Worship Videos 2014-12-28

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

Worship Videos 2014-12-21

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Scripture Drama

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-12-21

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! with heart and soul and voice...." All are invited to join in on Christmas Caroling tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 22nd, starting from church at 1:00 P.M. We will be bringing the good news through song to homebound seniors and others. If you have suggestions for someone who would like a visit, please inform Charlie or Becky, so they can work on the schedule. Drivers will also be needed for the afternoon. This is an intergenerational event, and children are especially welcome, as they are sure to bring smiles to everyone. If you have an instrument (bells, horns, ukuleles, etc.) please bring them! We will end with a super soup supper, place TBD. Plan to come and bring a
friend!
Invite your friends to our annual Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 7pm. Service will be in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Refreshments will follow!

Thank you to our 2014 Poinsettia Donors

James Yu x 2
Linda woo x 2
Vikki Siu x 2
Mabel & C K Lee x 2
(in memory of parents )
Elsie Wan
Xiao Ying Zhu
Feng
David Wong family
Kwok Kuen Cheung
Theresa Ching
Donna Louie
Lin Kam Huey
Johnson Lim
Christine Wong ( 細 )
Daniel Leung
Jenny Fung
Ed & Arlene Lang
Adrienne & Richard Fong
Donna Chan
Ulander Pang
Ben Lang
Wailan Lei
Meina Ko
Fan Yu Fang Wu
Winnie Pon
Helen Chang
Lucy Zhou
Michelle Li
Helena & Leo Lin

Hymn Story: We Three Kings

This month, our Advent worship series has been, Follow the Star. We have explored the story of the Magi as told by the author of Matthew. Our reflection on this text has included prayer, a children’s pageant, proclamation, and also music. The most familiar hymn that recalls this story is We Three Kings, which can be found in the UM Hymnal. The following is some background on that famous hymn.
Pastor Brenda




Hymn Story: We Three Kings…article by Canon Keith Evans (edited)
Written by John Henry Hopkins [1820-1891] John was a gifted academic, artist and musician. He worked as a journalist before training for the priesthood at the General Theological Seminary in New York. As well as being an author, illustrator and designer he taught music at the Seminary. During this time he also edited the Episcopal Church Journal. Later he served as Rector of Christchurch, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Hopkins was a prominent clergyman and delivered the eulogy at the funeral of President Ulysses S. Grant in 1855.
It’s sometimes suggested that We Three Kings was written for a Christmas Pageant performed by the ordinands of the General Seminary in 1857. It’s more likely, however, that he wrote the Carol as a Christmas present for his nephews and nieces. It was a great hit with the family and the Carol very quickly gained popularity. It was first printed in his Carols, Hymns and Songs in 1863.

As well as writing the words Hopkins composed the rousing tune, Kings of Orient. The Carol celebrates the Epiphany, the arrival of the wise men with their gifts of symbolic meaning [Matthew 2.1-12]. However, the Gospel only tells us about the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, it doesn’t record how many wise men there actually were. That is left to Christian tradition and folklore. In the Orthodox Church the number of Magi is usually thought to be twelve. In the western Church we think of three. We have even made them kings and given them names, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar.

John Hopkins took the well known traditions surrounding the coming of the wise men. He even presents us with a theological interpretation of the meaning of the gifts. Gold is given to the newborn king. Frankincense is offered to God’s own Son. Myrrh speaks of the passion and death of the Saviour.

Worship Videos 2014-12-14

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-12-14

Please stay and fellowship with our Homework Club Children and their family in the social hall following Service. It is always uplifting to see and hear the Christmas Story from the Children’s point of view. We are all blessed by their presence!
"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! with heart and soul and voice...." All are invited to join in on Christmas Caroling on Monday, Dec. 22nd, starting from church at 1:00 P.M. We will be bringing the good news through song to homebound seniors and others. If you have suggestions for someone who would like a visit, please inform Charlie or Becky, so they can work on the schedule. Drivers will also be needed for the afternoon. This is an intergenerational event, and children are especially welcome, as they are sure to bring smiles to everyone. If you have an instrument (bells, horns, ukuleles, etc.) please bring them!
We will end with a super soup supper, place TBD. Plan to come and bring a friend! * Please note that kids under 18 need a permission slip unless their parent is driving them
Thinking about our Covenant Missionaries...Last opportunity for Christmas Card, Retirement Card, and Birthday Cards! If you haven’t signed the cards yet for Pastor Joseph and Marilyn Chan, please be sure to see Burt or Sylvia today.

Candlelight Service will begin at 7pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th. Please invite your friends and family for a most meaningful celebration of the birth of Jesus. Service will be conducted in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. A time of refreshments and sharing will follow.

Children's Christmas Pageant

In the past two weeks, Children who attend the Homework Club have been learning the story of the birth of Jesus through music and drama. On behalf of the members of Chinese Community United Methodist Church, I would like to thank the parents and caregivers of the children who are with us this morning. May all God’s joy and peace be with you this Christmas and always.

Pastor Brenda Walker


Characters
Angels…….........Aaron Tse, Darren Zou, Brianna Ly, Jacky Chen, Chloe Lee
Shepherds.........Jia Qiao Wu, Andy Wu, Kevin Huang
Joseph……........Raymond Situ
Mary……........…Sophia Chen

Production Team
Costumes………………………Jane Yin, Brenda Wong, Arlene Lang
Rehearsal Accompanist………Jonathan Snoek
Music Director …………………Aeri Lee
Rehearsal Assistants………….Becky Wong, Meina Ko
Program………………………...Peggy Woon
Hospitality………………………CCUMC Youth, Becky and Al Wong

Special Thanks to
Christine Li, Director of the Homework Club and her staff

Worship Videos 2014-12-7

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-12-5

On Sunday, December 14 the 11:00 EM Worship will feature a Children’s Christmas Play. In the next two weeks, children who attend the Homework Club will learn about the story of the birth of Jesus through music and drama. You are encouraged to attend this special worship where the children will sing Christmas carols and act out the parts of the Christmas story from the Bible.

There are several ways that you can help make this a meaningful experience for the children and the families who will be invited to worship with us.

1. Serve as an assistant during one of our rehearsals. We plan to rehearse on Dec. 10 and 11 at 2:00.
2. Play the piano during one of our rehearsals.
3. Help with costuming.
4. Help with hospitality. We are inviting families to stay after worship for simple, light refreshments.
5. Plan to attend the service and be a welcoming presence for our guests.

If you would like to help with this special worship, please connect with Pastor Brenda

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! with heart and soul and voice...." All are invited to join in on Christmas Caroling on Monday, Dec. 22nd, starting from church at 1:00 P.M. We will be bringing the good news through song to homebound seniors and others. If you have suggestions for someone who would like a visit, please inform Charlie or Becky, so they can work on the schedule. Drivers will also be needed for the afternoon. This is an intergenerational event, and children are especially welcome, as they are sure to bring smiles to everyone. If you have an instrument (bells, horns, ukuleles, etc.) please bring them! We will end with a super soup supper, place TBD. Plan to come and bring a friend!

Christmas Poinsettias! An annual CCUMC tradition is decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas Sunday and Christmas eve. If you would like to order a poinsettia ($10.00 each), please connect with Laura or Helena (the plants can be taken home on Sunday, December 28th). Today is the last day to place your order!

Follow the Star, by Janice S Ramkissoon

Used with permission from the link: http://articles.faithwriters.com

The voice of an Angel;
The womb of a virgin;
The hay in the stable;
A life in a manger.

All started in a manger,
Prophecy now fulfilled.
Wise men travel from a far,
Bearing gifts for a king.

Shepherds were told,
And they too believed.
Follow the star,
You too will believe.

He was born to die,
A sacrifice for my sins.

His life spent:
Ministering to hearts;
He thought of me,
As He hung from that tree.

"Father forgive them..."
Yes, that was for me.
He cried out for peace,
And now I am free.

Started in a manger,
Ended on a tree.
The in-between bears witness,
So others can believe.

HE ROSE - VICTORIOUSLY:

He's alive! He lives in me;
He paid the price, He sacrificed.
Yes, salvation is free,
It is the Christmas story.

Yes, Salvation is free,
It's the Easter story.
Salvation is free,
It's for you and for me.

Follow the STAR
And you won't get lost.
Salvation is Free!
To God be the Glory.

2014 Charge Conference

Michael Yoshii presided over this year's Charge Conference.

 

 

Worship Videos 2014-11-30

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-11-30

Our annual Charge Conference will be held today at 1pm in the social hall! All are invited!

#GivingTuesday. This year #GivingTuesday happens on 12/2/14. #GivingTuesday is a movement that created a national day of giving to kick off the giving season. Therefore, to kick start your holiday gift giving, please support Sister Marilyn Chan’s Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Training Project #3020789. Contribute via The Advance by going online to www.umcmission.org/give and designating your contributions to Project #3020789. As part of UMC #GivingTuesday, United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries is matching funds of up to $1 million in gifts made online to any project on 12/2/14.

Christmas Poinsettias! An annual CCUMC tradition is decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas Sunday and Christmas eve. If you would like to order a poinsettia ($10.00 each), please connect with Laura or Helena (the plants can be taken home on Sunday, December 28th).

Ferguson Pastors Urge Peace

By Lilly Fowler / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS (RNS) Like so many others Monday (Nov. 24) night, the congregants at West Side Missionary Baptist Church were glued to televisions as a grand jury decision in the Michael Brown case was announced.

One woman sobbed in her chair as she learned that police Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted in the fatal shooting.

Then, with the press conference far from over, the church’s television went dark. And the congregants at the church turned instead to prayer and preaching.

Within seconds, the Rev. Starsky Wilson was at the pulpit, calling for “contrary folk.”
“Thank God for people who go against the teachings of the church,” Wilson said, while referencing those who had told the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that he was moving too fast on civil rights issues. “Thank God for contrary young people."

“To be contrary is to say we’ve had enough.”

Wilson was named by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon as a co-chair of the 16-member Ferguson Commission to look for a way forward after Brown’s death. On Monday evening, he said that despite the failure of the system to indict Wilson, the road ahead was not impossible. “God through faith turns curses into blessings,” Wilson said. “Ordinary people with extraordinary faith can change the world.”

The Rev. C. Jessel Strong, president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, also took the pulpit. “We’re here because we’re sick and tired,” Strong said. “Why does it seem all of our children are shot by the police?”

At the same hour, St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson gathered for prayer at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church in Ferguson. Later, he issued a statement calling for calm:

“I implore each of you: Choose peace! Reject any false and empty hope that violence will solve problems,” the archbishop wrote. “Violence only creates more violence. Let’s work for a better, stronger, more holy community — one founded upon respect for each other, respect for life, and our shared responsibility for the common good.”

On Monday afternoon, Interfaith Partnership, which represents 24 faith traditions in the St. Louis region, issued a statement calling for peace and understanding. “As we seek meaningful change and healing, we pray for understanding of the pain of others,” read the statement, signed by Carlson and Strong, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In recent days, numerous clergy members have said they will open their worship spaces to serve as safe houses and sanctuaries.

As the grand jury announcement approached Monday night, worshippers at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral downtown sat quietly. There was no broadcast of the press conference. Those listening on their smartphones were asked to use headphones. When the Rev. Mike Kinman announced the decision, one person at the back of the cathedral shouted a mournful cry and was escorted out by friends. Others in the congregation, including social worker therapist Celeste Smith, covered their faces as if in grief. Smith, who is white, listened to the announcement with Claudine Allen, also a counselor, who is black.

As planned, all fell silent then for 41⁄2 minutes. Kinman read a prayer of forgiveness written by Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and all sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” considered the African-American national anthem.

Then began a 24-hour vigil of prayer and song that would continue all night and day at the cathedral.

Kinman had sent out a notice to the community in advance announcing that people could gather at the cathedral for group prayer, song and silent prayer. He wrote: “Be not afraid. Be prayerful. Be bold. Be together.”

Pastor’s Note: As we enter this season of Advent, let us be mindful that we as the church are called to share the peace and hope of Christ with a desperate and hurting world. O come, O come Emmanuel.

Worship Videos 2014-11-23

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-11-23

Our annual Charge Conference will be held next Sunday, November 30th 1pm in the social hall! All are invited!

#GivingTuesday. This year #GivingTuesday happens on 12/2/14. #GivingTuesday is a movement that created a national day of giving to kick off the giving season. Therefore, to kick start your holiday gift giving, please support Sister Marilyn Chan’s Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Training Project #3020789. Contribute via The Advance by going online to www.umcmission.org/give and designating your contributions to Project #3020789. As part of UMC #GivingTuesday, United Methodist General Board of Global Minis-tries is matching funds of up to $1 million in gifts made online to any project on 12/2/14.

Christmas Poinsettias! An annual CCUMC tradition is decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas Sunday and Christmas eve. If you would like to order a poinsettia ($10.00 each), please connect with Laura or Helena (the plants can be taken home on Sunday, December 28th).

Hospitality Sign-ups! The last 3 Sundays in December are available for YOU to share your hospitality by providing refreshments after service! Please sign up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The notion of building nests is often used as a metaphor to describe people successfully providing for their own comforts. When we are comfortable, secure, and feel at home in our workplace or living area, we talk about the space being “our own little nest.” The word nest often connotes shelter, coziness, homelike, comfortable. In actual fact, the nests which birds build are not for the birds who build them, but for their young, for the next generation, for the future of the species. Now consider the “nests” we build in our churches. The buildings, programs, ministries, job descriptions and services - are they for our own comfort and coziness? Or are they to further the faith and provide for future generations? Vibrant, fruitful congregations focus as much energy, prayer, and planning on those outside the church as they do on those who are already active in the congregation. For those who practice Extravagant Generosity, the nests we build are not for ourselves – they are for the next generation, those new to the faith, the future of the body of Christ.

Excerpt from Practicing Extravagant Generosity Devotional by Robert Schnase

However and wherever you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, may your heart be open to receive God’s gracious and abundant love.

Pastor Brenda

Worship Videos 2014-11-16

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-11-16

Maintaining Covenant Relations: If you haven’t already, please see Sylvia Louie to sign a Thanksgiving card for Pastor Joseph and Sister Marilyn!

Save the Date~ Saturday, November 22nd from 6pm to 8pm. Wadi Foquin Fundraiser Dinner

Thanksgiving Sunday 9:30AM Parallel Worship November 23rd! Worship will be followed by a gratitude potluck. For those with last names ending in A-M: please bring a main/meat dish to share. For those ending in N-Z: please bring a side/veggie dish to share. Ulander and Mabel will provide Ham, Larry and Peggy will provide Turkey. The Youth and Adrienne/Rich will provide dessert.

Kumi Reflection - part 2

By Becky Wong

Going to Kumi this second time around for me held a totally new aspect of Mission Service. As one of two retired schoolteachers on the team (the other being Connie Branson), I was invited to share some of my teaching expertise with the KCVS staff. This sounded like an intriguing opportunity, filled with possibilities of all kinds. So we both agreed to the task of teacher training.

But as the trip grew closer, and Connie and I started to plan, all kinds of uncertainties and questions began to arise: What kind of training did the teachers already have? What books were they using? What materials were available? What would the teachers think of learning in cooperative groups----a teaching style that was probably radically different from what they were used to? How could we share worksheets when copy machines and even paper were not readily available supplies? And what would Kumi teachers think of 2 foreign retirees who looked, spoke, and lived in very different worlds from them? In short, where should we begin? Of course, there were no simple answers to any of these questions.

So looking over our reserves of science teaching tools, and proceeding in what I’ll call Faith with Trepidation, we began to pull lessons we thought might work from an elementary school science program put out by U.C. Berkeley. We packed tape measures, balance scales, metric weights, paper clips, buttons, and seashells.

So we spent 4 days training the staff and the Head Teacher. I remember that the first day, the teachers seemed very shy and quiet. Moses, James, Scovia and Stella had some previous experience teaching, but Jessica was brand-new----in fact she was one of the orphans we had sponsored through high school. I kept hoping that they could understand my English accent, because sometimes it was a challenge for me to understand their British accent.

But the neat part was watching them try out being the student. One exercise had them use paper clips to measure a desk. I was relieved that they didn’t think it was at all silly. You could see their minds being challenged by a very different style of teaching. Who in Kumi had ever heard of using paper clips to teach measurement? In the afternoon, we tried the same lesson with a class of students, and the teachers observed. When we debriefed the following day, it was interesting what they noticed.

First, they were delighted with how the kids “took” to the lesson. Kids were out of their seats, and talking to each other about the task. They realized that their students were engaged in doing real thinking and problem-solving. Head Teacher Jacob commented that as the master teacher, I didn’t skip over students who didn’t have the answer right away, but gave them time to think and offer a guess or a thought, even if they weren’t sure it was right. A real eye-opener was when I pointed out that their classes were seated with total separation of boys and girls. We talked about opportunities for girls, and encouraging them to have confidence. Almost immediately, the two male teachers, James and Moses, got up from their seats and walked over to the three female teachers, and indicated that they also needed to mix the gender seating, just as their students should. This was met with surprise, and then giggles as they rearranged their seats, and Connie and I realized that they really “got it”. They were sharp, and they were open to learning something new. In that moment, I was totally grateful that we had come halfway around the globe. Here, with our new brothers and sisters, we delighted in learning together, learning from each other, and seeing the future opening doors wider and wider for all of us.

Another surprise came on the day of the great celebration: Commissioning Day for KCVS. About 500 villagers had gathered at the school that Saturday. Everyone was in awe of the Uganda Minister of Education, a beautifully dressed woman seated on a bright red sofa chair brought in for the occasion. It was hot, and we had been sitting for about 3 hours. But when it came time for her to give her speech....we hung on every word. She had great praise for the school construction. But I was caught totally off-guard when she mentioned the science lessons and trainings that had been offered to the teachers and students. She hoped that these could be shared with other schools throughout the area. WOW, I thought. Indeed, you never know what an impact you might make, just doing a small thing like sharing a science lesson.

Thinking back, I’m so glad that I didn’t let my fears and uncertainties get in the way of the willingness to serve. While I had tons of questions going into this new mission, I learned that having respect and an open heart goes a long way in building bridges and overcoming differences. I truly thank God for the blessings of this journey.

Worship Videos 2014-11-9

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-11-7

Homework Club Parenting Workshop will be held on Friday, November 14th beginning at 6:30. The focus will be on how to improve your child’s study habits. Please pray for this important ministry. Although they don’t need anything for this event, the children could use a donation of small paper cups for their snacks (4 oz should be fine).

Save the Date~ Saturday, November 22nd from 6pm to 8pm. Wadi Foquin Fundraiser
Dinner at Lake Merritt UMC. $50/person or $300/table of 7. The dinner is the culminating event of a speaking tour hosted by Friends of Wadi Foquin and the CA-Nev UMC United
Methodist Women, Israel-Palestine Task Force and Advocacy and Justice Committee. Proceeds will help fund community development projects in Wadi Foquin to retain their rights to land and life in their homeland.

Parallel Worship Services beginning at 9:30 will be on November 23, after which we’ll be having our Thanksgiving PotLuck! More information coming soon!

VIM Trip Reflection

By Becky Wong

Traveling to Kumi this 2nd time around held special excitement for me. Having spent more than half my life teaching in the public schools, I couldn’t wait to see teachers and students in the brand-new classrooms. I pictured the rough brick structure that we had helped start 5 years ago, now transformed into a shiny new edifice. Well, on my first visit to KCVS, I was in a state of disbelief at what this “new” school looked like:

Dirt floors, crudely finished walls, no glass in the metal window frames. The front doors of the school lay on the ground amidst construction rubble. The walkway to get to the classrooms was a mixture of lumpy rock and cement, inviting one of us to twist an ankle or stub a toe. The chalkboards looked as if they were 10 years old, and where were the books? I certainly couldn’t see any. If this were a school in the U.S., it would be immediately shut down! My gosh, I thought, what have we done???

This was the first Saturday after we arrived, so school was not in session. But the amazing thing was that kids were around. Maybe they were bored at home and had nowhere else to go, or maybe they had seen the new visitors arrive in the school van and were curious. First there was a handful, then pretty soon, a dozen or more kids, smiling and looking at us. We started to chat with them, asking them their names and their grades.

Then Connie and I couldn’t resist, we got out the pen and paper and asked a child to write his name on the paper. Sure enough, he neatly printed his name and grade, then proudly handed it back to us. Of course, we had to take his picture, he smiling shyly, but obviously pleased with his accomplishment. Then one by one, each child did the same; wrote in the notebook, and snapped a photo with us.
Then it dawned on me.....it didn’t matter that the floors had dirt or the chalkboards looked worn or the cement was half broken; there was something here that was unmistakably a sure sign of a good school: smiling, bright-eyed children were here and they were eager to learn.

Over the course of the following week, it became evident that teachers, using chalk, chalkboard, and only one book for a whole class, were teaching reading, writing, math, and all the basics, and were doing a remarkable job, using lots of their own creativity and ingenuity. Every day was graced with children singing and praying, giving thanks to God for all they had. And even in the few days we were there, we saw the building transformed before our very eyes. The construction crew worked round the clock to complete 3 of the classrooms so they DID look spanking new! Along with cement floors and a newly- cemented walkway to each room. Glass panes were hand-cut and placed in the windows, and the front door took it’s rightful position to welcome the guests on the day of commissioning.

So what did I learn? First, not to let first impressions cloud the true underlying picture. Second, in Kumi, the people can use even the simplest resources and with hard work and perseverance, produce great results. Third, that when we let God be in control, miracles can happen beyond our imagination, and that is exactly what is happening with KCVS. The humble gifts that we have offered are opening new doors to a bright future for the children of Kumi.

Worship Videos 2014-11-2

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

Covenant Relationships with Missionaries

Currently there are over 300 Global Ministries missionaries serving in over 60 countries throughout our United Methodist Church and World Methodist Church connection. Individuals and churches are invited to partner with a missionary and provide financial, spiritual, and emotional support. When we covenant with one missionary, we are supporting the entire United Methodist missionary community on their behalf and in their name.

CCUMC Begins a New Journey

After a lengthy period of time for discernment to determine whether or not to broaden and deepen our congregation’s need with a ministry outside our community, CCUMC decided to establish covenant relationships with three missionaries or mission fields. Beginning January of 2012 and through June 2016, we have decided to be in covenant relationships with Rev. Joseph Chan and Marilyn Chan, both of Cambodia, and Youth and Child Visionary Ministries (YCVM) Kumi, Uganda.

There are three conditions through which we experience covenant relationships. First, we establish a financial goal of five dollars per church member per year in financial support of each missionary’s work. For CCUMC, this amounts to $250.00 per missionary/mission field. However, the covenant is much more than a financial commitment. It is also, secondly, a dynamic relationship where the church and its members and the missionary pray for one another and lastly, that all partners communicate regularly.

For more information about our Covenant Partners, connect with Sylvia Louie, Steve Chan, or Burt Yin. A detailed brochure is available here.

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-11-2

We Welcome Rob Herrmann as our guest speaker today while Pastor Brenda takes a mini break to visit Pennsylvania. Rob is currently a seminary student employed at Lake Merritt UMC.
Mission Ministry Team Meeting on Saturday, Nov. 8th, from 10am-noon at church.

Maintaining Covenant Relations: If you haven’t already done so, please sign greeting cards for Pastor Joseph and Marilyn Chan. See Sylvia Louie to sign a 35th wedding anniversary card and a Thanksgiving card.
There are Available opportunities to share your Hospitality! Sign up on the sheet in the Social Hall!

Parallel Worship Services beginning at 9:30am will be on November 23, after which we’ll be having our Thanksgiving Potluck! More information coming soon!

Spring Forward, Fall Back: Just a reminder to set your clocks BACK one hour THIS weekend (November 2nd, 2014)!

I-Relate Workshop

An I-Relate workshop led by Shan McSpadden and Aeri Lee was held on Saturday, October 25th, where we explored a deeper understanding of ourselves and of those that may be different from us. The workshop included fun and interactive activities, self-discovery, some "a-ha" moments, as well as a time of fellowship with each other and with our pastors.

 

 

Both Pastor Brenda and Pastor Meina shared their call stories, and some background for their journey of faith.

Covenant Relationships with Cambodia and Uganda

The United Methodist Church has over 300 Global Ministries missionaries serving in over 60 countries that are available for support through a Covenant Relationship.  Individuals and churches can partner with a missionary and provide financial, spiritual, and emotional support.

CCUMC has Covenant Relationships with Youth and Child Visionary Ministries in Uganda, and Pastor Joseph Chan and Marilyn Chan in Cambodia.



A Covenant Relationship is much more than a financial commitment. It is a dynamic relationship where the church and missionary pray for one another and communicate regularly.  As CCUMC's Covenant Relationships develop, there will be opportunities for us to pray and provide financial support for YCVM and the Chans.  Who knows - someday you might feel called to go on a Mission Trip to be in ministry alongside YCVM in Uganda or the Chans in Cambodia!

View the entire CCUMC Covenant Relationships brochure here.

Worship Videos 2014-10-26

Chinese Choir

Chinese Sermon

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-10-26

Thanks to all of you for your participation in our 5th Annual Benefit Dinner! We hope you had a wonderful time hearing about the wonderful ministry that we’ve been blessed to partner-up with!

Covenant Relationship Round Table Conversations: After worship today, Sunday, October 26, please stay for a time of fellowship and discovery (12:45 - 1:45) as members of the church share about our covenant relationships with ministries and missionaries serving around the world. Our presenters will be Pastor Joseph and Marilyn Chan of Cambodia, and representatives from YCVM.

Adventures in Faith (AIF) will be resuming monthly sanctuary time with the Homework Club children on October 29th. If you would like to help out (usually a Wednesday afternoon, once a month), please connect with Becky Wong or Pastor Brenda.

There’s Available opportunities to share your Hospitality! Sign up on the sheet in the Social Hall!

Spring Forward, Fall Back: Just a reminder to set your clocks BACK one hour next weekend (November 2nd, 2014)!

Many Reasons to Give Thanks!

This has been a very busy and meaningful weekend here at CCUMC. Let us give thanks to God for the spirit of vitality among our people! Let us thanks to God for the opportunity to nurture rich relationships with each other and with our partners in ministry around the world!

This past Friday CCUMC hosted the 5th Annual YCVM Benefit Dinner. Those who attended enjoyed an amazing dinner and time of fellowship at Peony Restaurant. Church members who participated in the 2014 mission trip to Kumi, Uganda shared their testimonies with the largest crowd in the history of this event.

This past Saturday CCUMC offered a workshop to promote cultural awareness and sensitivity. Under the leadership of Aeri Lee, those who attended this workshop enjoyed a time of fellowship and an opportunity to explore issues of cultural differences while getting to know each other a little better.

Today is Covenant Partnership Sunday. Members of our church will share about CCUMC’s partnerships with missionaries, churches, and non-profits who are serving in other parts of the world. Please stay for lunch and round table conversations following worship.

~Pastor Brenda

Worship Videos 2014-10-19

Chinese Choir

 

Chinese Sermon

 

English Sermon

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-10-19

Our 5th Annual Benefit Dinner is next Friday, October 24th! We will be sharing firsthand stories of our 2014 trip to the village of Kumi. The evening includes an 8-course Chinese Banquet, a Silent Auction, and a Village Crafts Market. There are many exciting items in the Silent Auction and many unique things to purchase at the Village Market! We will see you there!

I-Relate Workshop led by Aeri Lee Saturday, October 25 1pm-5pm  In this workshop we will discover a deeper understanding of ourselves and of those that may be different from us. The workshop will include many fun and interactive activities, self-discoveries, and "a-ha" moments, as well as a time of fellowship with each other and with our new pastor. Please RSVP to our lay leaders, Steve Chan, Becky Wong, and Yvonne Chu so that we may have enough food for lunch.

Covenant Relationship Round Table Conversations After worship next Sunday, October 26, please stay for a time of fellowship and discovery (12:45pm - 1:45pm) as members of the church share about our covenant relationships with ministries and missionaries serving around the world. Our presenters will be Pastor Joseph and Marilyn Chan of Cambodia, and representatives from YCVM.

Adventures in Faith (AIF) will be resuming monthly sanctuary time with the Homework Club children on October 29th. If you would like to help out (usually a Wednesday afternoon, once a month), please connect with Becky Wong or Pastor Brenda.

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-10-12

Reserve tickets now!!! 5th Annual Benefit Dinner Friday, October 24th - We will be sharing firsthand stories of our 2014 trip to the village of Kumi. Please get your reservations in ASAP, and we promise you won't be disappointed. The evening includes an 8-course Chinese Banquet, a Silent Auction, and a Village Crafts Market. Our Silent Auction for this event is now accepting your pledge of (new) goods or services. Please connect with Peggy or Donna if you are planning to donate. Visit www.ycvm.org for more information and online ticket purchasing. Tickets can also be purchased in person from Becky Wong.

I-Relate Workshop led by Aeri Lee Saturday, October 25 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm - In this workshop we will discover a deeper understanding of ourselves and of those that may be different from us. The workshop will include many fun and interactive activities, self-discoveries, and "a-ha" moments, as well as a time of fellowship with each other and with our new pastor. Please RSVP to our lay leaders, Steve Chan, Becky Wong, and Yvonne Chu so that we may have enough food for lunch.

National Chinese Caucus Sunday – please read the relevant article in this issue of the Messenger and donate as you feel led.

Adventures in Faith - AIF will be resuming monthly sanctuary time with the Homework Club children on October 29th. If you would like to help out (usually a Wednesday afternoon, once a month), please connect with Becky Wong or Pastor Brenda.

National Chinese Caucus Sunday

by Rev. Dr. Peter Lau, ChairThe purpose of the Western Jurisdiction Chinese Caucus is to provide a platform to care for and minister to the English-speaking churches and congregations and the Millennial Generation. Currently, WJCC includes local churches and congregations in California-Nevada Annual Conference and California-Pacific Annual Conference.

We thank God for providing us an opportunity to work with one of our UMC seminaries, United Theological Seminary (UTS) in Ohio. If God is willing, a formal relationship or covenant with UTS will be established by the end of 2015 or the beginning of 2016. The plan is to provide theological education and ministerial training in a UMC setting, so that clergy-seminarians will be able to minister to local churches and congregations in the UMC way, such as connectional and appointive systems, instead of an independent church mindset.

A total of $8,100.00 was raised this year to support a seminarian from China, transferring from Drew School of Theology to Claremont School of Theology in Southern California. A few months ago, South Pasadena United Methodist Chinese Congregation to UTS in Ohio as Student Scholarship donated another $2,000.00 for Chinese seminarians.

We sincerely request a special offering to be taken on NCC Sunday to support the mission and ministries of NCC. We would also like to encourage each local church to make a membership contribution to NCC to sustain our connection. Please make your check payable to NCC, and mail it to our Treasurer, Mr. Auto Ting, 1260 Rapidview Drive, Walnut, CA 91789.

Worship Videos 2014-10-5

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Worship Videos 2014-9-28

Chinese Choir

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English Ministry News and Notes 2014-9-28

World Communion Sunday is next Sunday, October 5th. This will be a JOINT Worship, so please come at 10:30AM! Please stay for a luncheon of soup and bread immediately following service!

Our church member, Musa Funtua, can be seen here hard at work at Downs Memorial UMC. His work responsibilities include being a cook’s assistant and helping at their "Clothes Closet" store.

The Bridges District $100K Challenge for Imagine No Malaria

We have accepted the challenge in Bridges District to raise $100,000 for Imagine No Malaria by Annual Conference of 2015.

We know. $100K sounds like a lot. But if you think about it for just a minute what we're really talking about is less than $2 per person per week throughout our District. $45 per Church per week? The answer is….. "WE GOT THIS".

We can beat the other Districts and get there first!

Put a bucket in church and challenge your community! We really can do this!

Bridges District! We will save 10,000 lives through Imagine No Malaria by Annual Conference!
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WHAT EXACTLY IS MALARIA?

Malaria is caused by a parasite, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. This mosquito flies and feeds at night (which is why bed nets are an effective prevention tool). When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and heads for the liver, where it multiplies. It then re-enters the bloodstream, attacking red blood cells. Typically, someone with malaria experiences a high fever, chills, joint pain and headaches. Left untreated, symptoms eventually advance to organ failure. Nearly 90 percent of malaria’s victims are children under the age of 5 and pregnant women.

THROUGH PARTNERSHIP, WE HAVE MADE EXTRAORDINARY PROGRESS

In 2007, the World Health Organization estimated there were more than 1,000,000 malaria related fatalities. By 2012, the number had been reduced to 627,000. While that is still a staggering number, a nearly 50% increase in life is worth celebrating! Thanks to the efforts of The United Methodist Church and our partners, we are on our way to beating malaria for good.

Worship Videos 2014-9-21

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