January\/February 2010 Newsletter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
130 Years Old<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t know of anyone who is 130 years old. If we did, we could interview the person to see what it was like to start a Baptist church for Chinese in San Francisco. From old records, letters and minutes, we can get a good sense of what it was like when those missionaries gathered the Chinese men on Washington Street near Portsmouth Square to share the love of Christ with them. Our church archives can also give us the list of all those who served as the founders of our church. These historical facts are important to remember since they remind us that many people before us lived faithful and dedicated lives in the name of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But in an odd way, we are better off not knowing someone who is 130 years old. If someone who once founded this church in the beginning was still alive today, that person might very well want to keep things just the way they are. Times have changed and people who have participated in the life of this church have changed along the way. There have been numerous people who have faithfully served our church enabling our church to be a vibrant and healthy witness of Christ in 2010. But none of them lived for 130 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The year 2010 is our 130th<\/sup> Church Anniversary! Our church can celebrate 130 years of unshaken worship and ministry because the Living Christ is with us. The Lord whom the missionaries shared with the Chinese in 1880 is the same Living Lord we proclaim from the pulpit today. It is not possible to live to 130 years old today but the truth is that the Lord is everlasting. We may not be able to interview someone who was living in 1880 but when we know Jesus Christ, the Living God, we know how God loves the world that the Lord came to us as a baby in the manger, as a teacher of the Great Commandment to love God and others, as a healer of those who suffer, and as a Savior who died on the cross so that our sins be forgiven and we may receive eternal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as our forefathers and foremothers in 1880 knew Jesus Christ, we too have \u201creceived a kingdom that cannot be shaken to which we give thanks and offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe\u201d (Hebrews 12:28). To know the Lord in the face of any challenges that may come our way, we will continue to offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe. For 130 years, God\u2019s kingdom has never been shaken so in 2010, we offer our unshaken worship to God as we rejoice in celebrating our church anniversary. We have set October 10, 2010 as our Anniversary Sunday. An anniversary committee chaired by Byron Chan is planning for special events and we invite you to begin making plans to join us. I assure you that there won\u2019t be someone 130 years old at the anniversary!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pastor Don<\/p>\n\n\n\n All Church Leaders Launch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On Saturday, Jan. 9, 9:00 AM, all 2010 church officers, board members, and committees are expected to attend the 2010 Launch. Beginning with coffee, tea, and continental breakfast at 8:30, all church leaders will gather for worship, prayer, and orientation to the 2010 calendar. The three church boards (Deacons, CE, and Trustees) will meet to elect new chairs, set meeting dates, and organize their work. Plan to attend so that all leaders can collaborate to make our anniversary year favorable in God\u2019s sight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n YMCA Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As of mid-December, 2009, productive conversations continue between the Chinatown YMCA and our church to engage in a long-term partnership in the renovation of the YMCA\u2019s gymnasium. Our common goal is to provide a gymnasium space that would be mutually beneficial for both of our organizations\u2019 mission. For our church, we would have quality and accessible space on Sunday mornings for worship services, classes, and activities. For many years, the Chinatown YMCA and our church have functioned creatively and successfully as trusting neighbors. Our hope is that the proposed partnership will extend that collaboration into the future ensuring our church to have adequate space to expand and grow. When final negotiations are complete, you will have an opportunity to discuss and offer approval of this exciting endeavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Church Home Improvements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2010, you will see two dramatic projects underway on our church building. Our six- sanctuary stained glass windows will undergo a complete cleaning, restoration, and weatherproofing work and then protected with new Lexan coverings. Funded by special gifts, the project will be performed by stained glass craftsmen from Bovard Studios, Fairfield, Iowa. Once completed, all of the wire grating on the Sacramento Street side will be removed allowing worshipers to finally enjoyed the beautiful windows installed in 1980 for the church\u2019s Centennial Celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our church continues to lead in reducing our carbon footprint with plans to install 81 solar panels on our rooftop that will generate 107% of our electricity need. Funds from the Diana Ming Chan memorial fund, special gifts, and rebates from both PG&E and SFGoSolar will enable us to be an even \u201cgreener\u201d church. The work will be done by Sun, Light, and Power, Berkeley who has graciously agreed to supply us with an \u201cenergy meter\u201d to be installed in a public space enabling us to see when we may be contributing kilowatts back to the grid! Going solar is another way we are caring for God\u2019s beautiful creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Annual Meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Church Annual Meeting will be on Sunday, Feb. 7, 1:30 when we will reflect on how God has led us to follow in the \u201cfootprints of Christ.\u201d Annual reports from all church boards, committees, fellowship groups, and church staff along with the new photo directory will be available. We will install new church leaders for Christian service, hear the \u201cState of the Church\u201d report from our Senior Pastor and remember loved ones who have returned to the Lord. Come and be with your sisters and brothers in Christ!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disaster Drill<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one knows when the \u201cbig one\u201d might happen. But we all believe that when a catastrophe like a major earthquake happen in the Bay Area, we need to be prepared. As a church community, we want to make sure that we respond immediately to save and rescue people who may be in our church building. Along with our neighborly institutions, we also want to assist those who are in our immediate vicinity. Working with San Francisco CARD (Community Agencies Responding to Disaster), we are planning to have a disaster drill on Sunday, Jan. 17 in the afternoon in order to involve as many of our church people as possible. Plan to come and learn about the \u201cIncident Command System\u201d to be ready and prepared for such dramatic events. This will be informative, interactive and important for you to attend! For more information, please contact Nelson Wong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chinese New Year Celebration<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Year of the Tiger is on Feb. 14, 2010. To learn and appreciate our Chinese culture and festivals, we invite you to come to our church Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 21, 1:00. There will be displays and exhibits, hands-on craft projects, entertainment, and of course, New Year food delicacies. We invite you and your family to join us to celebrate the Year of the Tiger!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Family News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our deepest sympathy to Carmelita Chu and her family when Eugene Chu<\/strong> returned home to the Lord on Nov. 18th<\/sup>. May his life continue to live in our memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Welcome our new members to FCBC who received the Right Hand of Christian Fellowship on Dec. 13th<\/sup>\u2014Kevin Huang<\/strong> (Baptism), Nate Lee<\/strong> (Transfer of Letter), Anthony Liu<\/strong> (Baptism), and Jennifer Situ<\/strong> (Baptism)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n May God bless these little ones whose parents presented them for dedication to the Lord on Dec. 20th<\/sup>\u2014Ayla Jodi Young Chan<\/strong> (Stacey & Chris Chan), Teah Liang Cheng<\/strong> (Rooslainy Wondany and Norman Cheng), Cameron Chow<\/strong> (Christi Jin & Johnny Chow) and Marcus Tang<\/strong> (Cindy Zhou and Tony Tang).<\/p>\n\n\n\n January<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Holiday\u2014Church Office closed<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3 9\u2014Dr. James Chuck<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014Dr. James Chuck<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4-7 ABC Pastors Conference, Orland, FL<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9 All Church Leaders Launch, 9:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 9\u2014C<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9:10 Worship Team, 1:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11 CCU Sports, 7:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13 Senior Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17 9\u2014Thailand Mission Report<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014Thailand Mission Report<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRC, 1:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disaster Drill, 2:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n CCU Thanksgiving Dinner, 5:00, Far East<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18 Holiday\u2014Office closed<\/p>\n\n\n\n 23 Sojourners<\/p>\n\n\n\n 24 9\u2014C<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adult Committee, 1:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 130th<\/sup> Anniversary Comm. 1:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holy Land Orientation, 3:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 31 9\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n February<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7 9\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Annual Meeting, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14 Chinese New Year<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9\u2014C<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15 Holiday\u2014Office closed<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17 Ash Wednesday<\/p>\n\n\n\n 21 9\u2014C<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chinese New Year Celebration, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holy Land Orientation, 3:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 23-24 Spring Staff Retreat<\/p>\n\n\n\n 27 Sojourners<\/p>\n\n\n\n 28 9\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Music Comm., 2:30<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" January\/February 2010 Newsletter 130 Years Old I don\u2019t know of anyone who is 130 years old. If we did, we could interview the person to see what it was like