Summer 2012 Newsletter
Sustain the Weary with a Word
After completing finals, students feel wearied. If you have worked all year at your desk, the summer is the answer to your wearied existence. You may be wearied by illness, tragedy, by discouragement and depression. “Wearied to the bone,” you might say.
When summer comes in the months of June, July and August, we think about “rest for the weary.” This thought may have been ingrained in us when we were children and looked anxiously for fun and play in the summer. The calendar frames this thinking too when traditionally summer begins after Memorial Day, heightened on July 4th, and culminates on Labor Day! During the summer we are prone to think of these days as the time to find rest for the weary.
The prophet Isaiah poetically said, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught” (50:4). If you are feeling weary, we pray that you might come to hear God’s word to sustain you. We will be sponsoring many different kinds of programs and events that will restore you to rest and health from your weariness. Both the English and Chinese Summer Series will offer new ideas and stimulating discussions to make the Gospel relevant to daily living. The children, youth and young adults will discover in their involvement in Day Camp and Youth Camp, God’s word for the weary.
The Christian Education Board will be sponsoring a Teachers Training Event on July 8 on the topic: “Qualities of a Teacher.” The Music Committee will sponsor a music workshop on July 21 to hone and sharpen your musical gifts to sing and make music to the Lord. Family Camp over the Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 1-3 will help parents to value and incorporate the importance of raising a family in a wider community.
If you are feeling wearied to the heart or wearied to the very core of your being, come to church this summer to be sustained by the Word of God. Just like the prophet Isaiah, our teachers and leaders have been given the “tongue of a teacher” to sustain you with God’s word. Morning by morning and Sunday after Sunday, we pray that your ears will be waken and you will listen to God’s word to not be weary any more.
Pastor Don
Candidate Visal Sok at FCBC
Over the June 8-10 weekend, Mr. Visal Sok will candidate to be our new Associate Pastor for English-speaking Ministries. On Saturday, June 9, 9:00 AM, there will be a “meet and greet” time in the church Fellowship Hall. You are invited to meet Visal, become acquainted with him, share any questions that you may have and hear him lead a devotional with us. On Sunday, June 10, he will be preaching at all 3 worship services (9:00, 10:20, and 11:30) followed by a “Question & Answer” session on Sunday afternoon.
Visal Sok is a recent graduate with the Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon in expository ministry. He received his Bachelor of Social Work from George Fox University. Presently, he is the Intern College Pastor at the First Baptist Church, Portland, OR where he grew up. He is also working as a child/adolescent treatment specialist at a family services program.
When he and his wife, Lindsey visits us, they would have just returned from their honeymoon. His personal interests include, hiking, snowboarding, reading, and break dancing.
After the Search Committee interviewed Visal Sok on March 18th, the committee unanimously recommended to the Deacons for their consideration. At the Deacons’ April 15th meeting, they accepted the recommendation and unanimously is presenting Visal’s candidacy for your review. On Sunday, June 24, 1:00 PM, the Deacons have called for a Special Membership Meeting to vote on Visal Sok to be our new Associate Pastor. We invite you to attend these upcoming events as we faithfully follow God’s leading for our church and its mission.
Summer Training Time!
The vitality of the church and its effectiveness are depended on trained teachers and leaders. Just as a public school teacher is required to have a teaching certificate or a lawyer needs to pass the bar exam, church teachers and leaders also are expected to be well-trained and qualified for their responsibilities. We need new as well as refreshed teachers and leaders to carry out God’s work through FCBC!
Teachers Training
On Sunday, July 8, 1:00, the CE Board is sponsoring a teachers training event to explore the role of the teacher in the church. Since Jesus was a rabbi, how might we learn from Jesus the Teacher? What qualities are helpful to teach at FCBC? If you are a teacher or someone who would like to explore teaching as your way to share your discipleship, come to this event. Contact Wes Chan, CE Board chair.
Music Workshop
Worship is the Number 1 experience at FCBC that most of our members attend. An integral part of worship is music; in fact, for some people that is the only thing they can remember after experiencing worship (not the sermon!). Having good music comes from people who understand and contribute to music as a way to praise and worship God. On Saturday, July 21, 9:00 AM, the Music Committee is sponsoring a workshop on music in the church. If you would like to join the choir, learn how to direct or have a deeper appreciation about the place of music at FCBC, come and sing a new song! Contact Anita Yong, Music Committee chair.
Summer Series
During the summer, Sunday School classes join together to have Summer Series where special speakers explore challenging and stimulating subjects that grow our faith. The English Series, 11:30-12:30, begins on July 8 and conclude on August 12 for 6 weeks. Check the weekly Sunday worship bulletins for updates.
9:00 Worship SS Class
The Sunday School Class that meets after the 9:00 English Worship will be studying the awesomeness of God’s faithfulness in Hebrews 11. Come and join us to learn of God’s awesome faithfulness in the lives of the heroes of the Old Testament. Hope to see you all there to be encouraged by the message of faith! The class meets 10:30-11:30.
OGHS
Both natural and unfortunately, human-made tragedies happen all the time. When we may be off taking a summer vacation, responding to human suffering doesn’t take any time off. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is received in the month of June with our goal of raising $4200. In the past, when the earthquake hit Haiti or the tsunami devastated Japan or tornadoes scattered communities in the US, we have given most generously to OGHS. If you are unable to make a gift on Sunday, please send in your donation by check and make it for “OGHS.” We never know when the next disaster ill happen. Thank you!
Summer Sports
When the weather is better, the sunlight last longer, and a little more time to play, we want to stay active by playing sports!
FCBC Golf
All golfers are invited to play at this year’s golf tournament on Monday, June 11 at the Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland. You can enjoy the great outdoors with your fellow golfers as well as support the summer ministries of FCBC by your registration fees. If you are unable to play but would like to make a contribution, we would welcome that too. After you make that “hole in one,” we’ll go to New China Buffet to have dinner. To register, contact Byron Chan or Joel Jang.
CCU Sports
Our church will have 3 basketball teams and 1 softball team playing in CCU Sports this summer. Our coaches are: Aaron Ton for the Gold team, Eric Chin for the Silver team, Guy Takahashi for the Bronze team in basketball, and Matt Chin for softball. Come out and support our teams by checking the schedule of games with the coaches.
FCBC Sports Banquet
After the summer leagues are over, you are invited to FCBC’s Sports Banquet on Sunday, August 19, 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall when VIP (Most Inspirational Players) trophies are awarded and watching a replay of some of the funniest sport actions for all to enjoy.
Plan for Summer Camps!
It’s time to plan your summer!
*Vacation Church School/Day Camp, June 18-July 20
For 5 weeks, 8:30-3:30, Monday—Friday, children and youth will experience a great summer of fun and learning in Bible study, games, crafts and field trips. On the theme “Cool Story Bro,” (Romans 10:17), this year’s camp is co-directed by Rachel Jensen and Melanie Ng.
*Youth Camp, July 29-August 4
For one-week at Redwood Glen, junior and senior highs will once again deepen their discipleship in Bible studies, learning activities, chapel, campfire, and fellowship. Our guest speaker is Mike Tam from Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Bellevue, WA on the theme, “To Be Continued…” (Isaiah 55:10-11). Youth Camp is co-directed by Matt Chin and Jonathan Wong.
*Family Camp, September 1-3
The annual end of the summer gathering of families over the Labor Day Weekend will focus on the book, Parenting Beyond Your Capacity—Connect Your Family to a Wider Community by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof at Happy Valley in Santa Cruz. Join your friends to strengthen your family life, great fellowship and good food!
Registration materials are available for both Day Camp and Youth Camp on our church website: fcbc-sf.org. Family Camp registration materials will be available soon.
Family News
Our deepest sympathy to families and friends whose loved ones have returned to the Lord: Willis Kuo Hung Chiang on April 18th, Chung Yau “Danny” Poon on April 20th, and Joseph Wong on April 23rd. May God our Loving Creator bring comfort and peace to all.
The University of Redlands has named Collin Tong, Class of 1967, the recipient of its 2012 Distinguished Alumni Service Award for outstanding achievement in public service. Past recipients include the late U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher and CBS News White House correspondent Robert Pierpoint, both U of R alumni. President James R. Appleton will confer the award at a special Presidential convocation on Oct. 20, during Homecoming weekend. Collin is a Seattle-based freelance journalist and contributing writer for Crosscut Public Media and the New York Times. Collin and Susan Rava are coauthors of a forthcoming new book, Profiles in Caregiving: Journeys with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Our church home is undergoing repairs after the water heater situated on the 4th floor leaked and consequently caused water damages on the staircase walls and in the nursery (balcony). The plans are to first dried out the building and replace the floor of the nursery. Thanks for your cooperation and any inconvenience this mishap has caused.
June
2 Men’s Fellowship, 8:30
Women’s Fellowship, 9:00
3 9—D
10—D
11—P
Teachers Appreciation Luncheon
Music, 2:00
6 Staff, 10:00
9 Meet & Greet Candidate Visal Sok, 9:00-11:00
EFG, 11:00
10 9—Visal Sok
10—Visal Sok
11—Visal Sok
Q&A Time with Visla Sok, 1:00
CE, 2:00
11 Day Camp begins
FCBC Golf Tournament, Oakland
17 Father’s Day
9—James Chuck
10—James Chuck
11—P
20 Staff, 10:00
24 9—D
10—D
11—P
Special Membership Meeting, 1:00
Deacons, 1:30
30 Ashira
July
1 9—D
10—D
11—P
Senior Retreat Planning
Trustees, 1:30
4 Holiday
8 Youth Sunday
9:30 Joint English
11—P
English Summer Series begins
Teachers Training, 1:00
CE, 2:00
11 Staff, 10:00
12 Day Camp Open House, 6:00 PM
14 Men’s Fellowship
15 9—
10—
11—
Deacons, 1:30
21 Music Workshop, 9:00
22 9—
10—
11—
28 Sojourners
29 9—
10—
11—
Youth Camp begins
August
5 9—
10—
11—
CE, 1:30
8 Staff, 10:00
11 Women’s Fellowship
12 9—
10—
11—
19 Promotion Sunday
9—
10—
11—
Deacons, 1:30
FCBC Sports Dinner, 5:00
25 Finance Committee, 9:00
26 All-Church Worship & Picnic, 10:30, Sunnyvale
September
1-3 Family Camp, Happy Valley