The Sunday Gathering @ FCBC

Thank you George Lai for preparing your perspective on 3 scriptures that were included in the presentations given by  Paul Fong ,  Robert Mah and Jimmy Lim. 1. Leviticus 18:22 2. Romans 1:26-27 3. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 George states that there are the ONLY 3 scriptures that the Bible references to homosexuality. He also claims there is not a Greek word for homosexuality. But sexual immorality was mentioned in the Bible.  George presents his view and makes rational argument against these 3 scriptures.  Assumptions that people make: 1. Seeing is believing  2. Absence does not mean it doesn't exist 3. Not all scriptures are equal in value and scriptures are not inerrant 4. Everybody, including Biblical writers (Jesus too) "cherry picks", i.e. this sciprture would be useful so i can use this for my presentation, sermon. But we must understand the source and why and how it can be taken out of context. 5. Absolute truth is uncertain and unattainab

Melanie Low  joins The Sunday Gathering and discusses Hebrews 12:1-3:   Have you ever been through tough times and lost faith in God? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endure the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Main points to remember: 1. Great cloud of wintesses 2. Focus on Jesus, so we won’t grow weary and lose heart Paul says we are in a race, Melanie says it’s a marathon and that we need people around to mentor us . We need to train, compete and finish the race. Like Steph Curry! Who has many people around him to train him, his c

Jonathan Ng updates us about the Blended 11:20a Service membership's survey results: The Blended Service has been successfully implemented and supported by many committed members of our congregation.  The Blended Service Task Force has spent much time listening to the membership's ideas and concerns and continue to create & tweak along the way which has proven to be a very special and satisfying way to worship God. Responses have been quite positive overall and most are happily learning new ways to worship God while sustaining some elements that are meaningful to all. "Change" is good. Find common ground. Let's worship God. Click to view Jon's presentation and discussion: https://photos.app.goo.gl/T94zYEbCyhdvTo9Z2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/u03avsPrOBAd7nbn1 The Committee asks for your continued patience and support! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nelson Wong defines Regional Affiliation Thank you Nelson Wong for presenting and clarifying Regional Affiliation and what it means to the membership and our future.  Nelson opens with "We are Baptist".  There are over 5000 churches in our denomination and 33 Regions in the country. FCBC belongs to Growing Healthy Churches (GHC) , formerly the American Baptist of the West. It is a requirement to belong to a region if you are Baptist Church. You can choose to be part of any of the 33 regions in the US. The affiliation does help source candidates to help find staff and helps to provide fellowship and partner with like minded churches to do mission projects with other churches in the region i.e. Water Project in Thailand. For many years FCBC has been considering to change regions because GHC has been operating under  questionable business practices;  (Selling Redwood Glen, disposing a host of Asian American churches, limited church participatio

Jimmy Lim presents homosexuality through a biblical, scientific and societal lens. Thank you Jimmy for sharing your research and identifying some very important *scripture  that signifies  the views of homosexuality from the Bible. There are many biblical references  that claim  homosexuality is "ungodly" - Which raises many questions. The Bible clearly states  that  homosexuality is a sin. Romans, 1 Corinthians and high profile Christian leaders confirm  this and agree homosexuality is a sin which is not acceptable  in most churches today. The  Christian  response may be "welcoming, but not affirming", but how is this sin  different than  other  sins?  Per George Lai :  i .e. Deuteronomy  21: 18-21 NRSV.   “If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father and mother, who does not heed them when they discipline him, then his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his town at