{"id":2824,"date":"2011-09-01T08:18:00","date_gmt":"2011-09-01T12:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/?p=2824"},"modified":"2020-12-17T08:19:44","modified_gmt":"2020-12-17T13:19:44","slug":"september-2011-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/september-2011-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"September 2011 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Where Two or Three are Gathered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love the church. I love FCBC and being your pastor for the past 13 years. The church is of God\u2019s creation and yet it is also made up of ordinary women and men just like me trying to get along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus uses the word, \u201cchurch\u201d and gives some specific instructions on how we are to behave in church. He tells us that there will be disagreements, there will be hurts and wrongs committed in the church, and when that happens you are to care enough about your sister and brother to act, to respond in love to set things right. Someone once said that he loves Jesus but he didn\u2019t care for his followers! But maybe getting along with one another, settling our disputes in a Christ-like way, is the real business of the church. As a predominantly Asian church, we would rather not disagree with each other publicly causing someone to potentially lose face than to confront one another and to work toward reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The church Fall calendar calls the church to work together in a host of ways. And when we work together, there will undoubtedly be disagreements that we will need to work out. The Pastoral Search Committee is reviewing resumes and will decide on who may be the best candidate for our Associate Pastor of English-speaking Ministries. The Finance Committee is drafting the 2012 Budget that will be faithful to God\u2019s mission and at the same time aware of the widespread economic realities facing many of our members and friends and the entire world. The Nominating Committee is selecting names to fill the many vacancies on boards and committees to ensure that the gifts and talents that God has given to each of us can be utilized for fruitful ministries. The Deacons, CE Board and the 9:10 Worship leaders are planning to move the 9:10 Worship Service over to the YMCA gym; thus affecting all of our worship times and Sunday school times. If you have not been willing to get your hands messed up by getting involved in the church, don\u2019t you want to start now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we serve on committees and boards, giving of yourself and your gifts, it is more than just participating in a volunteer organization; you are doing the work of God\u2014the reign of God work here on earth. While we do have some talented voices at FCBC, no solo can match an anthem by the whole choir; and no anthem is as good as a hymn sung by the whole congregation. The best thing that can happen in the church is when we participate together en masse. Jesus said, \u201cFor where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them\u201d (Mt. 18:20).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m afraid that there\u2019s no way that we can get away from the fact that we are at times half-faithful, messed-up, disagreeable, and hurtful, but we are the church\u2014the form that Christ has chosen to take in the world. Let us be the church of Jesus Christ as we engage in the holy work of the reign of God. God\u2019s reign is coming on earth as in heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Plan to attend the Oct. 2nd<\/sup> Membership Meeting to review the 2012 Proposed Budget from the Finance Committee. Once approved, the Canvass Committee will invite you to make a pledge toward the Proposed Budget culminating on Pledge Sunday, Oct. 30 All-Church Worship, 10:30 at the YMCA. Come to hear how Christ is moving among us to remain faithful in his work as we embark on our 132nd<\/sup> year of ministry in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calling All Senior Drivers (and Passengers)!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FCBC Senior Center begins its Fall season on Wednesday, Sept. 14th<\/sup> on \u201cDriving Safely\u201d with Robin Meyers, Kaiser Permanente. We can all remember how exciting and \u201cgrown-up\u201d we felt when we got our first driver\u2019s license. We were no long tethered to our small neighborhood but we can go far beyond the horizon. But when we have driven our many different kinds of cars for a lifetime, we may need to learn again how to drive safely as our alert senses wane and fade. Come at 11:30 for tai chi, 12:00 for program and 1:00 for a delicious hot lunch. Join our warm fellowship by contacting Dick or Anna Quan Wong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Senior Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s Senior Retreat, \u201cFinishing Life Strong\u2014Suggestions for the Home Stretch\u201d on Oct. 4 (Begins with lunch)-6 (Ends with lunch), Redwood Glen Siden Conference Center features speaker Dr. John Chuck and Guest Leader Raymond Tom. Come for a time of great fellowship, stimulating conversations, prayerful walks in the tall redwoods, and nutritious meals. The cost is $240 per person in a double; register with Joel Jang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Saturday, Sept. 10th<\/sup> will be a special fellowship for guys in all three worshiping congregations at FCBC! A new nature reserve recently opened in Fairfield, Rockville Trails Property will be the place for a guided hike followed by a barbecue at Steve Lessler\u2019s. We invite all men, Chinese-speaking and English-speaking, younger and older to come for this adventure of enjoying the great out of doors and a hearty lunch. The hike begins at 9:00 AM; register with Nelson Wong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bible & Theology for You<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An effective Baptist church begins with members and friends who are knowledgeable of history and oriented to the mission of the local church. While it\u2019s essential to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior celebrated at baptism and the right hand of Christian fellowship, learning about the Christian faith takes a lifetime. This October you\u2019ll have an opportunity to learn about church history, other world religions, and the life and mission of the local church. For three Saturdays, Oct. 1, 15, 29, 9:00-1:00 (lunch included) at the Berkeley Chinese Community Church, 2117 Acton St, Berkeley, you can continue to become a more informed and educated church member. The CE Board has approved of this overview course led by Dr. James Chuck and will cover your registration fee of $20. See Robert Mah or Shung Lam to register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Over the summer, we welcome new babies into the world! God\u2019s blessings to Jordan Emilio Hom<\/strong> on July 1 to Ana and Jason Hom; Rebekah Dawn Yow<\/strong> born on July 4 to Genevieve and Jason Yow; Colby Ung<\/strong> on July 11 to Eva and Arlen Ung; and Quincy Abigail Chou<\/strong> on August 13 to Jackie and Josh Chou! May we share the responsibilities and blessings in raising these new babies to know the Lord!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our prayers and sympathy to the families of church member Ng Lok Yu<\/strong> who returned to the Lord on July 2; to Shirlene Leong and Randy Nakano whose mother, Miyoshi Nakano<\/strong> passed on May 19; and to Robert Mah whose grandmother, Wai Ching Mah<\/strong> passed on August 10. May God watch over all his children and comfort us in the days ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pray for Nate Lee<\/strong> as the Missions Committee supports him to participate in a Mission Year in Chicago beginning this Fall. Nate was commissioned on August 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

3-5       Family Camp, Happy Valley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            College\/YA Retreat, Happy Valley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4          10:20\u2014Jane<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            11\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6          Staff, 10:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10        Men\u2019s Fellowship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11        Promotion Sunday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            9\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            11\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            EFG\u2019s 49th<\/sup> Anniversary Luncheon, 1:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

14        Senior Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17        Xplorers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18        9\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            11\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Music & Performing Arts, 2:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20-21   Staff Retreat<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25        Finance, 8:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            9\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            10\u2014D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            11\u2014P<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            CE, 1:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Ping Pong Tournament<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10\/2     Membership Meeting, 1:30<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where Two or Three are Gathered I love the church. I love FCBC and being your pastor for the past 13 years. The church is of God\u2019s creation and yetContinue readingSeptember 2011 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-2824","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\/2824","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=2824"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2825,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2824\/revisions\/2825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.followgreg.com\/revdonaldng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}