{"id":2806,"date":"2013-10-01T08:29:00","date_gmt":"2013-10-01T12:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/?p=2806"},"modified":"2020-12-16T08:30:10","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T13:30:10","slug":"october-2013-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/october-2013-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"October 2013 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Making Commitments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting us to make commitments today is even harder than in the past. With the transparency of Evite knowing who has responded \u201cYes, No or Maybe\u201d to an event, we have a tendency to wait until the people we know have decided before we may be willing to commit. There are times when a \u201cmob attitude\u201d drives us to make decisions and standing up for one\u2019s personal decision falls by the wayside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Gospels (Luke 9:57-62), Jesus meets up with people who have a hard time making decisions. They have been following him for some time and have even told Jesus that, \u201cI will follow you wherever you go.\u201d To which Jesus replied, \u201cFoxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.\u201d When these followers were invited by Jesus to follow him, they wouldn\u2019t commit. One said he had to go home to bury his father. Another said that he had to first say farewell to those at home. They were not ready to make commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the ongoing life of the church, the Body of Christ, we are regularly inviting you to make commitments. There are many \u201cMaybe\u201d responses when we send out an Evite. And particularly in the month of October, there are a number of opportunities for you to make commitments to follow Jesus and to advance God\u2019s kingdom in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first presentation of the 2014 Church Budget will be on Oct. 6th<\/sup> when you\u2019ll have an opportunity to capture the vision and plans from the church boards, committees, and leaders on how they see God is calling us to do ministry and mission next year. We want to continue sending people on mission. We want to support a new mission in Macau. We want to support and strengthen the life-changing programs at Redwood Glen. And on Pledge Sunday, Oct. 29th<\/sup> when our church gathers at the YMCA for our annual all-church worship, we\u2019d invite you to submit your 2014 pledges as your commitment to FCBC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October is also when we receive the World Mission Offering to support over 100 American Baptist missionaries in countries around the world. Our own Thailand Mission Team who traveled to Chiang Mai in June was only able to do this as the result of ABC missionary work in Northern Thailand. While we may not all be able to be in many countries around the world, through the WMO, we have faithful servants carrying out those ministries in Christ\u2019s name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the followers wouldn\u2019t make a commitment to follow Jesus, he said to them, \u201cNo one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God\u201d (Luke 9:62). October is also the season when the pastors will be offering Baptism and church membership classes.  If you are following Jesus for some time and are now ready to change your response from \u201cMaybe\u201d to \u201cYes,\u201d we welcome you into the kingdom of God as you serve Christ faithfully through FCBC!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                                                                            Pastor Don Ng<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fall Church Membership Meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first membership meeting this Fall is on Sunday, Oct. 6th<\/sup>, 1:30 following a quick snack of pork buns and tea. The main agenda is to receive the 2014 Proposed Budget from the Finance Committee, chaired by Jackie Chou. The budget is the collective work of all church boards and committees that envisions where God is calling us in 2014. Our Larger Ministry is revised to concentrate our support of a new ABC mission to Macau. We\u2019ll invite you to support Redwood Glen\u2019s Capital Fund Campaign. And as our congregation continues to grow in both faith and numbers, we plan to provide additional resources to more adequately sustain these important ministries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redwood Glen \u201cRooted for Renewal\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

55 years ago, Redwood Glen Camp & Conference Center in Loma Mar started its ministry with children, youth and adults in the magnificent redwoods. Today, Redwood Glen continues this important ministry and invites you to celebrate its anniversary as well as to make a pledge toward its capital fund campaign to raise $2 million. You are invited to the 55th<\/sup> Anniversary Celebration Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 5, 5:00-7:30 at the Santa Clara First Baptist Church, 3111 Benton St., Santa Clara, 95051 for $30 (adults) and $15 (ages 4-12). Tickets can be ordered online at redwoodglen55th.brownpapertickets.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pledge Sunday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After you have seen where God is leading us in 2014 and perhaps beyond, please come on Sunday, Oct. 27th<\/sup> for our 10:30 All-Church Worship in the YMCA Gym. All three worshiping congregations will gather to praise God with songs and words and to give thanks for God\u2019s blessings and invitation to make commitments to God\u2019s kingdom work. We pray that you would give thoughtful and prayerful consideration in doing your part in the overall mission of our church. Remember that it\u2019s never the amount that we give but the truth that we give that counts. In October, you\u2019ll receive the annual canvass materials in the mail before Pledge Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Mission Offering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year celebrates the 200th<\/sup> anniversary of Adoniram and Ann Judson mission in Burma that American Baptists mark as the beginning of foreign missions. Today over 100 ABC missionaries continue to serve in countries around the world. On the theme, Embrace the Call<\/em> based on Genesis 12:3b, \u201cAll families on earth will be blessed through you,\u201d you are invited to support overseas mission today when you give to this year\u2019s World Mission Offering with the annual goal of $4300. One of FCBC\u2019s contribution to the WMO is that our church administrator Wendi Lin has been translating the offering materials into Chinese and making these materials available to other ABC Chinese churches in the denomination. You can see her work by going to the ABCUSA website and click Giving\u2014World Mission Offering. In November as members of the official delegation to celebrate the 200th<\/sup> Anniversary of the Judsons in Burma\/Myanmar, Pastor Don Ng and Joy Shih Ng will travel to Burma to attend conventions to be projected as large as 15,000 people! May you also: Embrace the Call!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inquirers\/Baptism & Church Membership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Baptist pastor once said, \u201cA Christian without a church is like a bee without a hive.\u201d If you are a follower of Jesus but have not yet professed your faith in Baptism and began making decisions toward joining the church, your faith would only survive with the mutual support from our sisters and brothers in the family of God. We need each other in order to be all God wants us to be and to do all God wants us to do. In October, the pastors will be offering Inquirers and Baptism classes on Sunday mornings. If you are seeking a church to belong, we invite you to speak to one of the pastors to become a member of the family of God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors Feel Better at the Senior Center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being with friends helps us to feel better! Eating a hot healthy lunch leads us to better health. Wishing each other \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d makes us feel special. And when aches and pains come our way, learning from Dr. Alan Wu, a physical therapist would definitely makes us feel better and gives us techniques to manage our health better. The October Senior Center on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 12:00 features Dr. Wu as the speaker. The meeting is at FCBC\u2019s Fellowship Hall, accessible by the church elevator. Come and feel better by contacting Jimmy Yee, Senior Center coordinator of your attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fall Clean-Up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To spruce up our church home before the holidays, make plans to help with our bi-annual All-Church Clean-Up Day on Saturday, Oct. 26 beginning at 8:30 and ending with a free lunch at Noon. We need at least 2 representatives from each of our fellowship groups to come. Help us to make God\u2019s House sparkling clean as we welcome friends and visitors to our church especially during the upcoming holidays! Register with Bill Leong, chair of the Trustees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits of Gifts Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year we received the unexpected and amazing blessing from the estate of Mary Ann Bartz who taught English at our church during the years when Astrid Peterson was serving our church. If you love this church and would like to leave a legacy to FCBC like Mary Ann Bartz did, consider putting FCBC in your estate planning. On Sunday, Nov. 3rd<\/sup>, we\u2019ll highlight the benefits of estate planning at FCBC. If you are interested in exploring such possibilities, please contact Wendy Quan or Pastor Don Ng.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Wai Lum Gin Chin<\/strong>, passed on August 31th who lived for 96 wonderful years serving the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We welcome Zita Cheng<\/strong> as our new Community Outreach Minister beginning on September 1st<\/sup>. Zita\u2019s primary responsibilities will be to develop a comprehensive plan for the church\u2019s outreach ministry, reach out to community children and youth, and to support the ongoing ministry of Friday Night School. She will work with the FNS students to deepen their faith as disciples in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Executive Committee<\/strong> of the ABC Board of General Ministries<\/strong> met at our church on Sept. 12-14 for its Fall meetings. Dr. Roy Medley, General Secretary brought greetings and shared at all three worship services on Sept. 15th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-3      Senior Retreat, Redwood Glen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5          Redwood Glen 55th<\/sup> Anniversary Banquet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6          Finance, 8:30<\/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

            Membership Meeting, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9          Senior Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12        EFG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13        10\u2014V<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            10\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            11\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Fellowship Group Chairs Luncheon, 12:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            CE, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14        Holiday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            LRPC, 6:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15-16  Staff Retreat, San Damiano<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19        Xplorers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20        10\u2014V<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            10\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            11\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Reception Ministry Training, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25        Lanna Coffee, 6:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26        Fall Clean-Up, 8:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Sojourners<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27        Pledge Sunday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            10:30 All-Church Worship, YMCA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Deacons, 1:30<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Making Commitments Getting us to make commitments today is even harder than in the past. With the transparency of Evite knowing who has responded \u201cYes, No or Maybe\u201d to anContinue readingOctober 2013 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-2806","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\/2806","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=2806"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2806\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2807,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2806\/revisions\/2807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2806"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2806"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}