No More Sting
There was a little boy and his father driving down a country road on a beautiful afternoon.
Suddenly out of nowhere a bumblebee flies through the open car window. Since the little boy is deathly allergic to bee stings, he becomes petrified.
But the father quickly reaches out, grabs the bee, squeezes it in his and, and then releases it. But as soon as he lets it go, the young son becomes frantic again as it buzzes by him.
His father, seeing his panic-stricken face, extends his hand. Pointing to his hand, he shows his son that there, still stuck in his skin, is the stinger of the bee.
“Do you see this?” he asks. “You don’t need to be afraid anymore. There’s no more sting in that bee!”
On Easter morning, Jesus who died on the cross and buried in a borrowed tomb, rose to life. The sting of death is no more. And from that first Easter morning to today and until that day when Christ returns, we don’t need to be afraid of death anymore because Christ promised us that when we believe in him, we’ll meet him in Paradise.
In Mark 16, when the women went to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body early on that first day of the week when the sun had risen, they were worried about who will help them roll away the stone to the entrance. When they saw an angel dressed in white, they were alarmed. And when they were told to tell the disciples what they had seen—an empty tomb—they were terrified and amazement had seized them. Like the little boy in the car with his father, the women were petrified and panic-stricken. When it comes to death and dying, we who are disciples of Jesus Christ who rose from the death still are often afraid of what may be in our future.
The Good News of Easter is that God has taken away the sting of death. When loved ones return home to God, we still miss them making us sad. But we are not afraid for them for they are now with the Lord. We are not afraid for ourselves either because when we trust God with our lives and believe in him as our Lord and Savior, when that time comes for our own homecoming, we rejoice!
Join us on Palm Sunday, April 5 when we welcome new persons into the family of God through believers baptism at 9:30 English and 11:30 Cantonese worship services. We’ll celebrate those who believe that Jesus died for them on the Cross so that they may have new life! Pray about participating in our Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service when we reenact the Lord’s Last Supper in the Upper Room with his disciples, Thursday, April 9, 7:30 PM. Join with your Chinese Christian Union sisters and brothers by attending the Good Friday Services on Friday, April 10, Cantonese Worship, 1:00 PM at the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown and English Worship, 7:30 PM at FCBC. And after we have striven to understand the painful sacrifice that our loving God gave on the cross in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we would more fully be happy on Easter morning that death no longer has a sting. On Easter Sunday, April 12, come to the 7:00 AM CCU Sunrise Service at the Chinese Congregational Church and to Easter Services at FCBC—9:10 English, 10:20 English, and 11:30 Cantonese.
You don’t need to be afraid anymore! Christ is risen!
Pastor Don
Live in Harmony
Come to the Second Annual all-church Live in Harmony! On Saturday, April 25 on the theme of “In Every Season” (Psalm 71:17-19a), you will have an opportunity to worship, praise, enjoy and become inspired by the various musical gifts with which God has blessed our church family. There will be good food, Lanna Coffee and tea and most importantly, the warm Christian fellowship that our church is known for. On this day and during this weekend, Live in Harmony is the event you want to attend and participate! We encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors to come and enjoy the evening, beginning at 6:00 PM.
Senior Center—“Hear ye, hear ye!”
“Can you hear me now?” is not just a catchy mobile phone ad. It’s what many of us say when our hearing is impaired. The California Telephone Access Program provides free phones for people whose hearing is impaired, unable to get to the phone or any other restrictions that prevent people from being connected with their family and friends. On Wednesday, April 8, 12:00, Casey Kho, CTAP will speak on “State Program Provides Phones for those who have Difficulty using a Standard Phone.” This program provides free phones to those who need them. To attend this session, contact Warren Lee or Gary Eng and come for a hot delicious and healthy lunch, birthday cake, great fellowship and as always an informative program (and maybe a free phone!).
CONFAB Interchurch Event
Getting to become friends with brothers and sisters in Christ outside of our church models the image of the Body of Christ in a significant way. On Saturday, May 2, 9:30-3:30 at the Berkeley Chinese Community Church, 2117 Acton St. (Parking available), Berkeley, you are invited to join other English-speaking adults from historic Chinese churches in the Bay Area for a day of sharing and fellowship. Dr. James Chuck will lead an interactive experience on “Honoring Our Relationships” exploring how our family, teachers, mentors, associates, and friends have contributed to the persons we are today. Registration of $15 includes lunch. Contact Byron Chan or Pastor Don to register.
Redwood Glen 2009—A Conference for Seniors
This Fall’s conference on the theme, “Resources for Positive Aging,” will feature, John Chuck, M.D., Family Physician with Kaiser Permanente, Oct. 6 (Begins with lunch)-Oct. 8 (Concludes with lunch) at Redwood Glen Conference Center in Loma Mar. Plan to attend this informative event exploring resources for meeting the challenges and opportunities of aging. There will be plenty of time for singing, interest groups, engaging worship, warm fellowship, and great food. The cost per person in a double is $220.00; includes 2 nights and 7 meals. For more information, contact Dr. James Chuck or Joel Jang, Registrar. Registration is due on June 15th.
Family News
At the March 9-11 Pastoral Leadership Conference by ABSW on the theme, “Preaching from Generation to Generation—Mantle, Mission, and Ministry,” Pastor Lauren Ng, former Pastor Larry Jay, and Pastor Don Ng served on a panel discussing the topic of churches in transition.
April
1 Mom’s Group, 12:00
5 Palm Sunday & Believers Baptism
9:30—D
11:30—P
Adult Committee, 2:00
8 Senior Center
9 Maundy Thursday Service, 7:30
10 CCU Good Friday
Cantonese, 1:00, Presbyterian Church, Chinatown
English, 7:30, FCBC
11 EFG
12 Easter
CCU Sunrise, 7:00, Chinese Congregational
9:10-L
10:20-D
11:30-P
14 Church Staff, 10:00
15 Mom’s Group, 12:00
CCU Sports, 7:00
18-20 Yosemite Trip
19 9:10-C
10:20-C
11:30-P
Christian Circle, 2:00
24 Live in Harmony Set-up, 6:30
25 Live in Harmony, 4:00-9:00
26 9:10-D
10:20-D
11:30-P
Deacons, 1:30
28 Pastoral Staff, 10:00