January/February 2011 Newsletter
Sustainable Stewardship
Our church has been committed to sustainability for some years now. Since our seismic retrofit/renovation 12 years ago when we put down a linoleum floor in the Fellowship Hall instead of vinyl, energy efficient CFLs instead of traditional lighting, 4 furnaces instead of one central heating unit, these are different ways that we strive to use materials and energy that would sustain the viability and health of our planet earth. In 2010, we became the only church in Chinatown to have all of our electrical needs provided by the 81 solar panels on our rooftop and sending generated unused electricity to the grid for others to use. We have had an excellent record in working toward leaving a zero carbon emission footprint as a church.
As we begin the 2011 New Year, we are committed as a church to also be practicing “sustainable stewardship” in regards to our finances. In past years when we had cash reserves, we budgeted to use these funds to balance our annual budget when pledges and donations were short. Given the larger economic conditions and a careful review of our historical giving, the congregation on Dec. 5th, decided to revise the 2011 budget to be less dependent on cash reserves. Just as we are committed to a sustainable planet, we are committed to operating the mission of the church that is financially sustainable both in 2011 and the years to come. While difficult decisions such as de-funding the Family Ministry pastoral position and reducing program, maintenance, and administrative costs across the board were made, the austere revised budget was overwhelmingly adopted.
FCBC is a strong and faithful church historically and is today. Our revised 2011 Church Budget is still almost $600,000 of which 94% comes from annual pledges and donations. From the list of all church officers, board and committee members that serve the Lord at FCBC, 50 persons out of 96 positions were elected to new terms. On Dec. 5th, we heard the testimonies of 6 persons who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and welcomed them into our church membership. We continue to be faithful stewards with the resources that God provides for us to proclaim Good News of Jesus Christ in the world!
Our 2011 church theme is “Who Is My Neighbor?” The greatest and only resource that we really have and can depend upon is the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ. This treasure, moth and rust cannot consume nor thieves break in to steal (Matthew 6:19). We invite you to participate with us to share the love of God in Christ with all those who are our neighbors, particularly those who live in the shadows of our church. Let us use our treasured resources to make Jesus Christ known in the world. Let us be sustainable stewards in the Lord! Pastor Don
Church Leaders Annual Kick-Off
All newly elected and serving church officers, board and committee members are invited to attend the Church Leaders Annual Kick-Off meeting on Saturday, January 8, 8:30-12:00. Beginning with a time of worship, we will learn about the 2011 Annual Theme of “Who Is My Neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), review the 2011 church calendar, and convene for the first meeting of most boards and committees in the new year. Boards and committees would elect chairs, set meeting dates, and organize their work. Please contact the church office regarding your attendance.
Church Annual Meeting
One of the highlights in the life of the church is the Church Annual Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 6th, 1:30 in the church sanctuary. Come and celebrate the life-changing ministries in 2010, installation and dedication of church leaders, acceptance of financial reports, the State of the Church Report, and remembering loved ones who returned to the Lord. If you have an annual report to write up, please send it to the church office as soon as possible for inclusion into our set of reports.
Thailand Lanna Coffee Mission Encounter
Since 2006, our church has actively promoted Lanna Coffee as an effective way to teach about Baptist missions in northern Thailand with the Hill Tribes. We have raised funds for the House of Love, a residential home for children who are HIV-infected or with AIDS and the New Life Center, a training center for girls and women rescued from prostitution. In the strategy of importing and selling Lanna Coffee, we believe we would strengthen village economies reducing the need to send girls into places like Bangkok to work and placed at risk for human trafficking.
In cooperation with our American Baptist International Ministries and missionaries in Thailand, we’re sponsoring a mission encounter to learn more about Lanna Coffee with the ultimate goal of stopping human trafficking. The encounter is Feb. 24-Mar. 6 with visits in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and hill tribe villages. If you are interested in joining this mission encounter, please contact Pastor Don for more information.
Our Lanna Coffee Team is: Wallace Choy, Carolyn Hee, Fred Hee, Bonnie Lim, Tommy Lim, Robert Mah, Steven Ng, Shirlene Leong Nakano, Chair; and Pastor Don Ng.
Steps of Paul
After Christianity began in Jerusalem, Apostle Paul spread the Gospel through much of the Mediterranean by a combination of faith, fortune (both good and bad), soaring oratory, and guile. Paul’s stories and teachings form much of the canonical New Testament. In 12 days, we will explore some of the remarkable ancient sites of Paul’s steps in Turkey and Greece. The trip is from May 14-27, beginning in Istanbul, Turkey and departing for home from Athens, Greece. We will also visit the island of Patmos on a short cruise. Preparation and orientation sessions will be scheduled beginning in January. Space is limited. Please contact Pastor Don for more information and registration.
Special Biennial Offering
The American Baptist Biennial Meeting is on June 24-26 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The last time the biennial was in San Juan was in 1981, 30 years ago. At this upcoming meeting, one of the important business items would be to adopt a new structure for the denomination that would better reflect mission priorities for today. Our Say Amen! Gospel Ensemble after submitting an application to participate has been selected to sing at one of the biennial plenaries. As a leading ABC church, we have been invited to take a special offering to help with the costs of having the San Juan Biennial. The Deacons have approved of this offering to be received on Feb. 13 and 20 with the goal of $1000.00. We invite you to pray for the life of the ABC, the gospel choir’s participation at the biennial, and your generous support for the biennial meetings.
Senior Center
Seniors are always welcome at FCBC but especially on the second Wednesday of every month! The 2011 Senior Center program features relevant topics for your life, healthy food and tai chi exercise for long life, and most importantly, warm Christian fellowship to live a faithful life.
*Jan. 12th—Optimal Healing with Chinese Medicine with Dr. Patricia Tsang, MD and author of the book with the same title.
*Feb. 9th—Building Better Bones with Heatherrose Peluso, MSPT, CPT, Kaiser Permanente.
The center begins with tai chi at 11:30, lunch at 12:00, and program at 1:00. Let Dick or Anna Quan Wong know of your attendance to plan for lunch. And if it’s your birthday, we’ll have cake and candles, sing “Happy Birthday,” and bless you with God’s grace!
Family News
Praise God for 6 new members who joined FCBC on Dec. 12! By Baptism—Jose Arebalo, Rio Chuck, Eleanor Huang, Jena Manguiat, and Kevina Mao and by Transfer of Letter—Muriel Chan. Welcome to your new church family!
Our sympathy to the families whose loved ones returned to the Lord: Doris Haw Yim on Nov. 15 and Wong Ng Ho on Nov. 29. We thank God for their faithfulness and service in the Lord.
January
1 New Year Day (H)
2 9—D
10—D
11—P
4 Staff Meeting, 10:00
CCU Sports, 7:00
8 All-Church Leaders Kick-Off, 8:30
EFG
9 9—D
10—D
11—P
12 Senior Center
15 Men’s Fellowship
Inside Out, 3:00-7:00
Semanons
16 9—D
10—D
11—P
Adult Committee, 12:30
CCU Dinner
Youth Lock-In
17 MLK, Jr. Day (H)
20 Staff Meeting, 10:00
Sports Ministry
22 Sojourners
23 9—D
10—D
11—P
30 9—C
10—C
11—P
February
3 Chinese New Year
6 9—D
10—D
11—P
Annual Meeting, 1:30
9 Senior Center
12 Semanons
EFG
13 9—D
10—D
11—P
15 Staff Meeting, 10:00
20 9—D
10—D
11—P
22 Winter Staff Day
24-3/6 Thailand Lanna Coffee Mission Encounter
26 Sojourners
27 9—James Chuck
10—James Chuck
11—P