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NUMBER 2011-16 DECEMBER 13, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE -16 ~ NEWS & NOTES ~

HOLIDAY BAND CONCERT ~ YOUTH NEWS

and so much

Dear friends, Compassion. Kindness. Love. These qualities define life with God. Indeed, God s very nature is compassion and love. In 2011, there have been many highs and lows for members of our congregation, as well as for the congregation as a whole. We said goodbye to some dear friends and loved ones, and welcomed new lives into our

A prayer for Bixby Knolls Christian Church

Use me to bring wholeness to my neighbor. Use my church to bring wholeness to our community. Show us how your kingdom of shalom can be made real on earth through us.

midst. It was a year of three baby dedications and eleven baptisms. It was a year in which many of our members found themselves looking for work, while others found work or celebrated accomplishments. It was a year in which we took care of some major property improvements and discovered that there are more improvements and maintenance that need to be done. And it was a year in which we learned just a little more about what God is calling us to be and do, and how God is calling us to be a movement for wholeness in our fragmented world. With Christmas and the end of the year fast approaching, I look forward to the opportunities we have to celebrate the fact that, through it all, God is with us. Whether we fail or succeed, laugh or cry, God is present. In fact, God so loves us and wants to surround us with love that God became one of us, to dwell with us, walk with us, share our lives with us. That is the meaning of Christmas. We will have a special Christmas Eve worship on December 24 at 5:30pm. Then on Christmas Day because after all, it is a Sunday we will worship at 10:15am. Worship on Christmas Day will be somewhat unique and special, with songs and dramatic readings. And then, because it, too, is on a Sunday, we will worship on New Year s Day at 10:15. What better way to celebrate the year gone by and begin the new year than in communion with God? My prayer for you is that Christ s peace fill you this Christmas; and may the year to come be filled with many blessings and much happiness.

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

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Jr. High JANboree & FebCamp

Deadlines for our winter youth camps are fast approaching! Get your registrations online at www.lochleven.org or pick one up at church. The dates are: Jr. High JANboree is for those who are currently in grades 6-8. It takes place January 13-16, 2012. Early bird registrations were due this week, but you can still attend if you register ASAP. FebCamp is for those who are currently in grades 9-12. It takes place at Pilgrim Pines, a UCC camp near Yucaipa, February 17-20, 2012. Please bring your completed FebCamp registration forms to church no later than February 8. Because BKCC provides scholarships for all active youth who attend camp, the cost to attend is $87.50 for those who bring their forms in by the deadlines above. This reduced cost is made possible through the generous donations of members & friends to our camp scholarship fund. The dates for our 2012 summer camps are listed below. Please mark these on your calendar for future reference. Registration materials will be available in early 2012. 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) Young Adult Camp is for those who are at least one year out of high school. (August 24-26) All Ages Camp is for kids in grades 4-12. (August 12-18)

Youth News
Join us for an evening stroll to look at Christmas lights (and maybe sing some carols) this Sunday, December 18. Meet at the church at 6:30, and dress warmly. Bring a couple of dollars for treats at our destination. Parents & siblings are welcome to attend! SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012 following worship service, CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

ON DECEMBER 25 AND JANUARY 1, THERE WILL BE NO WORSHIP & WONDER/SUNDAY SCHOOL

Wednesday Night Dinner

Every Wednesday, 6:00-7:00

Winter Volleyball Season The 2012 South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC) Congregation Athletic Association (CAA) winter volleyball season will begin play Jan 21, 2012. We need to know how many people want to play on a team before January 9 in order to submit our roster and payment. Players must be at least 13 years of age by Dec 31, 2012. We have different divisions for all levels of players. Matches will be played in local church gyms. Contact Leo Dittemore@WebConnections.com by email or call (562) 429-2137 and leave a message if you, or you know someone, are interested in being part of a team

Join us in the fellowship hall for food & conversation. The dinner is pay-what-you-can. A basket will be provided for donations. Please note that there will be no dinner on December 28.

Worship Schedule
December 18, the 4th Sunday of Advent: Christmas Cantata, followed by a special Christmas Tea hosted by CWF, 10:15am Dec. 24 (Saturday), Christmas Eve: Worship at 5:30pm Dec. 25, Christmas Day: A special worship service at 10:15am; reception following. Jan. 1, New Years Day: Worship at 10:15am. Also, we have a Khmer worship service every Sunday at 2:00pm.

Holiday Band Concert The Long Beach Community Band will present its annual holiday concert Thursday Dec 15 7:30 at the community center in Wardlow Park. Wardlow Park is on Wardlow Road between Bellflower Blvd and Clark Ave east of the Long Beach airport. The music will include your favorite Christmas carols and some new arrangements along with and Hanukkah tune or two. Come hear your favorite clarinetist, Ken Brown, and tuba player, Leo Dittemore, as we herald the season with the Long Beach Community Band Refreshments will be served after the concert. Kids in Church One particular 4-year old prayed and forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets. Lord, if you cant make me a better boy, dont worry about it, I am having a real good time like I am.

Last Sunday in worship, baby twins Skilar James France and Kiyli Nowell France were dedicated. They are the children of Keri & Scott France. Also present for the dedication were: uncle T.J., aunt Kirsti, grandmother Angela Hillig, greatgrandparents Tom & Betsy Hillig, and great-great grandmother Laurel Henrikson. New births: Margo Morales shared in worship the birth of great nephew Roman Ezechial, and Leo Dittemore shared news of the birth of grandson Samuel Huxley Dittemore. A letter of appreciation was received from Third World Gifts & Handarts and reported a total of $238.84 made during the Alternative Christmas. Special acknowledgement was extended to Phil OLaughlin and Monica Lee for making the arrangements. Thank you to Gretchen Rugh and Pastor Danny for the beautiful garland and bows that adorn the front of the church. Its looking good! California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School expressed its appreciation to BKCC for the use of the pre-school room by donating a fresh Christmas wreath attached to the front gate. See the beautiful Christmas card personally signed by each of the students posted on the bulletin board. Thank you!!
To have your news, joys, or concerns included in next months newsletter call the church office or, send a note to Pastor Danny at dannybradfield@gmail.com,

The BKCC choir will present its Christmas Cantata this Sunday, December 18, during our 10:15 worship.

Its time. Sign up now for the 2012 date you wish to provide the church flowers and/or host the coffee hour. Both charts are up in fellowship hall.
The next Fellowship News will be published the week of January 9, 2012. Please submit all articles to the church office by Sunday, January 8.On behalf of your church staff, have a wonderful Christmas!

Each year CWF selects a project for the donations to the narthex Christmas Tree. Throughout the year, our money is donated to Mission and outreach programs. This years Christmas card tree donations will be given to BKCCs Feed the Homeless fund. 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 save on sending the cards and postage to members of the church.