E-F-G
Our 4-year old granddaughter Story came home one day from pre-school singing the alphabet backward! From Z to A, she recited it with ease and ended it with an invitation to sing with me. We were amazed! Whether we sing the alphabet song traditionally forward or backwards, the letters, “E, F, and G” are in the middle. There are letters before these and letters after them.
Our church is about to enter its 133 years of faithful and life-changing ministries. There have been many people who came before us and we pray that there will be many after us. One can say that we are the “E-F-G” generation in the middle of a long walk with the Lord.
The 2013 Canvass theme is “E-F-G” standing for “Evangelism, Fellowship, Go” based on 1 John 1:3 when the writer wrote, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” As God’s people, we have seen and heard and have come to believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Now like the many generations before us, want to tell others about Jesus Christ by inviting them into fellowship with us. For us to do that, we must go out into the world!
Our 21 fellowship groups are the primary ways to welcome new people to our church. Over a meal and usually an interesting program, visitors, friends, and seekers can warmly feel included into the life of the larger church. We can all go out and invite others to fellowship with us. Our Friday Night School continues to be the main outreach program to invite our neighbors to come to church by learning English and citizenship. Students are encouraged to come to dinner and to participate in a Bible study or worship afterward. Next year, FCBC people will be going out of the country—visit the Lands of Luther to better understand the importance of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther and the witness of the church in our own church life and a mission work trip to northern Thailand to assist a village with economical and educational development. In all that we do, we believe in “E-F-G”—Evangelism, Fellowship, Go.
Information for you to make a pledge/contribution to the vital ministry of FCBC has been sent out to you. Please send in your pledge/contribution card ASAP so that we can include you in our plans to propose to the church membership on December 9th to adopt the 2013 Budget.
As the “E-F-G” generation in 2013, there are indeed many more letters in the alphabet to go. And whether we sing the alphabet song forward or backward, there is much that the Lord wants us to do to “proclaim what we have seen and heard,” to invite others to “fellowship with us and with the Father and with his son, Jesus Christ.” Let us go in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Pastor Don
Personal Testimony
On September 9/16, Jackie Chou shared her testimony at the 9:00 Worship. We thought you might enjoy reading how God continues to work in our lives.
Hi, I’m Jackie. I’ve got 3 kids, Madison, Parker, and Quincy. I’m married to Josh, the quiet sound techie guy that does the soundboard. I grew up in San Francisco and attended FCBC, left for college to UCLA and lived in LA for 7 years (attending the same church in LA for those 7 years), and then moved back to San Francisco about 9 years ago and came back to FCBC.
I first started coming to FCBC when I was in 5th grade, which means that I have been here for almost 25 years. The first person I remember meeting when I came to church the very first time I came to FCBC was Rodney Tom. He was the one who showed me which Sunday School class I belonged in. I also remember in those first few weeks at church, I found myself up at the fourth floor by myself for some reason and Auntie Marie Chuck was preparing snacks for the Sunday School classes. She smiled at me with the same, kind and gentle smile that she still has today, and offered me a rice krispie treat made of Kix cereal.
In my first couple of years at church, I found it hard to make friends. I am fairly introverted, and church was very cliquey. From the outside looking in, everyone seemed to have been there forever and grown up together. I pretty much bonded with the teachers and adults more than the kids my own age. But over time, because I stuck with it and kept coming, deeper relationships were forged and true friends were made. The friends I made at church during junior high and high school have ended up being my best friends today. The youth leaders also really invested in me and my peers. They met with us outside of church, driving us to outings, teaching us how to play guitar, and just spending quality time connecting with us. Often, when I hear testimonies from the older generations at FCBC about how church has shaped their lives, their testimonies are much the same – they also talk about the dedication of the church leaders and how they invested in their lives. I think that this is one of the generational gifts that God has blessed FCBC with.
In preparing for this testimony, I had a lot of random thoughts running through my mind, so I decided to do a “top ten ways that church has shaped my life”.
Ten ways that church has shaped my life:
1. Church is where I learned about Christ and has formed my faith and belief system.
2. Church is where I learned how to play guitar and lead worship.
3. Church is where I have my life long friends, and even though we don’t still all go to the same church, the bond we have through our faith and our shared experiences at FCBC continues to be our bond.
4. Church is where I have found second parents and mentors through every stage of my life from school, to career, to dating and marriage, and now having young kids.
5. Church is where I get to see each new generation grow up, have fun at day camp, dig deep at youth camp, and be inspired by them.
6. Church is where I meet real people who don’t have it all together, but know that they need Christ in their lives.
7. Church is where my kids are growing up and learning about Christ, finding friends and mentors as well.
8. Church is where our family can act out our faith and love through serving.
9. Church is where I gather with others each week to praise and worship.
10. Church is where I am challenged to do more and be more, but also where I am reminded that who I am is enough because that is how God made me.
As you can probably tell, church to me really means community. You can listen to sermons online. There are fantastic speakers and resources. You can study the Bible on your own or attend classes like perspectives. You can listen to worship CDs on your ipods. You can do almost all of the elements of the Christian life alone, and one should do all of those things. There is nothing wrong with any of that. But for me, Church is the community aspect of faith that Paul talks about in Acts 2. It is the breaking bread together. It is seeing how God is working in other people’s lives, not just your own. It is sharing with others and meeting each other’s needs. It is singing praises as one voice together. It is praying fervently for one another through difficult and challenging times and praising and thanking God together when blessings flow. Church is where others can challenge us to grow spiritually. It is knowing that we are stronger and can make a bigger impact together than when we are by ourselves.
Gifts Planning Sunday
Every year on the first Sunday in November, we lift up the importance of Gifts Planning. On Nov. 4th, we invite you to consider making a planned gift to support the ongoing ministries of FCBC. The Generation to Generation brochure speaks about the significant ministries that FCBC can engage in when we have received sufficient gifts to establish permanent funds. If you are interested in exploring this matter before the fiscal year ends, please contact Wendy Quan or Pastor Don.
Special Church Membership Meeting
The Deacons have called for a Special meeting on Sunday, Nov. 4, 1:30 to consider the proposed new Sunday morning hours. After nearly 2 years of discussions among the Deacons and the CE Board, 4 Questions & Answers Forums in September and numerous discussions in fellowship groups, the proposed new Sunday hours will maximize both the church building and the available spaces and times we have at the YMCA for worship and Sunday school classes. More time for worship services, more spaces for classes and choir/praise group rehearsals, and an improved schedule for children in Sunday school. The plan will also enable us to grow our ministries in the future.
Installation of Pastor Visal Sok
On Sunday, Nov. 11, 3:00 PM, we’ll officially install Visal Sok as our new Associate Pastor for English-speaking Ministries. Dr. Abraham Bates, ( )will be bringing the message. Join us to welcome Pastor Visal and Lindsey Sok into our church family! There will be a reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall.
Senior Center
As seniors, aches and pains come with the package! On Wednesday, Nov. 14th, 12:00, Dr. Alan Wu will share on “Chiropractic 101—Just for You.” There may be a solution to feeling better and to alleviate some of those daily aches and pains. Every Senior Center begins with a healthy hot lunch followed by birthday cake (not so healthy!). Register with Anna Quan and Dick Wong to attend. Invite your friends who may also have aches and pains!
Fall Clean-Up
Just as you clean up regularly at home, the church home needs tidying up regularly too! On Saturday, Nov. 17, 8:30 with coffee and donuts-12:00 with lunch, the Trustees invite every fellowship group to send 3-5 representatives to help clean up our church before the holidays come. The windows need cleaning, the pews need vacuuming, the kitchen needs degreasing, the solar panels need washing, the front door awning needs scrubbing, and the white walls need some touch-up paint. There’s much to do and we need your help. After a morning of cleaning, you will feel gratified that you have contributed in making your church home shine more brightly and smell more clean! Please respond affirmatively when the Trustees contact you!
Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
You are guaranteed to have turkey every year when you come to the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at FCBC! On Sunday, Nov. 18, beginning at 12:30, the Social Committee will be serving roasted turkey, mixed vegetables, sweet potatoes, cranberry jelly, and pie! For seniors, you are invited as special guests to share our appreciation for your wisdom and guidance to us down through the years. Tickets are: Adults and Youth–$5, Children 6-12–$3; and Children 5 and younger and Seniors 65 and older—free.
Christmas Workshops
It may not snow in San Francisco, but the jolly Christmas spirit begins with our annual Christmas Workshops on Sunday, Nov. 25, 1:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Sponsored by the CE Board, bring your family to do holiday craft projects, roll out and taste homemade sugar cookies, make new ornaments for your Christmas tree, buy Lanna Coffee to give as gifts with a note that you are helping to end human trafficking, and enjoy the fellowship of your church family as we all prepare for Christmas! Invite your neighbors, friends and family members to come! Plan to enjoy the festivities!
Men’s Fellowship Retreat
You are invited to come to an overnight retreat at Redwood Glen in Loma Mar (near Santa Cruz) beginning on Friday, Nov. 30 with dinner and concluding on Saturday, Dec. 1 with lunch. Guys have a lot to share even though we are not known this way. Guys have needs and challenges that are often too heavy to bear alone. Guys also experience great events in their lives that can encourage other men to persevere in tough times. Our topic will focus on the place of sports in our lives and culture that reveals the kind of men we are. Register with Nelson Wong and we look forward to seeing you at our first retreat in recent years!
Family News
Congratulations to Leslie and Chris Chin on the birth of their new daughter, Zoe Isabel Chin on Oct. 5th. May God continue to bless the children!
The San Francisco Interfaith Council on November 20th will recognize FCBC as one of the churches and California Interfaith Power & Light for our commitments to going green and for environmental leadership.
November
3 CBC Choir Retreat, Berkeley
DST ends
4 Gift Planning Sunday
9—V
10—D
11—P
Special Membership Meeting, 1:30
10 EFG
11 9—V
10—D
11—P
Trustees, 1:00
Deacons, 1:00
Pastor Visal Sok’s Installation, 3:00
14 Staff Meeting, 10:00
Senior Center, 12:00
16 Lanna Coffee, 7:00
17 All-Church Fall Clean-Up
Sojourners, 4:00
Xplorers 4:30
18 9—V
10—D
11—P
Thanksgiving Luncheon, 12:30
22 Thanksgiving Day (H)
24 Youth Camp Retrospect
25 9—V
10—D
11—P
Christmas Workshops
28 Staff Meeting, 9:30
30-12/1 Men’s Fellowship Retreat, Redwood Glen