Pressing On
In 1963, Nat King Cole had a hit song, “Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer” that I remember growing up. While the early 60s were fraught with civil rights tensions, this song spoke about going to the beach for a picnic. Summer months in Boston were hot and humid and after a couple of weeks of no school and free time, we were looking forward to getting back to school again.
Summers at FCBC have never been lazy or hazy. There are times when many things are happening all at once that it’s a bit crazy! When schools are closed for the summer, our church is opened for six weeks of Day Camp reaching over 100 children from our community. Coaches and spiritual leaders for our basketball and softball teams are leading practices and playing in the Chinese Christian Union summer leagues. Our church will again sponsor our annual Golf Tournament, Tennis Tourney, Chinese Summer Retreat, a weeklong Youth Camp, and ending the summer over the Labor Day weekend with Family Camp. While we might want to kick back and enjoy the summer with little to do, summer at FCBC is when we press on toward achieving our ministry goals.
The Apostle Paul writing to the Philippians talked about pressing toward the goal because Christ Jesus has made him his own. In humility, Paul knew what he’s been called to do—“forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ” (3:13-14). When we have an opportunity to work with our Day Camp children, our goal is to model God’s love for them and to teach them that Jesus wants them to get along. When youth, young adults and adults participate in our many athletic programs, our goal is to develop the God-given talents of physical abilities and practice Christian fellowship. When our junior high and senior high youth participate in Youth Camp, our goal is to invite them to make personal decisions for Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. When we gather as families in our church retreats/camps, our goal is to strengthen the bonds of love that bind relationships in Christ.
During the summer, our hope is to activate our Pastoral Search Committee to call a new pastor for our church to lead the 9:10 Worship congregation and to serve as the lead staff person for Christian Education. Pray with us that God is preparing a new pastor to answer this call to serve Christ at FCBC.
Since this Summer at FCBC is going to be anything but “lazy and hazy” and every bit “crazy” perhaps, this church newsletter issue will cover the summer months of June, July, and August. We invite you to read all about the Summer events that you are invited to support, pray for and possibly participate in. Watch for the next issue of the newsletter for September 2011.
Let us press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus in the many ways this summer as God’s People known as FCBC!
Pastor Don
Summer Programs
*Day Camp, June 13-July 22; Donald Ma and Tim Lee, Co-Directors
For children and youth entering first through eighth grades in Fall 2011. Day Camp is a safe and caring environment for children to make new friends, go on field trips, participate in fun activities, and learn about Jesus Christ. (Registration is full.)
*Chinese Summer Retreat, July 22-24, Mission Springs, Scotts Valley
*Youth Camp 2011—“Do the Right Thing,” July 31-August 6; Redwood Glen Baptist Camp, Loma Mar; Ken Tom and Jonathan Wong, Co-Directors
For junior high and senior high youth. Biblically-based programs help young people lay foundations in their lives as they grow in Christian maturity. Through small groups and cabin interactions, campers also learn to work and share with others. Guest speaker is Mary Glenn, the youth pastor at Alhambra True Light Presbyterian Church.
*Family Camp, September 3-5, Happy Valley, Santa Cruz
Family Camp is for all families who want to strengthen their Christian home and to enjoy the fellowship and support from other church families.
Brochures and registration materials for all summer programs are available from the church office and the church vestibule.
Summer Sports
*Golf Tournament, June 6, Metropolitan Golf Course, Oakland; Byron Chan and Joel Jang, Coordinators
The annual golf tournament is a great time for fellowship around the links and at the buffet dinner and the main fundraiser for our Day Camp and youth sports teams.
*Tennis Tourney, June 18, San Bruno
For more information, contact Jayson Gatdula, Coordinator
*FCBC Basketball Teams
Our church will sponsor 3 teams to play this summer. For more information, contact John Tom, Aaron Tom and Dan Smith.
*FCBC Softball Team
Our church will sponsor 1 softball team this summer. For more information, contact Alan Fong.
For more information about registering to participate and to come out to support our sports teams, contact the coordinators and coaches.
ABC Biennial
The American Baptist Biennial Meetings will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 24-26 on the theme, “Celebrate!” We are proud that our Say Amen! Gospel Ensemble has been selected to sing at the biennial. On Sunday, June 19 at the 10:20 Worship, we’ll dedicate the choir to bring Good News and witness to the hundreds of American Baptists meeting this June. At this meeting, a proposal to restructure the denomination will be presented for adoption and Pastor Don Ng will be nominated to serve as Vice-President of the ABC-USA for 2012-13. Our delegates are: Wes Chan, Lea Wong, Nelson Wong, and Pastor Don Ng.
Pastor Search Committee Update
The Deacons, CE Board and the Church Moderator are calling for a Special Church Membership Meeting on Sunday, June 12, 1:00 PM to approve the new Associate Pastor for English-speaking Ministries Job Description. The Search Committee will begin to post the position for prospective candidates to apply. Our hope is that interviews can happen this Fall and extending a call to our chosen candidate before the end of the year. We invite you to pray for the work of the Search Committee and God leading a servant of Christ to minister with us at FCBC.
Summer English Series
For adult Sunday school classes 11:30-12:30, we invite you to come to the YMCA to learn something new and to discuss pertinent issues facing our Christian faith and church.
July 10 Preparing for Disaster
Brian Whitlow, SF CARD will share how you can be better prepared for the next big one.
July 17 ABC Biennial Report
Our church delegates will give a report of highlights at the San Juan Biennial.
July 24 Baptist Associational Principle
Discussion on the principle that there’s no such thing as an “independent Baptist church.”
July 31 Redwood Glen Update
Board Member Joel Jang shares issues facing the future of our Baptist camp and conference center.
August 7 Theological Education
Dr. Paul Martin, President of ABSW will update us on the state of
the seminary and how we can support seminarians today.
August 14 TBA
August 21 Baptist Affiliation
Rev. Steve Bils, Executive Minister of ABC, Oregon will share about the possibility of affiliating with our Baptist churches in Oregon.
All-Church Outdoor Worship and Picnic
Our whole church family and friends will gather once again at Ortega Park in Sunnyvale for Outdoor Worship under the gazebo and a delicious barbecue lunch with homemade desserts on Sunday, August 27 at 10:30 AM. Lunch tickets are $5 for Adults & Youth; $3 for Children 12 and under & Seniors 65 and older; Free for Children 5 and younger available on Sundays or by calling the church office. See you at worship and at the picnic!
- Dr. James Chuck will teach a 3-Saturday course this October at the Berkeley Chinese Community Church. Plan to attend and gain a better understanding of our Christian heritage.
- Saturday, October 1 An Overview of Church History
- Saturday, October 15 An Overview of Christian Faith and World Religions
- Saturday, October 29 An Overview of the Life and Mission of the Local Church
- On the theme, “Finishing Life Strong—Suggestions for the Home Stretch,” this year’s retreat will be from Tuesday, October 4 (Lunch) to Thursday, October 6 (Lunch) at the Siden Conference Center, Redwood Glen. Our guest leaders are John Chuck, MD, theme presenter and Ray Tom, Ed D, tai chi/chi gong instructor. There will times for inspiring worship, walking trails, and warm fellowship. Registration materials available from Registrar Joel Jang.
Family News
Our deepest sympathy to Byron Doung, Layton Doung and their entire family in the passing of their mother, Helen Doung on April 21, 2011. We are blessed by her long life of blessings and commitment to Christ.
June
4 CCU Sports Kick-Off, 6:00
OYYAs
5 9—D
10—D
11—P
Kids Sports Day, 11:00
SS Teachers Appreciation Luncheon, 1:00
Music, 2:30
6 Golf Tournament, 10:30
11 EFG
Sojourners
Semanons
12 Pentecost
9—D
10—D
11—P
Kids Sports Day, 11:00
Special Membership Meeting, 1:00
Deacons, 1:30
13 Day Camp begins
14 Staff, 10:00
Search Committee, 7:00
17 Lanna Coffee, 6:00
18 Tennis Tourney
19 Father’s Day
9—D
10—D
11—P
CE, 1:30
23 Sports Ministry Committee
24-26 ABC Biennial, San Juan
26 9—Jason Kuo
10—Jason Kuo
11—P
July
2 OYYAs
3 9—David Lee
10—David Lee
11—P
Missions Committee, 1:30
9 EFG
Semanons
10 10–Youth Sunday
English Summer Series begins
12 Staff, 10:00
16 Men’s Fellowship
17 9—D
10—D
11—P
Deacons, 1:30
Trustees, 1:30
22-24 Chinese Summer Retreat
23 Sojourners
24 9—D
10—D
11—
26 Staff, 10:00
31-8/6 Youth Camp
31 9—D
10—D
11—
August
7 9—Youth Camp Reflections
10—Dr. Paul Martin
11—P
Finance, 1:30
9 Staff, 10:0
14 9—D
10—D
11—P
Deacons, 1:30
16 CCU Sports, 7:00
20 Sojourners
21 9—Steve Bils
10—Steve Bils
11—P
FCBC Sports Dinner
23 Staff, 10:00
28 All-Church Outdoor Worship & Picnic
September
3-5 Family Camp, Happy Valley