June 14, 2016 The Fellowship News
June 14, 2016 The Fellowship News
June 14, 2016 The Fellowship News
www.scribd.com/2468bixby
Bixby Knolls Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) (562) 426-0428
ISSUE 12
Dear Church,
Sunday morning I woke up to the news that 50 people had been killed and many
more injured in the worst mass-shooting in U.S. history, at a gay nightclub in Orlando. The news reports I heard said that the shooter used a legally-acquired
semi-automatic assault weapon, the same weapon used at other mass shootings in Newton, Aurora, and San
Bernardino. Reports also said the shooter was homophobic and abusive, and claimed to be a follower of Islam.
As the day progressed, and even as we worshiped together at Bixby Knolls Christian Church, I wept for
the victims. I also wept because I knew that people who claim to be Christian were at least as responsible for
what happened as any who might claim to be Muslim.
Those who spew hate-fueled rhetoric against the LGBT community often claim to be Christian. Politicians
who allow anyone to legally acquire semi-automatic assault weapons without having to pass any sort of
background check also claim to be Christian. None of them are true to their faith or true to the teachings of
Jesus, just as the shooter was not true to the Islamic faith or to the teachings of Muhammed.
I weep, because these leaders have destroyed lives in the name of Jesus.
I weep, because a close friend of mine who has listened to their words now has only one thing to say
about religion, something too crude for me to share here and I dont blame him.
I weep, because this is not the only time Christian leaders have destroyed lives. A few months ago I saw
the movie Spotlight, which won the Oscar for best picture. As the closing credits rolled, I wept because of all
those Christian leaders who used the power and trust placed in them to abuse innocent people.
I weep, because Jesus taught a message of love, peace, and acceptance, but that message is lost on the
world today. His teachings have become so distorted that many associate the Christian faith with judgment
and hypocrisy. What so many Christians stand for is the exact opposite of what Jesus himself stood for, lived
for, and died for.
I weep. I pray that God weeps with me. I pray that God weeps with the loved ones of those who died. I
pray that God weeps for our nation and for our world, and that Gods compassion shines down on us. Never
have I prayed more fervently, Lord, have mercy.
Blessings,
Pastor Danny
CENTRO SHALOM
Centro Shalom is located at 2131 Long Beach
Blvd.
Birthday Blessings!
Lydia Sykes
July 2
Tristan Bradfield
July 11
Betty Rollo
July 14
Lillian Neal
July 15
Lillian Hester July 18
Ethan Bradfield
July 26
Alice Hoffman
July 26
Alice Hoffman
Sumbal Sardar
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)
Chrystal Gay (A. Hilligs sister)
Fortunate typo
A pastor had his sermon titles published
weekly in the city newspaper. One Monday, he
phoned to thank the paper for making an error.
The topic I sent you was What Jesus Saw
in a Publican, he said. You printed it as What
Jesus Saw in a Republi-can. I had the biggest
crowd of the year.
Loving Father in Heaven, I pray that each member of Bixby Knolls Christian Church be blessed
by you and touched by the Holy Spirit. Through
Jesus Christ our Lord I pray. Amen
June 19 - Psalm 139:1-18
www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch
website:
www.bixbyknollschurch.blogspot.com
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
Sandy Jeglum
- Financial Secretary
-Church Clerk
newsletter by June 26