SFCAC Building Revitalization Updates
Visit sfcacrevitalizationprojects.com and see the following videos for the latest on the Building Revitalization Project:
A Message from Church Governing Board Vice-Chair Eric Yee
Video Recording of Town Hall Meeting on November 15, 2020
A Special Election Day Word from Pastor Sam
November 3, 2020
Dear Church Family,
As Christians, we must appreciate the civic responsibilities we have as citizens of this nation. A citizen’s responsibility is to engage and participate in the politics and affairs of our society, which includes exercising our right to vote. We should pay attention and be careful about how we, as Christians, should choose our leaders as well as sway local and national policies in a manner worthy of the Gospel and the teachings of Scripture. We should remain open-minded and listen to different voices and perspectives, rather than being judgmental or making emotional criticisms of people who have different opinions.
In 1 Samuel 8, the people of Israel asked Samuel to appoint a king over them to be like other nations: “So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 8:4-6)
God, out of His grace and an eye on redemption, did not reject the Israelites’ request for a king and He instructed Samuel to find a king. Yet, the Lord was clear to point out that this desire for a king was a rejection of Yahweh as king. “And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” (1 Samuel 8:7)
Therefore, the people’s desire for a king did not follow God’s intention. This reminds us that there is really no “king” on earth who perfectly conforms to God’s will. People, including rulers of all kinds, are sinful and imperfect. What God intends is a true "Theo-cracy," government truly centered on Him, over all forms of "Human-cracy, government centered on human beings, regardless if it comes in in the form of democracy, republicanism, monarchy, communism, “small-t theocracy,” or authoritarianism. It is the tragedy of history (as well as these current times) that people often demand and desire to be governed by incomplete people and therefore, become incomplete.
There is no king or leader that satisfies God's will, and many leaders disappoint. Even King David, who was chosen and “a man after God’s own heart,” committed serious crimes of adultery and murder. There are kings and leaders who possess principles relatively close to the Bible, but there is no one on earth who can follow God’s will perfectly. As Christians and as American voters, we can follow and represent God's will in politics just like the king of Persia who let the exiled Israelites return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. "In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him." (Proverbs 21:1)
Political leaders, policies, and platforms constantly change. Even leaders who claim to be God-oriented change. Yet, during this unprecedented time with an uncertain political future, we know that God is still constant and sovereign. In this election, let’s pursue the entire counsel of Scripture and pray for the peace for this city, this country, and this generation as we execute the responsibilities of citizenry today. No matter who becomes the leader, I exhort us all that we pray continually and pursue godliness and God’s shalom peace for all.
As the Bible says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
In prayer with grace + peace to you,
Rev. Sam Yat-Sing Lai
Senior Pastor
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Missions Month + Conference 2020!
September is Missions Month at SFCAC. Join us every Sunday as we feature a guest missions speaker and highlight the global work of the Alliance and our church.
Mark your calendars especially for Sept. 18-20 for the very first online SFCAC Missions Conference featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Tim Meier, the US C&MA Vice President for Development.
For more information and the Zoom link, please email us.
Click the graphic for the maklouba ingredients.
A New Discipleship Movement...
Even in a pandemic, the call to discipleship and follow Jesus continues. Nothing can stop it. At SFCAC, a new discipleship movement has started and gets its official launch on Sunday, August 30. Join us! More info to be announced.
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UPDATE: Grow in following Jesus! Sunday August 30 is Discipleship Sunday. Along with worship service, come to the special discipleship vision meeting at 2pm that afternoon. The Zoom info is at the top of the graphic below.
Finding God thru Space Exploration - July 26
Children's Webinars with Melissa J. MacDonald
The SFCAC Children’s Ministry is hosting a series of webinars by children’s minister Melissa J. MacDonald during the first week of August. See below for more info or contact Stephanie.
For more on Melissa, visit http://www.melissajmacdonald.com/.
SkinCare Workshop this Sunday, July 19th!
A COVID-19 Update from Pastor Sam (7/9/2020)
July 9, 2020
Letter to the SFCAC Family
“Conquering through Christ during the Pandemic”
COVID-19 cases have not slowed down and there are signs of a second wave. In California, the total number of confirmed cases is more than 289,000, including 4,100 cases in San Francisco. And our church family has not been spared. With sadness and care, I must share with you that one of our SFCAC members has contracted the virus from the workplace and was confirmed to have COVID-19 after testing this past Sunday, July 5. This member is now in stable condition and home for self-isolation and observation. Please join me and rest of the SFCAC family in lifting our dear member in prayer. May our Lord provide for our member and his every physical, emotional, and spiritual need! May our beloved member experience the abundant grace and healing that can only come from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Since some of us were in contact with this member on June 28, these brothers and sisters will self-quarantine for 14 days as a precautionary measure per CDC guidelines. Our church facilities have also undergone a deep clean. The infected member will inform other individuals he had contact so that every necessary precaution can be taken. Due to the self-quarantine measures, the worship services this coming Sunday (July 12) will be pre-recorded and broadcasted according to our usual schedule.
Please rest assured that we are closely monitoring the situation. We will continue to commit to the health and safety of our church community as a top priority.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 8:37-39)
Together in Christ!
Rev. Sam Y.S. Lai
Senior Pastor
San Francisco Chinese Alliance Church
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二零二零年七月九日
三宣家書
「 在疫情下為主耶穌打那得勝有餘的仗」
新型冠狀肺炎疫情不但沒有改善，最近還有爆發第二波的跡象。在加州，確珍總個案數字已超過289,000，三藩市佔其中的4,100。帶著關切的心，我要讓你知道，三宣家其中一位成員，在其工作期間，受到感染並於上星期日 （七月五日）確診新冠肺炎。現在，這位三宣家成員正進行個人家居隔離及觀察，感謝神其身體處於隱定狀態，沒有大礙。我誠意邀請你與我們一起為所愛的這位三宣家人禱告，願意我們的救主和醫治的主耶穌，供應這肢體的身心和靈各方面的需要，在疫情中經歷從主耶穌而來豐盛的恩典與祝福。
由於部份三宣家人與這位肢體在六月二十八日有所接觸，這些弟兄姊妹會按照美國政府衛生防疫中心的建議，自我隔離十四日。三宣家的相關設施亦已經進行深層清潔。而該位確診的肢體亦會通知其最近接觸過的人仕。因應自我隔離的措施，本星期日（七月十二日）的崇拜聚會，我們已安排各事奉人員預先錄製有關崇拜環節，於主日播放。我們相信這一系列的安排是適切與顧及各人的健康的。
請各位三宣家人安心，我們正密切留意有關疫情的情況，並以提供一個健康及安全的環境，作為優先考慮因素以決定教會聚會及事工的安排。
「靠著愛我們的主，在這一切的事上已經得勝有餘了。因為我深信無論是死，是生， 是天使，是掌權的，是有能的，是現在的事，是將來的事，是高處的，是低處的，是別的受造之物， 都不能叫我們與神的愛隔絕 ；這愛是在我們的主基督耶穌裡的 。」 （羅 8:37-39）
與你同行，
賴一星牧師
三藩市華人宣道會主任牧師