october 2011 cornerstone

12
Irvington Presbyterian Church Fremont, CA October, 2011 Sundays Worship 10:15 a.m. (Nursery and Children Sun- day School During Service) J.O.Y. Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. Irvington Chinese Presbyterian Service: 10:15 a.m. Weekdays 9 Communion and Prayer Church Directory Bible Studies Inside this issue: Deacon’s Update 2 Missions 3 Session News & Notes 4 Youth Ministry 5 Children’s Ministry 6 Activities Update 7 Congregation News 8 Your Congregation 10 October Calendar 11 Mailing 12 Humans are, as it were, hard-wired to respond to good things with praise and admiration. We have a built-in need to tell other people about what we admire. “I found this great restau- rant.” “Have you seen this movie?” “Have you met this wonderful person I know?” Since God is by far the best there is, we humans find our fulfill- ment in expressing our love, wonder and admiration for God. As a vital part of our thriving in God‟s grace, we meet regularly to offer our- selves anew to God and to receive blessings from him. In particular we meet on Sunday morning to worship God. He is the audience; we all are the ones who offer our hearts to him. There is a horizontal element to wor- ship. We belong together, and each one of us has gifts that are a blessing to all. Our worship is a sign of our oneness in Christ. Worship is vertical too, as we join our voices and hearts to tell God how we love him and offer ourselves anew to him. We receive from Him in the message, in the pray- ers, in our monthly Holy Communion. Just as the cross has a horizontal and a vertical beam, our worship ties us together to one another and draws us closer to God. Worship is also a way we welcome people into the family of God. when they see how we admire God, they appreciate him as well. Music has always been the way God‟s people tell God how they love him. As soon as the Israelites es- caped from Egypt and became the people of God they sang together on the shores of the Red Sea, “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. … The LORD is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise him.” (Exodus 15:1-2) Paul tells us to „be filled with the Spir- it. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.‟ (Ephesians 5:18-19) As we at IPC search for a new music director, now that Jonathan Fadner has left us, please pray for God‟s wis- dom for the search team. Pray that God lead us to someone who can di- rect our hearts and minds to help us find the freedom to express the love we have for him. Yours in the Love of Christ, Pastor Michael What is Worship? What is Worship?

Upload: irvington-presbyterian-church

Post on 28-Mar-2016

214 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

DESCRIPTION

The Cornerstone is IPC's monthly newletter; here you will find news of the church, its members and events past and present. Please enjoy finding out more about the life of IPC.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church Fremont, CA October, 2011

Sundays

Worship 10:15 a.m.

(Nursery and Children Sun-

day School During Service)

J.O.Y. Bible Study: 9:00 a.m.

Irvington Chinese

Presbyterian Service:

10:15 a.m.

Weekdays 9

Communion and Prayer

Church Directory

Bible Studies

Inside this issue:

Deacon’s Update 2

Missions 3

Session News & Notes 4

Youth Ministry 5

Children’s Ministry 6

Activities Update 7

Congregation News 8

Your Congregation 10

October Calendar 11

Mailing 12

Humans are, as it were, hard-wired to respond to good things with praise and admiration. We have a built-in need to tell other people about what we admire. “I found this great restau-rant.” “Have you seen this movie?” “Have you met this wonderful person I know?” Since God is by far the best there is, we humans find our fulfill-ment in expressing our love, wonder

and admiration for God.

As a vital part of our thriving in God‟s grace, we meet regularly to offer our-selves anew to God and to receive blessings from him. In particular we meet on Sunday morning to worship God. He is the audience; we all are

the ones who offer our hearts to him.

There is a horizontal element to wor-ship. We belong together, and each one of us has gifts that are a blessing to all. Our worship is a sign of our oneness in Christ. Worship is vertical too, as we join our voices and hearts to tell God how we love him and offer ourselves anew to him. We receive from Him in the message, in the pray-ers, in our monthly Holy Communion. Just as the cross has a horizontal and a vertical beam, our worship ties us together to one another and draws us closer to God. Worship is also a way we welcome people into the family of God. when they see how we admire

God, they appreciate him as well.

Music has always been the way God‟s people tell God how they love

him. As soon as the Israelites es-caped from Egypt and became the people of God they sang together on the shores of the Red Sea, “I will sing

to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. … The LORD is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise

him.” (Exodus 15:1-2)

Paul tells us to „be filled with the Spir-it. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the

Lord.‟ (Ephesians 5:18-19)

As we at IPC search for a new music director, now that Jonathan Fadner has left us, please pray for God‟s wis-dom for the search team. Pray that God lead us to someone who can di-rect our hearts and minds to help us find the freedom to express the love

we have for him.

Yours in the Love of Christ,

Pastor Michael

What is Worship?What is Worship?

Page 2: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 2 October, 2011

DEACON’S NEWS

DEACON’S REPORT DEACON’S REPORT

- Mary Wolfe

SPECIAL 125th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM AND DINNER SPECIAL 125th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM AND DINNER –– Mary WolfeMary Wolfe

Reserve October 8, 2011 on your calendars for a special tribute to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of IPC. Plans have been finalized for a very special program that will review our history and teach about “Things I Remember” from former and current members. Prepare yourself to be challenged

with the message “Honor the Past, Embrace the Future.” There will also

be special music and congregational singing.

The event is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. in the IPC sanctuary. Following the program, a catered dinner will be served in the Social Hall. Reser-vations are required and limited. The deadline for reserving a dinner space is September 29. The $5 per dinner charge may be paid directly to Mary Wolfe after worship on Sunday, September 25. You may also

pay at the church office. Please make your reservations early.

FUND DRIVE ESTABLISHED FOR INSTALLING OUR BELLFUND DRIVE ESTABLISHED FOR INSTALLING OUR BELL–– Mary WolfeMary Wolfe

After some research, it was discovered that our church bell was installed in the bell tower of “The Little White Church” in 1896. This sets the age of the bell at 115 years. Efforts are underway to mount the bell (probably above the choir room)

and have it operational this year.

A special “Let the Bell Ring Again Offering” will be a part of our 125th anniversary program. The estimated cost to reactivate our beautiful, bronze, 500 lb. bell and have it installed is about $4,000. Your prayerful donations to help us cover this cost would be greatly appreciated.

Please mark your donation, “Let the Bell Ring Again Program”.

Six of our Deacons were present at the Board of Deacons meeting held in the McKowen Room on Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00 pm. Several Deacons were ill and, therefore, unable to attend.

Ron Fong, Clerk of Session, sat in for Pastor Michael who was on vacation.

After opening with prayer and a devotional given by Geraldine Hoyt, the minutes of the August 16

Deacons‟ meeting and August 25 Board of Elders meeting were reviewed and approved.

Communion and Coffee assignments were reviewed and assigned.

Especially noteworthy in the several items of business that were addressed, was the assignment of

new members, Nick Look and Mindy Chin to Deacon Karen Jaycox‟s Parish #2.

Joys and concerns were shared and the meeting was closed with prayer.

For information about, or to identify your assigned Deacon, call the church office at

510-657-3133 or Moderator, June Dawson, at 510-656-2277. Please call your Deacon if you have a

concern or need.

Page 3: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 3 October, 2011

Caroline Kurtz to Visit IPC October 23Caroline Kurtz to Visit IPC October 23——Tim Stachowiak Tim Stachowiak (editorial update)(editorial update)

Caroline Kurtz is an Associate Director of the Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship (PFF), a "Validated

Mission Support Group" of PCUSA, dedicated to advancing faith in Jesus among the unreached or

sparsely reached peoples of the world. Caroline will first preach during our Sunday Worship and

then present her ministry‟s work during an Ethiopian-themed luncheon in the Social Hall following

worship. Luncheon is $5 per person and you can sign up during social hour beginning October 9.

Much of Caroline‟s efforts are focused on the growth in Christian spiritual development among the

peoples of southwestern Ethiopia. Caroline and PFF also work with Light

of Hope Ministries to deliver Christ's saving message among the Arssi

Oromo people. Your generous donations have helped IPC fund Caroline

as well as the Light of Hope Ministry that she supports. On September

25, IPC congregation enjoyed a video of Arssi Oromo Christians, singing

worship songs written in their own language. IPC is excited to partner

with Caroline. We look forward to her visit and hearing about her work.

MISSIONS UPDATE OUR NEW MISSIONARIESOUR NEW MISSIONARIES——Patti BoylandPatti Boyland

David and Sara T. are a new addition to IPC‟s missionary family. On August 21, we were blessed by

their visit to IPC. During the worship hour, they showed a film about their work among an un-

reached Muslim people in Asia. Sarah and David work with a group whose members are unable to

freely practice their chosen faith or show their love for Jesus Christ.

After worship, the IPC Missions Team hosted a luncheon for Sarah, David and their four young chil-

dren. They, in turn, shared with the congregation, their activities in community development and

teaching about the love of Jesus. Their ability to embrace a deep-rooted Muslim culture and present

the gospel within the framework of this culture is remarkable. Excellent presentations by both Sara

and David were well received with lots of good questions and positive feedback from the more than

50 people who were in attendance.

David and Sara are in the States now on furlough and will return in November to the remote area in

Asia where they have been living for about ten years. Even though their work is very challenging, it

is evident that they really enjoy sharing the word of Christ. They are enjoying their stateside visit;

and at the same time, are enthusiastically looking forward to getting back to their village to continue

their ministry.

It was a good opportunity to hear first hand of such frontier mission work. The IPC Missions Team is

pleased that we are now helping support several missionaries involved in sharing the gospel among

people who have never had a church in their culture.

Note: We are unable to show pictures or specify the location of this ministry because of the sensitive nature of David

and Sara T’s work. Please continue to pray for their continued success.

Caroline And Christian Friends

Page 4: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 4 October, 2011

Buildings & GroundsBuildings & Grounds

A diseased Linden tree outside the Social Hall

was removed.

We are working on steam cleaning the nursery

carpets and are in the process of obtaining

quotes for repainting the Social Hall and replac-

ing the carpet in the sanctuary.

The City of Fremont has requested that the Com-

munity Development Block Grant for the Social

hall roof be completed by June 30, 2012.

PersonnelPersonnel

Session approved a paid staff position for a part-

time Worship Leader who will also be the Music

Director and work with the Pastor to coordinate

Sunday Worship. We are in the process of ad-

vertising this position. In the meantime, Session

has approved the appointment of Daniel Khuc,

our organist, as the interim Music Director, pend-

ing recruitment of a Worship Leader. There is a

planned Congregational Meeting on October 16

or 23 to elect Pat Jeffries as a Worship Elder.

New Book of Order NomenclatureNew Book of Order Nomenclature

The new Book of Orders has the following name

changes that were adopted by Session.

“Ordered Ministry” replaces “office”

Deacons are still deacons, but they are now the

“Ministry of Compassion and Service”.

Elders are now “Ruling Elders with the Ministry of

Discernment and Governance”.

Pastors are now “Teaching Elders with the Minis-

try of the Word and the Sacrament”.

Installing The BellInstalling The Bell

Of the six possible locations to hang the 115

year old IPC bell, the most esthetically pleasing

and appealing is to mount the bell on the roof of

the choir room. A feasibility/design study with

Session News & Notes - Ron Fong

quotations will be completed before a decision

is made to permanently locate the bell.

Chinese MinistryChinese Ministry

Angelina Yu‟s brother was sick in Hong Kong.

Amy Wu reached him and prayed the sinner‟s

prayer with him. Amy is also arranging for peo-

ple to take him to a local church. despite oppo-

sition from his Buddhist family.

Worship Task ForceWorship Task Force

The 3 Groups that were formed from the Task

Force to address the recommended issues to

enhance the IPC worship are:

MUSIC Action Group

Kamroon Baksh (initial team leader)

Justin Chaikin, Betty Blizel, Helen Jogensen,

Peggy Handano, Mary Wolfe.

WORSHIP Action Group

Pat Jeffries (initial team leader)

Joan Fong, Helen Jorgensen, Doug Blizel,

Darleen Neesham, Mustapha Baksh,

Betty Blizel, Mary Ellen McKowen

PRESENTATION Action Group

Ronnie Fong (initial team leader)

Alexis DiMaggio, Cathy Jeffries, Mustapha

Baksh, Jeanne Garrett (bulletin only)

FinanceFinance

New worker‟s compensation insurance starts

10/1. Thanks to Don Carson for finding a new

policy with a 44% reduction in premium. The

summer dip was deeper than in years past.

Finance is now projecting an end of year deficit

instead of a minor surplus. Clearwire rental

payments were increased per the lease.

Page 5: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 5 October, 2011

Youth Ministry - Anh Truong

12 Stones Student Ministries:12 Stones Student Ministries:

The goal of 12 Stones Ministry at IPC is to pre-

pare students 7th grade through college to accept

Christ. The investment, dedication and prayers of

IPC 12 Stones Ministry is to help insure Christ is

known, living and constantly influencing the lives

of our youth.

12 SM:Youth Fellowship:12 SM:Youth Fellowship:

Just as a stone is a piece of rock that has been

refined through the course of its life, people also

need to be refined by Christ to be part of His King-

dom.

12 Stones Youth Fellowship, therefore, set out to

challenge students with life-changing decisions.

The truth needs to be told, heard and lived. We

don‟t want to change who you are and He does

not want to either. Come as you are - Broken,

Happy, Sad, Hardened, Failure, Powerful or any-

thing else and join us this Fall on Fridays at

7:35 - 9:35 pm in room #3. For more information,

please see our Facebook group page: “12Stones

Fellowship.”

12 SM: Sunday Youth Service12 SM: Sunday Youth Service

The point of Sunday morning service is more than

just waking up early and learning about Christ. It‟s

about being with the church body as one and wor-

shiping. We use an array of teaching tools to get

God‟s word known and understood. Join us Sun-

day morning at 10:15 - 11:25 am in the Sanctuary

and in room #3 after worship.

12 Stones Student Ministries News:12 Stones Student Ministries News:

Yosemite Camping 9/9Yosemite Camping 9/9--9/11:9/11:

A wonderful weekend was enjoyed by our group

at Pastor Michael‟s house, “Cupcake”, located in

Yosemite. The highlights of the trip were swim-

ming a natural river and spending some time

in the Yosemite National Park. The group

basked in fellowship and camaraderie. During

our stay at Yosemite, a student made a deci-

sion to accept the LORD! God truly knows the

right time and place for his children to commit

to him.

College Move In:College Move In:

This fall, we were able to help some of our

students move into UC Davis and UC Irvine.

It‟s a blessing

to see them

begin a new

phase of their

lives. Please

continue to

pray for our

new and current college students.

Thank You Student Ministries Interns:Thank You Student Ministries Interns:

We were blessed to have four interns, Thom-

as Choy, Stephanie Kwok, Jon Huang, and

Kevin Sui serve in our Student Ministries this

past summer. All four came with unique skills

and passions; and with one common factor, to

serve our community and church. May God

bless our summer interns.

Page 6: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 6 October, 2011

Children’s Ministry

Do you have 5 minutes to pray? We bet you do! Join us this

year as a prayer partner. Each week your bulletin will have a

prayer focus for the coming week. If you take 5 minutes a day

praying for iKidz that will be 35 minutes of prayer a week.

Sign up and receive your prayer reminder magnet beginning

in October.

Parent Small Group Begins in October!

If you are a parent, grandparent, or guardian of a child, you are

invited to join us on the LAST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

from 7-8 p.m. You will meet with other parents like yourself,

chat and share your experiences in parenting. Topics

throughout the year will focus on parenting, handling stress,

creating family traditions, discipline and guest presenters. For

more information contact the Church Office for a flyer.

We’re Looking for a Few GOOD HANDS!

GLOW is coming to iKidz! This is a black light group made up

of children, adults and seniors who create choreographed hand

movements to praise/worship songs. We plan to present our

first video during the Christmas holiday season and would like

you to join us. This could become a regular experience if the

response is enthusiastic. For more information contact MJ in

the Children‟s Ministries Office (510) 657-3133

There’s Still Time to Sign up For BLAST!

BLAST has already started and there is still room for your

child, grandchild or neighbor. Registration forms are available

in the Church Office. Children registering now will begin

attending the LAST TUESDAY of the MONTH.

Page 7: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 7 October, 2011

Activities Update

Goodbye to Jonathan FadnerGoodbye to Jonathan Fadner

Jonathan Fadner, our Music Director, left on

September 25, after 3 years of service. We are

deeply grateful for his leadership and dedication

to our music programs and saddened by his de-

parture. On the positive side we are delighted

that Jonathan has accepted an expanded role in

music at the Berkeley Playhouse that requires

his full time commitment.

We wish him well and pray for his continued

success.

Visit us on YouTubeVisit us on YouTube

Were you unable to attend worship service?

Would you like to replay the Pastor‟s message

or listen to our wonderful praise team?

Well, simply visit YouTube where you will find

the hymns and Pastor‟s message posted,

thanks to the Handono family. Johnny films and

edits, while Peggy downloads the programs.

IPC Collection YouTube or phandono YouTube

Ministry at HirschMinistry at Hirsch——Jeanette OllisonJeanette Ollison

Mrs. Casey gave us the very encouraging

news that students‟ test scores have improved

from 780 to 910 in the Academic Performance

Index during the past 7 years. She attributes

the improvement in part to the institution of the

Homework Club, which IPC has been leading

on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons for the

past 6 Years and to Kids Club, run by IPC and

Harbor Light for the past 3 years. The Fremont

School District has noted this improvement and

has given Kids Club free rental of the facility at

the school. We give God glory for what He has

done for these children now and for eternity!

Hymn FestHymn Fest

One of the recommendations from the Music

Committee of the Worship Task Force is to con-

duct a Hymn Fest. This would allow the congre-

gation to recommend Hymns and Songs that

they would like included in Sunday Worship.

Forms will be distributed on Sunday October 16

and 23. The forms will be collected after worship

and tabulated by October 30. The results will be

given to the Music Director, Pastor Michael and

the worship committee for inclusion in worship.

This is your opportunity to recommend Hymns

and Songs that you want to be part of your Sun-

day Worship experience at IPC.

Worship Task ForceWorship Task Force

This Task Force had five meetings: August 17,

24, 31 and September 7 and 14. The goal of the

task force was to recommend changes that will

enhance our worship experience. The meetings

were moderated by Rev. Doug Stevens. The

many recommendations to enhance the worship

experience were grouped into 3 categories:

Worship, Music and Presentation, each having a

committee of volunteers who will meet to refine

and flush out targets and schedules.

Each committee has a leader and will present its

recommendations to session on 9/29 or the

Worship Committee for action. The Music and

Presentation Committees will then dissolve and

the Worship Committee will continue to function

as a major contributor in planning and enhancing

our worship experience.

Members of the Presentation and Music Commit-

tees as well as from the congregation should feel

free to be part of this Worship Committee to help

insure its success.

Page 8: October 2011 Cornerstone

Congregation News

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 8 October, 2011

The Hirsch Homework Club The Hirsch Homework Club -- Jeanette OllisonJeanette Ollison

The Homework Club is a ministry at Hirsch Elementary

School that several members of IPC have been participat-

ing in for nearly 4 years. Every Tuesday and Wednesday

from 2:35 to 3:45 pm, volunteers have been tutoring stu-

dents who need extra help to succeed in school. There is

also a group of students from Irvington High School who

help tutor and receive community service hours.

Mrs. Casey, Hirsch‟s Principal, says that the students test

scores have also improved. The volunteer tutors find the

work rewarding as we see students gain understanding of

something that was puzzling to them. It‟s wonderful to

hear the students talk about their improved grades. Those

who were failing in one or more subjects are proud to show

us the great grades they now receive on tests or papers.

We have heard from former students that they are now

doing well with their schoolwork as a result

This year the Homework Club has been especially helpful

to the Hirsch teachers who have new responsibilities and

fewer prep periods as a result of the state budget cuts. We

now have 70 students from grades 1 through 6 attending

the club. Thanks to the IPC tutors Jeane Garrett, Carol

Lynn, Shirley Murray, and Thea Pex, who have given many

hours of their time to this ministry. Your hard work is great-

ly appreciated by the students, teachers and principal.

You have shared God‟s love in a wonderful way that will

make a difference in the lives of these children and in our

community.

Jennifer Bond

Stuart Brandon

Holly Chaikin

Renee Davis

Frank DuClos

Michael Flenniken

Beverly Green

Geraldine Hoyt

Maisha Ollison

Stan Starkel

Mary Ellen McKowen

Don Jorgensen

Dan Nolan Kingman was called to the Kingdom of God on September 2, 2011. He was a valued

member of IPC where he served as Elder, Deacon and Facilities Manager.

Dan was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shuri Shen Kingman and

son Dan Jr. Kingman. His service in the U.S. Air Force was recognized by

an Honor Guard at a well-attended Memorial Service at IPC on September

10, 2011. Dan blessed many by using his beautiful voice to praise the Lord

in song. He is remembered for his upbeat songs in the Praise Group.

“It‟s Shouting Time in Heaven!”. Dan. We all miss you.

Page 9: October 2011 Cornerstone

Anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ and has been baptized is welcome to partake of

the Lord‟s Supper in our church. It is a gift from God for us who do not deserve it,

but who gratefully receive his love and his cleansing power. We prepare to receive

the bread and cup by confessing our sins and doing our utmost to patch up any dif-

ferences with other people. At IPC we celebrate communion on the first Sunday

of each month, and on Thursday mornings at 7:30 am in the Sanctuary.

Communion Communion —— Pastor BoylandPastor Boyland

Irvington Presbyterian Church page 9 October, 2011

Pastor: Rev. Michael Boyland

Worship Assistant: Ron Fong

Chinese Pastor: Dick Hwang

Youth Ministries Director : Anh Truong

Children Ministries Director: Jeanette Beland

Music Director: (open)

Organist: Daniel Khuc

Office Manager; Frankie Cabral

Facilities Manager: (open)

Men’s Bible Study — Men meet with Pastor Boyland at Bay Street Coffee Roasting Friday

mornings from 8 am to 9 am to discuss selected Bible sections. All men are welcomed.

Women’s Bible Study— Meet in the McKowen Room every Monday at 9:30 am.

New members are welcomed to join.

Contact Eleanor Conwell at (510) 656 8208

J.O.Y Adult Bible School— Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the McKowen Room. Pastor

Michael will lead for the next 6 weeks. Contact Pastor Michael for more information.

Home Bible Study—Meet at Mary Ellen McKowen‟s home on alternate Mondays at 7:30 pm.

Contact Mary Ellen McKowen for more information (510) 657 6360

Weekdays at IPC

Address:

4181 Irvington Avenue

P.O. Box 1336,

Fremont, CA 94538

Phone: (510) 657 3133

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.irvingtonpres.com

Office Hours:

8:00 am —12:00 pm, Monday – Friday

Church DirectoryChurch Directory

Bible StudiesBible Studies

Page 10: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irvington Presbyterian Church Page 10 October, 2011

knowing your Congregation

- Editors

Anh began his ministry as Director of IPC Youth Ministries in August 2010. He has been affiliated with IPC since youth, through membership in Home of Christ 3. He credits his IPC appointment to Elder Ron Fong who recognized the value of Anh‟s commitment and passion to serve in our Youth Ministry. Anh believes: “It was God‟s divine plan for me to be here.” This past June, he formally

became a member of IPC; and concurrently, was ordained Elder At Large.

Anh values the autonomy he has when working with the youths at IPC. His focus, with the Lord leading, is on giving his charges the same opportunity he had to be free of sin, guilt and shame; and to replace these with grace, blessings, acceptance and baptism. His plan for leading youth groups is based on his interpretation of 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ‟s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ‟s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in

insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Anh credits his decision to form 12 Stones, the Youth Ministry group, to his beautiful wife, Eachan, whom he met and fell in love with while volunteering at a Youth Ministry. They both share the same love and joy for Christ and for ministering to youth. (12 Stones is so named for the 12 tribes of Israel that lay the foundations of the world today.) Anh states: “Eachan is an amazing person who hears God‟s calling and acts based on His teachings.” Anh and Eachan ministered 12 Stones on their own with 10 students and no church support for the first year. During the second year 12 Stones combined with IPC stu-dents to form the IPC Student Ministries. This combined group grew from a small fellowship and has now expanded “beyond expectations.” 12Stones Student Ministries now encompasses a Friday Night Fellowship, College Fellowship, and a Sunday Ser-vice. Three students from 12 Stones, Nick Look, Alex Chung and Mindy Lai committed to the Lord

by Baptism. This past summer Anh led the Restoration Service program, an evening youth service.

Anh‟s commitment and dedication are evident in the achievements of his 12 Stones Youth Group who conducted worship service on Sunday August 21. They led the congregation through a com-plete program of music and prayer, much to the delight of the congregation. He is looking forward

to future opportunities to lead worship when his group returns from college during holidays.

When asked how he came to be a Christian, Anh replied: “My story of how I came to Christ is a bit complex. I would love to tell you over a meal or cup of boba milk tea! I can tell you what Christ means to me now. He has made me happy with who and what I am because of His love for me and mine for Him. My focus is on

Him. I do everything because of Him”.

Anh discusses the love in his family: “My wife, Eachan, is my love. After 8 years of knowing my wife, the last 5 being married, our love for each other is stronger than ever. Our daughter, Charis Bella, is our life. God binds all three of us together. Being a witness to the birth of Charis was definitely a life changing experience. No words can ever describe the beauty and wonder God allows to be created between two people so much in love with

Christ and each other”.

With 12 SM Students

Anh, Charis and Eachan

Page 11: October 2011 Cornerstone

Irv

ing

ton

Pre

sb

yte

rian

Ch

urc

h

p

ag

e 1

1

Octo

ber C

ale

nd

ar

Page 12: October 2011 Cornerstone

IRVINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

4181 Irvington Avenue

P.O. Box 1366

Fremont, CA 94538-0133

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 52

Fremont, CA

Please Note: October 24 is the deadline for our November issue.

All articles are to be delivered in writing to the church office or by email

to: [email protected].

The Editors would like to thank Mary Wolfe for The Editors would like to thank Mary Wolfe for

consistently providing detailed information early consistently providing detailed information early

and for taking the lead in organizing the 125th and for taking the lead in organizing the 125th

Anniversary Celebrations.Anniversary Celebrations.

We do appreciate the time and devotion of all We do appreciate the time and devotion of all

who submitted articles and provided information who submitted articles and provided information

for October. We eagerly anticipate receiving and for October. We eagerly anticipate receiving and

communicating your input in future issues.communicating your input in future issues.

You play a significant role as we work together You play a significant role as we work together

in the name of Christ.in the name of Christ.

This month’s Cornerstone pictures This month’s Cornerstone pictures

were provided courtesy of were provided courtesy of Johnny Johnny

Handono, Peggy Handono, Bob Handono, Peggy Handono, Bob

Reavis and Anh Truong.Reavis and Anh Truong.

Color printing provided by Color printing provided by

Worship Elder Ken AriathuraiWorship Elder Ken Ariathurai

Kamroon and Mustapha,Kamroon and Mustapha,

Your EditorsYour Editors

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements