With Glad Hearts, God Adds!
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples, devout Jews and other people open to understanding Jesus Christ were bewildered by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Upon hearing the testimony of Peter the people believed. They knew in their hearts, that Christ died for the forgiveness of their sins. The cooperative spirit that was created in their shared faith in Jesus Christ produced “glad and generous hearts.” In the book of Acts 2:46-47, Luke writes,
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple,
they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous
hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And
day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
At FCBC in 2001, God blessed us by reassuring us to have strong faith in a troubling world. Trusting in God’s grace, our faithfulness never wavered. And in our commitment to do God’s will God has looked favorably upon us with countless blessings! We are amazed over how with glad hearts, God has been adding to our lives day by day.
Five major themes defined the life of our church in 2001. They captured how God worked among us and through the ministries of our church. In the following reports, you will read in greater details the number of lives that have been transformed, the ways that Good News were proclaimed, and the examples of faithfulness in our 121 years of history.
1. “Broke Bread…Praising God”
We witnessed a renewed interest and commitment to worship. After sensing that on every Sunday, the sanctuary was filling to capacity, a review of our worship attendance figures confirmed it. We are attracting to worship more and more people in all three of our worship services: 9:00, 10:05, and 11:15. Beginning in August, we were consistently averaging over 300 in services each Sunday. The eagerness to enter worship and the scheduling of three services within 3 ½ hours presented ‘good’ problems of transitioning from one service to the next.
Worship and prayer became an integral part of all our gatherings and meetings. When a Membership Meeting was scheduled, a period of congregational prayer began our time before enacting the business of our church. Every first Sunday of the month, we invited the congregation to be in prayer for the work of God in the world. An effective Deacons Prayer Subcommittee maintained the importance of prayer by encouraging us to pray during Lent and for the pastors.
Special worship and praise events included the Chinese Christmas drama presented three times for community residents; an ecumenical Messiah Sing, a gospel choir concert, and a string quartet.
In our sanctuary, a new drums set was purchased for our praise teams, new sound monitors were installed, and a new hearing-impaired assisted system with 4 units was donated.
2. “Devoted Themselves to the Apostles’ Teaching and Fellowship”
As more and more people came to worship, more of us looked for ways to learn and to participate in Christian fellowship. New Bible study groups were started in different parts of the Bay Area as well as during week nights at the church. Some groups used curricula during the seasons of Advent and Lent while others systematically study the books of the Bible. These groups foster deeper fellowship across existing church groups and began laying down a solid foundation of Bible knowledge. Sunday school classes for all age groups and in both Cantonese and English were taught at the church, across the street at the YMCA, and down the street at the Chinese Education Center. The expanding student enrollment necessitated the addition of a new partition in the third floor classroom and again a ‘good’ problem of finding enough rooms to meet.
One can say that the backbone of our church is the numerous fellowship/family groups. When members and friends participate in these groups, they literally become members of an “extended family.” They share together in learning new things about life. They go camping and on hikes together. They cook and share their delicious food with one another. In 2001, we celebrated the anniversaries of the OYYAs’ 40th and the Emmanuel Family Group’s 39th—their faithfulness in God was steadfast. We also witnessed the beginning of new groups—Men’s Fellowship and the Xplorers, a new fellowship for young adults. On January 20, 2002, a highly successful “Fellowship Ministries Faire” showed how our many fellowship and ministry groups welcome new members to serve the Lord.
3. “The Promise is for You…and for All who are Far Away”
Throughout 2001, our church experienced a passion for mission. When tragedies happened, we raised support for relief efforts for the India earthquake and collected over $10,000 for the Terrorist Relief Fund after the September 11th disasters. At the home front, we raised funds for the Chinese Hospital, assistance for those with high-energy bills, and voted to give a 3-year pledge to the Chinatown YMCA Building Fund.
Mission also took place for some directly. A total of 6 members went on short-termed missions to Hong Kong; one to China; one to New York City, and another to Mexico. Hearing their stories of sharing the gospel with others inspired us all on how we have a part in God’s reign on earth. Plans are already underway to excite a new generation of senior highs and young adults to doing mission in Mexico this coming March.
In the Fall, we hosted Rev. John Simmons, American Baptist missionary to the Lahu people in northern Thailand. This was a wonderful opportunity for many of us to hear first-hand how our support of American Baptist missions is making a difference in many people’s lives and for their livelihood.
Our decision to remain in Chinatown because God’s mission for us is not yet accomplished, called us to renew our support and involvement in the church’s historic Friday Night School. A special effort to recruit new teachers to teach the 7 classes led the Sojourners fellowship to make a commitment to teach during Fall semester. Others were recruited to prepare the dinner before the Joshua Fellowship met. We discovered how important Friday Night School is in reaching people for Christ through teaching them their ABCs and the responsibilities of citizenship.
4. “With Glad and Generous Hearts”
When we met together as an whole church for Pledge Sunday on October 28th at the Four Seas Restaurant, we praised the Lord, celebrated our unity, and envisioned God’s work for us in 2002 and beyond. We had no idea of what will happen at the end of the year. All of our choirs sang. Our pastors and lay leaders shared in worship. And the 2002 stewardship canvass on the theme, “Dessert First” was launched. We needed $455,582 of pledges to meet our goal for the 2002 budget. Against the collapse of the Bay Area economy, a global recession, and in the aftermath of September 11th, we were left with only our trust in God. We were prepared to face recession too.
As you know, we ate our desserts of ice cream and cherries before lunch on Sunday, January 13th! As far as anyone can remember, we have not reached our pledge goal for over many years. Over $462,000 has been pledged for the church’s ministry in 2002! Truly, God’s work is never limited to our boundaries and perceptions. God is blessing us to go beyond our boundaries to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. As God first gave to us in Christ, we give generously back to God. God is helping us to do unreasonable things for ministry because of God’s grace and love for us.
Although sharing our financial resources is important and necessary, it is only a part of what God requires of us. God wants us to give our talents, abilities, time, and perhaps even our lives. In 2001, we received 16 new members who will serve God as new disciples. We also saw 7 of our members returned to God’s heavenly care and eternal life.
Throughout the year, countless people gave valuable time and talents in maintaining the working operation of our church. Many came out on a Fall Saturday to participate in a work party to clean up the church before the holidays. Special thanks to those who gave a little bit extra like installing the 1 Waverly Place door, maintaining our much-used kitchen, hosting and cleaning after the numerous receptions and luncheons, and collating and mailing out the monthly church newsletter. With these saints, our church remains an effective church in the world.
5. “Day by Day, They Spent Much Time Together”
The events and those that followed the horrific September 11th tragedies will define our understanding of our place in the world for the rest of our life times and for many future generations to come. Names like Afghanistan and Pakistan found room in our sermons. The lost of lives in war, both friendly and unfriendly were added to our prayer lists. The countless victims under the rubbles and in rural farm areas caused us to be sad for the grieving families. And we too became victims of our own fears and the threat of unknown terrorism.
In our efforts to lead us in prayer and to believe in God’s mighty hand in the world, we sponsored prayer times in our sanctuary and hosted a Chinese Christian Union Candlelight Service. Some also attended a dialogue with other Christians, Jews, and Muslims to seek ways for better understanding and reconciliation in these critical days.
Like the early converts recorded in Acts, we also spent much time together in prayer and support, so the Lord added to our numbers too.
With all that has happened nationally and globally, many were glad to see 2001 end. They are hoping that 2002 will be better. But as we look back on 2001, we can see that God’s faithfulness to creation is everlasting. God was here before September 11th . God was here on September 11th . And God was here after September 11th. God is here today. Nothing can stop God’s love for the world and for us carrying out God’s mission in the world. As we sing the great hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, we know that God is here.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning from thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
May we serve God in 2002 with great faithfulness. My deep appreciation for our church staff team of Pastor Mak and Pastor Chris for their devotion and gifts for ministry. Gratitude and thanks to church administrator Wendy Luo for her diligence and effectiveness. Thanks to Wally Poon, Week Night School coordinator to be our ambassador to our community neighbors. Surely, God has blessed us with glad hearts when we believe in the Lord. And God has added to our fellowship day by day!