Last week, Joy, Mary Beth, and I went to Atlanta to participate in the New Baptist Covenant Celebration.  This was a gathering of many different North American Baptist groups including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (of which our church is a partner), and it is estimated that about 15,000 were in attendance.  This was a truly historic gathering of Baptists and there was so much diversity (theologically, geographically, ethnically), yet a spirit of unity prevailed.  It was such a great time of fellowship, worship, and teaching!  We heard Jimmy Carter speak from his heart about helping to dream up this gathering and what it means to him, as well as from many others involved in politics and/or ministry including Julie Pennington-Russell (former pastor of NABC), Bill Clinton (yes, THAT Bill Clinton), Senator Charles Grassley, author John Grisham, and Tony Campolo, a well-known author, professor, and speaker.  Mary Beth and I also attended the "Stewardship of the Earth" luncheon presented by Al Gore and we were challenged and inspired by him and the reminder that the Earth is God's creation and we have been granted the task of caring for it.  

We heard fabulous choirs and inspiring and heart-breaking testimonies from those who follow Christ in the Gaza Strip and Burma, as well as from those who advocate for children, the poverty-stricken and those in need of healthcare in our country.  My heart was burdened for those who suffer and who are persecuted, and for all that is still to be done in this broken world.  But I was also encouraged and inspired by all that is being done and the passion with which we all came together- what we do in San Francisco as one small church may not seem like much, but when it's added to everything that everyone else around the country and the world is doing to show God's love and bring about justice and equality, it's truly overwhelming and I am reminded that what we do is more than worthwhile...we are making a difference in the world.  We heard and experienced so much, it's difficult to relay it all to you in words.  We were blessed to a part of such a gathering and you were with us in spirit. 

I'm adding the link to the New Baptist Covenant website, as well as a link to Julie Pennington-Russell's sermon- it was so wonderful!!  You can also watch videos of many other speakers:

www.newbaptistcelebration.org

Julie's sermon- http://http1.deliveredvideo.com/dv/brainstormlab/thurs_russell.wmv

 

There's a great website for Advent devotionals- www.followingthestar.org

It has a different devotional every day and includes a prayer and meditation as well.  I highly recommend you check it out!  

It's been a long time since the last posting and much has happened in our church family!  We celebrated with our kids and community at Fall Fest on October 27th, which is always a fun time.  Thanks to Gwen, Mary, and all the youth and volunteers for making it possible.  We also shared a wonderful time of Thanksgiving together with lots of excellent food, time with friends, and singing.  There is so much to be thankful for and we are grateful to God for so many blessings.  

Most recently we have been celebrating the blessed coming of Christ.  The first Sunday in Advent was December 2nd and thus began the season of the Christian year in which we prepare our hearts in expectation of the celebration of Emmanuel, God with us.  One of my favorite times of the year is our Church of the Nations Christmas service, in which all of our congregations come together to celebrate through song and sharing in a variety of languages- English, Cantonese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.  Everyone did such a wonderful job of leading us in worship and God's spirit and peace were evident among us.  

During this season, I encourage you to focus on what Christ's coming means to you.  Not the commercial Christmas that we are bombarded with around every corner, or the stress of having to be a million different places at once, but what it means to have "God with us."  May you experience the true peace that only God can bring.  

Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite Christmas hymns:

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Charles Wesley)

Come thou long-expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee 

On Saturday, September 15th, some of the youth and I (Jen) participated in a simultaneous service project day in Half Moon Bay.  We helped with a beach restoration project and did a small part in protecting and caring for the beautiful creation God has entrusted us with.  Plus we had a lot of fun! 

We participated in this project on this particular day in conjunction with CURRENT, a network within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship that serves to connect young Baptist leaders. Every fall, CURRENT coordinates a national mission project called 11-on-11, which is an exciting and energizing opportunity to engage in missions in a very intentional way.  This year, 11-on-11 will still be an event organized by young Baptists, but participation was encouraged by Baptists of all ages. Historically, 11-on-11 began as an effort to do something “constructive” to remember 9/11 – a day which is forever marked by “destruction.”

The first year, September 11th fell on a Saturday, and eleven states participated in local mission projects on that day. Since then, the project has grown and it has become a way for Baptists across all ages and all states to connect and serve God in whatever way their own local community needs.  We chose to participate with Hands on Bay Area, a local community service organization that organizes various projects in the Bay Area all throughout the year. 

This was a great reminder to me, and I think to the youth as well, that as followers of Christ, we are called to serve; not only when it fits our schedule or out of guilt or selfish ambition, but because by serving and following the example of Jesus, we act the most like God.  Mother Theresa said, "Faith in action is love, and love in action is service.  By transforming that faith into living acts of love, we put ourselves in contact with God Himself, with Jesus our Lord."

Check out these links:
*we made it onto the CBF website- http://www.thefellowship.info/current/11on11.icm
*Hands on Bay Area- www.handonbayarea.org