Calm Before the Storm
As a child growing up in a Boston summer, it felt like everything came to a halt. School was out. “No more homework and teacher’s dirty look!” we would say. Summers were the time to go on vacation or a day at Revere Beach and ride the “Dodge ‘Em” cars. Before we all learned how to drive, what a thrill it was to get behind the wheel of a “Dodge ‘Em” car and go around crashing into someone without getting hurt! Now I think most of us prefer someone driving us around!
A FCBC Summer is not as quiet as the one I knew in Boston. Here, we have 5 weeks of Day Camp when our community children fill our church home with eager minds to learn about Jesus and strong legs to jump and play. While the campers are having a great summer, their counselors and helpers are quietly and gradually acquiring leadership skills and growing in their own faith by teaching others.
Our youth join summer sports teams to play with other church teams in the annual Chinese Christian Union sports program. This year we have 2 basketball and 1 softball teams. What better way to describe the lazy days of summer than watching a team play! In August, we have a weeklong Youth Camp at Redwood Glen under the canopy of ancient redwoods. The youth have morning devotions when they silently connect with God the Creator and Savior. We have our annual All-Church Picnic on Sunday, August 25 in Sunnyvale when we praise God in the beautiful outdoors and enjoy the fellowship of our church family over a delicious barbecue lunch. And finally, over the Labor Day Weekend, traditionally seen as the last getaway before school begins, we have our annual Family Camp at Happy Valley in Santa Cruz where we look forward to the annual cinnamon buns for Monday breakfast!
While a FCBC Summer is definitely more active than I remember a Boston Summer in my childhood, we still nevertheless take time off to go to camp, travel on a vacation, have a picnic, take a quiet hike or have a good summer read before the Fall season comes. Summer is like the “calm before the storm.”
The Deacons have initiated a Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) led by Church Moderator Nelson Wong and composed of members from church boards and committees, worshiping congregations, pastoral staff and other representatives to begin the process of planning ahead. As our world continues to change, it’s unlike how we would like to think about summer. While we may wish that things would come to a halt or at least slow down a bit, we often don’t have that option. As followers of a Living God, God continues to move about and open up new opportunities for us as a faithful church to engage and become involved. The LRPC will commence its work this summer with the hope of making recommendations to the church by year’s end. We’ll keep you posted on the work of this committee and ask you to pray and participate in the process.
When we think about the “calm before the storm,” we often fear the ominous consequences of what a storm might do. But a storm is not only a threat but it is also an opportunity to wash away, clear the air, and to even build up once again. Join me during this time of a FCBC Summer, a calm time of rest, vacation, a closer walk with the Lord so that we would be prepare for the “storm” of discerning God’s leading for FCBC for today and the days to come. Pastor Don
English Summer Series
This year’s English Adult Summer Series sessions is 7 weeks beginning on July 7 and concluding on August 18 on the theme, “The World at FCBC.” You will have an opportunity to hear, see, and explore fascinating travels that have been taken by our church friends this year.
July 7 ABC Mission Summit Report
Delegates attending the inaugural Mission Summit in Overland Park, Kansas
July 14 Lands of Luther-Part 1
Thirty-one traveled to Germany to learn about the life of Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer who changed the world as we know it 500 years ago.
July 21 Lands of Luther-Part 2
Witness the sights and sounds of Germany
July 28 China Mission
Kenley Mew joined a mission group to China
August 4 Preview of Fall Adult Classes
Hear about the Fall Offerings of Sunday school classes
August 11 Thailand Mission-Part 1
Eighteen traveled to Northern Thailand to build a clean water system and lead children in a vacation Bible school as we establish a long-term partnership with ABC missions in Thailand.
August 18 Thailand Mission-Part 2
Explore next steps in FCBC’s mission endeavors
The Summer Series meets at 10:00-11:00 at the YMCA prior to the 11:20 English Worship in the sanctuary. Come and see the world at FCBC!
New Sunday Schedule Meeting
Since the beginning of the year, our new Sunday schedule has been in place. The Deacons and the CE Boards have created a survey available both in hard copy and on the church’s website in both English and Chinese to gather your opinions on how the new schedule has been for you. On Sunday, July 7, 1:00, you are invited to hear the survey results. We appreciate your input and cooperation in providing our Sunday morning services, choir practices and Sunday school classes the best possible times in light of the facilities that we have in our church building and at the YMCA.
Rhythms of the World II Workshop, Saturday August 10, 9:45-12
Tap into the power and energy of world rhythms! In this second advanced hands-on workshop, master drummer Robert Wallace will lead participants in learning the fundamentals of hand-drumming and experience the joy and passion of rhythms from Africa, Brazil and the USA! All drums and rhythm instruments provided. We’ll make great music together!
This free workshop is sponsored by the Music and Performing Arts Committee and is open to youth (entering 6th grade) and adults and is limited to 25 participants. Signups will begin in July with priority given to those who attended the first beginner’s workshop last year, or those who are active as worship leaders. Contact joyshihng@gmail.com for more info.
Annual Outdoor Worship & Church Picnic
Our annual Outdoor Worship and Picnic will once again be at Ortega Park in Sunnyvale where it’s always sunny and warm. On Sunday, August 25th, the day begins with All-Church Worship in the gazebo at 10:30 followed by a barbecue lunch with desserts. Lunch tickets are: Adults/Youth–$5.00; Children 5-12 & Seniors 65 and older–$3.00; and Children 4 and younger—Free. There are many different kinds of recreational activities including softball, tennis, kite flying, children playground and a small water park for the kids. Invite your family and friends to come to FCBC’s Annual Outdoor Worship and Picnic!
Redwood Glen “Rooted for Renewal” Campaign
Fifty-five years ago, American Baptists in the SF Bay Area and Northern California invested the funds that were received upon the sale of the Chung Mei Home for Boys in El Cerrito to purchase an undeveloped property of tall redwoods in Loma Mar for camping and conferencing. Redwood Glen is now a fully developed site where many of our church groups have used throughout the years including our annual weeklong Youth Camp and Senior Retreat.
Redwood Glen with the theme, “Rooted for Renewal” is launching a capital campaign to raise $2 Million to retire a loan that was used to purchase the camp from the region and to perform necessary physical improvements. The Deacons on May 26 unanimously approved to participate in the campaign as a church and will be encouraging fellowship groups and individuals to donate to the campaign. A local church committee is being organized to mount this effort but reserve Saturday, Oct. 5th, 5:00-7:00 to attend the 55th Anniversary and Campaign Banquet at FBC, Santa Clara. More information is coming but if you have questions, please see Joel Jang or Pastor Don Ng.
Family News
Congratulations to Math Teacher Lawrence Pang who was voted the “Teacher of the Year” at El Cerrito High School!
At the American Baptist Mission Summit in Overland Park, Kansas, Pastor Don Ng who is currently serving as Vice-President was elected as the new President of the American Baptist Churches, USA for 2014-15 biennium. He will be the first Asian American to serve as President of ABCUSA comprising of 5300 churches in the US and Puerto Rico with about 1.3 million people.
July
4 Holiday
7 10-V
10-P
11-D
Sunday Schedule Meeting, 1:00
10 Church Staff, 10:00
14 10-V
10-P
11-D
CE, 1:30
20 Xplorers
EFG
21 10-V
10-P
11-D
Deacons, 1:30
24 Church Staff, 10:00
27 Sojourners
28 10-
10-P
11-D
28-8/3 Youth Camp
August
2 Adult Fellowship
4 10-V
10-P
11-D
CE, 1:30
7 Church Staff, 10:00
10 Drum Workshop
11 10-FNS
10-FNS
11-FHS
16 Lanna Coffee Team, 7:30
17 Xplorers
Sojourners
18 10-V
10-P
11-D
Deacons, 1:30
FCBC Sports Dinner, 5:00
21 Church Staff, 10:00
24 Finance, 9:00
25 All-Church Outdoor Worship & Picnic, 10:30
31-9/2 College & YA Retreat
Family Camp, Happy Valley
9/1 10-P
11 Joint English-