Ends of the Earth
Jesus appeared to the disciples and others many times after his resurrection on Easter. Before he ascended into heaven while the disciples stood gazing upward, Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).
Soon after this, the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and the people gathered were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to do so. Peter and the other disciples began to give public witness of their faith and gained confidence that Jesus is truly the Son of God. Many became converts. Appearing to be a threat to the established order, the disciples, newly recruited apostles and believers were being arrested and put in prison. One of these persecutors was Saul—“Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3).
But God had another plan for Saul who was by now infamous in his pursuit of capturing Christians. On his way to “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), Jesus appeared to him and asked why he was persecuting the Lord. Saul was blinded in this encounter for 3 days and with the help of a disciple in Damascus, Ananias helped Saul regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. After several days, Saul began to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God.
After a number of events, Saul convinced the Christian leaders that he was now a fervent believer in Jesus Christ and changed his name to Paul. In the rest of the Book of Acts, Paul and the disciples and apostles traveled to the known world of Asia, Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, Cyprus, and Crete spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to Gentiles. And after many centuries, the joy of knowing Christ as Lord traveled toward the west through Europe and across the Atlantic Ocean to the eastern seaboard of North America across the continent to the west coast and again crossing another huge body of sea, the Pacific to Asia again. All of us have come to know Jesus, like Paul did on the road to Damascus, from how Christianity has encircled the world. As Jesus said, “to the ends of the earth!”
From May 14-27, twenty-three travelers will be following the Steps of Paul in Turkey, Patmos, Crete, and Greece. We’ll visit many of the churches that Paul planted in his three missionary journeys. The letters that he sent to these churches are now part of the New Testament. We’ll also visit Patmos where John wrote the Book of Revelation. By following where the first churches started, we will learn and understand the epistles in the New Testament, grow faithfully on the importance of witness and evangelism, and to become more aware of Christ calling us to the “ends of the earth.”
Pray for us as your sisters and brothers on a journey of faithfulness and following the “Steps of Paul.” Pastor Don
Learning Opportunities
Here are 3 events that you may consider worth attending:
*Religious Liberty—The First Freedom
On Saturday, May 7, 9:00-3:00, PCBA led by Pastor Emeritus James Chuck, will feature J. Brent Walker, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, Washington, D.C. He will be the keynote speaker and leading a workshop on “Directing Traffic at the Intersection of Church and State.” Other workshops on the meaning of being Baptist are available. The conference is at the Shell Ridge Community Church (ABC), Walnut Creek. Brochures and registration materials are available by calling the church office.
*Senior Center
The Wednesday, May 11th gathering of seniors will feature “Help at Home and Independent Living” led by Jocelyn deTorre, RN, Kaiser Permanente. Remaining in our homes while we grow older presents new challenges that need attention to avoid accidents. Come for tai chi at 11:30, a hot and healthy lunch and birthday cake with the program following. Invite your friends and neighbors to attend and register with Dick and Anna Quan Wong.
*Gift Planning
On Sunday, May 29, 1:00, the Gifts Planning Committee is sponsoring a workshop on gifts planning with Rev. Augie Bau, financial planner and staff with MMBB. Here’s an opportunity to think about your financial profile and how you might want to consider making a planned gift to FCBC and other worthy causes. For more information, contact: Wendy Quan, Steven Ng or Joel Jang.
FCBC Golf Tournament
The 10th Annual Tournament, Monday, June 6 at Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland will benefit the church’s Day Camp, Youth Camp and summer basketball and softball teams by providing scholarships to campers and players. The cost of providing quality and safe programs for our community children and youth is an ongoing challenge. By playing in the tournament and/or making a contribution toward this effort will enable more young people to have a great summer. Registration is available on the church website and from Butch Chan and Joel Jang. After a fun round of golf, everyone receives a prize and enjoys a Chinese buffet dinner at New China Buffet in San Leandro.
Day Camp
FCBC Day Camp begins on June 13 and ends on July 22 for 6 weeks. Over 100 children will grow in their Christian faith, sing new songs and play new games, and learn to become a group of sisters and brothers. This year’s directors are Donald Ma and Tim Lee who will be working with a strong and capable staff of counselors, CITs and helpers. For more information, registration form is on the church website or contact the church office.
Family News
God’s blessings to Elissa and Craig Lew on the birth of their daughter, Kaia Nichelle Lew on April 4th! May God watch over them all the days of their lives and congratulations to grandparents Norman and Debbie Chin!
God’s blessings to Jeanine and Kevin Kwan on the birth of their son, Anthony Tak Sing Kwan on April 7th! May God bless this young family including older sister Jocelyn!
Our deepest sympathy to Collin Tong on the passing of his wife, Linda Dee Tong on April 5 from young-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. May God grant us comfort and mercy.
On Palm Sunday, April 17th, we welcome new members to FCBC—From Believers Baptism: George Chen, James Chen, and Caitlin Ung and From Transfer of Membership: Pauline Chen and Xue Ping Li! We look forward to serving with them in carrying out the work of Jesus Christ in the world.
Congratulations to Jimmy and Nancy Yee who celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary on April 23rd!
May
4/30-5/1 Yosemite
1 9—Jane Lam
10—Jane Lam
11—P
3 CCU Sports, 7:00
7 PCBC Conference, Walnut Creek
8 Mother’s Day
9—D
10—D
11—P
Steps of Paul, 12:30
10 Staff, 10:00
11 Senior Center
14-27 Steps of Paul Tour
14 EFG
15 9—James Chuck
10—James Chuck
11—P
21 ABSW Commencement, Oakland
22 9—James Chuck
10—James Chuck
11—P
Deacons, 1:30
28 Sojourners
29 9—Rev. Augie Bau
10—Rev. Augie Bau
11—P
Gifts Planning Workshop, 1:00
30 Holiday
31 Staff, 10:00