December 2011 Newsletter
Christmas Surprise
We live in a world that is so connected that there’s hardly any time for surprises. Before the news can be reported on the Evening News or the headlines printed on the front page, the breaking news has already encircled the world via Facebook and Twitter. Everyone is talking about it.
Maybe this is the reason why when a couple is getting married the groom surprises her by singing a love song to her before they exchange vows. When someone is about to celebrate a birthday milestone, his family plans to surprise him with a party and invites special guests from out of town. When life is so predictable and routine, we want the unexpected to happen, something that surprises us and brings us a smile.
When we think about Christmas, we know it’s coming when department stores decorate their windows before Halloween. Christmas happens every year in December when the days are shorter and the nights are longer. On every calendar that we have, December 25th is Christmas Day and we are off from school and home from work. It is almost like there is no more surprises at Christmas because we know that by counting the number of shopping days left will lead us to Christmas.
For our Advent season, we read Mark 13:24-27,
“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”
As people who will celebrate the birth of the Son of Man this Christmas, we are also the people who believe that Jesus Christ will return into the world to establish his kingdom. When this happens, we will be surprised. While we may not know the actual time that Christ’s glory will come, we are to be awake and alert. But when it does happen, we’ll undoubtedly be surprised and this will bring us a smile because God’s kingdom pf peace and goodwill among all people will be on earth as it is already in heaven. At Christmas, Christ has come, Christ is here today, and Christ will come in his glory!
Giving and receiving Christmas gifts is a tradition that imitates how the three wise men brought gifts to the Christ Child. Mary and Joseph were probably surprised about the gifts and wondered what they meant. When we give gifts and receive gifts this year, let’s be surprised when we unwrap our presents. When we feel surprise this year, we would be prepared for that day when the Son of Man comes in clouds with great power and glory.
May you and your family experience the great joy of Christmas surprise this year!
Pastor Don
Advent & Christmas Events
+Advent Sundays—Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18
Come to Sunday morning worship at 9:00 English, 10:20 English, and 11:30 Cantonese to hear the Good News and to light the Advent Candles.
+Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, Saturday, Dec. 24th, 7:30 PM
In the quietness of downtown San Francisco, listen to the stories about the birth of Jesus Christ and sing all the Christmas carols to announce peace and joy to the world. There will be a cookie reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall.
+Christmas Sunday, Dec. 25th
This year Christmas Day is on Sunday when we’ll have all three services: 9:00 English, 10:20 English and 11:30 Cantonese. Bring your family to worship and celebrate Christmas with your church friends.
Senior Center
You are invited to join your friends at the Senior Center to celebrate the Christmas holiday on Wednesday, Dec. 11th, 12:00. In addition to a hot delicious lunch, we’ll sing carols and sit on Santa Claus’ lap! Come for the festivities and make new friends.
Special Events
*Church Membership Meeting, Sunday, Dec. 11th, 1:30
The congregation will meet to adopt the 2012 Proposed Budget, elect new officers, board and committee members, and to hear testimonies from candidates who are planning to join our church.
*Joint 9:30 English Worship, Sunday, Dec. 18th
Come to worship as the 9:00 and 10:20 congregations join for worship to witness believers baptism and to welcome new members into our church.
Family News
The OYYAs celebrated their 50th Anniversary on Nov. 5th by establishing a charitable fund to support the mission endeavors of the church. Fellowship members and friends are invited to make a donation toward this fund that will be used to help support the variety of mission projects that the church has. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Paul Fong.
Sympathy to the following loved ones and church members who have returned to the Lord: Rev. Eugene Wright, former interim minister at our church on Oct. 17th; Herman Lee, father of Katharine Lee on Oct. 19th; Betty Quey of San Mateo on Oct. 24th; Ed Chan on Oct. 27th; Martha Fong Mew, mother of Gina Chew on Oct. 30th and Mei Yung Ng, mother of Pauline Chen on Oct. 31st.
Congratulations on the marriages of Kenneth Tom and Eunice Chung on Oct. 29th and Joe Au and Letitia Eng on Oct. 29th! May God bless these new couples as they build their lives on the Lord!
Blessings to Melody Sue Kim who was born on Oct. 21st to Laurie and Dale Kim; and to Abigail Grey Lee who was born on Oct. 24th to Jamie and David Lee! May God watch over these little ones as they grow up to know Jesus.
December
4 Finance, 8:30
9—D
10—D
11—P
FCBC Sports Luncheon, 12:30
CE, 1:30
Music, 2:30
10 EFG
OYYA
Sojourners
11 9—Jane
10—Jane
11—P
Membership Meeting, 1:30
13 Staff, 10:00
14 Senior Center, 12:00
16 Chinese Evangelistic Event
17 Semanons
18 9:30 English—D
11—P
Deacons, 1:30
24 Christmas Eve Service, 7:30
25 Christmas Sunday
9—D
10—D
11—P