Give Thanks
It’s simple to say, “Thank you.” But when you are a parent trying to teach a two-year old child to express appreciation and thanks, it can be quite frustrating! Sometimes we are so preoccupied with ourselves that we forget to say “thank you” when wonderful things happen to us. Jesus experienced this when he healed ten lepers but only one of them came back praising God and thanking Jesus for giving him new life (Luke 17:11ff). We see that Jesus himself rejoices and thanks God, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…” (Matthew11:25).
We have much to give thanks! For our 2010 Canvass on the theme, “Unshaken Worship,” we read in Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” When we are participating in God’s kingdom work, nothing would ever be able to shake us from our foundation in Jesus Christ! For that, we give thanks! As you prepare your pledge for the faithful ministry of your church, give thanks for God’s blessings on our lives and in our church. Wherever we turn, we can say, “Thank you, O God!”
Give thanks for our very first One-Day Missions Conference when ABC Missionary Rev. Lauran Bethell challenged us to continue to be in missions when she shared her own call to oversea missions that started in China and then to Thailand and now to Prague. Inasmuch as we were once a Baptist Mission in 1880 to the many Chinese living in Chinatown, we give thanks to God today for equipping and empowering us to be supporting, actively participating, and hoping in the future be sending out long-term missionaries.
Give thanks for the generosity from many who gave special gifts and in memory of loved ones that we are able to accomplish two major building projects later this year. In memory of the life of Diana Ming Chan, we’ll be installing 81 solar panels on the roof of our church! This would generate about 107% of our electrical needs so that we can also contribute energy to the grid. Our church can serve as a teaching model for other churches and non-profits in San Francisco that solar energy is both feasible and worthwhile to do. After 30 years since our sanctuary stained glass windows have been cleaned, repaired and restored, we’ll renovate all 6 windows in January. The plan is to remove the metal grate on Sacramento Street so that we’ll be able to view the Centennial Windows as they were originally designed to look.
Give thanks for the holiday of Thanksgiving in our church family. You are invited to the CCU Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 21, 11:00 AM at the Salvation Army Church on Powell Street. On Sunday, Nov. 22nd, it’s Thanksgiving Sunday at your church including our annual luncheon. Call the church office to order your tickets for a lunch filled with turkey, sticky rice, cranberry sauce, and pie. And when we are off from school and hopefully off from work on Thursday, Nov. 26th, we pray that you will spend this time with your loved ones and friends to give thanks to God for the many rich and abundant blessings that we have received because of God’s grace and love for us and the world.
It’s simple enough, isn’t it? Thank you, O God!
Pastor Don
Pledge Sunday
The “Unshaken Worship” 2010 Canvass materials have been sent for you to prayerfully consider making a pledge/gift to support the mission of FCBC next year. We are inviting you to increase your pledge/gift by 2.37% in order for us to reach the goal of a $677,847 2010 Budget. This is undoubtedly a challenge for all of us in light of the economical times that we are experiencing today. But as people of faith, we believe that God’s kingdom is unshaken yesterday, today and for tomorrow for which we give thanks! On Sunday, Nov. 1st, come to the All-Church Worship at 10:30 AM at Four Seas Restaurant across the street from our church. This will be a glorious day of singing, a mass choir, hearing the Good News preached, and an opportunity to be with your church family. During the offertory, we invite you to submit your pledge/gift for God’s work through FCBC in 2010!
Thanksgiving Luncheon & Seniors Appreciation
One of the most well attended events in the life of our church is the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon with turkey and all the trimmings! On Sunday, Nov. 22nd, you are invited for Sunday dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $5 for Youth and Adults; $3 for Children 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased after worship at church or by calling the church office. At the Thanksgiving Luncheon, we will also celebrate and appreciate the Senior Adults at our church! If you are 65 or older, your lunch is on us! For an accurate count, please also secure a ticket if you are coming.
Gift Planning
When we have been so blessed during our lifetimes, we realize that leaving a permanent legacy to the church that we love is a way to ensure vibrant ministry to continue for a long time. On Sunday, Nov. 8th, we’ll lift up the importance and benefits of gifts planning for your personal financial planning as well as for the life of FCBC. From personal testimonies, designated giving options, and meeting with members of the Gifts Planning Committee (Wendy Quan, Steven Ng, and Joel Jang), we hope that you may consider making a planned gift from your estate to your church.
Senior Center on Nov. 18th
For November, the Senior Center will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 18th (Third Wednesday) featuring, Honna Li, VP and Financial Consultant with Charles Schwab speaking on the topic, “What to Do with Your Investments Now?” Seeing the markets go up and down in light of a slow economic recovery can be disconcerting when we depend on our retirement funds. This is a topic you don’t want to miss! As in every Senior Center beginning at 12:00 Noon, we have a delicious hot lunch, birthday cake, followed with some tai chi for exercise on the 4th floor accessible by our elevator. Plan to attend by contacting Warren Lee or Gary Eng.
Fall Clean-Up
After a long summer of ministries and our Fall launch of programs, our church home needs some cleaning up in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. On Saturday, Nov. 14th, 8:30-12:00, you are invited to participate in our Fall Clean-Up when we will scrub windows, dust the sanctuary, degrease the kitchen, touch-up walls and make our church building free of junk and clutter. We expect representatives from all of our fellowship groups to participate. After a good morning of work, there’ll be a free lunch for you. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and clean!
Retired Ministers & Missionaries Offering
Many American Baptist ministers and missionaries retired from a life of service without sufficient resources to live comfortably. Some require extra help for medical expenses. Others depend on family members to make ends meet. Every year in November, we receive the RMMO offering to express our appreciation for God’s retired servants. Every retired ABC minister and missionary would receive a small “Thank You” gift from this annual offering. Please give to help us reach the goal of $3800 by sending your check to the church office or give at Sunday morning services.
Advent & Christmas
In the midst of holiday festivities, we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. The first Sunday of Advent is Nov. 29th as we light the first Advent Candle in our sanctuary. Our ever-popular Christmas Craft Faire is also on Nov. 29th beginning at 1:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Advent Bible Studies are available in a number of homes in the Bay Area; check the church office for the nearest location to you. Plan to attend one of our 3 Sunday worship services on Christmas Sunday, Dec. 20th and the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Carols and Lessons on Dec. 24th, 7:30 PM followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. There is nothing more meaningful and memorable than to celebrate Christmas with your FCBC family this year! Invite your family and friends to enjoy Christmas with you!
Family News
God continues to bless our church family with new babies! We welcome Reksmei Reed born to Anne Chan & Aaron Reed on Sept. 13th; Eden Lau to Alvin & Grace Lau on Sept. 23rd; Marcus Tang to Tony & Cindy Tang on Sept. 25th; and to Eric Pang to Greg and Jessica Pang on Sept. 29th! May these children grow to know Jesus in their lives.
On Nov. 10th, Chris Chin, Jackie Ma, Kenley Mew, Peggy Mew, Jon Ng, and Joyce Ng will travel to Thailand to join others on an American Baptist mission project to help build a fresh water system and to lead a Vacation Bible School program for hill tribes in the Chiang Mai area. ABC Missionary Mike Mann who is also the director of the Lanna Coffee Ministry will be coordinating this work.
Congratulations to all the winners and players at the church Ping Pong Tournament on Sept. 27th: David Louie (Recreational Singles); Jimmy Chan (Competitive Singles); and Kevin Huang & Harvey Chen (Competitive Doubles).
Assistant Pastor Lauren Ng who have served our church for the past 5 years have resigned effective Dec. 31st to become a full-time parent of her and Daniel Kushner’s two young daughters, Sage and Story. We thank God for Pastor Lauren’s faithful ministries to young adults, young families and the 9:10 English Worship.
November
1 Pledge Sunday
10:30 All-Church Worship, Four Seas
Pastor Don preaching
Adult Committee, 1:00
CE, 1:30
2-3 Chinese Pastors Retreat, San Damiano
6 9:10 Worship Committee, 7:00
8 Gifts Planning Sunday
9—L
10—D
11—P
Deacons, 1:30
10 Church Staff, 10:00
Thailand Mission Trip begins
14 All-Church Clean-Up, 8:30-12:00
Semanons
EFG
15 9—D
10—D
11—P
18 Senior Center, 12:00
CCU Sports, 7:00
20 Lanna Coffee Project, 7:30
21 CCU Thanksgiving Service, 11:00 AM, Salvation Army
Sojourners
22 Thanksgiving Sunday
9—D
10—D
11—P
Thanksgiving Luncheon & Seniors Appreciation, 12:30
24 All-Church Staff, 10:00
26 Thanksgiving Day (Office closed)
28 2009 Youth Camp Retrospect
29 First Sunday of Advent
9—C
10—C
11—C
Christmas Craft Faire, 1:00
Music Committee, 2:30