April 2011 Newsletter
Going Ahead
Growing up watching westerns, there would always be a scout on horseback who would go ahead of the wagon train to make sure it was safe to go into a new territory. When we travel today, a well-planned trip would include someone scouting out the travel route and itinerary to anticipate any potential challenges. When we turn on our GPS devices in our cars to help us find our way to unfamiliar places, someone has already mapped out the location of places and programmed them into the tracking system of satellites. Going ahead is often important to get everyone safely there.
Last month seven of us traveled to Thailand to become more familiar with the Lanna Coffee project and how we may stop human trafficking. We traveled into the hill tribe villages in northern Thailand with ABC missionary Mike Mann to see coffee trees and the process of picking berries; hulling, washing, drying, and sorting beans and eventually roasting beans to become Arabica coffee. In our debriefing with Mike Mann, we realized how much more we can do to support missions overseas and in particular, the work in Northern Thailand. We understand that not everyone would have the time to visit Thailand. In most cases, only a few people would go ahead to learn and see what may be new opportunities for missions. We are grateful that we were able to go ahead and will now share our discoveries with the Missions Committee, the Lanna Coffee Team, and church leaders and friends.
Going ahead is what Jesus did at Easter. When Mary Magdalene and Mary went to see the tomb, there was a great earthquake and an angel told them that Jesus who was crucified, was not there. He has been raised. The angel told them that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee where he will see them (Matthew 28:1-11).
Jesus is always out ahead of us. Just when we think we’ve stepped out on a new venture of faith, we find Jesus is already way out there ahead of us. When we were in Thailand, we saw how Jesus was already there in the dedicated ministries of the missionaries and the many Baptist projects. The disciples often had this experience walking with Jesus—he walked way out ahead of them, and they could barely keep up! When he was headed toward Jerusalem, he went ahead of them. Now he goes out ahead of them to Galilee and beyond.
The miracle of the resurrection of our Lord is that Jesus Christ went ahead of us to die on the cross with our sins so that whenever we seek forgiveness for the things that we have done, he has already gone ahead to pay the price. When Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, he’s gone ahead to prepare a place for all of us when it’s time for us to return to God. By going out ahead of us, Jesus promises life with him into eternity.
In God’s grace and love, are you ready to go ahead in the name of Jesus Christ to proclaim good news in San Francisco and in Thailand? Jesus told his disciples to not be afraid. Let us have Easter joy in our lives because Jesus first went ahead for us! Happy Easter! Pastor Don
Easter Services
You are invited to attend the Lenten and Easter Services offered at FCBC!
April 17—Palm Sunday & Believers Baptism
9:30 Joint English & 11:30 Cantonese Services celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem by the waving of palms. We’ll celebrate the baptism of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
April 21—Maundy Thursday
Gathered in the Fellowship Hall, we will re-enact Jesus’ last supper with his disciples by reading the passion Scriptures and partaking of Communion, 7:30 PM.
April 22—Good Friday
The Chinese Christian Union will sponsor a Cantonese Service at the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown, 1:00 and the English Service at FCBC, 7:00 PM.
April 24—Easter Day
The Day of Resurrection begins with the CCU Sunrise Service, 7:00 AM at the Chinese Congregational Church, followed by Easter Services at FCBC at 9:10, 10:20, and 11:30.
With the reopening of the Chinatown YMCA, you are invited to purchase a ticket for the Annual Easter Breakfast at the Y. There will not be any SS classes at the Y today.
Spring Cleaning
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, it’s time to roll up those long sleeves and begin polishing up the church home for Easter and the summer! On Saturday, April 16, 8:30-12:00, the Trustees invite all fellowship groups to send representatives to the All-Church Clean-Up Day! Contact Norman Chin of your attendance today! Let’s make God’s house bright and beautiful!
Membership Meeting
Our Spring Church Membership Meeting is on Sunday, April 10, 1:30 when you will hear the testimonies of candidates for baptism and church membership, update on the new pastoral search, and celebrate our church unity and fellowship. Plan to attend!
Senior Center
There’s always a special place where everybody extends a hand of welcome to you! Every second Wednesday of the month, the Senior Center welcomes you to learn about something interesting, enjoy a warm and healthy lunch, get in some tai chi exercise, and to fellowship with new friends. On Wednesday, April 13, 11:30, the Senior Center features Nancy Chee, Occupational Therapist, California Pacific Medical Center, specializing exclusively in best practices for the use of hands. Contact Dick and Anna Quan Wong to make a lunch reservation.
Yosemite 2011
One can feel God’s majesty and power when you sing praises next to El Capitan! Spend a weekend hiking to the thundering roars of the waterfalls and enjoy the warm fellowship of friends around the campfire. This year’s Yosemite weekend is on Saturday, April 30-Monday, May 2. Rooms are available at Yosemite Lodge with group meals cooked and served at the campsite. For more information and reservations, contact David Louie.
Family News
The church family celebrated the 100th birthday of Richard Chen on March 13 with a delicious luncheon. May God continue to bless Mr. Chen with good health and long-life!
After completing 10 ½ years of faithful ministry as our Minister of Christian Education, we celebrated Pastor Chris Otani’s contributions and service with an Appreciation & Farewell Reception on March 27th. May God continue to guide every step in Pastor Chris’ faithful journey.
The Thailand Lanna Coffee Mission Team comprised of Tommy Lim, Bonnie Lim, Steven Ng, Anna Ng, Mo Khan (West Virginia), Greg Ng, (North Carolina), and Pastor Don Ng visited coffee-growing villages in Northern Thailand to explore new ways to promote coffee as a means to stop human trafficking. We pray that there’ll be more opportunities to engage in active mission partnerships with villages in the years to come.
April
2 Men’s Fellowship, San Jose
3 Finance, 8:30
9—D
10—D
11—P
Trustees, 1:30
10 9—D
10—D
11—P
Membership Meeting, 1:30
Steps of Paul Orientation, 3:00
12 Sojourners Service Project, 1:00
13 Senior Center, 11:30
14 Sports Ministry
16 All-Church Clean-Up, 8:30
Sojourners
17 Palm Sunday
9:30 English/Baptism—D
11:30—P
Deacons, 1:30
21 Maundy Thursday Service, 7:30
22 CCU Cantonese Good Friday, 1:00, Presbyterian Church
CCU English Good Friday, 7:00, FCBC
23 CCU Memorial Service, CCU Cemetery, 11:00
24 Easter
CCU Sunrise, 7:00, Congregational Church
YMCA Easter Breakfast
9—D
10—D
11—P
30-5/2 Yosemite
May
1 9—Jane Lam
10—Jane Lam
11—P