June, July, August, and September 2008 Newsletter
The Sabbatical Year
As I look back to the time when we began our ministry together in the Summer of 1998, it’s hard to believe that 10 years have gone by. Much has happened and much has been accomplish through the grace of God and the contribution of the many gifts and talents present at FCBC. It’s with my grateful heart that I thank you for granting me a sabbatical this summer to learn, travel, rest, and become renewed.
By the time you read this newsletter, I’d most likely be in Jerusalem. The beginning of my 3-month sabbatical is a one-month program at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute. The program focusing on the context of the stories of Israel, Jesus, and the first Christians, will not only shape my understanding of the scriptures and their history of salvation, but also how our Christian faith is embodied in the concrete, complex reality of the Middle East. Visiting Israel is one of my life’s dreams come true.
The concept of a sabbatical is rooted in the Bible. When Moses and the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, God instructed them to take a time to rest on the seventh year.
The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying: Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a Sabbath for the Lord. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land, a Sabbath for the Lord: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your unpruned vine: it shall be a year of complete rest for the land. (Leviticus 25:1-5)
Because God’s land needs a rest, all of the workers who labor on the land also need to take rest as well.
While I am happy to be on sabbatical this summer, I am also deeply appreciative for those who will continue to carry out the myriad of tasks and responsibilities at church when I am away. Filling the pulpit at the 10:05 English Worship will be Pastor Chris Otani with help from Pastor Emeritus James Chuck. They will undoubtedly work hard while I rest! Please encourage them and pray for them for God’s strength.
Immediately following my program at Tantur’s, twenty-three of us will participate in a Holy Land Pilgrimage to Israel and Egypt. This will be a time of deepening faith and inspiration as we walk where Jesus walked and experience for ourselves the places, sights and sounds of how Christianity began. As we become open to the leading of the Spirit, we pray that from our pilgrimage, we may become instruments of peace and the good news of Jesus Christ when we return and hopefully for the rest of our lives.
When I return in the middle of July, the rest of my sabbatical will focus on reading some of the “missionary years” history of our church that is by and large an untapped source of our rich heritage that may enrich our mission today. In August, we will have a Ng Family Reunion in San Diego when all 5 grandkids will be together for the first time. My first Sunday back will be September 7th.
Thank you, FCBC Family for granting me this sabbatical! As I look forward to this “Sabbatical Year,” I am also envisioning the time when we will once again be together in the ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ this Fall. May you have a safe and restful summer too! God bless you! Pastor Don
Summer Coverage
This Summer offers some unique challenges that the church staff have addressed. In addition to Pastor Don’s sabbatical, Pastor Lauren Ng will be on a 2-month maternity leave and Church Administrator Wendy Lin will be visiting her family in China for two months. As aforementioned above, Pastor Chris Otani and Pastor Emeritus James Chuck will preach at the 10:05 English Worship. Church members Moa Imchen and Akumla Longchar will fill the pulpit at the 9:30 English Worship and guest preachers will continue to share at the 11:15 Cantonese Worship.
Our Night School Coordinator Nancy Guan will assume some additional hours in the church office to support our Day Camp program and some office administration. To minimize our tasks during the summer months, this newsletter covers four months. The Sunday morning worship bulletins are design to be used for the entire month.
For pastoral care, please contact Pastor Chris and/or Dr. Chuck this summer.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Nearly 200 years ago, Ann and Adoniram Judson arrived in the country of Burma. The Judsons and other early missionaries introduced Jesus Christ to the Burmese, Karen, Chin and many other ethnic groups of Burma. Today, hundreds of thousands of Karen, Chin and others have fled Burma and are living as refugees in Thailand and neighboring countries. The United States has begun accepting Karen refugees from the camps in Thailand and Chin from Malaysia for permanent resettlement and eventual U.S. citizenship. Because of their historic connection with American Baptists, many have been seeking our churches, strengthening us with their faith and energy. The needs of newly arrived refugees are vast. One Great Hour of Sharing enables us to share resources with churches across the United States that have opened their doors and hearts to these new friends. Our 2008 goal is $4200. Please give generously especially in light of the recent cyclone that have taken many lives and devastated many homes in Burma in May. You may send in your contribution by marking your check: “OGHS.” Thank you.
Summer Series
This year’s Summer Series, coordinated by Dr. James Chuck is on the theme, Bearing Witness to Our Faith in Christ. Come up to Cameron House, 11:30-12:30 to explore how God is transforming our lives and our community.
Bearing Witness to the Power of Christ to Transform Human Lives—FCBC Members talk about how Christ has impacted their lives
June 29 Ian Heung, Diana Lee, and Jane Lam
July 6 Jason Yow, George Lai, and Che Chiu Yee
July 13 Wendy Chu, Don Lam, and Luke Kwan
July 27 Norman Cheng, Anna Quan Wong, and Steven Ng
Bearing Witness to the Land that Gave Birth to Christianity—Persons fresh from the Holy Land Pilgrimage with Pastor Don talk about the impact of this spiritual journey upon their lives
July 20 Coordinated by Wendy Quan
Bearing Witness to Our Chinese Cultural Heritage—Our Chinese cultural heritage and how we can be Christian with a “Chinese accent”
August 3 Victor Low
Bearing Witness to the Ministries of Historic Chinatown Churches—Past and Present
August 10 James Chuck, Bay Area Chinese Churches Project
Bearing Witness to Chinatown Residents—A look at who live in Chinatown and how churches might reach out to them
August 17 Rev. Norman Fong of the Chinatown Community Development Center
Senior Center
The last meeting of the Senior Center before a summer break is on Wednesday, June 11th.
Kenneth Fox, MD, Kaiser Permanente will share on “Stroke Prevention and Treatment.” Stroke is one of the leading causes of death, and we may want to learn as much about it before it strikes. Dr Fox will discuss what causes stroke, how to prevent it, how to detect when a stroke is occurring, and how to respond to an attack. This is a great opportunity to obtain essential information about a condition that affects many seniors. Dr. Fox’s talk will start at 12:15 sharp, follow by the luncheon. Invite your friends to come and enjoy the fellowship at FCBC’s Senior Center! For more information and lunch reservation, contact Warren Lee or Gary Eng.
Proposed Sunday Morning Worship Schedule
For the past few months, the Deacons and CE Board in conversations with a number of groups are planning to institute a new Sunday morning worship schedule to integrate the 9:30 English Worship currently meeting in Cameron House into the church sanctuary beginning this Fall. To eliminate the arduous task of setting up and tearing down equipment for worship every Sunday and the increasing reality that worshipers and leaders of the 9:30 service are bringing more young children to the church nursery, having worship in the sanctuary would make better sense.
The proposed Sunday morning schedule is:
9:10-10:10 English Worship with Contemporary Music (Formerly 9:30 Worship at Cameron House)
10:20-11:20 English Worship with Traditional Music (Formerly 10:05 Worship
11:30-12:45 Cantonese Worship (Formerly 11:15 Worship)
Youth would attend the 9:10 English Worship as well as participate in worship times during the Sunday school hour. There will be a greater need for more child-care providers before the first service as well as the last service on Sundays.
We invite your input as well as your cooperation as we prepare for the joy of church growth and Christian worship at our church!
FCBC Sports
Our Sports Ministry offers a sport for everyone! With the Chinese Christian Union of San Francisco, we will participate with teams in the basketball, softball, and volleyball leagues. These are exciting ways to develop skills and to fellowship with other churches. If you are interested in participating, watching and supporting our teams, contact the following: Basketball—John Tom, Softball—Mel Fong, and Volleyball—Jayson Gatdula.
Our church also sponsors a Golf Tournament on Monday, June 16 to benefit our summer Day Camp program that reaches out to community children. This year’s tournament will be at Monarch Bay in San Leandro; see Joel Jang or Butch Chan to sign up or make a donation to support the church’s summer ministries. And if you would rather play tennis, this year’s Tennis Tourney is on Saturday, June 21 at the San Francisco Tennis Club. Sign up with Jayson Gatdula.
As the weather gets warmer and the sun stays up longer, it’s time to brush off those sneakers and get some exercise! Registration materials can also be found on our church’s website.
All-Church Outdoor Worship & Picnic
Our annual All-Church Outdoor Worship & Picnic, Sunday, August 24 will once again be at Ortega Park in Sunnyvale with Worship at 10:30 AM led by Pastor Chris Otani. The Sojourners will prepare our delicious lunch along with the sponsorship of the Social Committee. Picnic tickets are available by calling the church office or on Sunday mornings: Adults & Youth–$5; Seniors & Children–$3.
2008 Family Camp
Over 30 years, Family Camp is the highlight over the Labor Day Weekend, August 30-September 1 at Happy Valley Conference Center, Santa Cruz. On the theme, Making the Most of Family Time, this is a wonderful time learning about strengthening family life with church friends. As always, there’s campfire, comprehensive children’s program, chapel in the redwoods, and of course, great food! Brochures are available—register with Paul Chuck or Alan Fong.
Asilomar 2008
On the theme, “Honoring Our Relationships,” this year’s Asilomar Adult Retreat begins on Wednesday, Oct. 29 with dinner and ends on Friday, Oct. 31 with lunch. Led in discussion by Dr. James Chuck, you will explore your relationships with parents, siblings and extended clan; teachers and mentors; and spouses and friends. Come and enjoy warm fellowship, daily worship on the topic of “Honoring God for what God has done in our lives,” and a free afternoon for excursions and relaxation. The cost per person is $220.00; register with Joel Jang.
Family News
With joy and God’s love, we welcome into the world and the church family, new babies born to our church families! On May 9th, Marcus Chak-Yan Li was born to Karen and Banny Li; on May 11th, Erika Ai Fong was born to Qi and Jaime Fong, and on May 11th, Mia Anne Kuo was born to Marcia and Jason Kuo. May God continue to bless these new families and the many proud grandparents!
The new Young Families Fellowship Group now has a new name: GIFT (Growing in Faith Together). For information on events, contact: Leslie & Hong Hua and Kris and Dan Smith.
Congratulations to David Lee and Jamie Wong on their marriage celebration on May 3rd! Peace and double happiness to them as they study and serve in the LA area.
The participants going to the Holy Land Pilgrimage are: Joel Jang, Linda Jang, Anne Lee, Kathleen Ue, Jimmy Yee, Nancy Yee, Betty Jin, Wendy Quan, Victor Low, Steven Ng, Nelson Wong, Lea Wong, Henry Lee, Carole Jan Lee, Scott Tsunehara, Shirlene Leong Nakano, Randy Nakano, Keith Louie, Evelyn Louie, Sophia Chong, Pauline Chin, Joy Shih Ng, and Pastor Don Ng. May God protect them as they renew their faith on this trip.
June
1 9—C
9:30—Moa Imchen & Akumla Longchar
10—C
11—
Kids Sports Day
Teachers Appreciation Luncheon
7 GIFT Fellowship, Gilroy Gardens
OYYAs
8 9—C
9:30—M & A
10—C
11—
Kids Sports Day
Deacons, 1:30
11 Senior Center
14 EFG
15 Father’s Day
9—C
9:30—M & A
10—C
11—
16 FCBC Golf Tournament
18 Day Camp begins until 7/25
21 FCBC Tennis Tournament
22 9—C
9:30—M & A
10—C
11—
Music Committee, 1:00
CE, 1:30
28 Redwood Glen’s 50th Anniversary
Sojourners
29 9:30—M & A
Joint 9:30—Dr. James Chuck
Summer Series begins
All-Church Prayer Meeting, 12:45
July
4 Holiday (Office closed)
6 9—C
9:30—M & A
10—C
11—
12 Redwood Glen’s 50th Anniversary
EFG
13 9—C
9:30—M & A
10—C
11—
Deacons, 1:30
20 9—C
9:30—M & A
10—C
11—
27 9:30—M & A
Joint 9:30—C
11—
All-Church Prayer Meeting, 12:45
August
2 OYYAs Picnic
3 9—
9:30—M & A
10—James Chuck
11—
3-8 Youth Camp, Redwood Glen
10 9—
9:30—Pastor Lauren
10—James Chuck
11—
Deacons, 1:30
17 9—C
9:30—L
10—C
11—
FCBC Sports Award Dinner, 5:00
23 Finance Committee
24 All Church Outdoor Worship & Picnic, Ortega Park, Sunnyvale
30-9/1 Family Camp, Happy Valley, Santa Cruz
31 9:30 All English Worship—C
All-Church Prayer Meeting
September
1 Holiday (Office closed)
7 Promotion Sunday
9—C
9:30—L
10—D
11—
CE, 1:30
13-15 Sojourners Retreat, Monterey
14 9—C
9:30—L
10—D
11—
EFG
OYYAs & Christian Circle
21 9—C
9:30—L
10—D
11—
Deacons, 1:30
23-24 Church Staff Fall Retreat
28 9:30—L
9:30 Joint—D
11—
All-Church Prayer Meeting, 12:45
Music, 1:00