by Mr. David B. Hill
Good Morning! I am truly grateful to be with you this morning. Such a day to celebrate! One hundred and twenty-seven years! I also bring you greetings and well wishes on this very special day from your Conference Minister Rev. Mary Susan Gast.
Today we remember and honor those that preceded us. We remember and honor those who dreamed dreams of finding new ways to serve God in this community and far beyond. We remember and honor those who, when faced with difficulties in Life, found a deeper connection with the Spirit of Christ and found a deeper connection with one another. We
remember and honor those who, with God�s guidance, helped to create, nurture and sustain this magnificent ministry. Will you to repeat after me: For this, we are truly grateful. PRAISE GOD!
I have very much enjoyed learned more about the rich history of this church and I want to reflect more about this. But first, I would like to reflect a bit on today�s scripture.
Today we heard the story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus. Nicodemus is a leader among the Jews. He has been following Jesus for quite some time and sees that Jesus performs many miracles. He sees these miracles as �signs� of the power of Jesus. One night, he finds himself close enough to Jesus to ask a question. What an incredible opportunity. Can you imagine? What would you ask Jesus? He addresses Jesus quite respectfully saying, �Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God.� That�s a good start. Don�t you think? Nicodemus goes on to say, �no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.� Jesus sees that Nicodemus does not quite understand the gift of eternal life. He
challenges Nicodemus with a teaching. �Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.�
This is the interesting part for me. Today we have seen what it is like to translate from one language to another. It can be very challenging! Those who translated the Bible also found it challenging. The translation of �Born again� is rooted in the Greek word �anothen�. �Anothen� has a double meaning in Greek and there is no equivalent word in English.
Perhaps in Chinese? To be born �anothen� speaks both of a time of birth (�again�) AND the place from which this new birth originates (�from above�).
Nicodemus again asks, �How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother�s womb and be born?� Jesus sees that Nicodemus still does not understand what he is trying to tell him and explains, �Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of Water and Spirit.�
�Born of Water and Spirit�! WOW! Jesus teaches us that new and eternal life are born of Water and Spirit. The waters of our baptism bring together flesh and Spirit. Jesus goes on to further explain His point, �You must be born from above.� The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes
from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.�
The translation of the word �Wind� can also mean �Spirit�. �The SPIRIT blows where it chooses.� Jesus teaches us that the wind/spirit blows where it will; we humans can sense its presence all around us, but cannot control its movement. God�s will be done! Jesus invites us to be born anothen (�again� and �from above�) of Water and Spirit. Will you repeat after
me: For this, we are truly grateful. PRAISE GOD!
Clearly this church was �Born of Water and Spirit�. As I understand your story, 127 years ago, Rev. Dr. William Pond, the pastor of the 3rd Congregational Church of San Francisco, invited Chinese in the community to attend Sunday school classes. As their understanding of Jesus grew deeper, these new disciples wanted more than Sunday school. They yearned to be born of water and spirit. They wanted to be baptized and become members of the church. The Board of Directors of the church was not open to the Spirit and denied their request. Discouraged, yet determined, Rev. Pond and his new congregation formed the Bethany Congregational Church of San Francisco in 1873. This was the beginning of a new
church! Born of the Water of Baptism and the Spirit of Christ, the Chinese people of San Francisco found a home with Christ. Will you to repeat after me: For this, we are truly grateful! PRAISE GOD!
But this was only the beginning! The congregation faithfully served this community from a facility not far from here. The members sensed a mission to serve God beyond this neighborhood, beyond this city. The people listened to the teachings of Jesus and knew they were part of a larger body of Christ. They were called to reach out to all of God� s creation and give others the same opportunity to learn more about Jesus. The congregation shared their dream with the members of the wider church at the Board of Home Missions. Hearts and souls were deeply touched. A new relationship was born. Sensing the passion and devotion of the congregation, the Board voted to provide financial aid for Christian missionary
work throughout California. This was the beginning of a new covenant with the wider church.
Born of the Water of Baptism and the Spirit of Christ, the people nurtured this sacred relationship. To this day, the covenant with the wider church continues to grow and thrive. You have given generously to the wider church. Will you repeat after me: For this, we are truly grateful! PRAISE GOD!
Our story continues into the 20th century. In 1902, a building on this present site was purchased. In 1904, the Rev. Jee Gam was called to the first Chinese minister of this church. In 1906, the building was completely destroyed by the earthquake and fire. Discouraged? It might have been! Not Rev. Dr. Pond! He sensed that God�s work remained to be done, right here, in this place. He again called to his partners in ministry at the Board of Home Missions
and to the people of San Francisco. They responded with open hearts and open wallets.
In May 1909, born of the Water of Baptism and the Spirit of Christ, this building was erected. The mission and ministry of this congregation extended far beyond this local community. By now, missionary work was going on in several cities. One of these missions remains alive and well. The Chinese Community Church in Berkeley. Will you repeat after
me: For this, we are truly grateful! PRAISE GOD!
By 1959, the building was my age, 50. Like me, the building was showing its age and needed a complete renovation. Can anybody help me with a complete renovation? I�m sorry, back to your story. Once again, faithful stewards joined their Faith and their Finances. People of God, grateful for God�s gifts. People of God, stewards of God�s gifts, eager to return a portion of God�s abundance to strengthen and care for the church building.
On September 25, 1966, born of the Water of Baptism and the Spirit of Christ, this newly renovated sanctuary was dedicated. In October 1971, a special worship service was conducted to �burn the mortgage�. Will you repeat after me: For this, we are truly grateful! PRAISE GOD!
These are but a few of the wonderful stories of birth and re-birth that this church has experienced over the past 127 years. You know many more stories. Share them with one another. With them comes new life. Every day, miracles happen here. People listening to one another; listening to God and responding to God�s call. Doing God�s work! Finding new
birth, new ways to serve one another and serve God. Born of the Water of Baptism and finding new ways through the Spirit of Christ to do God�s work here and throughout all of God�s Creation.
This is truly a day to honor and remember those that preceded us. But let us not forget those among us today. God�s presence is with each of us every precious moment. Will you repeat after me: For this, we are truly grateful! PRAISE GOD!
CELEBRATE! Be with one another, listen to one another, do God�s work together today and forevermore so that in another 127 years, someone will be at this pulpit telling stories about you.
May God bless each and every one of you. May God�s will be done. In the name of the Christ, AMEN!