Fellowship of Sharing
The best weather in the Bay Area begins with September when the sun burns off the fog and we spend outdoor time cooking on the barbecue. There’s a Jewish story that goes like this.
One day there was a poor man walking through the big city of Jerusalem. Everyone could see from his clothes that he was a poor man. He had a small loaf of hard bread for his dinner. He was very thankful for the loaf, but as he walked through the marketplace he could smell so many good things. There was the smell of sizzling meat cooking on an open fire for kebabs. The fruit seller had cut open a melon so that all who passed could smell how sweet they were. There were great clumps of spices and herbs, tied into knots, and drying as they hung from their stall.
But the most delicious smell came from the man who was cooking a great pot of stew. That’s because meats and vegetables and herbs were all thrown into stew, and it bubbled and boiled so that everyone could smell it, no matter where they stood in the marketplace.
The poor man stared at the pot of the boiling stew for a long time as many people came forward and gave the cook some coins. Each was given a bowl of stew. After they ate it they gave the bowl back to the cook. The cook could see the poor man and knew from his dress that he was poor, but he did not offer the poor man any food.
At one point the cook stepped to the back to wash his dishes. That’s when the poor man had an idea. He broke open his small loaf of bread and held it open over the pot. The steam from the stew soon turned the bread soft as it absorbed all the tastes. Sighing, the poor man ate his bread in contentment. It tasted just like stew. He had just eaten the last bite when he felt the cook’s heavy hand on his arm. “You’ve just stolen the smell of my stew,” the cook said, “so pay me what you owe me.”
“But all I have are these two small coins,” he protested. “And I need them for my dinner tomorrow.” This made the cook so mad that he dragged the poor man before King Solomon the wise and explained how he had been robbed. King Solomon thought for a moment, then held out his hand for the two small coins. Trembling, the poor man handed them over. The cook came forward and King Solomon shook the two coins together, so that they tinkled like a small bell, then he gave them back to the poor man.
The cook protested, but King Solomon the wise said, “Be content. You have been paid for the smell of your stew with the sound of these coins. But you should have seen your brother’s need and gladly shared a bowl of your stew, which would have cost you little and gained you much. Go your way, while this poor man stays in my court, where he will eat at my table until the end of his days.”
At our annual Church Picnic, we can smell the barbecue chicken when we are at the outdoor worship under the gazebo. As the few vegetable plants in my garden boxes are getting bigger, I will soon be able to share my heirloom tomatoes, yellow peppers, and green beans with neighbors and church friends. Perhaps these vegetables may end up on the barbecue. You will again be invited to pledge to the mission of our church by sharing your resources and supporting our 2010 budget—more information is available in this newsletter. No doubt we will be sharing our barbecue smells with our neighbors and the world. But let us also share whatever is on the grill with those with great needs.
Pastor Don
2010 Church Canvass
On the theme, “Unshaken Worship,” based on Hebrews 12:28, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe,” our emphasis will be on worship. Our worship at FCBC is glorious with 3 services on Sunday, talented musical groups and gifted musicians, and a genuine joy to worship in the sanctuary. The Trustees have decided to clean, repair, and protect our sanctuary stained glass windows after the centennial windows were installed in 1980, 30 years ago. This project will greatly enhance our worship experience. 2010 is also our 130th Anniversary with plans to celebrate our historic ministry in Chinatown on October 10th.
Come to the Oct. 5th Membership Meeting, 1:30 to hear all about the life-changing ministries supported by the 2010 Proposed Budget. Pledge materials will be sent out to you for your prayerful decision. On Oct. 25th, you are invited to come to our All-Church Worship, 10:30, Four Seas for Pledge Sunday when pledges are due in. FCBC has been unshaken in our ministry for almost 130 years. Your financial support will enable our church to continue to praise God in Chinatown, the Bay Area and around the world!
One-Day Missions Conference
The Missions Committee wants you to know how God is changing the world through mission endeavors! It’s Missions Sunday on Sunday, Oct. 11th! American Baptist Missionary, Rev. Lauran Bethell who graduated from ABSW and actually taught at our Friday Night School while in seminary will bring the word of God at all 3 worship services. Lauran is a global consultant based in the Netherlands for ABC International Ministries with specialization on women’s and children’s issues and one of the founders of the New Life Center in Thailand. In the afternoon, the Missions Fair will feature the many missions programs that we are engaged in both through our direct involvement as well as through our mission giving. We will also be commissioning the 6 church members who will join the mission team to help erect a clean water project and teach VBS in northern Thailand in November. Make plans to join us for this very unique day of learning more about God’s mission through FCBC!
Joyful Noise!
The 9:10 Worship Team leaders invite the whole congregation to join them for a night of making a joyful noise on Saturday, Sept. 26th, 6:00-8:00 PM in the sanctuary. The focus is to worship God, but our worship must be an honest reflection of our relationship with God. Therefore our goal is to encourage those worshiping with us to become vulnerable to the Holy Spirit and what it means to be in relationship with Jesus Christ and our Father God. This is an opportunity to sense God’s Spirit in our singing, testimonies, and prayer.
2010 Holy Land Pilgrimage
Pastor Don will lead his second Holy Land Pilgrimage, May 1-13, 2010 to Israel and Jordan. Visit the major sites of our biblical story, experience the Bible coming alive, and create memories in the Middle East that will last a lifetime. Pre-reservation forms due on Nov. 1st—space is limited to 30 pilgrims; priority will be given to FCBC members and friends. For more information, contact Pastor Don Ng at revdonng@fcbc-sf.org.
Family News
Welcome to the world, Joshua Tyrone Chan born to Nick and Kim Chan on July 30th and to Teah Lainy Cheng born to Norman and Rooslainy Cheng on July 30th! May God bless and watch over these little ones and their parents!
Add more family news from Pastor Peter….
September
3 Gifts Planning, 6:00
5-7 Family Camp, Happy Valley
6 10:20—Jane
11:30—Peter
7 Holiday
13 Promotion Sunday
9—D
10—D
11—P
EFG Anniversary Luncheon
Deacons
CE
16 CCU Sports, 7:00
18 Lanna Coffee
19-21 Sojourners Retreat, Monterey
20 9—L
10—L
11—P
Christian Circle, 2:00
Ping Pong Tournament
22-23 Staff Retreat, San Damiano
26 Joyful Noise, 6:00
27 9—D
10—D
11—P
Music Committee, 2:30
10/4 Church Membership Meeting, 1:30