Who Is My Neighbor?
Our names are affixed to the envelope sent to the address of our apartment, condo or house. We are the residents of that particular address. All the other places in the apartment building, condominium or neighborhood houses also have resident names connected to them. We are known in the post office according to the address of the place we live. But who are the residents at “1 Waverly Place?”
On a daily basis, all sorts of mail are delivered through the mail slot at the “1 Waverly Place” door addressed to: “First Chinese Baptist Church.” When I sort out this mail, sometimes, I am unsure who to give this mail to that is just addressed to: “First Chinese Baptist Church?”
We know that since our church was first organized in 1880, we are the Body of Christ known as the First Chinese Baptist Church. As living and thriving members of the Body of Christ, we are residents who serve our Lord out of the church building located at “1 Waverly Place.” Whether we come to our place of residence only once a week on Sundays or everyday to work in the church office, we are the people who have the address, “1 Waverly Place.” This means that we are neighbors with the people who live all around us.
The 2011 Canvass Theme and next year’s church theme is: “Who Is My Neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) When the lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” when he wanted to justify his behavior perhaps not necessarily living up to the commandment to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and your neighbor as yourself, Jesus then told the story about the Good Samaritan and how the Samaritan cared for his neighbor. When we also love our neighbor as we love God, Jesus commands us to “Go and do likewise” as the Samaritan showed mercy and compassion.
We invite you to join your roommates who reside at “1 Waverly Place” to become good neighbors with all those who live in the shadows of our church. Who are the people who live in the apartments across the street from our church? Who are the shopkeepers and restaurant workers who work in our neighborhood every day? Who are the children and parents who play in the Chinese Playground and wonder who live in that big building with the clinker bricks protruding from its side?
When you support FCBC by your pledges and contributions in 2011, you claim “1 Waverly Place” as your address. You are a resident at the corner of Waverly Place and Sacramento Street. From your financial support of the church’s mission, we pray and plan to meet our neighbors in 2011. Would you join me and the people who reside at “1 Waverly Place” answer the question: “Who Is My Neighbor?”
Pastor Don
2011 Canvass—“Who Is My Neighbor?”
The canvass letter containing an explanation of the Proposed 2011 Church Budget, information about giving, a pledge card, and a cover letter was sent to you in early October to prayerfully consider making a pledge/contribution to support FCBC. Responding to the need to minister to the growing young families in our church, the single significant increase in next year’s budget is the plan to call a Pastor of Family Ministries. This pastoral search is underway with the hope of having a new pastor come to FCBC soon. We hope that you have submitted your pledges at the All-Church Worship Service/Pledge Sunday on Oct. 31st, 10:30 AM. If you haven’t, please send in your pledges today so that we may answer the question, “Who Is My Neighbor?” For more information, please call the church office or speak to our Canvass Co-chairpersons: Wes Chan or Wallace Chu.
130th Anniversary Appreciations
Under beautiful clear skies with the Blue Angels soaring overhead, our church celebrated our 130th Church Anniversary on Oct. 10th with over 460 people at the luncheon. To hold such a large and successful party, a large group of people was needed to carry out all the plans. Special thanks to Evan Lessler who designed our anniversary logo and invitations; church group leaders who created display boards depicting our many ministries at the reception; the Social Committee, chaired by Sharon Fong and Darlene Mah that planned the Reception at the YMCA; Wendy Chu, Luke Kwan, and John Tom who shared their testimonies; the Hand Bells and the Combined Church Choir who made a joyful noise; the church staff and specifically, Wendy Lin, our church administrator who provided much behind the scene support; and finally but not least, the 130th Anniversary Committee comprised of Jennifer Erickson, Rodney Tom, Anna Quan Wong, Sarah Wong, Gayle Chan, and our chairperson, Byron Chan who dedicated much time, energy, and spirit of joy in celebrating our milestone!
We received certificates of recognition from Mr. David Chiu, President of the SF Board of Supervisors and from Rev. Dr. Leo Thorne, Associate General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, USA. We also shared letters of congratulations from Rev. Gerald Mann, Lead Pastor of Sunset Ministry in SF and Dr. Roy Medley, General Secretary of the ABC, USA.
Our anniversary theme was “Unshaken Worship,” based on Hebrews 12:28, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” Let us continue to be faithful to God since his kingdom cannot be shaken!
Senior Center
Every second Wednesday of the month, you are invited to join your friends for fellowship at FCBC’s Senior Center. Accessible by our elevator, we gather for a hot delicious lunch, followed by birthday cake, a topic of interests, and low impact exercise of tai chi with George Lai. On November 10th, 12:00, the topic is on Yoga. Come and learn more about how yoga can become a part of your healthy lifestyle. To register, contact Dick and Anna Quan Wong. We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 10th!
Fall Clean-Up
To get ready for the many holiday activities at our church, it’s time again to roll up your sleeves, put on those cleaning gloves, and come to your church home to clean on Saturday, Nov. 13th, 8:00-12:00. Come for coffee, tea, and donuts at 8:00 and start cleaning, dusting, washing windows, and even decluttering in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. All the cleaning tasks are organized for you to begin with instructions and supplies. We end our morning cleaning with a free lunch as a way to thank you for your effort. We would like to see every fellowship group represented on Nov. 13th. Come and help us clean up our church home!
Thanksgiving Luncheon
Our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon is on Sunday, Nov. 21st following morning worship services in our Fellowship Hall. We’ll once again have turkey, sticky rice, all the trimmings, and pie. When we gather together at the luncheon, we give thanks to God for all his provisions and protection throughout the years. We are thankful for our families, friends, and the church family that we cherish. In our gratitude for all of God’s blessings, we commit ourselves to continue serving God in the years to come. Tickets are available for Adults & Youth–$5; Children 5-12–$3; Seniors and Children 4 and under—Free. At the Thanksgiving Luncheon, we’ll also share our appreciation for the seniors in our midst by treating them to a complimentary lunch!
Gift Planning Sunday
The first Sunday of November is Gift Planning Sunday at FCBC. When you plan for your financial future, we invite you to consider including your church in your estate planning. This may be an immediate gift that may help to reduce your tax burdens before the end of the year. This may be adding your church to your will so that after you have benefited from the material resources God provided for you on earth, these resources may continue working for God through your church. We have produced a brand new brochure, Generation to Generation, that lists the different ministries that you may wish to direct your gift to support. If you wish to talk with someone about making a gift, you may contact: Steven Ng, Joel Jang, Wendy Quan or Pastor Don Ng.
RMMO
“RMMO” stands for “Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering.” In November, we receive your gifts to provide a love gift for all retired American Baptist ministers and missionaries who are living on small pensions today. Your gift is one way to say, “Thank You” for answering God’s call to servant leadership. You may make your gift by using one of the offering envelopes inside the Sunday bulletins or mail in your check made out to: First Chinese Baptist Church with a memo: “RMMO.” All retired ministers and missionaries thank you for your generous gifts!
Family News
Our deepest sympathy to Sophie Tom on the passing of her mother, Mary Heong Kwong on Oct. 1, 2010. May God grant us mercy and comfort.
Praise God for the birth of Owen Nathaniel Kuo to Marcia and Jason Kuo on Sept. 19th!
November
1-2 Pastor of Chinese Churches Retreat, San Damiano
2 Search Committee, 6:30
6 Men’s Fellowship
7 Gift Planning Sunday and RMMO Offering
9—D
10—D
11—P
Information Meeting about ABC, Oregon, 12:45
CE, 1:30
Music Committee, 2:30
9 Church Staff, 10:00
10 Senior Center
12 Lanna Coffee, 7:30
13 All-Church Fall Clean-Up
14 9—P
10—P
11—P
Deacons, 1:30
20 Sojourners
21 Thanksgiving Sunday
9—Rev. Jim Lundgren, Seafarers Ministry
10—Rev. Jim Lundgren
11—P
Thanksgiving Luncheon, 12:30
FCBC Bowling
25 Thanksgiving Day (Holiday)
27 Youth Camp Retrospect
28 First Sunday of Advent
Finance, 8:30
9—D
10—D
11—D
Christmas Workshops