NUMBER 2011-11 MAY 15, 2012 Bixby Knolls Christian Church, (a Disciples of Christ Church) (562) 426-0428 Dear family, A number of years ago, I was startled to discover that the happiest, most stress- free times in my life were several summers that I spent living out of a duffel bag, in a small cabin with a canvas roof, counseling camps in remote wilder- nesses. I was startled, because until I made that discovery, I had thought that more money and more possessions would have led to more happiness; but the reality, it turned out, was just the opposite. Since then, I have come to learn that the pursuit of happiness was a major philosophical topic in ancient Greece, a topic that modern philosophy has rediscovered in recent centuries. Today, most philosophers and social scientists agree that enough wealth to meet one’s basic needs (food, shelter, health care, etc.) is important when it comes to achieving happiness, but additional wealth beyond that does not usually bring additional happiness; in fact, it can lead to a decrease in happiness. Some of the wealthiest people in the world ended their lives miserable, seeking to escape the lives they had created for themselves. Frequent news stories about celebrities who died by suicide or overdose at- test to this. The Greeks were not the only ancient ones who studied the pursuit of happiness. Jesus, also, taught people how to be happy. We don’t often understand Jesus’ teachings this way, because we are so used to thinking that more wealth equals more happiness, and Jesus said the opposite: less wealth equals happiness; less wealth equals life in the kingdom of God. Jesus also said that happiness comes from loving and serving others. This is why I am so excited about this Saturday’s Bike Rodeo. What a wonderful opportunity this is for us to serve an d show love to our neighbors! There really isn’t a whole lot of work for us to do, since the event is being put on by an organization called Safe Moves. However, having a group of BKCC members present to serve as “greeters,” extending hospitality and sharing smiles would go a long way in reaching out to our neighbors… and I have no doubt that those who volunteer for this task will leave filled with hap- piness. Interested? Call me! Pastor Danny t h e IN THIS ISSUE - ~ NEWS & NOTES ~ WEAR RED ~ CHURCH PICNIC and so much more..... A prayer for Bixby Knolls Christian Church Use me to bring wholeness to my neighbor. Use my church to bring wholeness to ourcommunity. Show us how your kingdom of shalom can be made real on earth through us.May 27 is Pentecost wear red or your red BKCC t-shirt. This is perfect for the annual picnic that follows.
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Bixby Knolls Christian Church, (a Disciples of Christ Church) (562) 426-0428
Dear family,
A number of years ago, I was startled to discover that the happiest, most stress-
free times in my life were several summers that I spent living out of a duffel
bag, in a small cabin with a canvas roof, counseling camps in remote wilder-
nesses. I was startled, because until I made that discovery, I had thought that
more money and more possessions would have led to more happiness; but the reality, it turned out,
was just the opposite.
Since then, I have come to learn that the pursuit of happiness was a major philosophical topic in
ancient Greece, a topic that modern philosophy has rediscovered in recent centuries. Today, most
philosophers and social scientists agree that enough wealth to meet one’s basic needs (food, shelter,health care, etc.) is important when it comes to achieving happiness, but additional wealth beyond
that does not usually bring additional happiness; in fact, it can lead to a decrease in happiness. Some
of the wealthiest people in the world ended their lives miserable, seeking to escape the lives they had
created for themselves. Frequent news stories about celebrities who died by suicide or overdose at-
test to this.
The Greeks were not the only ancient ones who studied the pursuit of happiness. Jesus, also,
taught people how to be happy. We don’t often understand Jesus’ teachings this way, because we
are so used to thinking that more wealth equals more happiness, and Jesus said the opposite: less
wealth equals happiness; less wealth equals life in the kingdom of God.
Jesus also said that happiness comes from loving and serving others. This is why I am so excited
about this Saturday’s Bike Rodeo. What a wonderful opportunity this is for us to serve and showlove to our neighbors! There really isn’t a whole lot of work for us to do, since the event is being put
on by an organization called Safe Moves. However, having a group of BKCC members present to
serve as “greeters,” extending hospitality and sharing smiles would go a long way in reaching out to
our neighbors… and I have no doubt that those who volunteer for this task will leave filled with hap-
piness.
Interested? Call me!
Pastor Danny
t h e
IN THIS ISSUE -
~ NEWS & NOTES ~ WEAR RED ~ CHURCH PICNIC and so much more.....
No Junior Church and Worship &Wonder on May 27th, Memorial
Day weekend.
Bicycle Rodeo It’s free, fun, and for the entire family!Join us at this educational event for children and parents. Bring your bike or borrow one of ours to ride on the traffic safety obstacle course
and learn how to walk, ride, and roll safely.
Saturday, May 19 • 10:00-1:00Bixby Knolls Christian Church
Sponsored by the City of Long Beach • Part of the Safe Routes to School Program
This Saturday, May 19 at 3:40 p.m. you can come and cheer on
your Bixby Softball Team at its first league game and victory
(that’s faith) at San Martin Park, Lakewood. Come watch and
cheer and have some fun.
Thank you, Men’s Fellowship for the wonderful refreshments on Mother’s Day.
The table setting was lovely and the food delicious. We appreciate all the work that went into mak-
ing it all so special. Thank you, Jim, Chuck, Ken B, Leo, and, Phil. and all of the Men’s Group.
Christian Women’s Fellowship meeting Thursday, May 17
At 11:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Salad PotluckBetsy Hillig will be presenting a program on the Women’ Quadrennial that took place last summer.Everyone is welcome.
On behalf of an anonymous person to the Men’s Group, “......thank you for making me feelso special.”.
Praise God for the strength and health of Shirley Dickison. Shirley took a fall but is upand getting around. Nothing keeps this woman down.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Long Beach Healthcare System says thank you to all members of BKCC for donating greeting cards to their facility. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
To have your news, joys, or concerns included in next month’s newsletter, send a note to Pastor Danny at
Summer Campearly bird deadlines are rapidly approaching. If you have a Mini Camper, all paperwork must be
submitted to the church office no later than May 30 to receive the discounted rate. Registration forms are now available! You can get yours at www.lochleven.org. Addi-tional copies will be available in the church office.
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 thosegraduating in the class of ’12. (July 29-August 4)
All Ages Camp is for kids in grades 4-12. (August 5-11)Young Adult Camp is for those who are at least one year out of high school. (August 17-19)
a request from Rick MacIntosh wanting to share.........
A Mother’s Gifts
God gave mothers extra gifts,the Ones they’d need each dayTo give their families love and careAnd guide them on their way.He gave them gifts of patience,
True persistence, faith to share,He gave them understanding hearts,A sense of what is fair--He gave them the abilityTo always see the good,To give their children confidenceAs only mothers could.God gave mothers extra gifts,He blessed them all at birth,
So they’d reflect His special loveAs angels here on earth
-inspired by Amanda Bradley
Thoughts for Memorial Day
The anthropologist and naturalist, Loren Eise-ley, who died in 1977, wanted this epitaph for his
wife and himself: “We loved the earth, but could notstay.”
No one can stay, of course. We all are mov-ing inexorably toward that final day when “the shad-ows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy
world is hushed and the fever of life is over, and our work is done” (Book of Common Prayer).
This Memorial Day we particularly remember the men and women who have perished in war, givingthe ultimate sacrifice to make the world a better place.
They too “loved the earth, but could not stay.” MayGod hasten the day when we can solve our disputes
peacefully.We also remember all our loved ones whose
stay on Earth
is over. Christians believe that death does not end all.We trust that the God who made us will provide for us when our bodies can no longer sustain us.
A memorial stone on the campus of the Col-
lege of Wooster in Ohio, placed there by a class manyyears ago, reads:
United in timeDivided in timeTo be reunited
When time shall be no more.
That is a hope we can have for ourselves, our loved ones and those who sacrificed all.
-Taken on-line from the Newsletter Newsletter
Once again we are collecting new and used shoes
for the needy. Each year Kim Foot and Ankle or-ganizes a campaign. Last year they collected over
15,000 pairs of shoes. Please place your donationsin the specially marked box in the narthex.
Pat Cohen
Your prayers are requested for Marie Archer, Doug Hocanson, Sum-
bal Sardar, Claudia Baustian family,
Rick McIntosh (death of mother),Anita & Eddie Ramirez, Shirley