Beginning with September, we enter the season of autumn change. The nights are longer and the days become shorter. Deciduous trees shed their leaves and prepare for dormancy in the winter. Annuals finish blooming and are ready to be pulled out. Autumn is the season between full-bloom and no bloom at all.

Our lives also change with the season. After a long summer respite, we return back to school for learning. After a summer vacation, we go back to work. After Memorial Day, women traditionally wore white shoes, but after Labor Day, the shoes are put away until next May. The season of autumn not only represents change in the natural world but it signifies change in us too.

Many of us will be very busy, rushing from one engagement to another, paying little or no attention to the changes that may be happening in our lives. We end up doing a lot of stuff but frequently finding little satisfaction in what we did. The Psalmist said that though the earth should change, the mountains shake, the waters roar, and even when nations are in an uproar, God reminds us to “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10) It is good for us to know that when our Western way of doing things traps us into a vicious cycle of swirling change, that we can learn to be still.

Consider setting aside this autumn a time in your day for prayer. This may be if you are a “morning person” like me, getting up early and watching the sunrise on the horizon while reading the morning paper. This may be a time for you to pray for the world. Or it could be a time at your daily work when you can take a moment to “be still” and know that God is here. I guarantee that these quiet times especially during seasons of change will bring forth life-giving inspiration. Hear God asking you: “Where have you been this morning? This afternoon? This evening? What did you see? Where are you now?” Be present to yourself. Notice what is going on within you while changes are happening all around you. Bring these things to God and be still with Him.

This autumn season at FCBC as expected will once again reflect many changes. Promotion Sunday on September 7 will introduce new students in their new classes. Our church boards and committees along with the Finance Committee will work on the 2004 church budget that will contain a new way of supporting American Baptist missions. Both the Long-Range Planning Committee and the 125th Anniversary Committee will begin their work that will reveal results in 2005. As we grow both spiritually and numerically, discussions are underway to add more worship services in the weekends. Not only are our personal lives experiencing the changes of an autumn season, but our church is too. Yet, in the midst of all of this, the Psalmist reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God!”

Join with me and your sisters and brothers at FCBC to become active and present in the life of the church even when it is busy with changes. But let us also remember what the Psalmist said. Let us trust God with all of our endeavors and know that behind all of these autumn changes, God is here.

The season of no school and no homework (unless you had intensive summer school), vacation, camp, picnic, and retreat has passed quickly. Over 150 people from the FNS and Children Sunday School attended the outing on July 27 at Junipero Serra County Park. We started with an outdoor worship at 11 AM, then, enjoyed the gourmet BBQ lunch prepared by Suzanne Mak and her crew. We all had a great time and many people expressed appreciation for what our church has done in the community.

During the summer, most of us have a more relaxing pace. We need to rest. Part of the reason God made Sabbath is for human beings to rest. It is good in God’s eye. But, on the other hand, resting too much without self control would make us lazy and sluggish. It is also true in our spiritual life. That’s why we need to have spiritual revival. Revival always starts with fervent prayers. Especially when God’s people gather in corporal worship and pleading for spiritual renewal, the Spirit of God would work among them. The Bay Area Chinese churches are organizing joint prayer events on September 14, at 7:30-9:45 PM at three locations. This year’s theme is ‘Pleading for Revival at the Mercy Seat’. The one in San Francisco will be held at the Presidio Middle School (450 30th Ave./Geary). The other two will be held in Palo Alto and Berkeley (please see poster for detail addresses). The events will be filled with praises, revival messages, and guided prayers. I highly encourage you to come and join with many other Christians to pray for the spiritual revival of the country, community, churches, and our own spiritual lives.

The Chinese adult Sunday school summer series was completed at end of August. We are thankful for all the brothers and sisters who shared their experiences in mission. It was not only educational, but also challenging for us to become world Christians in responding to the Lord’s Great Commission. In September, we’ll start a new semester with the Book of Matthew. Eddie Lo will teach the adult class, Andrew Yue the young adults, Joseph Lee the college group, and Winnie Guan the high schoolers. I hope that you still remember one of the themes for this year is focusing on God’s Word. Let’s come and learn from the ‘Word’ as we take ‘Action’ for our concern and service to the community.

Baptismal and membership class will start on September 7. For those who want to understand the meaning of baptism and becoming members, please come to my office at 10 AM.

The Friday Night School will start the Fall semester on September 26 and run through December 19. The monthly worship will begin on September 12, at 8 PM.
May God help us to revitalize our spiritual growth and our hearts to serve the Lord.

“Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

Our topic for Youth Camp (Truth in Action) sprang from our theme this year of Bible Study and Social Action. The camp speaker, Michael Crane challenged the youth to consider some tough issues such as war, bio-ethics, and the environment. Now that Day Camp 2003 and Youth Camp 2003 have come and gone my prayer is that the lessons learned this summer will be remembered and we will put that truth into action this Fall and through the rest of the year!

Our Christian Education programs are beginning a new year with Promotion Sunday on September 7th. We encourage you to attend the 9:00 service to celebrate those who are entering junior high and college and to attend the 10:05 service to celebrate those children being promoted from 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 4th grades. Our adult classes will begin on September 14th, with a special sneak preview of classes on September 7th.
In the past few months, a special sub-committee of the Christian Education Board has compiled the following mission statement for all of our Christian Education ministries at FCBC:

“The purpose of our Christian Education program is to develop people into followers of Christ, who love God wholeheartedly, love others selflessly, serve faithfully, and strive to be more like Christ, having God’s heart for the world.” Come and be a part of our CE program this year!

Upcoming CE Events: Teachers Rally, September 6th…Promotion Sunday, September 7th…Volleyball Event, September 14th…Youth Gathering September 19th…College Bible Study, Friday nights at Pastor Chris O.’s (contact her for more information)…

In cooperation with five other Chinatown churches, FCBC will be sponsoring an election forum on Sunday, September 14, 2:30-4:30 to be held at our church. This would be the only opportunity for the Christian community in Chinatown to express its views with the major mayoral candidates and to ask their views on matters affecting our neighborhood. Issues to be covered would include:

• Creating a healthy Chinatown (Security, graffiti, homelessness, affordable housing, tourism, clean streets, over crowdedness, etc.)
• Ensuring health care for immigrants
• Practicing affirmative action in City Hall
• Watching out for campaign reform
  
  This forum will not endorse any candidate; rather the purpose of the forum is to understand mayoral candidates’ commitment in creating a healthier Chinatown. Although some of us may not live in SF, all of us worship and perform God’s mighty ministries here. Plan to attend this important meeting!

All members of church boards and committees, church officers, and church staff will once again gather for its fall planning day to achieve the following objectives:

1. Get excited about the fall programs and what’s coming up!
2. Develop the 2004 theme with emphases on “Prayer & Mission”
3. Share in fellowship as God’s people

The Planning Day is on Saturday, September 20, 9:00-12:00 (no lunch). Please indicate your attendance by RSVP Wendy Luo at FCBC. Your participation as a church leader is important as we begin envisioning God’s plan for our church!

The Say Amen! Gospel Ensemble will kick off it’s 4th season on Sunday, September 14, upstairs in Fellowship Hall at 12:30 pm. This is earlier than usual: lunch at 12:30, practice from 1-2 pm. Come for some fellowship & food, then settle in for a first rehearsal and a preview of the music from September to Christmas.

The Gospel choir, an intergenerational group ages high school and up, practices once a week for one hour on Sundays after church, 1:30-2:30 pm from September to June. The choir sings once a month on the last Sunday of each month at the 9:30 joint worship. We specialize in traditional and contemporary spirituals and gospel music, sung in four parts, occasionally accompanied by a band. If you have an interest in singing we welcome you to try the choir this year! For more information, contact director Joy Shih Ng at 415/332-6938 or joyshih@aol.com.

Just Say Amen!

Handbells need a tune-up!!!!! Yes they really do. Parts get old and need replacing. They need to be cleaned inside and out. Dolores Rhodes, Malmark sales rep and technician, cleaned them once before and cleaned them again this summer. She works out of her home in Alameda.

We deliver them and she starts by taking the bells apart. She checks for worn parts, washes them, polishes them, puts them together with new parts, and readjusts the clappers. This is all done by hand. If they were polished by machine, the castings will get flat. If any of the castings were flat, she would let me know, send it back to the factory and tell me what the extra charge might be.

To win on Jeopardy, here are some answers for the Handbell category.

1984
Shirlene Tong, Marjorie Moy, Milton Dong, Jennifer Chang, Serena Jang, Melanie Low
Howard Quan Memory Fund
Cathedral Hill Hotel
Third Spring Ring
Christy Jin
Paul Fong (Pungo)
Wai Ling Wong
Lawrence Pang
Roger Tom

________________heard beautiful music from these unique instruments and started a plan to purchase them. The handbells were funded primarily with_______________ and purchased in______. ________________________started a children and adult choir. ____________was the oldest member and ______________was the youngest member. There was a big gap in abilities, so the choir was divided up. ____________________led the adults and _____________________led the youth handbell choir. Later ____________________also directed the Adult Choir. _____________started a choir for the 11:15 service. _____________and ___________trained for a year, led a Sr. and Jr. high choir and gave______________________a year off. The Youth Handbell Choir has attended a competition at_______________. We played “Do You Hear What I Hear?”. We also attended a __________________festival in Oakland where we learned new techniques, played “Rondo” for the festival, and rang 4 songs with other choirs. We were directed by James Meredith (composer, pianist, director of SONOS Handbell Choir) and was accompanied by an organist and a drummer. We’ve also gone to AGEHR festivals in Sacramento.

________________had also been in training and directed the Youth Handbell Choir. I’ve been waiting for him to come back from CSULB. __________________is in training now and we want to start a junior high choir. If you have a desire to hold a bell, please don’t hesitate to talk to Melanie. We want YOU to share in our joy of ringing.

Did you get all the correct answers? Do you want to try ringing? It’s a lot of fun because we create beautiful music together and thank God for His wonderful grace at the same time.

Welcome to planet Earth, Dylan Layne Hong born on July 4, 2003 to the proud parents of Tiffany and Clinton Hong! May God shower you with many blessings.

FCBC’s participation in the Chinese Christian Union (CCU) summer basketball league of five teams, were awarded 2 “fellowship” trophies for excellence in fair-play and team spirit. Congratulations to all players, managers, and coaches for a great season! We are proud of you!

Special thanks and appreciation to Jamie Wong who directed our six-week Day Camp and to Rodney Tom who directed our 32nd annual Youth Camp! They along with their dedicated staff of counselors and helpers made this year’s summer a bit more special. Thanks be to God.

At his year’s Annual All-Church Picnic on August 16, a group of judges awarded prizes for the Bake-Off Contest. Winners are: First Place–, Second Place–, and Third Place–. Thank you for all the delicious entries.