Celebrate Good Friday

Celebrate Good Friday online with SFCAC this Friday, April 10!

The Bridge (English) is livestreaming a Good Friday Gathering at 8pm.
Link: https://youtu.be/WV2waGFb9-I

Cantonese Good Friday Service starts at 7:30pm
Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTXd_UUGu8j37A7rjerc0raHaX50lEoa6

The Mandarin Congregation is hosting four Zoom gatherings for Good Friday. For more information, please contact Pastor Daniel Li.

Please prepare your own bread and cup as communion will be celebrated in each service or gathering.

SFCAC Kids! Sunday School Video (04.05.2020)

Kids, join Elaine for an adventure in the life of Jesus! The Quick Version for Younger Children starts at the 9:42 mark. Craft materials: https://drive.googl...

Kids, join Elaine for an adventure in the life of Jesus!
The Quick Version for Younger Children starts at the 9:42 mark.
Craft materials: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1f_S...
➤➤➤Credits➤➤➤
BibleStory Passage provided by D6 Curriculum Link: https://www.D6family.com
Introduction- Song: 샛별 - Glimmering / https://youtu.be/VqiCkmbBTBc
Quick Version- Song: 샛별 - Cherry Blossom / https://youtu.be/qWdiEnKx-MU
Ending- Song: 샛별 - A New Day! / https://youtu.be/UzSe0YUd9BM

Link + Info for Palm Sunday Online Worship

Join us for Palm Sunday Worship this Sunday, April 5!

As this is the first Sunday of the month, we are celebrating Communion. Obviously, because of the shelter-in-place order, we won’t be able to celebrate in person together. So, for the online worship, please provide your own bread and grape juice for Communion. If you are not able to obtain bread and juice, please contact the church staff. We have a limited supply of prepackaged communion elements at church. We can arrange a time and a way for you to obtain this prepackaged communion bread + juice. Yet, again, the supply is limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Here is the link to the YouTube playlist in which our online service will be made available:
LINK TO ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES

The Bridge service starts at 9:15am.
Cantonese and Mandarin services at 11am.

Fourteen Days: A Letter from Pastor Sam

March 30, 2020

“Fourteen Days: A Letter to the SFCAC Family”

Dear SFCAC Family

Since March 17th, we all have been experiencing “shelter-in-place” for fourteen days. We don’t usually commemorate "Fourteen Days", whether it’s Fourteen Days of work or vacation of traveling abroad with friends and family.  We soon forget the feelings good or bad associated with the time we spend. However, we have experienced many unprecedented trials during these present “Fourteen Days.” Under the shelter-in-place order, we must stay home from school and work, and keep social distance from people. We cannot meet with family, friends or church brothers and sisters. People are concerned about not being able to get basic daily necessities like toilet paper and groceries. When people go out shopping, they are protecting themselves, covered in full gear with masks and gloves.  People do deep cleaning immediately after returning home. Those who still need to work outside are worried about being infected by the virus and in turn, may infect their families. These "Fourteen Days" have been unforgettable. Everyone is looking forward to the end of this shelter-in-place order and the epidemic. We all want to go back to normalcy as soon as possible.

For many who have young children and work from home, in addition to dealing with daily work, they must also arrange time to home-school their children, play with them, and then do housework and cook. Those who go outside to work are worried about being infected when their companies do not take serious epidemic preventive measures. Without the supply of face masks and sanitizers, employees are constantly worried about being infected and cannot stay focused at work.

As for medical workers on the front line, the situation is even more challenging.  With limited supply of protective gear and equipment, medical workers are risking their own safety and health as they treat patients with COVID-19. Some medical workers are staying in hotels alone and temporarily separating themselves from their families in order to prevent possibly infecting them. The most devastating news is that some medical personnel are unfortunately infected with the virus. We heard very sad news that a friend, Dr. Xu, who practiced in Florida and was known by some of our SFCAC family members, is now home with the Lord due to contracting COVID-19 last Friday (March 27).

In the face of this severe epidemic, I encourage you, my SFCAC family, to keep doing your part in this period of shelter-in-place.  As medical workers emphasize: "We stay at work for you. Please stay at home for us”.  I like to especially address young people, in consideration of the wellbeing of the elders at home, please be patient and stay at home.  In fact, Dr. Arabia, a doctor serving in the emergency room, stated that in the cases she saw, the virus does not selectively attack and take away the lives of only elderly people or patients with underlying conditions.  Therefore, everyone, old or young, please stay at home as much as possible.  Flatten the curve.  Let’s not increase the burden that is already on the medical system. I also encourage my brothers and sister at home-- don’t just spend time on the Internet, playing games, indulging in TV dramas… but take this time to draw closer to God through spiritual practices like reading the Bible, devotion, and praying.  During this time, I myself have seizee more opportunities to read spiritual books and in that process have gained a lot.  I thank God because I know that many of you chose to do spiritual devotion, Bible reading, prayer, and worship together as a family.

As for us as a church, we have not stopped serving each other.  Regular small groups, fellowships, prayer and ministries meetings, across the three congregations, will continue to meet online. Our Caring Team has been busy with weekly acts of love as well! Last week, they made “Comfort Food Deliveries,” in which brothers and sisters made and delivered home-made food to SFCAC members at their homes, so that we all deeply experience the love of Christ and the beauty of serving each other. This week, we want to encourage a new continuous act of love and that is to encourage you all to take the initiative and call, care, and pray for each other as well as those outside our church family. I believe that each of you can participate and care for people inside and outside the SFCAC family.

According to the latest announcement by the US government, the next two weeks will be the worst and most critical time of the epidemic. People are advised to stay alert and vigilant. For the worldwide church, these two weeks are equally important and have spiritually significance. It is the last part of the Lent season as we celebrate Palm Sunday this Sunday, followed by Good Friday and Easter.

Finally, allow me to encourage you with my favorite hymn "Because He Lives.” We believe that the resurrected Lord is still walking with us today. We have hope in our lives and in this difficult time. Although I don't know how many more rounds of “fourteen days” are ahead of us, let us not forget that “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living. Just because He lives.". With this faith, let us together face this historic challenge and build a memorable "Fourteen Days" filled with positivity and spiritual worth.

1)      God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

2)      How sweet to hold a newborn baby? And feel the pride and the joy he gives. But greater still the calm assurance. This child can face uncertain days because He Lives.

3)      And then one day, I’ll cross that river. I’ll fight life’s final war with pain. And then, as death gives way to vict’ry. I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living. Just because He lives.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Sam Lai
Senior Pastor

SFCAC Kids! Video Sunday School for Week of 03.29.2020

Kids, join Elaine for an adventure in the life of Jeremiah! The Quick Version for Younger Children starts at the 8:43 mark. Craft materials: https://drive.go...

Parents! Our awesome Kids Ministry has something for your children! See it here --> https://youtu.be/zw4oHFeTrCY

Kids, join Elaine for an adventure in the life of Jeremiah!

The Quick Version for Younger Children starts at the 8:43 mark.

Craft materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XBPlwv7iESsrdCM3PN8D_Zqvhe-djGlg/view?usp=sharing

Link to March 29 Streaming Worship Services

Join us for worship services online this Sunday!
(Due to the shelter-in-place order, the sanctuary is closed for any and all gatherings)

We have consolidated all of our worship services onto one YouTube playlist. Here is the link you will find the worship services:
LINK TO MARCH 29 WORSHIP SERVICES

- The Bridge (English) service will continue to stream at 9:15am.
- Cantonese service at 11am.
- Mandarin Service at 11:15am.

This Sunday's Bulletin: https://www.sfcac.org/bulletin
A password is needed to access the bulletin. If you did not receive the email that has the password, contact Pastor Jonathan.

A COVID-19 Update from Pastor Sam (3/16/2020)

3/16/2020 Update from Rev. Sam Lai on COVID-19

Dear SFCAC family,

I appreciate your prayers, care and support for the SFCAC family, the greater Body of Christ, and the nations in the face of the rapidly changing situation due to COVID-19. Today, the San Francisco city government issued a Public Health Order requiring that residents remain in place, with the only exception being for essential needs effective 12am tomorrow. In other words, everyone is required to stay home and only allowed to go out for essential needs. The SFCAC family will pray for all of you to have strength, health and wisdom in these trying times.

We also would like to provide help to the elderly and others who may be in need of groceries and/or assistance with other errands. Please let the staff know if you know of anyone with these needs. Likewise, let our church office know if you could join us in providing this help.

Also, in light of this new order, starting tomorrow, SFCAC will only provide online worship services. The sanctuary will be closed until further notice. Likewise, all other activities such as prayer meetings and fellowships will only be held through online platform without physical attendance until further notice. SFCAC staff will work from home effective immediately.

If you have any inquires and/or needs of assistance, please contact our individual staff or Rev. Sam Lai instead of the church office.

Psalms 42:5 (The Message)
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.

Grace & peace,

Rev. Sam Lai
Senior Pastor

Live-stream Links for March 15 Worship

Hi folks! Join us this Sunday as we live-stream The Bridge (English) worship service and the Chinese services.

The Bridge (English) service at 9:15am: https://youtu.be/ByaDDDuoPvE

Cantonese service at 11am: https://youtu.be/JBh0CRg7W3o

Pre-recorded Mandarin service at 11am: https://youtu.be/eBe0OtJ9FfY

Link for bulletin: https://www.sfcac.org/bulletin
pw:SFcac@1150
You can also find the "BULLETIN" button on top of the church website

An Update from Pastor Sam re: COVID-19

An Update from Pastor Sam in response to COVID-19 (as of March 11)

SFCAC will continue the live-stream of our worship services this coming Sunday 3/15: The Bridge (English) service at 9:15am; Cantonese service at 11:00am; and Mandarin service (pre-recorded) at 11:00am.  The respective live-stream links will be provided shortly.

Meanwhile, our sanctuary in the Main building will be open for physical attendance of the worship services at 9:15am (English only) and 11:00am (Cantonese only), if you so choose. All attendants will be required to practice social distancing and take appropriate safety measures such as putting on masks.  In addition, we will ask attendants to sign in and fill out basic information for the purpose of tracking, if needed. 

We recommend the following to stay at home:
- Those who are not feeling well
- Those who have underlying physical conditions or constraints
- Those who are not ready to attend the church services
- Those who belong to high-risk/vulnerable populations (people 60 years old and older; people with certain health conditions; or women who are pregnant or were pregnant in the last two weeks)

If you are having problems accessing the livestream, please call SFCAC office if you need assistance for the live-stream.

For The Bridge (English congregation), 2nd Hour classes have been cancelled.  As for Chinese Sunday School, fellowships, life groups, and others meetings and activities, their resumption will depend on the situation and nature of the gathering. Respective fellowship, life group, and ministry leaders will decide whether to gather physically, online, or both.  Should activities be held at SFCAC, the above hygienic measures are recommended. 

Please share and pray with other brothers and sisters.  There are 15 cases confirmed in San Francisco as of today.  Let’s pray for the healing of the patients and for the Gospel and God’s light to shine throughout our community. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

In Christ alone,
Rev. Sam Yat Sing Lai

Live-Stream Times + Links

As you know, we have closed our facilities and cancelled all physical meetings at our church until further notice.  But we will worship together.  Join us for either or both of the following live-stream services this Sunday:

The Bridge (English) Service @ 9:15am: https://youtu.be/QiFFtefE_5A

Cantonese/Mandarin Combined Service @ 11am: 
https://youtu.be/g4rxn6C33j4

You may access the Sunday Worship Bulletin here: www.sfcac.org/bulletin.
Use password: Sfcac@1150

Also, please do not forget to SPRING FORWARD an hour for Daylight Saving before you go to bed Saturday evening.

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