130Years of Unshaken Worship
No one in 1880 would have foreseen what our church would look like 130 years later. In our own lives, we are born into this world and with the love of our parents and the grace of God, our Creator; we live each year in faith. And if we are blessed, we live a long and good life. Our church is living a long and faithful life to which we are truly blessed!
For some time now, no one living today was present when our church first was organized in 1880. We are indebted to the hundreds of church leaders and members who led this church throughout the many years so that we may have an inheritance to serve Christ today. In Hebrews 11:12, we read, “descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’”
In 130 years, there would be countless events to remember. However, there are over-arching themes that define who we are today. To prepare our selves for our 130th Anniversary on Sunday, October 10th, here are six of them.
1. Surviving Earthquakes
Our history can be organized around the two major earthquakes that hit San Francisco. After only 18 years into our first church home, our church was completely destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and fire. On Sacramento Street, a marble plaque commemorates this disaster and the building was rebuilt in 1908. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake led to our decision to retrofit and renovate our building in 1998 and reaffirming our commitment to serve Christ in Chinatown. As long as Chinese are immigrating to America, we remain as the only American Baptist witness in Chinatown to share Jesus with them.
2. Expanding Facilities
The lot next to our present building was once own by the church with plans to expand. However, in the 1950s, the city wanted the land to enlarge the playground for Chinatown and with the funds from the lot, the church erected the fourth floor. Finding sufficient space on Sundays for our classes has necessitated renting from a number of organizations. But earlier this year, we agreed on a long-term partnership with the Chinatown YMCA to use their gymnasium on Sunday mornings. With this mutually beneficial partnership with a long-time neighbor, we will finally have adequate space for our Sunday programs.
3. Becoming Interdependent
Founded by Baptist missionaries in 1880 and for more than 75 years, home missionaries served at our church as a mission outpost for Baptist work among the Chinese in the entire west coast. Initially, the Chinese were perceived as heathens and foreign to Christianity. After many years, and especially when the first generation of American born Chinese began to attend church, Chinese Americans began to assume more of the leadership in the church. No longer did the Chinese American members feel that they can’t make things happen but now they have come of age and making decisions on their own. From dependency on the missionaries to interdependence with our Baptist mission societies, the church received the deed to the building in the 1950s.
4. Celebrating Bilingual/Bicultural Ministry
In the beginning, the ministry to the Chinese was in Cantonese. While there was a missionary assigned to our church who spoke English, there was also a Chinese pastor who came from China to reach out to the Chinese in Chinatown. When the first generation of American born Chinese completed their public school education and participated in many of the church’s leadership training programs, there began a strong interest for English-speaking ministries. After faithful discussions, the church called its first English-speaking pastor, namely James Chuck to relate with the English-speaking youth. For 60 years, we have affirmed and cherished our commitment to embody the Body of Christ at FCBC as a bilingual, bicultural, and multigenerational church.
5. Equipping Leaders
It’s been said that, “Leaders are born and not raised up.” But not so at FCBC! Our history records the difficulties in nurturing and developing leaders to serve the church. There was always a shortage. But today with our year-round Sunday school program for all ages, dynamic summer programs, and small group Bible studies, many of our church members are eager to serve and lead. With hopes and plans to envision new ministries in the years to come, we will continue to equip and utilize all of the leaders we have to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!
6. Remaining American Baptist
In1880, the Baptist work among the Chinese in San Francisco was led by the Southern Baptists. But because of financial difficulties, this work was turned over to the Northern Baptists (Predecessor to the American Baptist Churches) to continue. Our church has remained American Baptist ever since. In recent years, there’s been much discussion about the decline of denominations. But in a recent article, “Life in Those Old Bones” by Ed Stetzer appearing in Christianity Today (June 2010), the point is made that there is great value and benefits in belonging to a denominational family. One of these is to collaborate in doing missions together more effectively.
Our theme for our 130th Anniversary is from Hebrews 12:28: “Therefore, 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, for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” We can confidently say that we are thankful to God because God’s kingdom is unshakeable. We have seen this to be true with our own eyes. We invite you to come to celebrate our church anniversary in an acceptable worship with reverence and awe!
Pastor Don Ng
130th Anniversary Events
You are cordially invited to attend our church anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 10th! Begin the day by worshiping at one of 3 morning worship services. Sunday school classes for children and youth are available. At the newly re-opened YMCA, you can see exhibits of our church’s ministries over a cup of coffee or tea. At 1:00, the Anniversary Luncheon and Program will be at the Empress of China Restaurant where you will hear testimonies of how God has transformed lives and inspiring music from the combined choir. You can be a Table Sponsor for 10 guests for $225; Individual tickets for Adults for $20 and for Youth and Children (6-12) for $10; and Children 5 and under are Free). You can also make a contribution to FCBC to support its ongoing mission in the world. For more information, contact Byron Chan at 415-751-8378. We look forward to seeing you at the Anniversary!
Choral Workshop
The Music & Performing Arts Committee is sponsoring a Choral Workshop with renowned director Ragnar Bohlin of the SF Symphony Chorus and the SF Conservatory of Music Chamber Choir on Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:00-2:00. The workshop is for choirs, worship teams, directors and other interested singers at FCBC. The time will be used to prepare for three special events in the life of the church: 130th Anniversary, Oct. 10; Pledge Sunday, Oct. 31; and Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Sheet music and rehearsal CD are available from the choir directors or Joy Shih Ng. Learn from the best and sing like a pro!
Seniors Retreat
On the theme, “The Abundant Life: Nurturing Relationships, Accepting Mortality, Cultivating Spirituality,” the 2010 retreat at Redwood Glen, Loma Mar on Oct. 5-7 is open to all. Theme speakers are: Dr. James Chuck on Nurturing Relationships, Dr. John Chuck on Accepting Mortality, and Rev. Don Ng on Cultivating Spirituality. There will again be plenty of time for warm fellowship, spirited singing, good food, small groups, and rest and personal renewal. To register, contact Joel Jang.
Ordination of Moa Imchen
The Deacons and FCBC invite you to attend the Ordination to the Christian Ministry of Pastor Moa Imchen, on Sunday, Sept. 12, 3:00 followed with a reception. The Ordination Commission of the Growing Healthy Churches (ABCW) region unanimously approved of Moa’s statement of faith and for us to ordain him. Moa, a doctoral student at GTU, is serving as the English pastor at the Chinese United Methodist Church. He is a professor at the Eastern Theological College in Assam (Northeast India) and has been a member of our church since 2007. Come and celebrate how God is calling faithful men and women to the Christian Ministry!
Church Membership Meeting
Plan to attend the next Membership Meeting on Sunday, Oct. 3, 1:30 to review the 2011 Proposed Church Budget, hear about program updates, and pray for the continuing witness of our church in Chinatown and in the world.
Journey to the Steps of Paul
Pastor Don Ng will lead a 2011 tour to Turkey and Greece to visit the places where the Apostle Paul spread Christianity beyond Jerusalem. The dates are May 14-27 that begins in Istanbul, a cruise to Patmos and depart from Athens. Pre-reservation forms are available in the church office. Spaces are limited.
ABC Biennial in Puerto Rico
American Baptists will gather for the 2011 Biennial in San Juan, June 24-26! Come to celebrate our common mission and ministry for Jesus Christ with Baptist brothers and sisters around the country. There will be missional experiences, inspirational music and powerful messages. Our Say Amen! Gospel Ensemble will be singing at the biennial! See Pastor Don for a promotional DVD to view if you are interested in attending.
Family News
Our Night School Coordinator, Nancy Guan, completed 3 years of dedicated and faithful service on May 27 to pursue her college education. She was our ambassador to the college students who attended City College evening classes held in our church building. We also welcome Feng-Yi Wu and Francis Kwong who are our new Night School Coordinators for the coming year!
Fifteen youth at this year’s Youth Camp made first-time commitments to pursue Christian discipleship in believers’ baptism and church membership. Of the 85 youth campers, 25 were first time campers. We praise God for transforming young lives for a closer walk with Christ!
September
4-6 Family Camp, Happy Valley
5 10:20—C
11—P
7 Church Staff, 10:00
11 Men’s Fellowship, 11:00
Deacons Retreat
12 Promotion Sunday
9—D
10—D
11—P
CE, 1:30
Ordination of Moa Imchen, 3:00
16 Chinatown YMCA Grand Opening
17-19 Sojourners Retreat, San Damiano
19 9—Dr. James Chuck
10—Dr. James Chuck
11—P
21-22 Staff Retreat, San Damiano
26 9—D
10—D
11—P
Search Committee, 1:00
Nominating Committee, 2:30
FCBC Ping Pong Tournament