Videos for 12-25-11

Complete Chinese Worship

Complete English Worship

Merry, merry Christmas!

This past Tuesday, over 20 people gathered to go Christmas caroling.   It was a wonderful group including fresh new faces as well as those for whom caroling is a decades old tradition.  Decked with bells and Santa hats, we visited elders from our Chinese Ministry congregation in the nearby Zhong Shan Building and in Alameda, as well as 3 senior care centers.  Along the way, the group held a cross-walk caroling competition belting out for all to hear: “Joy to the World.”

Caroling was not on our ministry calendar just some 2-3 weeks ago.  Having looked at that calendar in the middle of Fall, caroling just didn’t seem like something we could squeeze in.  There simply seemed to be too much else going on!  Besides, who would really miss caroling anyway?

On Tuesday, as we gathered in a circle to introduce ourselves, John Keck reminded us that going caroling was an anniversary of sorts for him.  It was through caroling – and what he experienced while caroling – that he got connected to CCUMC.  Many of you know the rest of the story: how John started coming regularly to Sunday worship, and later, on a fine Spring day, while wandering from church through Oakland, experienced the irrefutable presence of God.  John has since participated in worship (just like he is doing today), pitched in over the summer with Adventures in Faith, attended Asian American Summer Camp, and most recently, become a tutor in our Homework Club ministry.  Indeed, who would miss caroling?!  John would!  It was through his urging that caroling was organized in a jiffy thanks to the speedy and responsive organizing of Charlie Ho. (Thanks much, John and Charlie!)

This whole experience prompted me to reflect on the many doorways that open onto an experience of God and the community of faith.  Traditionally, we have thought of that doorway being worship.  John (and others) have reminded me that sometimes it is through service, sometimes through fellowship, or music, or study.  There really are a million and one possible doorways to encounter Love, Grace, Justice, Hope, Joy, and Wonder.  Sometimes, the question is: how far out of the box are we willing to go to enable a new (or old) doorway to be available for others for that incredible encounter to happen?

I wonder if that’s what God was thinking when She sent the angel Gabriel to Mary with a new plan: God-with-us, Emmanuel.  I wonder if the birth of Jesus wasn’t God’s way of dreaming up yet another possibility for how the Holy One could be available to and experienced by the world.  I wonder if the birth of Jesus wasn’t God going all the way to make a new doorway possible. 

As we celebrate Christmas this year, I pray that the utter incredibleness of God’s love will be experienced richly in your life and the life of the world.  I pray that you’ll find many doorways to walk through in the coming year that will bring you into the presence of God and community once again.  And I pray that the One who came to be with us, Jesus the Christ, will lead you to more life, more joy, and more hope than ever before.  “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

Peace & Grace,  Emily

English Ministry News and Notes for 12-25-11

*Great thanks for all who pitched in for last Sunday's Children's Christmas Party! We hosted more than 30 children and their families, shared the Christmas story, and had fun with Christmas crafts! Let us continue to hold this ministry in our prayers and listen attentively for God's leading.

*Please note that the church office will be closed Dec. 26th and 27th as well as on January 2nd.  In addition, Pastor Emily will be on vacation on Dec. 28th.

*Come Alive! As theologian Howard Thurman said, “...what the world needs is people who have come alive!”  And nothing like a brisk hike or bike ride in one of our beautiful Northern California trails does a better job of achieving just that.  To witness Nature’s glory, Becky and Al, Burt and Jane will lead us on one of their favorite spiritual activities on January 2.
Please reserve Monday and meet at Becky and Al’s in Castro Valley at 8am for fellowship and breakfast. (Their home is accessible by BART.) We'll carpool from there to Coyote Hills where we'll pick up the biking / hiking trails.  Hike length is variable, (3 -4 miles) with views of the bay. Biking can be extended as long as you wish, but may be coordinated with the hikers’ time frame. The trail is along Alameda Creek and is totally free of traffic.  Fellowship may be extended with lunch out after the hike/bike.
Please contact Becky Wong for directions and let her know if you’re willing to drive or have bike racks so we can plan appropriately.

*Do you enjoy meeting new people? Do you have a knack for welcoming others? An usher and greeter training will be held for current and new ushers and greeters on Sunday, Jan. 8th. Our time together will enable us to grow in this important area of ministry. Please RSVP to Ben, Chair of Invitation & Witness Ministry Area.

Candlelight Service 2011

Videos for 12-18-11

(Chinese Choir and Sermon were not recorded - sorry)

English Sermon - "Saying 'Yes'", Luke 1:26-38, Pastor Emily

English Ministry News and Notes for 12-18-11

*Children’s Christmas Party TODAY!  Pitch in as we reach out to the children and families of church and the Homework Club today at 2:30pm!  We have several fun projects for the children that you are invited to help with!  You can also pitch in and help host the refreshments that will be provided.  God has answered our prayer to grow.  Let us respond in faith.

*Fill the Food Barrel Challenge!  Let’s fill the barrel to over-flowing for the holidays!  Bring your non-perishables Christmas Sunday to help feed the needy. 

*Advent Candle-Light Worship Service will be held on Friday, Dec. 23rd at 7:30 p.m.  All are welcome!  If you’d like, please bring some simple refreshments to share and, invite a friend!

*Christmas Day Worship will begin at 11:00 a.m. as usual.  Please note, there will be no Sunday School for children or adults at 9:30 a.m.

*Please note that the church office will be closed Dec. 26th and 27th as well as on January 2nd. 

*Come Alive! As theologian Howard Thurman said, “...what the world needs is people who have come alive!”  And nothing like a brisk hike or bike ride in one of our beautiful Northern California trails does a better job of achieving just that.  To witness Nature’s glory, Becky and Al, Burt and Jane will lead us on one of their favorite spiritual activities on January 2.
Please reserve Monday and meet at Becky and Al’s in Castro Valley at 8am for fellowship and breakfast. (Their home is accessible by BART.) We'll carpool from there to Coyote Hills where we'll pick up the biking / hiking trails.  Hike length is variable, (3 -4 miles) with views of the bay. Biking can be extended as long as you wish, but may be coordinated with the hikers’ time frame. The trail is along Alameda Creek and is totally free of traffic.  Fellowship may be extended with lunch out after the hike/bike.
Please contact Becky Wong for directions and let her know if you’re willing to drive or have bike racks so we can plan appropriately.

Out of the Box: The Gift the Cannot be Contained

Advent Week 4
Aeri Lee

At our worship planning retreat some weeks back, Uncle Ed (Lang) was reading for us the scripture text for today’s worship, the story of Angel Gabriel’s visit to the young, teenaged, peasant girl Mary, announcing that she’s about to become pregnant, with God’s Son no less.  Just before he got to the part where Mary gives her answer in the affirmative  (as in, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’), uncle Ed took a long pregnant (!) pause, which was so totally inspired!  That pause jolted us out of the familiar hearing of the annunciation text into truly considering how frightening the news must have been for Mary.  What thoughts and questions went through young Mary’s mind in that space between the outrageous call from God and her “YES”?

Indeed what is involved in our own discerning of God’s call for our lives and our “YES” to that call, especially if the call you discern to be from God throws a monkey wrench on your own plans and brings up all kinds of fears and doubts?

Well, a major unexpected call from God in my life was the call to marry Ben.  It may not be in the kind of stupendous magnitude as that of Mary’s, but it certainly threw a monkey wrench in my own plans and imaginations for my life. Not only was Ben the first really nerdy, techy guy I’d dated (ie, not my type), when I met Ben, he was sooooo shy that I had to make all the first moves which I had never had to do before. So when our friendship grew deeper and I sensed that God was leading us both to consider marriage, my first reaction was to ask “Really (!?!?), seriously (!?!?!), God?”  I packed myself up and went to a retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains to fast and pray about this for three days. There, alone in a tiny cabin, I poured out my fears and my complaints before God: “What if I have to be the one that has to give and give all my life?” “What if Ben never learns how to express love for me?” “What if I become resentful?” and so on and on….

After a while of this, I sensed the calm voice of God in my heart speaking ever so tenderly. “It’s me that has brought Ben into your life.  I will take care of you.  I will satisfy all your needs. All you have to do is to love him unconditionally and completely, as you have been loved by me. Do you trust me?” Then I had to say as Mary did ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word’.  Well, maybe not those exact words, but a definite “YES” to the call to be a blessing for all, together in partnership with Ben.

And now, after 5 blessed, joyous years of marriage, I feel like a ‘most highly favored lady’, as in, I am the lucky one who scored a keeper of a husband. =D

So, going back to the original question, what is involved in our own discerning of God’s call for our lives and our “YES” to that call? Well, for me, it took some wrestling with God, maybe airing out all your concerns and fears, listening carefully to what our loving God has to say, trusting in God’s words, and courageously stepping out in faith.  What will it take for you?

Sienna is born!

Leela and Manuel Ma welcomed their first grandchild into the world on Monday, Dec. 12th at 8:27 p.m. Little Sienna weighed in at 4 lbs 11 oz. Sienna is the daughter of Rachel (Ma) and Sammy Zheng.  Both mom and baby are doing well.  Grandma and Grandpa are ecstatic!

Videos for 12-11-11

Chinese Choir

Chinese Sermon

English Sermon - "Proclaiming Possibility and Joy", Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Pastor Emily

2011 Charge Conference

Last Sunday, CCUMC held its annual Charge Conference, with Rev. John Oda overseeing the proceedings.  The printed report can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByOiCXtEwuDHYjA2Zjk4MDgtNGE2Mi00YTU4LWI2MzQtMTMxN2IwZDM2ZTI4

and a recording if the entire event can be viewed here:

English Ministry News and Notes for 12-11-11

*Let's Holy Conference! We are called to Holy Conferencing today at 1:00 p.m. during our annual Charge Conference. All members are encouraged to attend.  A simple lunch will be served in the Annex at 12:30 p.m.

*Small Group Ministries Update: We have experienced a wonderful Fall Season together.  Great thanks to our faithful convener / facilitators: Burt & Jane Yin, Charlie Ho & Steve Chan, and Becky Wong.  We pray that your participation has been life-giving and faith-forming!  Please note, Small Groups will take a “Christmas break” beginning the week of Dec. 18th through the week of Jan. 1st (3 weeks total.)  Small Groups will begin anew the week of Jan. 8th.  If you have not yet connected with a Small Group, you are warmly invited to explore the possibility.  Please connect with any facilitator or Pastor Emily.

*We Want to Grow! Then let's pitch in to reach out to the children and families of church and the Homework Club next Sunday at 2:30 p.m. You can support this effort by sharing refreshments (hot apple cider, hot chocolate, cookies, fruit), setting up and prepping, and lending your presence to the activities of the day. A sign up sheet is going around.

*Jonathan Snoek Takes Membership! You are invited to hold Jonathan in your prayers this week as he prepares to become a member of CCUMC next Sunday, Dec. 18th. Let us pray for, encourage, and welcome Jonathan!

*Hospitality Sign Ups - You are invited to provide hospitality and refreshments in the new year! Find someone new to work with! Connect with someone you don't know! Sign up sheet is available near the refreshment table.

*Advent Candle-Light Worship Service will be held on Friday, Dec. 23rd at 7:30 p.m.  All are welcome!  Invite a friend.

*Christmas Day Worship will begin at 11:00 a.m. as usual.  Please note, there will be no Sunday School for children or adults at 9:30 a.m.

Out of the Box: The Gift the Cannot be Contained

Advent Week 3
Derek Lang

Earlier this week, a student was telling me about his transition from attending non-denominational churches to Catholicism. He was tired of what he saw as fads and here-and-now religion, and sought something with more “reverence.” He sought something that was grounded in the constancy of God – the “past, present, and always”-ness of God. He valued the tradition of over 2,000 years of church and communion of saints, i.e., that connection with those who have walked the path before him.

This Sunday’s theme is about “Possibility.” I often think of possibility as something new and different. When I left high school for college, I never kept in touch with my old school friends because I shed myself of the past so I could try something completely amazing and wonderful. Sometimes the past can hold us back from being open to these new things that God is calling us to, and we have to let go and trust in God. But there is also a part of the past that reminds me of how God has been faithful to me generation after generation. I find hope and comfort in knowing that God was with those who walked before us and will be with us as we walk to the future.

In Sunday School, we find there are so many wonderful scriptures surrounding Christmas. Within the four weeks of Advent, it is sometimes a challenge to fit in the Nativity Story – the angel’s visit to Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph, the trip by Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem , a child in swaddling cloth at the manger, the star that led the Magi, and the host of angels upon the shepherds. Yet, we try to squeeze it in – we have to squeeze it in - because it is such a powerful story. It is a story that has lasted and been told over and over through the millennia. It is a story that offers hope, comfort, joy, and wonderful new possibilities. It is the story of Jesus. And that story is God’s gift to us to share with the world.

Costa Rica Medical Mission Sharing

Last Friday, Alvin Leung shared his experiences from a medical mission trip to Costa Rica through International Service Learning.  The presentation included a dinner, slideshow, and Q&A session.

Videos for 12-4-11

Chinese Choir

Chinese Sermon

English Sermon - "Comfort, O Comfort", Isaiah 40:1-11, Pastor Emily

English Ministry News and Notes 12-4-11

*LMUMC Food Pantry Monthly Service Day! It's our final service day of the year! You are invited to experience this ministry this Saturday, Dec. 10th, from 9:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Questions or to sign up, please connect with Jane or Richard.

*Stay Connected! You are encouraged to stay connected with our recent graduates who have moved up and down the coast.  Please see Pastor Emily for full addresses.

Wendy Lee - UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA
Rct. Weng, Hong Jun, 1st BN Delta Co Platoon, San Diego, CA

Jenny Wong, UCSD, La Jolla, CA

*Annual Charge Conference - CCUMC will hold it's annual Charge Conference on Sunday, Dec. 11th at 1:00 p.m. The Rev. John Oda from sister circuit church, Lake Park UMC, will preside. A simple lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Our time together will be bilingual. Please make every effort to be a part of our time together.

*Christmas Outreach Party - Will you help hosts a special party for our Homework Club students and families on Sunday, Dec. 18th? Please look out for ways to get involved next week!

*Advent Candle-Light Worship Service will be held on Friday, Dec. 23rd at 7:30 p.m.

Out of the Box: The Gift the Cannot be Contained

Advent Week 2                                         
Ben Wong

Although I’ve played a lot of sports over the years, I never had a major injury until about 10 years ago. Sure, there were minor cuts, sprains, bruises, and even small fractures, but nothing that persisted more than a month at most. But in late 2001, I hurt my back, and things have never been the same. The cause of the injury is a myriad of things, with the main cause probably being poor posture. I won’t go into the details, but if you see me slouching, it’s ok to remind me to sit up straight and stand up tall. The injury caused me to really seek relief from the pain, which still exists today.

Now, my physical discomfort hasn’t really changed my faith life. The injury isn’t debilitating to the point where I can’t function any more - it’s more of an inconvenience. But it’s true - you never know what it’s like until it happens to you. I no longer wonder why some people have trouble lifting things because of a bad back.

Financially, comfort isn’t something I think much of, either. As one of the younger people at CCUMC (it’s all relative …) I can’t say that I’ve ever lived through a period of significant hardship. Going to Africa further confirmed what I knew all along - I have plenty of comforts, whether they seem adequate or not. The reason things seem comfortable is because my life is rather predictable, and the psychological comfort of knowing that my future is more certain than many others is something that I hardly even appreciate.

With the Occupy movement and such, it seems to me that there are a whole lot of people who are facing financial hardship - enough that they are grabbing the headlines to highlight their suffering. I can’t say that I can identify with their economic situation, but I can see that it’s hurting. Personally, I have been affected by the downturn in the housing market (which is discomforting), but I’m nowhere close to the situations that the homeless and near-homeless face.

Going to Africa was definitely a contrast in comfort levels, both physically and financially. Initially, I felt that my role was to bring comfort to those in need of comfort - and that is definitely a positive thing to do. However, I’ve come to learn that missions isn’t a one-way street. I wondered what God was teaching me through my interactions with YCVM. I’m slowing realizing that by becoming more intertwined with their lives, I’m forced to see their deeper level of faith that my comfortable life has never been forced into. Beyond simply observing that deeper level of faith, my commitment to continued involvement is forcing me to give up my comfort in the predictable, and the controllable. It is challenging me to rely on faith, and less on what I can control. I’m definitely out of my comfort zone.

In our relatively comfortable lives, where we can establish comfort by controlling our surroundings, is there a reason to ask God into our lives? Maybe that’s where our faith is absent. Since we aren’t vulnerable, it’s hard to really rely on God for our livelihood. We don’t know what it’s like, since we haven’t experienced it. As a church, I hope that we are here to deepen our faith, since that is one of the unique aspects of Christianity. You won’t find any online Cyber Monday deals where people are rushing out in pursuit of more faith. It’s not a hot commodity outside of the church. But as a supposed “people of faith”, I hope that we are able to increasingly give up our comfort in the predictable, and seek to take our faith in God to a new depth.