In Community:

February 2019 Newsletter

Spring is Coming

by Pastor Craig Swanson

We all grew up being told not to write or color on the walls or furniture.  But in some homes, there was an exception; a doorway or a small section of a wall was filled with lines, initials and dates.  People would mark how tall each child was and then compare the growth year over year.  The larger the gaps between dates represented the largest growth spurts a child had.  We’re trained to think growth is something we can always see.  If we can’t see or measure growth, then we assume it must not be taking place.

We are now approaching the end of another winter. While it’s been mild by historic as well as comparative standards, I think we’re all ready for spring; when things start growing again.  Short days, long nights, cold temperatures, bare trees and a limited selection of fresh fruit make us anxious for spring to arrive.  We have this idea that little growth takes place in winter.  That’s because we’re conditioned to think that growth is something we can see.

But winter is actually an important season for growth, and even though we can’t see much happening, important things are taking place behind the scenes.  Back in the 70s, when I was building houses, the lumber was typically Douglas Fir.  It was straight and true; no warping or twisting.  Then, in the 80s and 90s hemlock became a common species.  Now we see a lot of spruce and pine; softer woods that grow quickly and lack the strength and consistency of fir.  Fir trees take longer till they are ready for harvest.  They endure more winters.  Their rings are tighter.  And they produce better lumber.

We may endure some spiritual winters from time to time.  Seasons when it doesn’t look like much is happening.  Bone-chilling trials that take all we have just to endure.  But it’s during those times take God is doing a work IN us; something barely noticeable on the outside.  But He’s making us stronger, making us straighter, making us into reliable material for Him to use.  And when winter finally passes, the joy of spring is all the greater.  Hold on, winter will soon be over and visible growth will once again be seen.

FBC Annual Meeting 2019:

Good Food, Fellowship, Testimonies, and
Relatively Painless Official Church Business

This past Sunday was FBC’s annual meeting.  I was worship chairman, so after the morning prayer, I hurried downstairs to help prepare for the lunch.  I expected the usual slightly frantic situation in the kitchen, but when I arrived downstairs, I found instead, a calm orderliness and things well in hand.  I suspect that it had a lot to do with the presence of Theone & Sam Tollefson.  The effect of their kitchen leadership was evident.  I also found Joy Friberg mopping the floor, ridding the serving room of all its sticky spots.

Lunch was served and included salmon, chicken karaage, a vegetable dish with tofu, rice and Japanese sides.  The buffet lines moved smoothly, with a minimum of jostling (actually none).  As cake was served, the meeting began.

Every year, the leadership asks a couple of people who are newer to FBC to share.  This year, Simon Li shared a testimony via video and the Coquinco Family (Jordan, Lisa & Ezra) shared in person.  It was good to get to know them a little better and to hear how the Lord has been working.

As Pastor Mike began his financial report, he first asked for a raising of hands of those who have been at Faith Bible for less than a year.  He then asked about 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and finally those who have been here for over 40 years.  There were hands raised in each category.  I forgot his point, but it was interesting none the less.  Pastor Mike’s report could be summarized as follows:  FBC has been blessed by many faithful givers, we continue to support missions, we are committed to using our financial blessings to do God’s work, and any apparent irregularities in the budget are due to Dave Bauson (additional staffing expense, missionary funds).  Theone entered the meeting with her financial report highlighted with questions to ask, but seemed to be satisfied with Mike’s explanations.  Gratitude was expressed to Jeanne Kumai and Alan Williamson for their continued support in this ministry.

Pastor Craig began his report by reminiscing about his first sermon at FBC in July 2002.  He spoke about Caleb, who even at an advanced age, did not think of resting but continued to live a life of challenge.  Craig shared about his taste of retirement during his sabbatical and about his near brush with death from their car accident at Steven’s Pass.  From these experiences, he expressed a resolve to continue to challenge himself to “go deep” with us and with the Word.  He encouraged us to join or continue in Gospel Journey groups.

I’d like to encourage everyone to attend the annual meeting next year.  Consider this:  A delicious lunch, great fellowship, encouraging testimonies, inspiring reports AND John Tsuji closed us in prayer at 1:36 pm.  You would probably be still waiting for a table at the Cheeky Cafe at that time.

– Report respectfully submitted by an Anonymous Elder

Seniors Thanksgiving Celebration 2018

by Kevin Chan

As our weather has cooled down, many of us would much rather just stay inside at home. But on Saturday, December 1st, FBC was the happening place once again with a large crew working in the kitchen. Led by Sue Machida, a whole team of enthusiastic cooks and helpers were all buzzing like busy bees everywhere in the kitchen! Sheilah Tsuji heard that it’s such a great time of working in fellowship that she came and joined in the fun! They put the finishing rub on the many racks of prime rib before it all went into the hot ovens. A variety of fresh colorful vegetables were cut, tossed in olive oil and seasoned for roasting. Other helpers continued with the cutting and the presentation of the rotisserie chicken, sushi, fresh fruits, and lots more.

While soft music started playing in the fellowship hall and the aroma of fresh coffee brewing was circling the room, our young helpers (Laurie Machida, Keoki and Kulani Chan) were blending the ingredients of the raspberry sherbet punch together. Our early bird guests were invited to enjoy the punch first. Before long, our greeters were welcoming more and more guests through the door and the whole room was quickly filled with laughter and conversations! Praise the Lord for another great turnout, as we even had to make additional seating and table arrangements!

Steve Machida opened up our festivities, as he gave an extra-warm welcome to all our guests. Then Watson Louie came up to introduce everyone to an ice breaker game called “Get In Line!” The guests at each table have to go through a list of criteria listed on the game sheet, get into an orderly line and perform a specified pose. For example: everyone lined up from shortest to tallest from their table and then posed with their hands stretching high into the air. Then they continued: from farthest away to closest birthplace and posed standing side by side; next from least to most siblings and posed holding hands with each other; age of first airplane ride and do an airplane pose; age of when first wore glasses and do a binocular pose; age of first paid job and do a shoveling pose; and more. It was really cute seeing all our seniors going through all the various poses and even acting a little silly, as everyone was laughing out loud!

Pastor Mike opened up our lunch time by asking the Lord to bless our food and our time together. The lunch menu today included: prime rib, rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, sushi, roasted vegetables, sweet rolls, mandarin salad, fruit platter, haupia (coconut) cake, punch, coffee and tea.

There was so much great food that we even ran a little behind on time, so it was a quick aerobics session with Jim Spray. But there’s a tradition that we simply can’t skip over and that’s starting off with a few corny jokes with Jim! So, why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side of course! Okay, then why did the turkey cross the road? Because it was the chicken’s day off! And finally, why did the bubble gum cross the road? What??? Come on now, it was stuck to the turkey’s foot!

Okay, it’s time for more kick-boxing aerobics with Jim! Punch to the right, left, right, left…1-2-3-4-5. Kick to the right, kick to the left…1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. Now add the punching and the kicking together…1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. Now, the new one with the cha-cha-cha! Punch, 1-2-3-4-cha-cha-cha! Jim shouted “Everyone, really loud now!” Ugh-oh, Jim admitted that he was getting himself confused with all the quick moves! Everyone ended with a good chuckle!

Dr. Gary Kato came up afterwards and encouraged everyone to regularly do the cha-cha-cha, as it’s beneficial to stimulate the mind and the body to stay healthy! As he continued, he spoke on the subject of MCI, which stands for ‘mild cognitive impairment.’ A general diagnosis would include symptoms such as: forgetting things often, losing your train of thought, driving and blanking out, and judgment issues. MCI is related to dementia and is reversible, but the very first step is to have your doctors check your thyroid and your Vitamin B-12 level. Risk factors are simply us getting older and our genetics. There are easy steps to take to reduce the risks, for example: if you have hearing aids, be sure to wear them and it’ll slow down the deterioration. If you have diabetes issues, then don’t eat so much cake! Make sure to monitor and control your high blood pressure! Watch your weight and cholesterol. Get lots of exercise! Walk and socialize in a group! Use your brain and keep it active! Participate in social engagements (like this luncheon) and be active in the community!

The Kolohe Wahines (Theone Scholl-Tollefson, Helen Akamine, Grace Spray, and Lisa Brouwer) in their bright and beautiful red dresses got everyone into the musical mood, as they entertained everyone with two of their signature songs. Then they cheerfully led the group singing time with the following songs: Ring Those Bells; Mele Kalikimaka; We Wish You A Merry Christmas; Joy to The World; and Silent Night.

It was a great blessing to have Dave Bauson as our guest speaker. He started off by asking everyone to stretch their arms out, take some deep breaths and yawn, just to get it all out of the way! That means no falling asleep! And everyone chuckled! Dave wanted to share about home, family, hopes and dreams. And that’s his 3 T’s: Testimony, Thailand and Thankfulness!

Dave asked the audience to raise their hands if they recognized any of these names: Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and The Rat Pack. He wanted to start with the past, as he grew up listening to records by these entertainers or watched them on TV when they were all still alive. In his 58 years, Dave has called 14 different places home (that’s literally moving every four years).

You see, Dave’s dad was born and raised on a rice farm in the Philippines. But his dad didn’t want to walk behind a water buffalo plowing the land for the rest of his life. So, he joined the US Navy, left home, traveled to see the world in the 1950’s. He got married back in the Philippines though. The young couple wanted a better life to start a family together, so they moved to the US and he began to work in The Pentagon. Dave was later born in Maryland. And the family moved to Seal Beach, California in 1964 because Dave’s dad wanted a better home for his family!

In 1967, Dave’s dad transferred to Italy and the family lived in an Italian villa. Again, dad wanted to give the family the very best! The house had a million-dollar view of the Bay of Naples and of Mount Vesuvius. However, Christmas was cold in the non-insulated house! The family huddled around a black-and-white TV and played a Christmas record on the record player in the background. They only had a kerosene heater and a cooking burner to cook their cheese sandwiches.

Jumping forward a bit, the Bauson family finally settled in Washington State. They first moved into a naval housing in Bremerton. By this time, there are four kids in the family, but they finally had a warm house (heated by an oil drip heater) on Christmas. Their family eventually moved into the Lake City neighborhood in north Seattle, where Dave attended and graduated from Nathan Hale HS. Dave then moved east to Michigan for college at the GM Institute, where he graduated and worked for GM as an engineer. It was the Easter of 1978 that Dave received Christ as his personal Savior. Dave later went on to attend Dallas Seminary and lived in a house that should have been condemned, as it was just flat out nasty!

When Dave moved back to Seattle, he bought his parent’s house, but sold it soon afterwards because it was getting too old. Dave married Akiko Kinoshita and they have two children. Hikari is now 14 and Takumi is 8. They’ve since bought a new house in Bothell, as they wanted a better home for their family. Can you see a pattern? Dave’s dad wanted the best home for his family, but never quite got the perfect house. And now, Dave is pursuing the best home for his own family!

A new opportunity has come up for Dave and his family. They’re planning to go into the mission’s field and move to Thailand. Dave pointed out that it’s truly not the place that makes the home, but it’s the people who are there with you! Their purpose is to live out the Gospel for the children in poverty, who are at risk of abuse and child trafficking. They want to bring them hope for a better future and for their families; and ultimately, their hope for heaven, as they respond to the Gospel.

Dave is truly thankful that our God is building a new home for us in heaven! He referenced Revelations Chapter 21, on the coming of the New Jerusalem from heaven and how beautiful it’ll be. We are truly blessed, as we have a Father in Heaven, who wants the very best for us! And it’s in the New Jerusalem, with Him, and with all of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior!

As Pastor Craig came up for final thoughts, he told everyone that he grew up in Vancouver, WA. Then he proceeded to ask: Why did the chicken cross the road? To show the opossum how to do it! And why did the chicken cross the park? To get to the other slide! What??? He went on sabbatical all these months, just to practice on his chicken jokes??? Pastor Craig continues, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) And in Revelations, we’re told that Heaven’s gates are made of pearls. God can take something bad and make it into something good, such as pearls in oysters. Always give thanks to God for everything, good and bad!

REACH Worship Night

by Yui Mizuno

“What does it mean to ‘worship the Lord through true worship’”?

This is a question, Hiro Kaneda, the coordinator of this worship night, asked everyone at the beginning of REACH!! Vol.9.  The answer is in Romans 12:1-2, the theme verse of this worship night: to worship the Lord as a living sacrifice and to offer ourselves as a holy sacrifice in our daily life. This is the source of true spiritual worship.

I was familiar with ‘worship in song’ even before I knew God personally.  The middle and high school I attended was a Christian school and the school focused on music and choir, so singing worship songs was a normal part of my school life. Even though I was not a believer back then, I felt joy and peace when I sang worship songs.

As I look back, I realize that God was showing His presence to me through these opportunities.  Joy and peace through worship songs was a present from God to me even when I hadn’t believed in Him yet.  It was an unexpected but wonderful present.

As a believer now, the joy and peace I feel from worship songs are even greater.  Worship songs to me became a way to ‘respond to God’s love’ and to ‘praise God’s greatness.’

At this time’s REACH, about 30 people gathered together to sing worship to God.  It was truly a time to respond to God’s love and praise God’s greatness together.

After the singing time, rice balls and miso soup with pork and vegetables were provided.  I am thankful that we had a great fellowship time by sharing a meal with those from other churches who we cannot see very often.

I give thanks to God for being in the center of this worship night. I would like to continue growing to live daily life as a ‘living sacrifice.’

Shin-nen-kai (JLM New year’s Party)

by Mina Chen

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! It means Happy New Year and we exchange this greeting at the beginning of a year. It’s hard to believe it’s been a month already since 2019 has begun.

JLM hosted a Shin-nen-kai, new year’s party, on January 5^th.   We started having Shin-nen-kai hoping that it would be a place for believers as well as non-believers could gather and get connected, and that eventually people from outside of the church could get connected to FBC or other church through these connections.  As many of you heard at the annual meeting, that’s how the Coquincos found out about FBC and started attending right after. It’s been a blessing to have them as a part of our church family.

Hiroo Kuge was an excellent bilingual MC as always.  He entertained and made people laugh and feel welcome.  Hiromi Kuge, Ayako Kasai as well as Ayaka Kawamori (who used to attend FBC, went back to Japan, and was visiting), led the worship in song.  Ichiro Otsu was the speaker at the Shin-nen-kai this year. He talked about what the Bible says about blessings in a way that people can understand easily.  This was a potluck event and many people brought delicious foods, including traditional Japanese New Year dishes. We also had sushi and karaage from Maruta Shoten.

We had about 60 people at this year’s Shin-nen-kai and it was a great time to meet each other and fellowship with one another by sharing meals and playing games.  One person found this event on Facebook and came to the event and continues coming to church since then.  We hope that it will continue to be a place for seed planting and as they come to Sunday worship services, that we can welcome newcomers together as a church family.