the

PAST AND PRESENT COPIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS MAY BE VIEWED AT

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Bixby Knolls Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) (562) 426-0428
ISSUE 01

JANUARY 6, 2016

Dear Church,
Last month, I took a walk at the El Dorado Nature Center. I came
across a large rock next to the pond, and I sat there for nearly an hour.
Hawks flew overhead. Ducks swam by. A sleepy turtle slowly surfaced, took a breath, and disappeared back into the water.
On land, squirrels scurried back and forth, and hidden in the reeds and willows to my left,
something bigger than a squirrel rustled noisily.
Although I sat as still and as quietly as possible, the animals were aware of my presence. They
responded accordingly. The hawks kept an eye on me. The ducks and squirrels came close but not
too close to see if I had food for them. (I didnt; human food is harmful to wild animals.) The turtle well, I doubt the turtle was awake enough to notice me but whatever it was that was rustling
in the willows remained well hidden until long after I left.
The observer effect was at play. In physics, the observer effect describes how the act of observing something changes what is being observed. Whats true in physics at a quantum level appears to
also be true as I sat observing nature. All these animals changed their behavior because I was present.
And all I was doing was sitting, as quietly and as still as possible.
Most of the time, I am not so still and silent. Whether I realize it or not, my presence is influencing the world around me and the people around me. The world would be a lot different if I were
not present.
The same is true for you. Your presence matters! Even God takes notice. Because of you, Gods
love is just a little greater. Because of you, God sent his son Jesus into the world, to save the world,
and let the world know of Gods love.
In this new year, give the gift of your presence. It means more to the world than you can imagine.
See you at church!
Blessings,
Pastor Danny

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of
the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover
this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
- Martin Luther King Jr.

Helen Tedesco
Sarah Stolze
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)

Christmas greetings
Last Sunday, FebCamp information and registration forms were handed out to our high school
youth. If you didnt get one (or misplaced
yours), you can download the forms at
www.disciplespswr.org/camp. Bixby Knolls
Christian Church pays 50% ($95) of the cost for
BKCC youth who attend camp. Remember to
turn your forms in this coming Sunday to avoid
the price increase!

were sent to BKCC members from

Pat Cohen
LaWahna Eldred
Helen Tedesco
Ken & Sandy Jeglum
Betty Lou Rollo
Betty Jo Williamson
Thank you for supporting this Christian Womens
Fellowship project.
Also, Christian Womens Fellowship delivered 400
Christmas cards to the VA hospital for our veterans. Six large bags of toys and clothing to our Disciples Mission, Eastmont Community Center in
time for the childrens Christmas Party.
Thursday, January 7 is the first meeting of the new
year for the Christian Women Fellowship, Mary
Group. The meeting will take place at the home of
Helen Tedesco at 9:30 a.m.
The Ruth Group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each
month at 7pm. at the church.

Volunteers from BKCC cook meals every 2nd

Thursday for Christian Outreach in Action. If youd
like to help, the next opportunity is Thursday,

If you are interested in being a part of CWF, contact Sandy Jeglum or the church office.

January 14 at 8:00 a.m.

Jan 10 - Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Jan 17 - John 2:1-11

Jan 24 - Luke 4:14-21

Jan 31 - Luke 4:21-30

Two awesome events honoring the life & legacy of

Martin Luther King, Jr.!
This Sunday, January 10

Scrip News
Thank you for your support
of the Scrip program. With
the purchase of your gift
cards this year, we were able
to add $1000.00 to BKCC's
general fund.
There are many cards we
keep available for purchase
The following Sunday, January 17

each Sunday and once a

month, we order any special
vendor cards at your request. The next Sunday for
ordering will be Jan
17th. Plan ahead for birthdays and special events and
place your order at the Scrip
table by the 17th.

Bobbie Smith is an African American women leader who made noteworthy differences in the racial
history of Long Beach. She was born in Mississippi in 1932, during the midst of the Great Depression
and the height of the Jim Crow ere when hooded mobs rode the countryside burning and lynching
the most African American children could only look forward to becoming someone's maid. Bobbie
Smith, however, did not interpret her heritage as a misfortune, but instead calls it a blessing because
it taught her about surviving the most impossible odds. She continued to become first African
American Long Beach City College Librarian, first African American LBCC Head Librarian and first African American LBCC Faculty Senate Member & President. The Long Beach Unified School District
(LBUSD) board voted unanimously in 2014 to recognize Bobbie Smith by naming a school in her
honor. A dynamic role model to all, she is celebrated today as a pioneering civil rights leader who
broke through racial and gender barriers and persevered to open up opportunities for those who
came after her in education, social service, civil rights, public service and community building.
Location: Gospel Memorial Church of God in Christ (1480 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach)

BKCC 70th Anniversary

January 31, 2016
Worship at 10:15
Taco Lunch at 11:30
Join us on this special day as we celebrate 70 years of ministry. Regional
Co-Minister Don Dewey will be present, along with many current and former BKCC members. Celebrate our history, and hear about what we believe God is calling us to be and do in the years to come.
Do you know anyone connected to BKCC in the past? Be sure to invite
them. Also: if you are on social media, view and share pictures from our
churchs history using the hashtag #BKCC70.

On Dec. 31, our youth assembled 504 hygiene kits

for Love in the Mirror. Love in the Mirror is an organization founded by Jonas Corona (2nd from left)
when he was six years old. These hygiene kits will
be handed out to people living on the streets in
Long Beach and/or Los Angeles.

New Year,
New ideas,
New reflections,
New knee, and
New goals!
Happy New Year everyone. 2016 is upon us and with reflections, resolutions and "epiphanies" of the
new year the music department moves onward.

LOOKING BACK

Special thanks to Madison and Samantha Kobel for helping the Joyous Bells on Christmas Eve. Come
ring anytime! And didn't Angela Hillig touch your hearts with her rendition of Bethlehem Morning?
Michael Martinez and Samantha did a great job leading us with their guitars on Silent Night. Everyone helped to make it a memorable service.

LOOKING FORWARD
Our churches 70th anniversary is this month and we would like to bring together old and new choir
members for a special "alumni" choir song. We will meet Sunday morning January 31st at 930am
and rehearse an "old gem"! So for those of you reading this online, out of town, or attending elsewhere make your schedule fit to come and help us celebrate! (I heard there is free food involved
somewhere if that inspires you!)

LOOKING INWARD

Yes a semi new knee is in the works this January and I'm hoping by the 31st to be banging away on
the organ again! It has been silent far too long.. Now if only the doctor will include stair walking
and organ playing!!!! Thanks to one and all for your patience with me and my gamey knee!

LOOKING HEAVENWARD!
Some ideas are in the works for this spring: a possible semi classical Sunday afternoon concert, a
special Pentecost music event, youth music and service, and the always "wishing for a second electrical outlet in the music room"! Thsee take preparation and prayer so come and help us any way
you can!

Blessings to one and all

Barb P music director

Former Bixby Knolls Christian Church member Gayle Schoepf passed away

Monday, Jan 4. She was organist, choir director, and eventually became our minister of education & music. She was known and loved throughout the Disciples
PSWR & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). A few years after leaving BKCC,
she and her daughter Elaine (who grew up at BKCC) were ordained together,
something that doesn't happen often! Please keep Elaine and the rest of
Gayle's family in your prayers.

Last Sunday we said goodbye to BKCC member Sarah Stolze, who is moving in order to be closer to her
daughter.

Help cook food for Christian

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

Check us out on Facebook

www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch
website:
www.bixbyknollschurch.blogspot.com

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.

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

Our next litter pickup is Jan. 24

at 11:45 a.m. Help pick up litter
in Somerset Park and along
our neighborhood sidewalks &
gutters.

Pastor:
Daniel Bradfield
The Fellowship News is published
twice monthly.

Submit your articles for

Wednesday Night Dinners: join

us every Wednesday at 6:00 for
this pay-what-you-can meal.

the next newsletter by

January 17

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)
BIXBY KNOLLS
CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(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

CHURCH STAFF:

BOARD OFFICERS:
Leo Dittemore
Pastor Daniel Bradfield
-Board President
-Minister
Scheri Dubon
Monica Lanz
-Vice President
-Church Secretary
Pat Cohen
Barbara Neal-Peebles
-Secretary
-Music Director/Organist Angela Hillig
Suzie Romero
- Treasurer
- Custodian
Chrysan Naw
- Financial Secretary
Pat Cohen
-Church Clerk