{"id":2777,"date":"2014-05-01T08:05:00","date_gmt":"2014-05-01T12:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/?p=2777"},"modified":"2020-12-16T08:06:23","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T13:06:23","slug":"may-2014-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/may-2014-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"May 2014 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After Easter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easter is now 2 weeks ago and for the most part, our focus is no longer on the seven-week of Lent preceding Easter or even the excitement of finding the tomb empty. We have as in before, moved on with other things about life. But I wonder what it might have been like for the followers of Jesus when they discovered that he has risen from the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the resurrection, the women were afraid that Jesus told them, \u201cDo not be afraid\u201d (Matt. 28:10). The disciples were mourning and weeping and wouldn\u2019t believe that Jesus has risen when the women told them they had seen him. In Mark 16:14, while Jesus was sitting at the table with the disciples, \u201che upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness\u201d (Mk. 16:14)! Two disciples were walking toward Emmaus when Jesus appeared and talked with them (Luke 24:13). They invited Jesus to stay with them since the day was almost over. When Thomas wouldn\u2019t believe that Jesus has risen, Jesus came especially to Thomas so that he could touch Jesus\u2019 hands and side (John 20:24). After the disciples went back to their old jobs of fishing, Jesus stood on the beach and taught them how to fish and then cooked breakfast for them (John 21:1). The Resurrected Jesus then called on Peter to feed his sheep and the other beloved disciple to testify that everything that has happened is true (John 21:15). For Jesus\u2019 followers, they didn\u2019t resume back to their former lives even if they wanted to\u2014the Risen Christ had plans for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What plans does Christ have for you now that it\u2019s after Easter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Acts, we know that Christ ascended to heaven and left us with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit came when the disciples were all together in one place when a rush of violent wind came. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and they discovered that they began speaking in different languages but amazingly they were still able to understand each other. They realized that they couldn\u2019t return to their old jobs and to their respective homes. They were being called out with bold visions and confidence to proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ who died on the cross is now alive. They left what was quickly becoming familiar and routine again and started to preach about Jesus and we now know the rest of the story!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you again: What plans does Christ have for you now that it\u2019s after Easter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider these possibilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Discover your spiritual gift that God gave you to use for the building up of the Body of Christ and proclaiming Good News. This may be serving at Friday Night School or Reception Ministry. You might serve as an usher or help in the Sunday school. Everyone has a gift and we are called to use it for God\u2019s kingdom work.<\/li>
  2. Pray and support the Thailand Mission Team who will be bringing fresh water to a village in the Chiang Mai area so that the village can remain economically viable and healthy.<\/li>
  3. Participate in the Men\u2019s Fellowship\u2019s Work Project at Redwood Glen on May 31st<\/sup> to prepare the camp for the summer season.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Jesus\u2019 followers did not return to their old lives after Easter. Today\u2019s FCBC disciples won\u2019t either.                                                                                                    Pastor Don<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ablaze: Igniting Our Gifts for Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PCBA\u2019s 2014 Spring Conference on Saturday, May 10, 9:00-3:30, Shell Ridge Community Church, Walnut Creek is on the theme: \u201cMay Spirit-filled fellowship and the truth of 2 Timothy 1:6-7, 9a and 1 Corinthians 12 guide our fiery responses to God\u2019s call!\u201d Complete a \u201cSpiritual Gifts Inventory\u201d before the conference and learn how you can discover your gifts for service. There are morning and afternoon workshops and Pastor Don Ng will be speaking at both the morning plenary as well as the closing worship. The cost includes lunch is $30 after May 1st<\/sup>. See Becky Lessler for more information and registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Senior Center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The May 14th<\/sup> Senior Center features \u201cMemory Lapse or Loss?\u201d led by Joycelyn Dela Torres of Kaiser. Come to enjoy a hot, healthy lunch followed by birthday cake with your friends! Keeping our minds sharp happens when you come and interact with your others at the Senior Center. To sign up, contact Jimmy Yee, Dick Wong or Anna Quan Wong. See you at the center!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Men\u2019s Fellowship Work Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before the summer camping and conferencing season begins at Redwood Glen in Loma Mar, join the men of the church along with many other volunteers from the Bay Area to spruce up the camp on Saturday, May 31st<\/sup>. Every person can help out to make a difference. Last year, we built a toolshed door, painted railings and even did some shingling! For your labor, lunch is free! Contact John Tom to sign up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FCBC 2014 Golf Tournament<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FCBC\u2019s 13th<\/sup> Annual Golf Tournament is on Friday, June 6th<\/sup> at the Metropolitan Golf Course in Oakland near the Oakland International Airport. Join your golfing friends for a round to raise scholarships for Day Camp and Youth Camp. These funds have been used every year to help families who need extra help so that their children and youth may have summer programs to attend. If you don\u2019t play golf, you can also make a donation. After 18 holes, we\u2019ll have a Chinese-buffet dinner when we tell tall stories of how close we got to a hole in one! To register, see Joel Jang or Byron Chan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thailand Mission Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FCBC will be sending its third mission team in recent years to Chiang Mai on June 28th<\/sup> for two weeks. The need for fresh clean water for drinking, cooking and even bathing is critical for health and development. Like before the team will be trenching and laying down PVC pipes from the high hill to the village. They will mix cement and pour into a framed water holding tank. In the evening, they will lead singing songs and telling Bible stories to the children and give thanks for God\u2019s blessings on them as well as the villagers they will be meeting. Led by Ricky Wong, Ian Heung, and Alexa Heung, the other members are: Aaron Tom, Stephanie Tsoi, Elizabeth Fung, Ivan Szeto, Ashley Roliz-Chen, and Emily Trang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While the church has budgeted funds for the materials for the water project and some financial aid for each participant, they will still need to raise about two-third of their cost to participate. If you would like to support this year\u2019s team, please contribute by writing a check to \u201cFCBC\u201d and marking it for \u201cThailand Mission Team.\u201d Thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ABC President Update\u2014Don Ng<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To my great surprise, my seminary, Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, MA is awarding me the \u201c2014 Spirit of the Hill Award\u201d on May 15th<\/sup>. It will be almost 40 years since I graduated with my Master of Divinity. To recognize this honor, ABCUSA has purchased a brick that will be set into the \u201cHonorary Walkway\u201d listing: \u201cFirst Chinese Baptist Church, SF and ABC President 2014-15.\u201d Thank you for your prayers as I serve as ABC President and as well as your pastor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Family News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On April 13th<\/sup>, we welcome into church membership: Phoenix Shackelford<\/strong> (Baptism) and Alexa Heung<\/strong> (Transfer of Letter)! May God use their lives for his kingdom\u2014Praise the Lord!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4          10\u2014V<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                10\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                11\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Senior Retreat Planning, 12:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Deacons, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Sojourners Retreat, 4-6, Healdsburg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    9          Adult Fellowship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    10        PCBA Spring Conference, Walnut Creek<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11        Mother\u2019s Day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                10\u2014V<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                10\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                11\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    13        Church Staff, 10:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                LRPC, 6:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    14        Senior Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    18        10\u2014V<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                10\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                11\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                CE, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    25        10\u2014V<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                10\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                11\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    26        Holiday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    28        Church Staff, 10:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    31        Men\u2019s Fellowship Work Project<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    After Easter Easter is now 2 weeks ago and for the most part, our focus is no longer on the seven-week of Lent preceding Easter or even the excitement ofContinue readingMay 2014 Newsletter<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[101],"tags":[11],"class_list":["post-2777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-donald-ng-newsletters","tag-fcbc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2777"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2778,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2777\/revisions\/2778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}