A Church of Milk and Honey
When Moses finally received the okay from Pharaoh to leave Egypt, he and the Israelites still needed to encounter crossing the Red Sea while under attack, were thirsty and hungry from escaping, and became disillusioned when things didn’t go as expected. Although as a church we have not been subjects of captivity, we are moving into unfamiliar territories as Moses and the Israelites did.
For the next six months, we may need to “cross over” construction obstacles and hassles. We may become drained of energy from all the work and may need refreshments for our outlook and spirits. And there may be times when we might be second-guessing ourselves on whether we should have started the retrofit/renovation project in the first place!
Moses faced all of these challenges because God promised them a land of milk and honey. Against any problems that may come our way in the next six months, as long as we keep on reminding ourselves about our newly retrofitted and renovated church home is like a land of milk and honey, then with our faith and trust in God, let’s forge ahead!
Pray for our church as we step out in faith to make Jesus Christ known in our community. Pray for our building project to become a living testimony of “milk and honey” for God.
Pastor Don Ng
“Raising the Roof” at Lau
On July 18th, after prayer in our sanctuary, over 200 people marched to the Lau school to begin worship in our temporary home. Leading the way, our pastors carried the sanctuary cross to symbolize our faith is on Jesus Christ, the pulpit Bible to represent our Baptist faith is on the Word, and the offering plates to reflect on how our lives are committed to life-long discipleship. The children carried balloons for the joy in our hearts and hope for our future. The congregation carried hymnals and Bibles to represent the meaning of true worship is to praise God with our lives. The Spirit of the Living God is truly falling afresh on us!
All worship services are held in the auditorium of the Gordon J. Lau School at 950 Clay St. only 2 ½ blocks from our church. Free parking for all members and visitors on Sundays is at the St. Mary’s Garage on the corner of Kearny (Entrance to garage) and California Streets. Bring your ticket to one of the ushers after worship for your validation stamp. If you need more information, please give us a call at 415-362-4139. We invite you to come and give praise to the Lord!
Youth & Adults Praising Together!
Youth and adults are worshipping together every last Sunday of the month. Beginning at 9:30, the English service features blended worship of singing new songs and hymns, drama, and special music. Pastors Don and Richard will take turn bringing the message: Don (Aug., Oct., Dec.); Richard (Sep., Nov., Jan.).
The Picnic of ALL Picnics–August 21!
Come to an old-fashioned picnic with barbecue chicken marinated with Jimmy Yee’s secret sauce. There will be hot dogs, macaroni salad, and watermelon for starters. For the first time ever, we will have a “Bake-Off” dessert contest. Entry forms are available to enter in 4 categories: cakes, pies, cookies/bars, and loaves. Prizes will be awarded. Come and spend the day from 10:00-4:00 playing games, catching up with each other, and meeting new friends. The full day closes with a vesper service. Lunch tickets are: Adults & Youth: $4; Children 6-12 & Seniors: $2; Children 5 & Younger: Free. The All-Church Picnic is a ministry of Sunset Ministry and FCBC.
Directions to Bayside/Joinville Park, San Mateo
Anna: please put in directions and map.
What do women do when they get together?
After a successful gathering of women in June, the next Women’s Fellowship is on Saturday, August 28, 10-1 at Wendy Quan’s home for brunch and of course, fellowship! Come and share life’s journeys together. For more information, give Melanie Low, Joy S. Ng or Lea Wong a call. All women, ages 18 and up are invited to attend.
Going on Vacation?
The Finance Committee (People who manage our money) reminds you that although you might be on vacation this summer, the church never takes one! Keeping your Annual Pledge and your “Continue the Legacy” stewardship campaign pledge current are very important to the operation of the church’s ministry. Consider giving in advance before going on vacation. Proverbs says, “Honor God with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce.”
Continue the Legacy Update—Giving Received as of June 30: $ toward a three-year goal of $1,326,647 of pledges
1999 Operating Budget Update—Giving Received as of June 30: $ toward an
annual goal of $450,276 of pledges
Chinese Bamboo Family Tree
Stephen Covey, the New York Times bestselling author, says that families are like Chinese bamboo trees. When you plant a bamboo seed, nothing happens in the first four years! During these four years, roots are set deep and wide in the ground. Then in the fifth year, suddenly the Chinese bamboo tree grows up to eighty feet high! When we want a healthy family, we need to dedicate time and energy, sometimes for a long time before we see positive changes and new growth.
This year’s Family Camp on September 4-6 will focus on Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families. Pastor Don will lead sessions on effective family life with a special emphasis on our Asian American heritage. Once again, Family Camp will be at Happy Valley in Santa Cruz featuring good housing and delicious food! Register early by completing a registration form and sending it to Paul Chuck in care of the church. For more information, contact Alan Fong (415-731-1624) or Susie Detert (650-589-5184).
Retrofit Fitness
Our drawings have been submitted to the city for a building permit. By August 1st, we plan on hiring a general contractor based on bids and an interview process to manage the on-site work. After clearing out the building of all furnishings, we hope that interior demolition can begin in late August. This is a very exciting time in the life of our church! After all the work has been done, we will have a safer, accessible, more efficient and conducive church home to continue the legacy of our faith in Jesus Christ in the new millennium. Join our “retrofit fitness” program of faith in God!
It’s Only Paper
Many times during a typical day, we are using paper. It might be reading the morning Chronicle. It can be an office memo. It’s the Sunday bulletin. It’s the CBC newsletter in your hands right now. We simply use too much paper that hurts our ecosystem. So, beginning on August 1st, we will begin recycling our paper use at church. During the week, the office will gather all used paper, junk mail, etc. and bag it for volunteers to take home for recycling. (Recycling is presently not available in Chinatown because of our narrow streets.) It may only be a piece of paper, but it’s a resource that makes a difference, like saving a tree! If you are interested in becoming involved in the new Sustainable Church Task Force, please contact Albert Lee, 415-752-3839 or Pastor Don. Let’s reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Family News
Congratulations to Wendy Quan who was elected by the Music & Performing Arts Committee to be the Director of the CBC Choir. The first practice of the new season is Sept. 2nd and the first anthem on Sept. 12th. If you’ve been thinking about joining, here’s a great opportunity to sing to the Lord!
At the June ABC Biennial Meetings in Des Moines, Joy S. Ng was elected as a Member At-Large on the General Board beginning in June 2000. May God bless her as she represents our Baptist witness!
Our Pastor Emeritus, Dr. James Chuck was the Bible Study leader at this year’s National Christian Education Conference at Green Lake on the theme: “Commission 2000: Reach Out and Teach Someone.”
Over 100 people attended this year’s All-Church Retreat at Mt. Gilead. What is unique was the wonderful time in sharing our faith and life as sisters and brothers of one church. Surely, God’s presence was made known at the retreat. Thanks to Che Chiu Yee and Franklin Hom who co-directed the weekend and to many others who gave able leadership!
We share our sympathy to the family of Dr. Robert Rasmussen, former executive minister of ABCW who died of leukemia on June 29th. A celebration of his life and ministry was on July 17 at FBC Alameda.
August Calendar
1 Church Yard Sale
Begin Paper Recycling
Congregational Prayer Meeting, 1:30
3 Pastoral Staff meeting, 10:00
5 Adult Committee, 7:30
7 Deacons Board, 9:00-12:30, Sunset
Youth Camp Staff Training
8-14 Youth Camp, Redwood Glen
13 Sept. CBC Newsletter articles due
15 Social Committee, 12:30
“3 on 3” Basketball, 1:30-4:00
19 Assembling & Mailing Out Newsletter
21 All-Church Picnic, Bayside/Joinville Park, San Mateo, 10:00-4:00
22 CE Board, 2:00
27-29 College & Career Young Adult Retreat, Camp Koinonia
28 Women’s Fellowship, Wendy Quan’s, 10:00-1:00
Sojourners
31 Pastoral Staff Meeting, 10:00
Sunset Shepherding Team