Church Updates
Week of March 26th, 2023
Church Updates
At the end of February, both the State of California and Alameda County ended their “Health Emergencies” related to Covid 19. In both cases, they have rescinded their indoor mask wearing requirements. So, in accordance with those changes, CIBC has changed its mask wearing policy from required and mandatory to now being optional and recommended. Those with health concerns or compromised immunity are still encouraged to wear masks. If you would still want to wear a mask, that is fine too. This change is effective immediately.
Also, we will be discontinuing the sanitary spraying of the Sanctuary and classrooms between services. Studies have shown no evidence of the disease spreading by surface contact. We will still make available liquid hand sanitizer and masks for those who want to use them.
This Sunday, March 26th, there will be a General Congregational Meeting from 12:30 to 1:15pm in the Social Hall. Agenda items will include: a finance report, approval of Standing Committees, a report on progress towards a new website and funding for that and a final report on the Covid Community Care (CCC) effort that was started as a way to reach out to our community.
Please join us at CV First on Friday, April 7th from 8:00 - 9:30 PM as we remember, reflect upon, and renew our love for Christ through a special Good Friday service.
The English Worship Service will begin at 9:15am instead of 9:00am every Sunday. This change is being made to better align our schedules with all three congregations. Here is the new schedule:
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English Adult & Youth Worship 9:15 AM – 10:35 AM
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IBF 10:35 AM – 11:00 AM
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Adult Sunday School 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (or 12:15 PM if needed)
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Children, Middle and High School SS Ends at 12:15 PM
Parents: Please be sure to pick up your children promptly at 12:15 PM.
If anyone is in need of a ride to CIBC for Sunday Service, please contact Transportation Chairman Lawrence Mue at (925) 980-6713, or email him at larry.mue@gmail.com
Love Offering for earthquake Relief: During the month of March, we will be collecting a Love Offering for Earthquake Relief for the victims of the Turkey/Syria earthquake. The funds collected will be sent to Christian based organizations who have already begun providing relief. Specific organizations still under consideration.
Beginning March 1st thru the 31st, if you would like to make a donation:
· For online donations, look for the option “Love - Turkey Relief”
· For in-person donations, write “Love – Turkey Relief” either on the check memo line or on the donation envelope.
CIBC will be hosting a Summer Bible Camp (SBC) from 6/19 to 6/23. The Summer Bible Camp is for elementary school kids from CI and Chinatown. Pray for teachers and helpers to volunteer and that they can effectively reach out to those children. We are looking for leaders for crafts, recreation, closing ceremony, video/photographer and an emcee. If interested, please fill out the staff recruitment form at the check-in table in Room 101 and drop off the form in the CE mail box. Either Deacon Patrick or Hazel will be there at the check-in table on Sundays, or please contact Brother Stephen Tan on the English side if you need further explanation. You can also email them at sbc.cibc.oakland@gmail.com
Pray for the Nepal Medical and Food team as they prepare for their departure on April 4th. Increased costs of fuel, food, and supplies have prompted the need for financial support (team members are contributing for their own personal support). Tax-deductible gifts towards the medical mission can be sent to CIBC-Oakland, and please place a sticky note with "Nepal STM" on the check. Nepal STM donations can also be placed in an envelope marked with Nepal STM and dropped into either the Finance mailbox outside the sanctuary or in the donation box located in the back of the sanctuary. Do not mark the check with Nepal STM, just make it out to CIBC and place it in the envelope. Besides, the support checks designated towards the food ministry can be sent to Agape your neighbor, PO Box 580874, Elk Grove, CA 95758. For the latter, please include your email address to receive your tax-deductible receipt.
In order to improve our communication channels with our congregation, we have set up an email communication channel provided by a company called Servant Keepers. We have sent out messages to everyone we identified from the most recent directory. We will use these distribution lists to better inform you of upcoming events, emergency information, reminders, etc…. If you do not want to be included in future emails, please contact Deacon Ken to be excluded. If you did not receive the email, but would like to be included you may also contact Deacon Ken to be added. Deacon Ken’s email is administrativedirector@cibc-oakland.org
The English Children and Youth Sunday Schools will be ending at 12:15pm instead of 12:00pm every Sunday. From now on, parents with children in grades 1st-5th should promptly pick up their children from their Sunday School classroom instead of room 313. (Grades: 4th & 5th - Room 312, 3rd - Room 311, 1st & 2nd - Room 315)
2022 Contribution Tax Statements: The 2022 Contribution tax statements are ready. If you need a copy of your statement by mail or email, please contact Jenny Bang at cibcfinance@cibc-oakland.org You can also fill out the sign-up list on the bulletin board outside of Room 101 and the Fellowship Hall, and your statement will be mailed or emailed to you.
The 2023 All Church Camp will be held on a different date and location. This year's All Church Camp will be over the Labor Day weekend (Sept 1-4) and the new location will be at the Redwood Christian Park Camp near Santa Cruz. Please mark your calendars.
The 2023 FLOWER CALENDAR is available for signup. It is posted on the Church Ministry and Church News bulletin board on the hallway. If you wish to sign up, please use the flower envelopes placed on the wall next to the flower calendar, and designate your date(s) to commemorate someone or something.
English Adult Sunday School Classes for the Winter Quarter：
We have started to take sign-ups for 2 new Sunday School classes starting in December for the English congregation. The first will be The Peacemaker - Biblical Conflict Resolution, which will be taught by Pastor Tim and Brandon Wong. The second will be Evangelism, taught by Eric Arnason and Deacon Ken Wong. As Pastor Tim shared before, we want the adult Sunday School to provide biblical, practical equipping to help everyone be better teachers, ministry leaders, and evangelists. These classes are our first step towards this goal. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Sunday School!
The Chinese Youth Sunday school and worship service have restarted. Sunday school will be meeting in-person at 9:45am in Rm 320, and the worship will begin at 11:00am in the Amphitheater every Sunday.
Please note that the Children’s Church, Children Sunday School and Beginner’s Church will be combined under the joint leadership of the English Children and Chinese ministry teams. The purpose of uniting these activities is to provide an effective children’s ministry to the whole church during in-person worship services. The new arrangements are as follows:
1) English Beginner’s Church (3-5 years old) 9:15am -10:45am Room 202
2) Children’s Church (1st-5th grades) 9:35am -10:45am Room 313
· Note: The Children will participate with the Congregation in the Sanctuary from 9:15am to 9:35am.
· Between 10:45am and 11:00am, the children will be provided with snacks and have supervised free time.
They can be picked up by their parents during this time, or they can remain in the room until their
teachers escort them to their Sunday school class rooms at 11:00am.
3) Children Sunday School (1st-5th grades) 11:00am-12:15pm
· 1st-2nd Grade: Room 315
· 3rd Grade: Room 311
· 4th-5th Grade: Room 312
4) Cantonese Beginner’s Church (3-5 years old) 11:00am-12:15pm Room 202
· Note: Both English and Cantonese preschoolers are welcome to attend.
For further clarification or registration, please email children@cibc-oakland.org
The English Caring Ministry will continue to include Jeanette Fong. Brenda Teensma has replaced Junelle Chay in the English Caring Ministry Team. We have established a new email address: cibccaring@gmail.com , accessible by both Brenda and Jeanette. This new email will make it more convenient for you to communicate your prayer needs. You can continue to contact Jeanette Fong via the following personal email: jeanettefong@yahoo.com or at (510) 351-6251 (Home Phone).
The Cantonese Tuesday Bible Study class will be live streamed via Zoom from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (NO in-person class at church) or from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM every Tuesday. We are currently studying the book of Hosea. If you would like to join the class, please email Pastor Patrick Lai at pastorpatricklai@cibc-oakland.org to register. Here is the online Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81615076941?pwd=Q2tKaWtKYkJtTHdxU0k1YzhZY0JuQT09
The English Youth Fellowships will be meeting in person at CV First Baptist Church in Castro Valley. The address is: 18550 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA, 94546. Our regular meeting time will be from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM on most Friday nights.
The Chinese CPR (College Prep Review) ministry for high school students and New Creation Fellowship for middle school students will be meeting in person on most Saturdays, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
English Sunday School (adult and youth): The English Sunday School (adult and youth) will be meeting at church every Sunday at 10:50AM.
Cantonese Adult Sunday School: The Cantonese Adult Sunday School will have In-Person Only class every Sunday, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Mandarin Adult Sunday School: Please note that the Mandarin Adult Sunday School will be meeting in-person every Sunday, from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM, and it will also be live-streamed via Zoom at the same time. Please check the church website at www.cibc-oakland.org for more information.
Sunday Worship: This Sunday, 3/26, the English in-church worship service will begin at 9:15 AM and will also be live-streamed on Youtube at the same time. The Cantonese in-church worship service will begin at 11:00 AM and will also be live-streamed on Youtube. The Mandarin in-church worship service will begin at 11:00 AM and will also be live-streamed from church. Check the CIBC website at www.cibc-oakland.org for links. The parking lot is available to everyone on a first come first serve basis.
Online Giving: https://www.cibc-oakland.org/online-giving We can now accept separate donations for the Benevolent Fund and we’ve set it up to accept credit card donations for your convenience.The church will pay the credit card fee from the bank.
Offering and benevolent donation can also be sent by mail to the church at Chinese Independent Baptist Church Oakland, 280 8th Street, Oakland, CA 94607