provide critical presence, meeting Gods people at places of deepest need. Your gift provides a safe and stable environment for developmentally disabled adults and children in foster care transition. The General Ministries of the Christian Church are YOUR partners in mission, resourcing and equipping congregations for ministry. YOUR gift to the Easter Offering provides vital support of a critical common witness! Together, we are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world!

California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School Alumni Reunion

On March 24, 9am-1pm CHPPNS will be celebrating its 65th year of operation with an alumni reunion and tree dedication. Have you ever had anything to do with the school whether working, attending or sending children there? Then come and enjoy the celebration. If you plan to attend, send an email to chppns@gmail.com or visit www.CHPPENS.org or to their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CHPPNS

Summer Camp
Registration forms and scholarship applications are now available! You can get yours at www.lochleven.org. Additional copies will be available in the church office. Mini Camp is for those kids who will be in grades 2 & 3 in the fall of 2012. (July 1-4) Junior Camp is for those who will be in grades 4-6 in the fall of 2012. (July 8-14) Chi-Rho Camp is for those who will be in grades 7-8 in the fall of 2012. (July 15-21) CYF 1 Camp is for those who will be in grades 9-10 in the fall of 2012. (July 22-28) CYF 2 Camp is for those who will be in grades 11-12 in the fall of 2012, as well as those graduating in the class of 12. (July 29-August 4) All Ages Camp is for kids in grades 4-12. (August 511) Young Adult Camp is for those who are at least one year out of high school. (August 17-19)

Monthly 30-min. Neighborhood Clean-Up

April 14 11:00 a.m. Youth & adults of all ages are welcome to join us. Those who want can go out to lunch afterward.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Potato Bake Sale fundraiser last Sunday. Your participation provided additional monies for the camp scholarship fund.

Church T-shirts are available for order NOW! A sample is posted in Fellowship Hall. $12 each Last day for orders is April 1

Vacation Bible School July 16-20

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