Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
C C
PAST AND PRESENT COPIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS MAY BE VIEWED AT www.scribd.com
2013 - ISSUE 20 October 15, 2013
Dear Church, A few months ago I was reading some of the psalms, and I began hearing them as if for the first time. All of a sudden it occurred to me that, perhaps, I hadnt been reading them correctly all these years. I had been reading them as I had been taught: reading them for instruction on how to live my life. But what if thats not how the psalms are to be read? What if a better way to read them is to simply notice the connection, the familiarity, the common experience of all humanity and the emotions we encounter: fear, despair, hope, wonder, depression, and joy? What if the best way to read the psalms is to recognize that despite the distance of time and space the situations and challenges we face have been common to Gods people throughout history, and
that we arent as alone as we might think when we experience times of joy or sadness? These thoughts have inspired a sermon series that Im excited to begin sharing with you this coming Sunday, October 20. Im calling it Psalms: Cries of the Heart. Well continue with this for six weeks, until we move into the season of Advent on December 1. A note about Open and Affirming: On October 6, the congregation of Bixby Knolls Christian Church voted overwhelmingly to become an Open and Affirming congregation. More specifically, we voted to be open to, and affirming of, all Gods children, though differing in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective." How will this change us? When it comes to our day-to-day ministry, I dont expect any real changes at
all. The vote is simply an affirmation of the beliefs and practices that this congregation has been demonstrating for many years now. On the other hand, being identified as an Open and Affirming church will make a big difference to some people in our community, who now know without a doubt that they will not be condemned or turned away at BKCC simply because of who they are. It lets them know that this is a safe place to present themselves before God and to seek Gods wholeness.
Every Sunday in worship, I give thanks for the ministry of this congregation especially as we gather around the Lords Table. To know that the love of God is present in such abundance fills my heart with gratitude. I vow to continue to give my best to BKCC, to strive for excellence on behalf of our ministry, and to pray for our congregations future. I invite you to do the same. Blessings, Pastor Danny
Regional Gathering
this weekend!
Prayer Concerns:
Ester Troxel, Sumbal Sardar, Keri Clark, Ed Bremel, Sean May, John & Bill Solan, Charlie Edwards, James Owen, Carol McGlasson, Phil OLaughlin, Nargis & family in Pakistan, Keri France & family (A. Hillig), Ellis Spikes Jr. (A. Hillig), Janie Oden (G. Kobel)
* *
Bixby Knolls Christian Church welcomes and affirms all Gods children though differing in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective."
A TRUE ORIGINAL
A real Christian is an odd [individual]. He feels supreme love for one whom he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge. The man who has met God is not looking for anything; he has found it. He is not searching for light, for upon him the light has already shined. ... He is not a copy, not a facsimile. He is an original from the hand of the Holy Spirit. A.W. Tozer
Photos
from
World Communion
Sunday
October 27
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
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