Pentecost Learnings
May and June months are times when students complete their year of studying, doing homework, writing papers, doing experiments and hopefully receiving acceptable grades! For those who have completed a set of programs leading to graduation or commencement, it is even a sweeter celebration of being bestowed a degree or diploma. After all the hard and due diligence, you are awarded with a certificate of completion!
But as we know, the successful completion of a year of study or a program is just the beginning of another adventure in life. You graduate from such or such school to the next stage of your life-long learning. You completed your degree program in order for you to “commence” your next chapter of life. Learning as we know never ends and we learn for the rest of our lives.
In Acts 2, we see another “commencement” taking place. The disciples have been afraid of what might happen to them after the crucifixion, resurrection and the ascension of Christ. When they were together, a rush of a violent wind filled the entire house. The people were filled with the Holy Spirit enabling them to speak and understand each other in different languages. And then Peter gave a sermon, it was much like a commencement speech telling the crowd of people that, “sons and daughters shall prophesy, young men shall see visions, and old men shall dream dreams. And even slaves, both men and women, the Spirit will be poured out to them as well.”
After all that Jesus has taught them in both word and in deeds while he was in the world, the Holy Spirit comes and helps Peter to give the speech to commence everyone to begin their next chapter of life. They will become a church community, unified and blessed in sharing with others and to give praise to God. Soon, Peter and the rest of the disciples along with the Apostle Paul and others will be sent into the different parts of the world preaching, teaching, and performing miracles themselves as witnesses of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They will be making more disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. They will be teaching them to obey everything that Jesus taught them and commanded them to do (Matthew 28:19-20).
May 19th is Pentecost in our church calendar but Pentecost is more importantly the commencement of teaching and learning as disciples for the rest of our lives. Let us continue to invite others to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Let us continue to be students of the Bible and learn more about the way of Christ and God’s will for us in the world. You may have completed a year at school or about to graduate from school, but it is just your commencement to have more Pentecost learnings!
Pastor Don
Senior Center
Come to the final meeting of the Senior Center before the summer break on Wednesday, May 18 on “Self Management of Neck, Back and Spine Pain” led by Jillian Cripps, PT with Kaiser. As our bodies are less able to do what we were used to doing, it usually takes more time for our bodies to heal and recover. Is pain something we need to live with and is it really advisable to try to be completely pain-free? Come and join the discussion on what is best for you. Join your friends for an interesting program, a hearty lunch (only $4) with birthday cake, tai chi exercises, and lots of great Christian fellowship. To register, contact Dick and Anna Quan Wong.
Men’s Fellowship Work Day at Camp
The Men’s Fellowship invites all guys to come to spend a day working at Redwood Glen Camp and Conference Center where we have had our annual Youth Camp for over 40 years and more recently, the place for our Senior Retreat each fall. The workday is on Saturday, May 25 with free lunch. A variety of projects will be available to match your abilities. If you would like to come on Friday night and stay over, accommodations have been arranged for this. Join the guys to help beautify the camp before the summer season by contacting John Tom.
ABSW Commencement
The 2013 American Baptist Seminary of the West Commencement Celebration will feature Pastor Don Ng receiving the honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree and for him to deliver the commencement speech. Pastor Don is receiving this honor for his many contributions to the Christian Church especially serving the American Baptist Churches in the USA, his commitment to shepherding God’s flock as a long-time local church pastor at FCBC and for his commitment to promoting the preparation of ministers of the Gospel through his relationship with the seminary as a former trustee.
Everyone is invited to attend on Saturday, May 18, 2:00 PM at the Burmese Mission American Baptist Church (Formerly FBC, Oakland), Telegraph Avenue and 15th St., Oakland. A parking lot is available across the street from the church.
On Sunday, May 19th, the church will have a Special Sidewalk Reception to celebrate Pastor Don’s honorary doctorate at 12:45.
Summer Ministry Dates
2013 Day Camp—X Marks the Spot (Matt. 6:21), 8:30-3:30, June 17-July 19. Registration for the 5-weeks of Day Camp is now available.
2013 Youth Camp—Words with Friends (Col. 4:6), July 28-August 3. Registration for Youth Camp is available now.
2013 Family Camp, August 31-September 2. Mark your calendars; registration will be available soon.
Family News
Our deepest sympathy Charlene Fong and the entire Ja Family in the passing of her father Eugene Ja on April . Also, Jane Young, a friend of the church returned to the Lord on April 6th. May God grant tender mercies of comfort and the joy of remembrance.
May
5 10-V
10-P
11:20-V
CE, 1:30
8 Senior Center
11 PCBA Spring Conference, Oakland
EFG
12 Mother’s Day
10-V
10-P
11:20-D
15 Church Staff, 10:00
18 ABSW Commencement, 2:00
Xplorers, 4:00
19 Pentecost
10-V
10-P
11:20-D
Reception, 12:45
24-25 Men’s Fellowship Workday, Redwood Glen
26 10-V
10-P
11:20-D
Deacons, 1:30
Trustees, 1:30
27 Memorial Day Holiday
29 Church Staff, 10:00
30 Lanna Coffee Project
31-6/2 Sojourners Retreat, Redwood Glen