Fall Changes
Growing up in the East Coast in autumn is always associated with changes. The carefree days of summer are replaced with getting up early in the morning to go to school. The warm bright sun gives way to shorter days and chillier nights. And of course, what were once green leaves become a spectacular display of yellows, oranges, and reds of fall foliage. When September comes around, it always seems to represent change. In Ecclesiastes 3, we read,
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.
Our church in the past few years has experienced its share of changes. The exciting and effective planting of a new church in the Sunset District by a faithful and gifted core of leaders led ably by Pastor Larry Jay is growing in numbers. Last year we witnessed the incredible outpouring of generosity when the Continue the Legacy stewardship campaign received pledges over $1,326,000! And in the last couple of months, we saw the dedication of many volunteers who carried heavy boxes and tables down four flights of stairs, cleaned out cabinets and closets, stored items in their homes, and moved furniture to South SF for storage until we are able to move back into Waverly Place. All these changes reflect the love of God in our hearts and we want to share God’s love through our church. Praise the Lord!
As we anticipate demolition to begin in September, the church offices are relocated in our homes. Our Church Secretary, Anna Lee will take all 415-362-4139 phone calls forwarded to her home. Phone calls and faxes for the church can be received at 415-566-0681. Church copiers are in Anna’s home. All mail will continue to be received at 1-15 Waverly Place.
Normal Home Office Business Hours (9:00 AM-4:00 PM) for the Staff are:
Don Ng—415-750-9524—Tuesday, Wednesday (Study), Thursday, & Friday
Kin K. Mak—650-588-9909—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (Study), & Friday
Richard Chung—510-814-8751—Monday (Study), Tuesday, Wednesday, &
Friday
Anna Lee—415-566-0681—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
If pastors are not in, please leave a message or call Anna. You can still call us with any of your concerns in the evenings too. We are here for you!
Since July 18th, we have experienced a successful move to the Gordon J. Lau School for morning worship. I envision little inconveniences as we relocate the church offices in our homes. Very soon as you come to church on Sundays for Christian worship and study, you will be able to see all the positive changes at 1-15 Waverly Place. We will transform our church home for sharing Jesus Christ in the new millennium! As fall leaves drop to give way to new leaves in the spring, we welcome all the changes this fall and look forward to spiritual renewal in both our lives and our building next year. Today is “a time to break down, and to build up.” (Eccl. 3:3)
Pastor Don Ng
Waverly Past & Waverly Future
Since 1888, our church has been situated on the corner of Waverly Place and Sacramento Street. After it was completely destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, the church rebuilt on the same site in 1908. The retrofit/renovation project that we are about to begin will have major impact on the building that we have become so familiar with. The faith of our forefathers and foremothers in God to remain in Chinatown is the same faith that we have today to make our church home safer, more accessible, and more conducive to continue in dynamic ministry. For the next 6-8 issues of the newsletter, we will feature two articles to remember our Waverly Past and to anticipate our Waverly Future.We hope that you will enjoy cherishing our rich heritage and become challenged to participate in our bright future!
Waverly Past-Sanctuary
In an article written by Rev. C.A. Wooddy, Superintendent of Missions for the Pacific Division, in the Baptist Home Mission Monthly in 1908, it describes the newly built sanctuary after the 1906 earthquake and fire this way:
“At the south end on the ground floor is the chapel, seating nearly 200 persons; it
is provided with pews, neat pulpit furniture, convenient baptistry, a study for the pastor, and an office for the superintendent. It is lighted by two large art glass
windows. This room occupies about 38 feet of the length of the lot. At the rear of the lot we excavated for five to six feet and secured a room about 20 by 34, which is set apart for a Chinese reading room and Y.M.C.A., open all the time to the Chinese.”
The three stained glass windows on the Waverly Place side of the sanctuary were originally installed in 1908. The central motif of the center window consists of a round eight petal design, embellished with stylized floral patterns as part of an intricate overall design. In the center is Christ the good shepherd who “lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
By appreciating our past, we are prepared to face our future with the assurance that God is always by our side since 1880!
Waverly Future-Sanctuary
Our sanctuary will see both retrofit and renovation. Near the ceiling, workers will tie the ceiling to the walls. High behind the cross lights is a beam holding up the second floor. In order to stabilize this beam, two new posts will be installed in concrete pilings. Excavation in those areas will be necessary.
To enlarge seating capacity, the Reading Room will be integrated with the rest of the sanctuary space. A new beam will replace the current beam that separates the Reading Room from the sanctuary. This will allow us to eliminate the two pillars and increase the sight line for those sitting in the back.
As the result of the above construction, we will need to replace the carpet. And with the gift of a generous donor, we will purchase new flexible pews. These new pews will allow us to have a center aisle for special services like weddings.
The creative renovation of our “sunken sanctuary” performed for the church’s centennial anniversary in 1980 is appreciated by many. The new improvements will greatly enhance our unique worship space without affecting its present appearance. Worship is the center of our common Christian experience. “Surely God is in this place. This is none other than the house of God.” (Gen. 28:16-17)
Your Ideas Count!
If you would like to help make decisions on the finishes and systems in our Retrofit/Renovation Project, we want to know you. In the sanctuary, we will select carpet color, wall colors, vestibule tiles, and pew design and color. For all the classrooms, we will select linoleum floor colors and cork floor color. All six bathrooms will see vinyl floor color and fixtures. We are planning to upgrade our sound system in the sanctuary and elsewhere in the building. And we are hoping to design a new phone, local area computer network, and internet system. If you are interested in working in any of these areas, please contact Pastor Don. You are all invited to participate in this FUN part of a construction project!
Care Ministry
After six months on July 25th, the Care Ministry Team evaluated our new emphasis to extend care and concern to church members and attenders. Results from a survey of Care Partners reveal that the Care Network is effective and is generally helpful to those we are trying to help. Contacts have been made on Sundays, via phone calls, and cards. There are currently over 60 trained Care Partners in our church! The next training session is on Sunday, September 12, 12:30-2:00. If you would like your Care Partner and/or your pastor to call or visit you, please give the church office a call or Milton Dong, the Deacon leading this effort. We would love to hear from you!
It’s Only Paper—Albert Lee
We began our recycling effort last month. Due to our temporary quarters, it has been logistically somewhat difficult. Nevertheless, it serves to symbolize our church’s commitment to look for ways to live more sustainably on this earth. A number of us have been meeting over the last couple of months to discuss this issue. Our discussions have been exciting and we believe we have the potential to make a difference. We want to become an influence locally, regionally, and nationally. Our remodeled church will bear our commitment to sustainability through the use of friendlier materials and finishes. FCBC will stand as a visible statement of our Christian calling to care for this planet and all of God’s creation.
In upcoming months, you will hear more about recycle, reuse, and reduce. We will address issues such as energy, air, water, and consumption-based lifestyle. As found in Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
September Sunday Worship
Sept. 5 11:15 Bilingual Service, Pastor Mak preaching
There will be no 9:00 or 10:05 services because of Family Camp.
Sep. 12 9:30 Special Joint English Youth & Adult Service
“Promotion Sunday,” Pastor Don preaching
11:15 Cantonese Service, Pastor Mak preaching
Sept. 19 9:00 English Youth Service, Pastor Richard preaching
10:05 English Adult Service, Rev. Keith Russell preaching
11:15 Cantonese Service, Pastor Mak preaching
Sept. 26 9:30 Joint English Youth & Adult Service, Pastor Richard preaching
11:15 Cantonese Service, Pastor Mak preaching
We invite you to join us every Sunday for Christian worship and praise to God. Free validated parking is available by parking at St. Mary’s Garage on the corner of Kearny (Entrance) and California Streets.
Legacy Dinner
Last November’s dinner at Patio Espanol as a part of the Continue the Legacy stewardship campaign was a huge success! To continue to celebrate God’s ongoing blessings on our church, the campaign follow-up committee known as the “Legacy Team” is sponsoring a “Legacy Dinner” on Sunday, October 3, 5:00-8:30 at Patio Espanol. All new members who have joined Sunset Ministry and FCBC after last year’s banquet will be invited to attend. We hope many will be able to join in this special annual event. We will give an update on Waverly Place’s Retrofit/Renovation Project, commemorate Sunset Ministry’s self-governing status, and report on the status of the stewardship campaign. The price for the dinner and more information will be coming. In the meantime, mark October 3 to attend!
Family News
Nancy Sonoda died of cancer on August 3rd. A celebrative memorial service was held for friends and family on August 7th. Our sympathy goes to Frank and Stuart Sonoda.
In our best estimation, 450 people attended the All-Church Picnic on August 21 at the Bayside-Joinville Park in San Mateo. This is far the largest turn out in recent memory! Thanks to many who helped make this event a big success. Special appreciation goes to Jimmy Yee who organized all the cooking and his secret barbecue sauce. And thanks to Sherry Pang and Nelson Wong who organized our first “Bake-Off” Contest. Remember all entries were winners!
This year’s CCU Basketball League with 7 teams from FCBC and Sunset presented awards and special recognition to “inspirational” players on August 22. Special thanks go to the coaches who dedicated many nights to their players for a fun-filled season.
Twenty-seven volunteers moved large pieces of furniture and many chairs and boxes on August 5th to a rented storage space in South SF. After our building is retrofitted and renovated, we will then move these items back. We filled three truckloads. Special appreciation goes to Wally and Josie Poon who organized the moving day and to Wallace Choy for renting the truck.