January/February 2009 Newsletter
Footprints for Christ
If I lived across the street from our church, I would wonder what the commotion was all about. If I got home after a long day working perhaps as a construction laborer or a restaurant helper and was hoping to get a good night rest but suddenly was awaken by the noise of laughter and conversations, I might wonder what was happening over at the Baptist church. I can see when tourists who happen to walk near our church are curious to see the large number of us out on the street intently engaging in our many conversations and reunions. They come over to see what might be going on.
One of our strongest gifts from God is Christian fellowship. We like to be together and enjoy sharing our lives with one another. I have often said that our relationships with church friends are sometimes stronger than those we have with our biological families. I know that if I ever needed any insurance in times of crises, I am in the good hands of FCBC!
Christian fellowship is much more than being very good friends. We are joined together into one body composed of many members in the name of Christ. While we are all unique and sometimes incredibly different as the Apostle Paul said, “Jews or Greeks, slaves or free,” we are unified in our baptism of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). This is the only explanation why we make so much commotion on the sidewalk on Waverly Place every Sunday!
The 2009 Year of the Lord at FCBC will focus on the themes of Evangelism and Fellowship. With Pastor Peter Lee beginning his new ministry with us, we will finally become a complete pastoral staff once again. We are looking forward to learning from each other and sharing gifts and talents with each other in order to build up an even stronger witness of Christian fellowship. Plans are underway for our 2nd Annual Live in Harmony all-church event on Saturday, April 25th when you may share your gifts with your church family. We invite you to make a renewed commitment to becoming sisters and brothers in Christ in 2009.
While our Christian fellowship becomes even stronger, we need to become aware of our neighbors who live in the apartments across the street from our church—the people we wake up with the commotion of our joyous Christian fellowship. Continuing with our canvass theme for 2009, how might we make “footprints for Christ” by crossing the little street of Waverly Place and begin to reach out to our neighbors? Good Christian fellowship is not an end to itself. Christian fellowship when we are committed in the Lord is a means for evangelism. Sharing the wonderful good news of salvation in Jesus Christ is what follows fellowship. Imagine what might happen when we share all that noise of caring, kindness, forgiveness, grace and mercy that we do every Sunday morning with those across the street.
The Lord has blessed us with amazing Christian fellowship so that we may share the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God with all people and especially those who live across the street from our church.
Pastor Don
Welcome Pastor Peter Lee
Our new Pastor of Chinese-speaking Ministries, Rev. Peter Wai-Ming Lee begins on January 1st and will be delivering his first message on Sunday, January 11th at the 11:30 Worship Service. Following the service, there will be a Sidewalk Reception to welcome Pastor Lee, his wife Lydia, and their two daughters, Andia and Tiffany. Come and welcome Pastor Lee and his family to our FCBC family! The Lees will be living in Millbrae.
Church Leaders Kick-Off
In January, the NFL will be in the midst of divisional playoffs getting ready for the Super Bowl! While football players are kicking off to begin the game, all church leaders in 2009 are encouraged to attend the annual Church Leaders Kick-Off Day on Saturday, Jan. 10th, 8:30-12:00. Beginning our day will be a Bible study on our new 2009 church theme focusing on evangelism and fellowship. All church boards (Deacons, CE, Trustees) and some church committees will meet to elect chairs, set meeting dates and identify priorities for the new year. Church officers are invited to attend and participate at meetings of their interests. If you are an elected church leader, make this a priority to begin serving Christ through FCBC in 2009! Get ready for the kick-off!
Church Annual Meeting
When we take a moment and prayerfully look back at how God has been with us in 2008, all we can say is “Praise God!” We spent 2008 focusing on the twin themes of Prayer and Missions on the slogan of “Making the Most of Time” (Colossians 4:2-6). On Sunday, Feb. 1st, 1:30 PM, you will receive the annual reports from all the boards, committees, fellowship groups and church staff members on how we have indeed made the most of the time that God gave us in prayer and missions. The new 2009 Church Directory will be available. We will dedicate our new officers, board and committee members beginning their service in 2009, receive the State of the Church report, and remember dear friends who have returned to the Lord.
Restarting Senior Center in 2009!
While you tried not to eat just one more holiday cookie, you did. One New Year resolution we can make is to eat better and to exercise more! The 2009 season of the Senior Center has just the program you’re looking for: “Moving and Thriving—Exercise and Fitness.” Led by Heatherrose Polusco of Kaiser Permanente, the program begins at 12:15 PM on Wednesday, Jan. 14th and followed by a hot, healthy and delicious lunch.
FCBC’s Senior Center meets in the 4th floor Fellowship Hall accessible by our elevator. Every session features a relevant program, tai chi exercise, great conversation, and monthly birthday parties. For more information, contact Warren Lee or Gary Eng. In 2009, the Senior Center will only meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Join us on Jan. 14th to move and to thrive in 2009!
CCU Thanksgiving Dinner
Once a year all of the Chinese churches in Chinatown/SF come together as the Chinese Christian Union of San Francisco to give thanks to God for the life-changing ministries that we’ve been a part of. This year’s dinner is on Sunday, Jan. 18th, 5:00 PM at the Far East Restaurant on Grant Ave. for $20 per person. We invite you for an evening of Christian fellowship, an inspiring message, and good food. For tickets, please contact Dick Wong, our church CCU representative on the CCU Board.
Year of the Ox
The Chinese/Lunar New Year of the Ox begins on Jan. 26th to remind us of our rich heritage of being Chinese Americans. To help us celebrate our traditions and to enter into the Year of the Ox, the Adult Committee is sponsoring a Church Chinese New Year Luncheon and Program on Sunday, Feb. 8th, 1:00 PM in the fellowship Hall. Hosted by Dick and Anna Quan Wong, this will be a complimentary luncheon of traditional New Year food followed by a program and hands-on arts and crafts activities. Make plans to come to learn and teach your children about the rich heritage that we have. For reservations, please contact Dick and Anna Quan Wong.
More Chinatown Stories of Life and Faith
The first and second volumes of Chinatown: Stories of Life and Faith published in 2002 and 2008 respectively have been huge successes. Many readers have discovered the significant role our church has had in the lives of people and how growing up in America has been filled with hope, challenges, and promises. Work on Volume III of Chinatown Stories of Life and Faith is just beginning. This third volume will contain about 60 stories of people connected with our church, both past and present, talking about parents, growing up, schooling, work, marriage and family, and faith and values. If you are age 40 and up and would like to be included, please contact Dr. James Chuck at Jaschuck@juno.com for details.
Family News
God continues to bless us with new ones! On November 25th, Kira Dare Feng was born to Laura Dare and Tom Feng. May God bless all of his children.
On December 14th, we welcome into the fellowship of FCBC through Believers Baptism: Russell Chin, John Lam, Odelia To, and Cindy Yue. We look forward to their service of discipleship as new followers of Jesus Christ!
The Church Staff deeply thank you, the Members and Friends of FCBC for your generous Love Gift at Christmas! We (Jane, Marian, Nancy, Wendy, Pastors Chris, Lauren and Don.) wish you a happy and peaceful New Year!
January
1 Holiday (Office closed)
4 9—D
10—D
11—
10 All-Church Leaders Kick-Off, 8:30-12:00
11 9—L
10—L
11—Peter
Adult Committee, 12:45
14 Senior Center
18 9—C
10—C
11—P
CCU Dinner, 5:00
19 Holiday (Office closed)
21 Mom’s Group, 1:00
24 Sojourners
25 9—D
10—D
11—Johann Lai
26 Holiday (Office closed)
27 All-Staff Meeting, 10:00
31 Men’s Fellowship
February
1 9—L
10—D
11—P
Annual Meeting, 1:30
4 Mom’s Group, 1:00
8 9—C
10—C
11—P
Chinese New Year Luncheon & Program, 1:00
10 Office Staff Meeting, 10:00
11 Senior Center
15 9—L
10—D
11—P
16 Holiday (Church office closed)
18 Mom’s Group, 1:00
21 Semanons
22 9—D
10—D
11—P
24-25 Church Staff Retreat
25 Ash Wednesday
28 Sojourners
March
1 First Sunday of Lent