Let Your Light So Shine
“The family that worships together stays together.” That was a media campaign across America when I was growing up in the 50s. Billboards and signs on public buses all had this slogan to remind families to go to church. Today we have unbelievable and almost unlimited technological ways to communicate. But it seems that nothing can ever replace the significance of being in the presence of one another. We can Facetime, Skype, iChat and other social media but when we are in the same room physically, we are close and in the presence of each other’s grace. After numerous attempts that God made to reconcile his relationship with his creation, God in the end sent Jesus Christ to be “God with us.” In Christ, we are in the presence of God’s grace and mercy.
Our 2014 annual church theme is “Light of Life,” based on John 8:12. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” As people who have the “Light of Life” in us, how are we letting our light so shine in the world?
On Saturday, March 22, 9:00-3:30, the whole church family will gather for the All-Church Event to worship together so that we may stay together! We will lift up the significance of being close together as members and friends who attend 3 different Sunday worship services, participate in over 20 different fellowship groups, speak many different languages including Cantonese and English, and live as far as 60 miles away from Chinatown. While we may be able to say that we are from FCBC, the All-Church Event will strengthen and help us to believe that we are the Body of Christ.
Our hope is that you would make it a priority to be present. We’ll gather for a time of worship, hear about the developing plans coming from the Long-range Planning Committee, participate in fun activities, and enjoy morning coffee/tea and a satisfying lunch. Planning the All-Church Event is Shannon Kong, Steven Leung, Mamie Zhu, Wendy Quan and John Tom. Registration for adults and children over 9 is $5; Children 5-9: $2; and Children 4 and under: Free. Bus transportation is available from the church. The All-Church Event is at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, Alexander Hall, 1012 Seminary Rd, San Anselmo, 94960. San Anselmo in Marin County is just about 30 minutes from the church.
As we share our “light of life” in Christ with each other, we will become the Light of Christ in the world. Just imagine when all of our little lights of life are joined together, we would become this roaring and blazing fire to cast out the shadows in the world and to proclaim Christ as the true light who comes. FCBC is the church that worships together will stay together in Christ. See you on March 22nd at the All-Church Event!
Pastor Don
ABCUSA President Update
The first of two Executive Committee meetings of the Board of General Ministries each year will meet on March 13-15 in Indianapolis. Since our new Vice President Rev. Judy Fackenthal is the pastor of the Garfield Park Baptist Church in Indianapolis, this meeting would provide us with the opportunity to see a local church ministry as well as to meet with local and regional Baptist leaders in this city. Our agenda and discussions will include focusing on what may be the “big issue” facing the American Baptists and to spend some time understanding that along with the ongoing business items to maintain the operation of the denomination. Two new members and two new officers will be joining in this meeting for the first time.
March 19-20 will be the first meeting of the General Secretary Search Committee that I will serve as chair. Dr. Roy Medley will be completing his faithful service at the end of 2015 after serving for a total of 14 years. You can imagine the weight of this responsibility that the committee and I will shoulder in the months to come.
Please be in prayer for me and for the life and vitality of the American Baptist Churches USA. I know that you share in these larger ministries going beyond FCBC as a congregation that was first founded by American Baptists in 1880.
America for Christ
Christians are known to help people in need just as Jesus helped those whom he met who needed healing, forgiveness, and hope for a new day. Simply feeding the hungry and giving water to the thirsty is just the beginning to meet the needs of people. We must also dig deeper to uncover what are the systemic and established problems that insistently keep people in need. The America for Christ Offering that we receive in March is to “Seek Justice,” (Isaiah 1:17) with the understanding that Christians should work to eradicate hunger, eliminate mass incarceration, welcome the refugees, immigrants, and strangers, and bring about more fairness and equity in our society. When we give to America for Christ, we would be supporting such efforts and ministries through the American Baptist churches and ministries. Our 2014 goal is $4100. Please make your gift by sending in your contribution and marking your check for “AFC.” Thank you for seeking justice today!
Inquirers and Baptism Classes
If you believe that God has a purpose for your life, then it’s time for you to consider the meaning of Baptism and the responsibilities of church membership for you. When you are touched by God, you want to give him praise by following Christ as your Lord and Savior. The pastors will be offering Inquirers and Baptism classes in March for you to explore the meaning of discipleship for you. Contact one of the pastors for more information on when the classes will begin.
Senior Center
When the needs out-pace our abilities to care for loved ones, we would need to “Find Family Caregivers.” On Wednesday, March 12, 12:00 Noon, the Senior Center will feature a speaker from Kaiser who will address this issue. Come and learn more about your options and choices. Every Senior Center meeting begins with a hot lunch and ends with birthday cake. Join your friends for a time of fellowship and support. Contact Jimmy Yee, Dick Wong or Anna Quan Wong to attend.
All-Church Clean-Up
As Spring approaches and we are preparing for Easter, the All-Church Clean-Up Day is on Saturday, April 5, 8:30-12:00. Roll up your sleeves and get on your knees to tidy up the church home! The church kitchen needs to be de-greased, the solar panels washed down, the white walls touched up, the pews vacuumed and everything just needs a bit of organizing to make God’s house sparkling clean. We want every fellowship group to send at least two representatives to help. The Trustees will provide all the cleaning supplies including coffee/tea and pastries in the morning and lunch for all your work!
Family News
Congratulations to Collin Tong who published a new book on 23 memorable caregiving stories for persons with Alzheimer’s, Into the Storm, Journey with Alzheimer’s. Order from Amazon or www.collintong.com. (Add the ad here.)
Daylight Saving Time begins on Saturday, March 8th. Turn your clocks one-hour ahead before going to bed or you may be late for church on Sunday, March 9th!
There will be a Baby Shower for Baby Sok on Sunday, March 16, 12:30-2:00, Fellowship Hall. Since Pastor Visal and Lindsay is one of our pastoral families, the Deacons are inviting the entire church to celebrate with them as they expect the baby to come in May. For more information, contact Deacon Diana Lee.
Pastor Don will be leading 34 travelers to the “Highlights of Italy” tour from March 24-April 4 to see and study Renaissance religious art as a way to deepen our faith in Christ.
Our deepest sympathy to Sally Lui on the passing of Edward Lui who returned to the Lord on December 31, 2013.
March
2 1st Sunday in Lent
10-V
10-P
11-D
Reception Ministry, 1:45
6-8 BASS
7-9 Women’s Retreat, San Damiano
8 Men’s Fellowship
8 DST
9 10-V
10-P
11-D
Missions, 1:00
Deacons, 1:30
10 LRPC, 6:30
12 Staff, 9:00
Senior Center
16 10-V
10-P
11-D
3 on 3 Basketball, YMCA
CE, 1:30
Italy Orientation, 4:00
21 Lanna Coffee, 6:00
22 All-Church Event, San Anselmo
23 10-V
10-P
11-D
Music Committee, 12:30
Semanons
24-4/4 Highlights of Italy
30 10-V
10-P
11-P