December 2010 Newsletter
Christmas in SF Chinatown
On the last Saturday in September, I was going to Dynasty in Cupertino to celebrate the birth of a new baby in one of our church families. When I walked through Macy’s to get to the restaurant, I was surprised to see Christmas decorations up already! I reminded myself that Macy’s Christmas while colorful and intriguing is not necessarily the Christmas that we as Christians celebrate.
This thought led me to reflect on the many different kinds of Christmases that are celebrated around the world. One year we decided to visit Hawaii for Christmas thinking that a Mele Kalikimaka Christmas from the frigid clime of Philadelphia would be a welcome change. We went to the beach on Christmas Eve! But our two grown-up children to this day say that Christmas was not the same when there was no snow on the ground! We haven’t done such a foolish thing like that again! At the Cow Palace, there’s the annual Charles Dickens Traditional Christmas event. And in the Mission District, the La Posada is celebrated on Christmas Eve when Mary and Joseph go from house to house seeking a place to stay. After finally being welcomed in, the entire community gathers for a festive time of eating and singing.
In every enclave, Christmas takes on a unique and peculiar flavor reflecting those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In Isaiah 9:6a (NIV), the prophet says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.” When Jesus was born, it changed the world to the one we know today. It changed the way we count our years and order the days of the week.
At First Chinese Baptist Church, we begin to light the Advent Candles one a week for four weeks beginning on Nov. 28th as we anticipate the birth of Jesus. On Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) when it seems like the entire city is quiet and emptied out, we gather in our sanctuary for a service of lessons and carols and the lighting of the white Christ Candle to celebrate the birth of our Lord. On the darkened sidewalk outside, we light luminaries to guide worshipers to come to witness what has come to past just like how the shepherds and magi from the east followed the star to Bethlehem to see Baby Jesus.
If there’s anything unique or peculiar about Christmas in SF Chinatown, it may be that while everyone is still doing last minute shopping at Macy’s or looking forwarded to much needed days off, we come to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ because all authority and governments are now on his shoulders! He is the Light of the world! As Christ followers, we become the brightly lit lives to bring hope, peace, and goodness in the troubled and darkened world in which we live. If you are still looking for a Christmas that you have not yet found, we invite you to come and worship with us this Christmas because Jesus’ name is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6b). Pastor Don
Christmas Services
You are invited to attend the Advent and Christmas activities at FCBC! Bring your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
*Nov. 28th—1st Sunday of Advent—Comfort
Christmas Workshops, 1:00-4:00; Come and make an ornament, bake some cookies, buy Lanna Coffee to give as Christmas gifts, and enjoy our annual fellowship to prepare for Christmas.
*Dec. 5—2nd Sunday of Advent—Exalt
*Dec. 12—3rd Sunday of Advent—Reveal
9:30 & 11:30 Services of Believers Baptism & the Right Hand of Christian Fellowship
*Dec. 19—4th Sunday of Advent & Christmas Sunday—Behold
*Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Service of Lessons & Carols—Hallelujah!, 7:30 PM, Reception afterward
*Dec. 25—Christmas Day (Holiday)
*Dec. 26—Sunday after Christmas
“Who Is My Neighbor? 2011 Canvass
As we enter our 131st year of faith ministry in San Francisco Chinatown, we plan to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” When the lawyer asked Jesus about what must he do to inherit eternal life, the lawyer was able to answer correctly—“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” But the lawyer wanted to justify or rationalize why he hasn’t truly loved all his neighbors asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
We invite you to pledge to the work of your church for 2011 as we answer the question, “Who Is My Neighbor?” We are planning to go and visit our neighbors who live around our church, invite them to come and visit our church, and to explore ways that we may truly become good neighbors. Our pledge goal is $596,315 to support the life-changing ministries of our church. If you haven’t submitted your pledge yet, we encourage you to make your faith commitment today to help us answer the question, “Who Is My Neighbor?” You can now make your pledge on our church website: fcbc-sf.org and click “Pledge Online.”
Membership Meeting
On Dec. 5th, 1:30, you are invited to attend the Membership Meeting to conduct important business in the life of your church. We will be adopting the 2011 Proposed Budget, approving the slate of 2011 Church Officers, Board and Committee Members, and approving Candidates for Believers Baptism and Church Membership after hearing their Christian testimonies. Plan to come!
Senior Center Christmas
At FCBC, there’s never a shortage of times to celebrate Christmas! Every one of our over 20 fellowship groups will have a Christmas program event. At the December 8th Senior Center, you are invited to come and celebrate the holidays together over a great lunch and Christmas caroling! Find out who Santa Claus really is! Yes, Seniors, there IS a Santa Claus! Join your friends to remember the reason for the season—the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world! For reservations, give Dick and Anna Quan Wong a call.
All-Church Leaders Kick-Off
To launch our ministry in the New Year, all newly elected church leaders will join their respective board members and committee members for a kick-off event on Saturday, Jan. 8th, 8:30-12:00. On the agenda will be to begin strategizing on our emphasis to answering the question, “Who Is My Neighbor?” with a Bible study, meet for the first time as boards and committees to organize their work by electing chairs and setting meeting dates, and to pray together on behalf of our congregation to serve Christ in 2011. If you are a church leader, we’ll look forward to seeing you on January 8th!
Family News
God’s blessings to Amy and Wing Chan on the birth of their new baby, Isla on Nov. 6th!
Our deepest sympathy to Jane Wong in the passing of her mother, Betty Fong on Oct. 27th. May God grant the Fong family comfort and confidence in the Lord of everlasting life.
December
1 CCU Sports
2 Staff Meeting, 10:00
4 Men’s Fellowship
5 9—D
10—D
11—P
Membership Meeting, 1:30
8 Senior Center
12 9:30 & Baptism—D
11:30—P
Deacons, 1:30
17 Chinese Evangelism Event
18 Xplorers
19 Christmas Sunday
9—D
10—D
11—P
24 Christmas Eve Service, 7:30
25 Christmas (H)
26 9—D
10—D
11—P
January
1 New Year’s Day (H)