March 2008

Blood… One cannot obtain it by drilling through the rockBy Rev. Ho-man Yeung

I was reminded of a picture seen on a RedCross promotional flyer: a worker tries toobtain blood from a rock by using an elec-tric drill. No matter how advanced tech-nology may lead us, there is no way we cancreate liquid similar to the blood God cre-ated to flow through our bodies that can

also to be used to replenish those who lose blood dueto accidents or various surgeries.

Thirty-two years ago on the eve of Maundy Thursday, Iwas preparing to attend the Holy Communion Service.It also marked my first blood donation experience. Iwas so scared, not able to watch as if I was about toreceive my verdict. “Christ bled for me, and I giveblood to others” was my response to the church’s blooddrive. After I gave blood, psychologically I felt veryweak. The nurse advised me not to let water get to theneedle site within a 3 hour period, not lift heavy objectswithin 24 hours, and to drink lots of fluid. I was socautious that I didn’t even take a shower until next day.For 3 days I hesitated to lift my rice bowl with my lefthand, and I drank a lot of fluids and special soups forthe entire week.

As I gained more knowledge about blood donation,there was this feeling of satisfaction seeing the bloodflowing into the pouch. I dared to watch, knowing thatsomeone would benefit from my donation, especiallywhen I saw the nurse mark “special delivery” (I haveB+ type blood. Only 12% of the US population has thisrare type of blood, which can supply those who have Band AB types). As soon as the blood clots at the needlesite, not lifting heavy objects and drinking more waterwill be sufficient. It is no longer necessary to have that“special soup” again!

Being in the US for almost 20 years, I donate blood 3 to4 times a year (normally it takes 56 days to replenishone’s total blood supply. The Red Cross suggests not

to exceed 5 times a year). Each donation is one pint(Our body consists of 11-12 pints of blood). My healthhas not been affected, and it remains strong (I cannotsay it is entirely due to this blood donation, but I believethis process helps to rebuild my circulatory system hast-ily).

I regularly encourage people to participate in blood do-nation, even if it is hard to find literal Biblical supporton this issue (some even object by referring toLev.17:11, “for the life of a creature is in the blood…none of you may eat blood.”). On the other hand, weshould not use John 6:54 “whoever eats my flesh anddrinks my blood has eternal life” to support our claimfor blood donation or eating blood. However, we arereminded that Christ shed His blood to give us the giftof eternal life. Thus, we benefit others with our dona-tion. This was also my conviction thirty-some yearsago. We will not know how many people we havehelped, but some for sure. Unless one has a certain dis-ease which would prevent them from being a donor, themajority of us are eligible.

The Church has set March 15 (Saturday 10:00 a.m. to4:00 p.m.) to have a blood drive. Together with theEaster Carnival event, a bloodmobile will be set on theparking lot of Shoreline Community Center. Hopefully,this will be the beginning for many of us who are willingto touch lives through giving.

(P.S. - Brothers Chen Chuck, LoShan Sun and John Hoare also regular givers. See how healthy they are!!)

Each year in February, the pastors, elders, and dea-cons kick off the calendar year with a mini-retreat.The CB Retreat this year was held on Feb. 9th atthe EKC campus. The CB thanked Sister PriscillaChan, Brother Lister Mak and Brother ChenChuck for their faithful service to our church inthe past 6 years. Each of them gave testimony thatwas both honoring to God and encouraging to thecurrent CB members. They deserve rest and ourgratitude. Please offer your personal thanks whenyou see them at church.

This year, Pastor Sam Law delivered the ElderBoard visions for our church in the next ten years.After many months’prayer and discernment, theEB clarified:

ECC Ministry Philosophy: Reaching the genera-tions through multi-generational, multi-lingual Sunday services and ministries. As achurch, we will continue to tend to the spiri-tual needs of all age groups and strengthenfamily relationships to reflect God’s love(Gen. 12:1-3)

ECC Spiritual Formation Philosophy: Making disci-ples through the principles of life-to-lifetransformation following Jesus. As a churchwe encourage our members to become moreChrist-like through humbly living, learning,and serving together in our church commu-nity (Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 10:24-25)

ECC Outreach Philosophy: Fulfilling the GreatCommission by preparing disciples. As achurch we accept our calling to develop ser-vant leaders to support Chinese churches inour efforts to reach our community, our peo-ple, our nation and the world for Christ(Matthew 28:18 – 20, Luke 4:18-19).

ECC Ministry Priority: Nurturing and equippingour children and youth so they fulfill God’spurpose for their generation (Acts 13:36).

ECC Organization Philosophy: Support our mem-bers with adequate resources to grow inspiritual maturity, to minister to one anotherand to fulfill their calling in the Great Com-mission.

These five tenets will guide much of our churchministry and decisions for the near future.

If you would like to know more about the vision,the EB and CB communications may be foundposted at the ECC Church Website. In addition,the elders will be visiting your fellowship or smallgroup soon to help you understand these state-ments and how you can participate and help inwalking faithfully to God’s visions.

CB Decisions This Months: CB approved the formation of the Eastside

Campus Expansion Project Task Force withthe following members: Elder Sam Wan(chair), Willy Chen, Stephen Hsiao, Chuan Lee,Peter Su, Paul Eng, and Lister Mak

CB approved the formation of the ChurchGovernance and Ministry Structure TaskForce: Elder Daniel Wu (chair), Stephen Hsiao,Elder Sam Wan, Albert Ang, Elton Lee andadvisors (David Tang and Joy Tsui).

CB approved the appointment of Elder Mi-chael Chan as the CB Vice Chair for 2008.

CB approved a 3-year $75,000 loan request byour sister church, ECC-Snohomish County, forpurchase of a church office/meeting place.

CHURCH BOARD RETREAT

Announcements Highlights from the YSF Retreat

Local Evangelism MinistryLocal Evangelism Deacons and Planning

Good Friday ServicesMarch 21st at 7:30 p.m.

on both Seattle & EKC campuses

These will be our ECC’s futureleaders. 2008 YSF Retreat(Young Student Fellowship)was held on Feb. 15-17. What agreat way to outreach to friendswho have not heard about theGospel.

YSF retreat was organ-ized by our youth direc-tor, Bob Do and deaconNate Sun. A big thankyou for your faithful min-istries in these younglives.

Both the blood drive and Eastercarnival are co-sponsored by ourLocal Evangelism committeeand the Seattle children Minis-try. (Children Ministry Coordi-nator: Betty Lee)

Please invite friends and rela-tives to enjoy the Easter carnivalas well as to bless others by giv-ing blood to those in need.

This issue’s main emphasis is Local Evangelism. All congre-gations plan various outreach activities to share Gospel withthose around us. May we join together to further His King-dom in Greater Seattle area.

SEA-EnglishEric HweeInner city ministry at RainierValley and CG outreaches

EKC-EnglishElton Lee“Meet the Pastors” dinners,small group picnic andtennis tournament

EKC-ChineseHoward HsuOn going Weekly New Comers BibleStudies and outreach activitiesPlease come and support this first time ever

Men’s retreat sponsored by ECC.

SEA-MandarinPoling Sun & Yi Dong ZhaoThanksgiving Outreach Event,UW Campus Ministry, andmonthly YAGO worship

SEA-Cantonese:Christina Chan & See Sing LauApril Gospel CampJuly International Street Fair