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PAST AND PRESENT COPIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS MAY BE VIEWED AT www.scribd.com
2013 - ISSUE 23 December 3, 2013

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

Dear Church, From the pictures Ive seen and the comments Ive heard, it sounds like the first Sunday of Advent was a wonderful event! I particularly enjoyed looking at the pictures of the kids making their crafts and decorating their cookies. Im sorry I was not able to be there in person. On the other hand, I did have a wonderful time visiting some good friends in Phoenix for the Thanksgiving weekend. We all did quite a bit during our short visit, but I want to share with you just two activities that I took part in. One is that, on Sunday morning, we attended worship at a congregation not far from where our friends lived. The church building was beautiful, the 20member choir was outstanding (according to the church website, several of the choir members have won Grammys!), the theology was good, and the welcome was friendly. Approximately 200 worshipers were present, and I must confess, the thought did occur to me: If only we had this many people in worship at BKCC. Then the pastor got up to make an announcement. He mentioned their campaign to raise pledges, and the work of the congregation to get us to where we should be in terms of membership. It was clear

that he and the 200 worshipers present were not satisfied with the size of their congregation. They wanted to be bigger. The pastor even used the word mega-church while describing the congregations goals for the future. I had many other wonderful experiences in Phoenix, but Ill mention just one other: while in Phoenix, I found the time to finish reading Anne Lamotts book, Stitches. In many of her books and essays, she talks about the little church she attends in northern California, where the one or two kids in Sunday school make crafts out of coffee filters, and the half dozen or so choir members sing with passion if not precision. I get the impression that her tiny congregation lacks so many things people, finances, etc. but more than makes up for it with an abundance of love, as the people show extravagant love and hospitality, and really care for one another. And I realized that, if I had to choose between a mega-church with dozens of programs, a church of 200 with an award-winning choir, or a church of a few dozen with an abundance of love and not much else, Id find the choice easy. Id choose the smaller church. Wouldnt you?

Just a Jingle Note!! 2013

The musical life of BKCC is alive and hopping this Advent season. Our Advent orchestra started on Sunday December 1 and will continue hopefully through Christmas Eve. If you play an instrument, dust it off and come play with us Sunday Mornings in December. All music provided and we do have fun! Bethlehems Child is in full rehearsal for the Adult Choir Christmas offering. It is a beautiful peace of music, narration and scripture about the Birth of our Lord. Join us on DECEMBER 22 in worship for this musical offering. We will be joined by several guest artists on that day. Our youth is working hard, writing one play and now producing the Christmas pageant again this year. It is NO ORDINARY NIGHT and is about the angels at the time of Christs birth. So come to worship on Sunday December 15th and see what heaven looks like for the teen, tween and tiny angels as they sing, rejoice and present us with their Christmas dramatic/musical offering. Joyous Bells will be ringing again this month on 2 occasions. We look forward to Ring those Christmas Bells a joyous celebration of the season and a special arrangement of Mary did you Know a beautiful and poignant musical piece. Anyone who has rung bells in the past or would like to learn to play we will be looking for ringers for the 5:30pm Christmas Eve service. Talk to Barb if you are interested in Ringing. A Blessed Christmas to one and all and a healthy and Happy New Year. Barb Peebles, the Crazy for Christmas Music Director!!!

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR OUR VETERANS DEADLINE DEC 15TH

Prayer Concerns:
Sumbal Sardar, Keri Clark, Sean May, Charlie Edwards, James Owen, Grace Kobel, Bud Dale, Hazel Torres, Nargis & family in Pakistan

Toys for Eastmont

In December CWF traditionally organizes the collection of toys and childrens clothing for our Disciples mission, Eastmont Community Center. This year December 8th will be the last day to bring items so they can be delivered in time for the childrens party. (Note: there has been a change in the date - it is Dec 8) Toys and clothing for all ages from preschool to 16 are needed. A box will be set up next to the narthex Christmas tree

Wednesday Night Dinner

Join us for dinner this Wednesday, Dec 4, at 6:00 p.m. A basket is provided for donations, but you are welcome regardless of your ability to pay. Schedule for upcoming Wednesdays: Dec. 4, 11, 18 dinner! Dec. 25, Jan. 1 no dinner

for donations. Thank you for your support.

$382
This is the amount raised through our Alternative Christmas. It was a success because of you, your time, your efforts, your contributions in all forms. THANK YOU! All the monies raised will be applied to the camper scholarship fund. My personal feelings of appreciation to each of you run deep. If you feel that maybe you did not do much, I assure you, you did! Thank you each of you - for your help with the Alternative Christmas / Advent Workshop. Blessings, Gretchen Rugh

Gods heart toward us

Bryon and Ruthie were unemployed one December. Wanting their seven children to have gifts to open on Christmas morning, they took $20 and shopped diligently at the thrift store, finding seven small items to place under a tiny tree theyd found in a field. Feeling desperate about all their other needs and guilty for praying for presents, the couple asked God to bless their kids. On Christmas Eve, a couple they barely knew, friends of friends from church, called and asked to stop by. They pulled up in a 15-passenger van and asked if Bryon and Ruthies kids could help carry in a couple of things. In fact, the rear seats had been removed and the vehicle was filled with packages and groceries. The next morning, the family unwrapped goodies both practical and fun. We felt as if the Lord was saying, This is my heart toward you. I want to bless you, Bryon writes. It is the Lords heart to bless his children. Adapted from Miracles: 32 True Stories, Joanie Hileman

Narthex Christmas Tree Project

Each year CWF selects a project for the donations to the narthex Christmas Card Tree. Throughout the year, our money is donated to Missions and other outreach programs, but the donations from the Christmas Card Tree have been used for special projects at BKCC. This years Christmas card tree donations will be used to replace the flooring in both of the patio restrooms. Send a Christmas greeting to your church family by placing your Christmas card on the tree. Then place your donation in the box for the money you would have spent on sending individual cards and postage to members of the church. Punch a hole in your card and tie on a ribbon and place it on the tree. Make checks to BKCC-CWF. Thank you for your support.

Youth News

Our schedule for the upcoming weeks:

Dec. 8 CYF Praxis, 8:15 a.m. Dec. 15 Youth pageant during worship! (more info coming soon) Dec. 22 Litter pickup, 8:15 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31: a special New Years Eve one-day retreat for Chi-Rho & CYF. Whether this happens or not depends on youth & adult schedules. Whos in town and available that afternoon & evening? Let Pastor Danny know! Some upcoming dates to mark on your calendar: MLK celebration Jan. 12 2:00 youth event 4:00 worship Jr. High JANboree Jan. 17-20 (Chi-Rho) FebCamp Feb. 14-17 (CYF)

It is not to late to order your poinsettia plants to decorate the chancel Orders during Advent.

DECEMBER 8 - AN IMPORTANT DATE!

Last day to bring in : Socks for Love in the Mirror Non-perishable food items Toys for Eastmont There are specifically marked containers in the narthex to place your items.

must be received by this Sunday, Dec. 8. You can fill out a form or call the office to place your order. Payment can be placed in the offering tray but make sure it is identified as being for the poinsettia. The cost remains $6.75. Directions: 1. Using kitchen shears, cut two circular ends off each marshmallow (feel free to eat the middle section!). Cut a small slit in the middle of each marshmallow piece, and insert an almond through the slit. Draw eyes with black gel. Set aside. 2. Melt the chips and peanut butter in the microwave (35 minutes on 50% power). 3. Stir in chow mein noodles. 4. Drop in spoonfuls on wax paper, and place marshmallows on 24 of them. 5. Refrigerate for faster set, or let sit overnight on the counter. Makes 2-3 dozen. (Taken from the internet. Celebrating Christmas)

Haystacks (w/ Baby Jesus) Recipe The below recipe offers a great opportunity to discuss the humble birth of Jesus and how he was wrapped in cloth and placed in a manger (Luke 2:7) on the first Christmas day. Mary and Joseph probably would have used hay to cushion the manger (an animal feeding trough). Ingredients: 2 cups butterscotch chips 1 cup creamy peanut butter 4 cups chow mein noodles 12 large marshmallows 24 whole almonds Black Food Writer Marker* *We use Wilton brand (available in many grocery or Target stores).

Submit your articles for the next newsletter by December 15

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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

Dec 8 Matthew 1:18-25 Dec 15 No Ordinary Night

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

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

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