Dear friends,

I recently had a conversation with some-

one who once attended church, but hadn’t

for several years. She explained to me that

the reason for this is her disappointment with a

church that promised new life and liberation,

but instead made her feel enslaved to a life

of judgment and brainwashing.

In listening to her, I realized once again

that if we are to share the good news of Christ

with the world, and if we are to be a growing

church, then we need to get our message

right. So much of what the world sees pro-

claimed by Christians is contrary to the mes-

sage of Jesus.

Instead of judgment, we need to live a life

of welcome. Instead of conformity and cap-

tivity, we need to live a life of freedom and

liberation. Instead of seeking to destroy our

enemies, we need to love them. Instead of

seeking to divide the world, we need to find

ways to restore wholeness.

It’s time for Christians to die to the way of

oppression, violence and death, just as Jesus

died to the way of this world on the cross. It’s

time for Christians to start following the way of

new life, liberation, and shalom, the way of

the risen Christ who is alive today. It’s time for

Christians to be good news.

As Lent draws to a close – as we get ready

to enter Holy Week and prepare for Easter –

let us give thanks for the God of new life, the

God of hope, freedom, and love.

Shalom,

Some of you may remember when we would have a 24 hour prayer vigil at the church from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday. People would come to the church and pray in the sanctu-ary for 15 minutes to 30 min-utes. This year the Worship Commit-

tee and Pastor Danny would like to have a new version of the 24 hour Prayer vigil. A prayer booklet has been made and will be passed out Palm Sunday and made available during holy week for everyone to use. It is being asked that during the 24 hours from sunset on Maundy Thursday to sunset on Good Friday everyone take the time at home to go through the prayers. This is one more way to bring our congregation together in prayer with God. If you can’t make it to church to receive the prayer booklet simply call the office and we will make sure it gets to you.

NUMBER 06 MARCH 23, 2010

Fellowship News

Bixby Knolls Christian Church

(a Disciples of Christ Church)

(562) 426-0428

IN THIS ISSUE -

~ FROM THE PASTOR

~ NEWS & NOTES

~ WORK CAMP WEEKEND, APR. 16-18

~ DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME?

and so much more!

the

LEADING UP TO EASTER SUNDAY

April 1 -

Maundy Thursday Service,

7:00 p.m.

April 2 -

Good Friday, Prayer and

Meditation in sanctuary, 12 noon.

April 4 - Easter Sunday Service, 10:15 a.m. Cantata “You Are The Christ!”

Loch Leven needs you!

☺

April 16-18 is Work Camp Weekend

Many have grown up with warm memories of fun and peaceful surroundings of Loch Leven Camp and Conference Center. Work

by day and play by night. So that others may enjoy and feel the spirit of God at work within, make plans to help spruce up

and maintain the beauty of “God’s country” the weekend of April 16-18. Registration is required as well as a $20

donation for cost of food. Details can be obtained by contacting Tina Carter (909) 794-2507 or info@lochleven.org

On April 11, Bethel #161 Long Beach, In-

ternational Order of Job’s Daughters will

be visiting.

Ashley Charboneau is the presiding

Honored Queen and hopes to see everyone

in church to meet all our girls.

Pro-Reconciliation

Anti-Racism

Training

Workshop April 9-10, 2010

Westminster Gardens

(1420 Santo Domingo Ave., Duarte, CA)

Cost: $45 (includes five meals)

As Pastor Danny mentioned in worship last week, Bixby Knolls Christian Church is one of the most diverse congregations in the region. We are descendants of people who came from Europe, Africa and Asia. Our members come from the United States, Pakistan, Burma, Cambo-dia, Mexico, and Canada. We live and minister in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

We are a part of a growing church of in-creasing diversity. Regional and General church gatherings often take place in three or more lan-guages. The majority of our new church starts are “ethnic minority” congregations. Certainly we, of all people, are called to address the sin of racism, and to grow in understanding and appre-ciation of all people. Perhaps God is calling us, “for such a time as this,” to be leaders when it comes to racial reconciliation.

In April, you have an opportunity to take part in a two-day workshop led by two out-standing leaders: Chris Hobgood is a national anti-racism trainer and a former acting General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Sandhya Jha is pastor of First Christian Church in Oakland, CA; minister of reconciliation and transformation for the Chris-tian Church in Northern California-Nevada; and co-moderator of the National Reconciliation Committee.

If you are interested in going, please con-tact Pastor Danny.

Spring Fling The Youth Leadership Team of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of the Pacific Southwest Region Presents...

"All Nine All the Time" Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruit of the Spirit

April 9-11, 2010 A leadership training and spiritual retreat for youth in 9th - 12th grade at Loch Leven Camp & Conference Center, $130.

The Journey Begins July 12, 2010The Journey Begins July 12, 2010The Journey Begins July 12, 2010The Journey Begins July 12, 2010

Mini (entering gr. 2-3): July 7-10

Junior (gr. 4-6): July 18-24

Chi-Rho (gr. 7-8): August 8-14

CYF1 (gr. 9-10): July 25-31

CYF2 (gr. 11-12) August 1-7

Regional camper scholarship application deadline is coming up.

Any requests must be postmarked by April 12 to be considered.

In John 11: 25-26, Jesus says to Martha. “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and every-one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Your support of the 2010 Easter Offering wit-nesses to our belief that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who believes in us. Your support of ministries extends our church’s wit-ness from your doorsteps to the ends of the earth. You can pick up your offering envelope in the narthex. Your gift says

“You believe “You believe “You believe “You believe in the power of the resurrection!”in the power of the resurrection!”in the power of the resurrection!”in the power of the resurrection!”

APRIL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS!

Leo Dittemore April 4

Bob Dickison April 6

Patti Dittemore April 13

David Rugh April 18

Hazel Torres April 23

Frank Martinez April 28

APRIL ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS!

Leo & Gayleen Beyers April 27 19 years

Joel & Liza Read April 30 25 years

Thank you for your Easter Lily orders!

Pastor Danny Bradfield

Lillie Bray - in honor, celebration and memory of

mom and dad, the Bray family and relatives.

Ken Brown/Margo Morales

Becky Carroll - in honor of our church on Easter.

May Easter bring many blessings to our people.

Pat Cohen - in memory of my father, mother and

sister

Bob & Shirley Dickison in honor and celebration

of Jesus’ resurrection.

Chuck Fowler - in memory of Harold & Ruth

Fowler, Russ & Evelyn Franks

Jim Hardeman - in memory of my parents, Frank

& Helen Hardeman and my life partner, Harry

Freer

Lillian Hester

Sandy Jeglum

Kobel Family - in memory of Marlene’s grandfa-

ther

Bill Maddy - in memory of Evelyn.

Robert & Sarah Stolze - in honor of my 3 daugh-

ters - Mary, Sheri and Laura

Tom & Lydia Sykes - in honor of our loved ones.

Betty Jo Williamson - in loving memory of

Dwight

∗ Please keep the Gaudlitz family in your prayers:

Chris Gaudlitz, father of two scouts in Troop 29, died suddenly last week.

∗ Last Sunday’s Potato Bake Lunch raised about

$200 for camp scholarships. It was also announced that $800 has been raised for scholarships as a re-sult of sales from our vending machine. (Note: camp registrations are now available!)

∗ Christian Outreach in Action was featured in an

article in the March 15 Uptown Gazette. C.O.A. is one of the local outreach ministries supported by Bixby Knolls Christian Church.

To have your news, joys, or concerns included in next

month’s newsletter, send a note to Pastor Danny at

dannybradfield@gmail.com, or call the church office.

1. What miraculous food resembled coriander

seed? Exodus 16:31 2. Whose bedridden mother-in-law was healed

by Jesus? Mark 1:30 3. Who, with 318 of his servants, defeated the

captors of Sodom and Gomorrah? Genesis 14: 14-15 4. Who was Jesus responding to when he told

the parable of the unmerciful servant? Matthew 18: 21-35 5. Who, according to John, is the bride of

Christ? Revelation 19: 7-9 6. According to Proverbs 27:9, what do ointment

and perfume do? Proverbs 27: 9 7. What notorious opponent of Paul w as a sil-

versmith in Ephesus? Acts 19:24 8. Who shut up the door of Noah’s ark? Genesis 7: 16 9. In what country did Jesus talk with an immoral

woman beside a well? John 4: 5-15 10. What Philistine city did Amos curse for its

slave trade with Edom? Amos 1: 6-7

HOW MANY DID YOU GET RIGHT?

Auria Trio and Michael Morton in concert April 11

2:00 p.m. Rolling Hills Methodist Church

26438 Crenshaw Blvd.

Rolling Hills Estate

Michael Morton - Flute

Yolanda Mitchell West - Soprano

Andrea Thiele - Harp

You may remember Michael Morton’s flute

playing at our very first “Evening on the

Patio” event last year. Now you have an-

other chance to hear his beautiful music, as

part of the Auria Trio.

Auria, ''gentle music ,'' made its debut as

an ensemble with the Southeast Symphony in

February 2009 . Since their debut, they have

been presented in concert by The Mid-City

Music Center of Los Angeles and Laguna

Beach Live! First Sunday Concert Series in La-

guna Beach. This talented ensemble explores

traditional and classical music in exciting ar-

rangements for solo, duet and trio. Admis-

sion is free; donations accepted.

The BKCC Website has a new look, as well as a new address.

Check it out at

www.bixbyknollschurch.org

This is the last Sunday to

bring your Easter cards for

veterans. Please sign

your cards and place the

unsealed cards in the box

on the table in the narthex.

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 Gayle Charboneau

- Treasurer Chrysan Naw

- Financial Secretary

Phil O’Laughlin -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

Newsletter articles due

Sunday, March 28

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.

UPCOMING SCRIPTURE March 28 - Malachai 3:8-12 and Luke 19: 28-48 Sermon: Tithing

Remember to keep in prayer our homebound members and extended family members: La Wahna Eldred, Toni Mills, Margaret Howe, Marie Archer, Avis Lakins, Delores White, Wes Rollo, Melissa Maddy, Sharoon Fiyz, Akash Fiyz, Ester Troxel, Bill Harris, Pat McIntosh, Betty Savage, Buktenica family, Charlene Lawlyer

T he Long Beach Community Band kicks off its 2010 season with our Spring Classics concert. The Shoreline Winds will be playing several pieces including the world premiere of new arrangements of John William’s Super-man March and JS Bach’s Fantasia in G Major. The Blue Pacific Swing Band will complete the evening with several numbers. The free concert will start a 7:30 Thursday March 25 in the Wardlow Park community center. Wardlow Park is east of the Long Beach Airport on Wardlow Road between Clark Ave and Bellflower Blvd. Arrive early for the best seats.