2002 Annual Report Senior Pastor—Rev. Don Ng
To dwell means to stop where you are and stay for awhile. When we completed our ambitious retrofit/renovation project in 2000, we decided to remove the grates covering the original stained glass windows on Waverly Place. Not only did we want to see the beautiful stained glass windows from the inside without any ugly lines from the metal grates but we also wanted to say to our community that we are not embattled and afraid of our neighbors. We truly believe that having dwelled here in this same location since 1888, we want to greet all those who pass by our doors.
During 2002, just under these stained glass windows, we were “tagged!” Someone left a black, silver, and red image on the old clinker bricks. We were mortified but not discouraged. Many people offered different solutions to clean off the paint. John Tom took turpentine and took off the first coat. Roger Tom got some anti-graffiti remover and scrubbed away. Eventually Nelson Wong telephoned the city’s anti-graffiti team and one morning two men and a huge machine with power jets washed away the eyesore. Although we have a new “tag” on the bricks again, the important fact is that we have church members and friends who are committed in their service to the church and God. We plan to be dwelling here for a long while.
Our 2002 annual theme was “Dwelling in Christ, Our Lives Sing Praises to God!” based on Colossians 3:16. We focused on the importance of regular worship and living out our faith in active discipleship. When we remain faithful and dwell richly in Jesus Christ, our lives would be filled with wisdom and praises. Those who took special pain to stay focus on Christ, like those who helped with graffiti removal, are blessed with the singing of “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” In 2002, many continuing and new ministries led by dedicated people reveal the results of focused work dwelling in Christ. With so many endeavors by the pastoral staff and lay leaders, it is impossible for me to know them all directly. I urge you to take some time to read about these many ministries contained in the following reports and give thanks to God for his ongoing guidance. The major developments that happened in 2002 are:
+Reaching Milestones
When God’s people decide to dwell in the same place for awhile, we see rich histories and enduring faith. When the OYYA Fellowship celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2001, they recognized Marie and James Chuck’s dedication as advisors by repairing the Head of Christ medallion and beautifully installing it in the church vestibule in June. Now the light of Christ shines onto the sidewalk all night long as a blessing to everyone who walks pass our church home.
The Emmanuel Fellowship Group commemorated 40 years as a family group in 2002 by having a big dinner, publishing a journal of photos and testimonies, sang at morning worship, and are sponsoring an outside church sign project to be completed this year. Forty years ago, our church sponsored Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop 219. Under Roger Tom’s leadership, more than 40 former scouts and scout leaders returned for a reunion and fellowship. And last year, our church family was privileged to celebrate Mrs. Janie Lee Chu’s 100th birthday. As you know, Mrs. Chu taught in the Juniors Department for 65 years. Literally no one can graduate to the Junior Highs without first memorizing Scripture in Mrs. Chu’s class! We thank God for daily mercies and blessing Mrs. Chu with good health, amazing vitality, and faithfulness. These examples of dwelling with the Lord show us how our lives can truly sing praises to God!
+Staying the Course
Not a week goes by without some program is taking place, a fellowship group is meeting, a choir is practicing, a phone call is made to a person in distressed. The work of our church continues untiringly with a host of diverse gifts and capable abilities of many members and friends.
We remain committed to serving the Chinatown community by leasing our classrooms to City College to teach English and citizenship classes five mornings and four nights a week. During the mornings, the church staff offers a presence of welcome to the students while in the evenings, Wally Poon continues his ministry by rendering help to all those who seek it. On Friday nights, our church mobilizes teams of teachers and cooks to continue classes for our neighbors. This is hard work and much thanks to God for continuing to grant strength and encouragement to serve in the name of Christ.
The church’s annual ministries continued in 2002: six-weeks of Day Camp, All-Church Retreat, All-Church Picnic, Family Camp, College & YA Retreat, week-long Youth Camp, Sunday school classes for 52 Sundays, Summer Series, week-day Bible studies and training seminars, 5 choirs, overseas mission trips to just name a few. The attached reports will detail many of these exciting and well-planned ministries for your reading.
The most visible and ongoing ministry we provide as a church is Sunday Worship. Without a skip, our sanctuary was opened for people to gather to worship God, read Scriptures, seek forgiveness and reconciliation, and sent out into the world for costly discipleship. Special services during Easter and Christmas attracted “standing room only” attendance! Our worship attendance in all three services remains consistent with over 300 people each Sunday.
One more example of “staying the course” is the publication of the monthly church newsletter. After our Church Administrator, Wendy Luo has printed up the newsletter, it is picked up by Wallace Choy and a group of volunteers who addressed, post, sort, and deliver it to the bulk mailing Post Office to send to your home in a timely fashion. Gratitude and appreciation to these monthly helpers who make the operation of the church goes smoothly.
+Doing New Things
In the midst of continuing annual ministries, we also envisioned and started new programs. Sports Ministry sponsored for the first time a Golf Tournament and a Tennis Tourney that fostered Christian fellowship and outreach along with the annual Chinese Christian Union basketball and softball leagues.
To encourage more participation, a Ministries Fair was hosted by the 20 different fellowship groups and a “Choir Rush Day” by the church’s 5 choirs for prospective members.
After much prayer and planning, the Friday Night School core team and Pastor Mak started a Friday night worship service once a month for students following the evening classes and fellowship dinner. We are hoping that this will lead to a regular worshipping community.
In June, our church served as the host church for the National Conference of Chinese Churches in North America’s CONFAB biennial conference on the theme, “New & Living Way: The Role of Chinese Churches in Changing Times” (Hebrews 10:19-25). Drs. Milton Wan and Timothy Tseng were plenary speakers. Many out of town participants were deeply appreciative of our hospitality and witness.
+Being Committed
As far as anyone can remember, last year was the first time we reached our 2002 stewardship canvass goal for the operating budget. After diligently following up with past year’s givers, we have surpassed for the second year in a row the canvass goal for 2003! This is good news! Our members and friends have decided to continue dwelling at FCBC to support and advance its mission.
After receiving an unqualified report by an outside audit in preparation to apply for a construction loan in 1999 that we didn’t have to use, members of our church Finance Committee performed an internal audit of our financial statements in 2002. This was done to ensure that our record keeping was accurate and acceptable. After reviewing all necessary documents, the opinion of our internal auditors was everything is fine. Thanks and appreciation to all those who superbly maintain the finances of our church by counting the offerings, depositing receipts, acknowledging gifts, paying bills, doing payroll, and managing our reserves. We know that our church is being a good steward of God’s resources.
To better meet the growing needs of our Friday Night School ministry and to make personal contacts with our students, Jane Lam was called to a new contract position as our Community Outreach Worker beginning in November. We welcome Jane to our staff and pray that our efforts will spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to new brothers and sisters in our midst.
The challenges of reaching English-speaking young adults are many. To address this concern, a task force comprising of Deacons, advisors, and pastors has recommended to the Deacons and they in turn will be presenting a proposal to you at today’s Annual Meeting to create a contract position for a “Young Adult Ministry Coordinator.” This new commitment will strengthen our ability to plan a comprehensive ministry to and with young adults.
We want both our community neighbors and young adults to dwell with us for awhile.
God wants that too.
+Appreciating One Another
As God’s “dwellers” at FCBC, we have lingered long and faithfully for another year because God has asked us to believe in Jesus Christ. Our staying to do God’s work has led to many good works seen favorably in God’s sight. I pray that we will continue to remain faithful as others who have gone before us were. And as Colossians say, “with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”
Deep appreciation to Pastors Mak and Chris O. who share their passions for ministry; for Wendy Luo who makes sure everything is in good order; for Wally Poon who serves 4-nights a week and misses Monday Night Football; for Wallace Choy and his volunteer corps to get the newsletter into your homes on time; for Roger Tom who helps me out with tasks that I just don’t seem to have the time for; for all the members and friends of the church who pray and give of themselves to make the church of Jesus Christ at FCBC full of life and love.
Thank God for dwelling in ministry and we look forward to 2003 to serve God through our new emphasis of “Word®Works!”