Silver and Gold
One of the most memorable Christmas activities we did when our children were growing up is to take out the Hallmark Christmas Songbook with Joy at the piano and sing Silver and Gold by Burl Ives. This little song that wafts through the air at shopping malls and comes out of our car radios contains words that seem to suggest that there’s more to the holiday than silver and gold.
Silver and gold, silver and gold, everyone wishes for silver and gold. How do you measure its worth, just by the pleasures it gives here on earth. Silver and gold, silver and gold means so much more when I see silver and gold decorations on every
Christmas tree.
Buying gifts with the quality of “silver and gold” has become entrenched in our celebration of the Christmas holiday. As Burl Ives suggests, these material things are only worthwhile by the enjoyment we get living on earth. There is more to Christmas than buying gifts.
The world that we have gotten used to is changing. Our confidence in the financial markets is at an all time low. We are worried about whether our 401Ks have been reduced to more like 101Ks! The jobless rate is going up with more layoffs forecast in the future. Our houses are not worth as much as when we bought them. And America is still fighting two wars. While all of these troubling signs are filling our minds during sleepless nights, we have also experienced unprecedented historic events that have stirred our hearts with hope and perhaps change for the better. With the election of the first U.S. President of African American ancestry happening within our lifetime, we can only say that the ideals and values that our country has stood for are still alive. We are living in a time of tumultuous change and we pray that the days ahead would lead to promising peace and justice.
In such a world backdrop, silver and gold mean very little. Burl Ives suggests that when he sees silver and gold on every Christmas tree, it means so much more. Might we want silver and gold understood to mean that the treasure we find in Jesus Christ who comes into the world filled with unsettling financial markets, unemployment, waging war as well as the transition of political power is the only treasure that ultimately is long lasting and real?
Jesus taught us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21) For Christmas this year, let us pray for treasures that are eternal and everlasting. Let us stop idolizing “silver and gold that only give pleasures on earth.” Let us take a moment to value the times when we can gather together around a piano and sing that Jesus Christ born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord is silver and gold of good news of great joy for all people!
Pastor Don
Advent Season
As we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, we invite you to attend a weeknight Advent Bible Study group. The book, What Do You Want for Christmas? by James W. Moore explores the question of what people really want for Christmas, which only Christmas can give—peace, joy, love, and forgiveness. You will have 6 groups to choose from that meets your particular needs: Women’s Group (Pastor Chris Otani); Men’s Group (Rodney Tom); Couples (Pastor Lauren Ng); East Bay (Pastor Emeritus James Chuck); South Bay (Wes Chan); and San Francisco (Pastor Don Ng). Contact the group leader for the beginning date, time and place of your group and to obtain a study book.
We invite you to Christmas Sunday worship on December 21st at 9:10 English, 10:20 English and 11:30 Cantonese services. Join your church family for a time of singing “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” On Wednesday night, December 24th, 7:30 PM, we invite you to attend our annual traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols. This is a meaningful evening worship that tells the story of God’s promise of salvation ending with the singing of Silent Night. After the service, join your friends in the Fellowship Hall for a time of homemade cookies, tea and coffee.
Church Membership Meeting
The next Church Membership Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 7th, 1:30 will be an opportunity to witness the testimonies of candidates for baptism and church membership. Hear the stories of those whose lives have been transformed by the love of Christ! At this meeting, we will also elect new officers, board and committee members for terms beginning in 2009 and adopt the 2009 Proposed Budget. Make plans to attend this important part of our Baptist life.
Footprints for Christ
All the programs and ministries of FCBC are designed to equip you to be the eyes, ears, mouths, hands and feet of Christ in the world. When we are ready to share the life saving news of Jesus Christ in the world by our words and deeds, we literally leave footprints for Christ. Making a pledge to support the ongoing mission of our church will make this happen. In January 2009, we are excited to welcome Rev. Peter Lee from Hong Kong who will serve as our new Pastor of Chinese-speaking Ministries. Join us to welcome Pastor Lee and his family to FCBC and together may we make footprints for Christ! You may use this Pledge Card to indicate your financial support for our church. Thank you!
Restarting Senior Center in 2009!
While you try to not eat just one more holiday cookie, you do. By the time, we all get to the end of the year and all that holiday partying is over, you make a New Year resolution to eat better and to exercise more! The 2009 season of the Senior Center has just the program you’re looking for: “Moving and Thriving—Exercise and Fitness.” Led by Heatherrose Polusco of Kaiser Permanente, the program begins at 12:15 PM on Wednesday, Jan. 14th and followed by a hot, healthy and delicious lunch.
FCBC’s Senior Center meets in the 4th floor Fellowship Hall accessible by our elevator. Every session features a relevant program, tai chi exercise, great conversation, and monthly birthday parties. For more information, contact Warren Lee or Gary Eng. In 2009, the Senior Center will only meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Join us on Jan. 14th to move and to thrive in 2009!
Church Leaders Kick-Off
By January, the NFL will be in the midst of divisional playoffs getting ready for the Super Bowl! While football players are kicking off to begin the game, all church leaders in 2009 are encouraged to attend the annual Church Leaders Kick-Off Day on Saturday, Jan. 10th, 8:30-12:00. Beginning our day will be a Bible study on our new 2009 church theme focusing on evangelism and fellowship. All church boards (Deacons, CE, Trustees) and some church committees will meet to elect chairs, set meeting dates and identify priorities for the new year. Church officers are invited to attend and participate at meetings of their interests. If you are an elected church leader, make this a priority to begin serving Christ through FCBC in 2009! Get ready for the kick-off!
More Chinatown Stories of Life and Faith
The first volume of Chinatown: Stories of Life and Faith published in 2002 has been a huge success. Many readers have discovered the significant role our church has had in the lives of people and how growing up in America has been filled with hope, challenges, and promises. Volume II is in development and available in December this year. We have recently begun work on Volume III of Chinatown Stories of Life and Faith. This third volume will contain about 60 stories of people connected with our church, both past and present, talking about parents, growing up, schooling, work, marriage and family, and faith and values. If you are age 40 and up and would like to be included, please contact Dr. James Chuck at Jaschuck@juno.com for details.
Family News
We welcome the birth of Rebecca Emma Chan born to Chris and Audrey Chan on Oct. 26th; may God bless this new gift to our loving family!
The Trustees with the help of Arlen Ung have installed two Baby Care changing tables in the 3rd and 4th floor restrooms to meet the needs of the many new babies in our church today.
December
6 Men’s Fellowship
Women’s Fellowship
7 Finance Committee, 8:30
9:10—L
10:20—L
11:30—
Membership Meeting, 1:30
8 OYYAs concert
9 Pastoral Staff, 10:00
13 GIFT
Sojourners
EFG
14 9:30 Joint English & Baptism—D
11:30—
Deacons, 1:30
Semanons
17 Pastoral Relations, 6:00
19 Chinese Evangelism Events
20 Xplorers
21 9:10—L
10:20—D
11:30—
24 Christmas Eve Service, 7:30
25 Christmas (H)
27 Alshira
28 9:10—C
10:20—D
11:30—