Family News
Congratulations to Sophie Chong who was recognized as the 1998 Mrs. J.S. Chu Christian Education Award recepient for Excellence in Teaching. She received a crystal apple from the CE Board and special congratulatory words from Mrs. Chu who shared the Bible verse Romans 15:13 with her.
In appreciation for the dedicated service of our church office staff, Rodney Tom and Margaret Yuen were presented with gifts and words of thanks at the church annual meeting on Feb. 7th.
“Thank you for the beautiful embroidered red and white silk stole that you presented to me at this year’s annual meeting. The stole was made in China and reflects symbols of the Christian cross and the burning bush to represent servanthood and Christian call. I am deeply moved and honored by this very beautiful gift.” Pastor Don
Wallace Choy and James Chuck represented our church at the Retirement Celebration for Rev. Doug Siden, Minister of Christian Camping for ABCW on Feb. 6 in Berkeley. Through our partnership in ministry, our church has been able to develop excellent and meaningful camping programs for our children, youth, and adults.
Pastor Don Ng led two workshops on Asian American ministries at Faith Odyssey, an ecumenical conference for church educators in Chicago on Feb.3-6.
Twelve members of the CBC Choir attended the Festival of Choirs in Sacramento that featured the music of composer Allen Pote on Feb. 20-21. They were: Mic and Paul Fong, Wendy Quan, Don and Betty Jin, Humphrey Chan, Nelson Wong, Bill Leong, Magdalene Lee, Laura Pang, Becky Lessler, and Victor Low.
Lent & Easter at FCBC in Chinatown and Sunset
The events of Lent and Holy Week with the high drama of Easter morning celebrate the good news that Jesus Christ died to save. You are invited to participate in this drama of God’s grace and love through the many events that our church will sponsor at Waverly and in Sunset and in cooperation with the Chinese Christian Union of San Francisco.
March 28 Palm Sunday (Joint English Service at 9:30 & Chinese
Service at 11:15)
April 1 Maundy Thursday Communion Service, 7:30 PM at Waverly
April 2 CCU Chinese Good Friday Service, 1:00 PM at Presbyterian
Church in Chinatown
CCU English Good Friday Service, 7:30 PM at Cumberland
Presbyterian
Sunset Ministry Pot-Luck & Good Friday Service, 6:00 PM
24 Hour Prayer Vigil, 6:00 PM at Waverly
April 3 Children Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM at Golden Gate
Park
April 4 Easter Sunday
CCU Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 AM, Portsmouth Square
Sunset Ministry Sunrise Service, 6:30 AM, Noriega Beach
Sunset Ministry Breakfast, 8:00-10:30 AM
Easter Services (9:00, 10:05, and 11:15) at Waverly
America For Christ
The theme of the AFC Offering to support the missions of American Baptists in the United States and particularly in northern California is “Take up your cross and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Your gifts will support refugee ministries, Sunday school curriculum, Christian centers, colleges and seminaries, and new church planting. For many years, our church was supported by the faithful giving of Baptist churches around the country. Now we are in the position of sending and supporting others and missions near and far. Our goal is $3800 in 1999. Please use the enclosed envelope to help win America for Christ.
Celebrating the Year of the Hare–4697
On February 14, our church celebrated Chinese New Year with songs, stories, and crafts. Beginning with enthusiastic singing led by Charles Yong, Jackie Hui, and Amy Kwan, we were then treated with a beautiful Chinese folk song by Pearl Eng and Yan Wong. Rodney Tom who spent four years as a tutor in Mongolia, sang a Mongolian new year song with a deep appreciation for that rich cultural heritage. Letitia Chan entertained us with the playing of the zither. She was joined by members of the Christian Circle Fellowship who sang “Walking with the Lord.” Dr. Gordon Lew, a noted columnist and former lecturer at City College of San Francisco spoke about the traditions that Chinese Americans practice to welcome the New Year. Friends from across the street at the Clarion Music Center played Chinese instruments with originality and beauty. While the adults were enjoying this wonderful program, over 40 children were upstairs making Chinese New Year arts and crafts led by our Sunday school teachers. Adorning the walls of our church home are Chinese New Year spring couplets by Dick Wong, George Lai, James K. Wong, and Anna Lee. Co-hosting the program was Shirley Ngai and Lea Wong. Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s celebration memorable. Special appreciation for Victor Low whose vision made it all possible!
March Calendar
- CBC Choir Practice, 7:45
6 OYYAS
7 Care Ministry Team, 1:00
8 Pastoral Relations Committee, 7:30
9 Pastoral Staff Meeting, 10:00
11 CBC Choir Practice, 7:45
13 Men’s Fellowship, 9:00
ABC Northern CA Asian Caucus Meeting
Emmanuel Family Group
- Congregational Prayer Meeting, 1:00
Care Ministry Training Event, 2:00
- Pastoral Staff Retreat at San Damiano
- Assembling and Mailing out April Newsletter
CBC Choir Practice, 7:45
- Deacons, 9:00-1:00
Youngfolks
Genesis
- Finance Committee, 8:30
Legacy Follow-up Committee, 1:00
Israel Tour Meeting, 2:00
- Sunset Shepherding Team, 7:00
- CBC Choir Practice, 7:45
- Youth Retreat at Redwood Glen
- Sojourners
- Palm Sunday
Membership Meeting, 2:00
- Pastoral Staff Meeting, 10:00
March Article
Before Easter is Lent
Beginning on February 17 and throughout the month of March until we get to Easter Sunday on April 4 is the season of Lent. The aim of our Lenten journey is the renewal of our faith. The goal is not necessarily greater knowledge but identification with the passion and death of Jesus. The Deacons have organized a 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting emphasis for you to participate in this Lenten journey by taking one day to pray for the ministries in our church. If you choose, you can also participate in the act of fasting as a discipline to heighten your sense of spirituality. Materials to participate are available just by giving us a call or picking them up in the church vestibule.
Lent is a period of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s victory over death. In addition to the individual prayer and fasting emphasis, you are invited to come on this journey with your sisters and brothers in the church. Our weekly Sunday services will feature music, Scripture, and messages that will highlight Jesus’ journey toward Calvary. In Holy Week, the week before Easter Sunday, there will be a Maundy Thursday Communion Service when we will re-enact Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. Good Friday services at Sunset and Chinatown will help you to identify with the passion of Jesus. A 24-Hour Prayer Vigil will begin at 6:00 PM on Friday, April 2 and end at 6:00 PM on Saturday, April 3. You are invited to suffer and die with the Lord, so that you might also rise to newness of life with him.
Early Easter morning, there will be Sunrise services for you to begin celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. And later in the morning, we will be singing with jubilation that Jesus Christ has risen in all of our morning worship services. Although for Christians, every Sunday is a mini-celebration of the Lord’s victory, Easter is singled out with the high drama of God’s love conquers death forever!
All services and events with times and locations are listed in this newsletter. We invite you to come and journey with us in repentance, prayer and fasting, singing and reflection on not just our personal and church renewal, but of the world that Christ died to save. Pastor Don