Making HIStory
We may not be aware of it but every time we say or do something, we are making history. You or someone may remember it and you might be changing the course of history.
Our Baptist founders and ancestors have been making history for the past 130 years and now we are challenged to make history too. On Sunday, Oct. 10th, we’ll gather to celebrate our 130years of continuous history as the First Chinese Baptist Church. By your attendance, you become a part of history making.
In Hebrews 12:14-17, the writer warns us of rejecting our beliefs and reminds us to not reject God’s grace or abandon our Christian faith. To make his point, he brought attention to Esau, “who sold his birthright for a single meal,” and later “found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears.” Today, we must not resort to the readily available birthright of 130 years of history and “see to it that no one becomes like Esau” (12:16). Indeed, we are to look out not only for ourselves but for every member of the community.
As a church, we have responsibility for each other! The lapse of one member can have a detrimental effect on the community as a whole. Christians are urged to “pursue peace with everyone” and to “see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled” (12:14-15).
When you come to our 130th Anniversary, you will be making history by affirming your faith in Christ. The three Sunday morning worship services (9:10, 10:20, and 11:30) will remind you of God’s wonderful grace and how everyone must choose to accept Christ in his or her life. No one in the past can do that for you. Only you can claim your birthright as a child of God.
At the Reception over tea and coffee and surrounded by exhibits of FCBC’s mission and ministries, you will have an opportunity to renew old acquaintances as well as to make new friendships. It’s here that we have responsibility for each other making sure that we “pursue peace with everyone.” Getting to know one another is important to practicing care and encouragement and building up the Body of Christ.
The writer of Hebrews tells us that on Mount Zion, we are welcome to a city of joyous festivity and inclusive holiness. As the result of Christ’s work, believers come into the very presence of God and enjoy the fellowship with God, with Jesus, and the whole heavenly world (12:22-24). Jesus Christ is “the mediator of a new covenant,” by his “sprinkled blood” (12:24). When we make history by becoming his disciples, we share in his “HIStory.”
At the end of Hebrews 12, we have our anniversary theme verse: “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 (28-29). In the typical noisy atmosphere whenever our church family gathers together, the Empress of China restaurant will be shaking when we have our Anniversary Luncheon! But our faith will be unshaken because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Since we know that God’s kingdom is unshakeable and for 130 years we have witnessed that to be so, all we know how to do is to “give thanks…and to offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe” (12:28).
Come to the 130th Church Anniversary to “go down in history” and the “rest is history!”
Pastor Don
130th Anniversary Events
You are cordially invited to attend our church anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 10th! Begin the day by worshiping at one of 3 morning worship services. Sunday school classes for children and youth are available. At the newly re-opened YMCA, you can see exhibits of our church’s ministries over a cup of coffee or tea. At 1:00, the Anniversary Luncheon and Program will be at the Empress of China Restaurant where you will hear testimonies of how God has transformed lives and inspiring music from the combined choir. You can be a Table Sponsor for 10 guests for $225; Individual tickets for Adults for $20 and for Youth and Children (6-12) for $10; and Children 5 and under are Free). You can also make a contribution to FCBC to support its ongoing mission in the world. For more information, contact Byron Chan at 415-751-8378. We look forward to seeing you at the Anniversary!
An Overview of Bible and Theology for Lay People
The purpose of this course is to bring lay people together from various churches to focus on the biblical and theological basis for the life and mission of the church; to provide an opportunity for learning from one another; and to provide a setting for informal conversation, fellowship, and networking.
The course is over 3 Saturday mornings, 9:30-1:00 with lunch included.
- October 2 An Overview of the Old Testament: How to read Genesis 1- 11; constructing an Old Testament timeline with Abraham, Moses, David, and Ezra as pivotal figures; the prophetic movement; the psalms and wisdom literature; the formation of the Old Testament canon; and the relevance of the Old Testament to Christian life and mission.
- October 16 An Overview of the New Testament. The N. T. world; the four Gospels; the growth of the early church; the Pauline Epistles; Hebrews and the General Letters; the Revelation of John; the development of the N.T. canon; the N. T. in Christian life and mission.
- October 30 An Overview of Christian Theology: The nature of the theological enterprise; the meaning of revelation; the Triune God; God and the presence of evil; humanity as creature, sinner, and new being in Christ; the person and work of Jesus Christ; the life and mission of the church; Christian faith in the context of world religions; and the Christian hope.
The course will meet at the Berkeley Chinese Community Church,2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA, 415-548-5259, Dr. Karl Fung, Pastor. Ample parking is available in the church parking lot.
The sponsors are: CONFAB, The National Conference of Chinese Christian Churches: and ISAAC, The Institute for the Study of Asian American Christianity.
The Presenter/Facilitator is Dr. James Chuck, Th.D., Pastor Emeritus, First Chinese Baptist Church, S.F.(1951-1991); Professor Emeritus, American Baptist Seminary of the West (1991-2007); Volunteer Consultant, ISAAC (1997-Present). To register, contact one of the FCBC pastors.
In Haiti and in the World
The 2010 World Mission Offering highlights the significant work that American Baptists have done to bring sustained relief after the devastating earthquake rocked Haiti. Through our foreign missionary society, International Ministries, we support many missionaries around the world performing life-changing ministries. One of these is the creative Lanna Coffee Project done by Mike and Becky Mann in Northern Thailand. Plans are underway to visit Thailand in Spring 2011 with partners from other ABC churches to learn more about the coffee project. In October, we receive your contributions for the World Mission Offering with a goal of $4300. Would you help us meet our goal? For more information, go to: internationalministries.org.
Seniors Retreat
On the theme, “The Abundant Life: Nurturing Relationships, Accepting Mortality, Cultivating Spirituality,” the 2010 retreat at Redwood Glen, Loma Mar on Oct. 5-7 is open to all. Theme speakers are: Dr. James Chuck on Nurturing Relationships, Dr. John Chuck on Accepting Mortality, and Rev. Don Ng on Cultivating Spirituality. There will again be plenty of time for warm fellowship, spirited singing, good food, small groups, and rest and personal renewal. To register, contact Joel Jang.
Church Membership Meeting
Plan to attend the next Membership Meeting on Sunday, Oct. 3, 1:30 to review the 2011 Proposed Church Budget (Includes the new Pastor of Family Ministries position), hear about program updates, and pray for the continuing witness of our church in Chinatown and in the world.
Pledge Sunday
One of our annual all-church events is Pledge Sunday, Oct. 31st, 10:30 AM when we worship God as one church at Four Seas Restaurant across the street from the church home. By that time, you would have received your canvass letter explaining how we will be doing God’s mission in 2011. We invite you to come to worship and place your pledge card in the offering plates as your way to dedicate your life and resources to advance God’s Kingdom work on earth through your church. We’ll have a combined choir, inspiring worship, and the fellowship of sisters and brothers as God’s faithful people. Plan to join us for Pledge Sunday!
Inquirers/Church Membership Classes
If you have been wondering about the purpose for your life or that your church life has become an integral part of your priorities but you have not yet made a decision about baptism and church membership, we invite you to attend the Fall Inquirers/Church Membership Classes beginning with Pastor Don on Sunday, Oct. 17th, 11:30-12:30. Come and explore the meaning of being a disciple, being Baptist, and being a church member at FCBC. See Pastor Don if you are interested.
Senior Center
For centuries, the Chinese have lived long and prosper because they found balance and do tai chi! If you do tai chi, you know the benefits that it provides. But if you’ve been thinking about what can I possibly do to maintain good health and strong body, then the October 13th Senior Center is for you! Our own master of tai chi, George Lai will share on “Body Benefits Targeted by Tai Chi” so that you will understand how every movement targets a part of the body both physically and mentally. Every Senior Center features a healthy hot lunch, birthday cake (not too healthy!), a very interesting program, and warm friendships that care for you. Call Dick and Anna Wong to sign up.
Come to Oregon!
The American Baptist Churches of Oregon is inviting Northern California churches to attend their annual gathering on Oct. 22-24 at the Eastwood Baptist Church, Medford, OR. On the theme, “Partners Together,” (1 Cor. 3:8), Baptist sisters and brothers will praise God, celebrate our American Baptist identity, and explore ways to become partners in ministry. The Deacons are encouraging our members to attend to learn more about this opportunity of working with churches in Oregon. Pastor Don will be preaching on Sunday morning at the annual gathering. See Deacon Nelson Wong for more information and attending the gathering.
Journey to the Steps of Paul
Pastor Don Ng will lead a 2011 tour to Turkey and Greece to visit the places where the Apostle Paul spread Christianity beyond Jerusalem. The dates are May 14-27 that begins in Istanbul, a cruise to Patmos and depart from Athens. Pre-reservation forms are available in the church office. Spaces are limited.
ABC Biennial in Puerto Rico
American Baptists will gather for the 2011 Biennial in San Juan, June 24-26! Come to celebrate our common mission and ministry for Jesus Christ with Baptist brothers and sisters around the country. There will be missional experiences, inspirational music and powerful messages. Our Say Amen! Gospel Ensemble will be singing at the biennial! See Pastor Don for a promotional DVD to view if you are interested in attending.
Family News
Our deepest sympathy to Aaron Tom whose father, Douglas You Tom returned to the Lord on August 8th. In Christ Jesus, life is everlasting.
God bless Moa Imchen who was ordained into the Christian Ministry by our church on Sept. 12th. Rev. Moa Imchen is presently serving as the English Pastor at the Chinese United Methodist Church in Chinatown.
October
2 Choir Workshop, 9:00-2:00
3 9—D
10—D
11—P
Membership Meeting, 1:30
4 Pastoral Search Comm. 6:00
5-7 Senior Adult Retreat, Redwood Glen
10 130th Church Anniversary
9—D
10—D
11—P
Anniversary Luncheon, 1:00, Empress of China
11 Holiday—Office closed
13 Senior Center
14 Church Staff, 10:00
17 9—C
10—D
11—C
Fellowship Group Leaders Luncheon
Deacons, 1:30
22-24 ABC, Oregon Annual Gathering
24 9—
10—
11—
Sports Ministry Meeting
28 Church Staff, 10:00
30 Deacons Envisioning Workshop, 8:30
31 Pledge Sunday
10:30 All-Church Worship, Four Seas
Trustees, 1:00