34 2013
www.slpcenglish.org
Newsletter
JAN
“New” Building for the New Year INSIDE THIS ISSUE//
That certainly helps improve our worship of God.
P.1/ - Top News: “New Building for the New Year”
Second, a beautiful Scripture of Psalm 23 lights up the walkway in order that many who pass by may be encouraged and comforted by these timeless words of God, who is our Shepherd.
- Local News: Christian Bookstore P.2/ - December’12 Review - Baby Amelia Chen - Weddings!
P.3/ - Christmas Offerings - In Memory of Elder Howard - January’13 Preview
P.4/ - Calendar / Three-Year Bible Schedule - From the Pastor’s Desk
LEARN MORE//
Above: SLPC’s new looks as we face the busy intersection of Zhong-Shan North Road & Jin-zhou Street.
It’s taken a while, but our church has a new look for the New Year. While much remains the same structurally, there are a few key symbols we want people to notice about our church.
Last, the symbol for the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan is the burning bush in which God spoke to Moses in the desert (Exodus 3). It signifies “burning but not consumed” to represent the eternal quality of the church.
First, along with LED lights which light up the building at night, all the windows have been replaced and you should notice less outside noises than before.
In addition, the 9F has also been modernized and both 8F and 9F have new furniture. Praise the Lord we have improved facilities to serve the Lord!
Local News—China Sunday School Association
Why is there a “fish” on the
Association’s bookstore. On top of that, if you let them know you’re part of SLPC, you’ll get another 10% discount!
church building?
Who got married recently? Yet another baby at EM? Who is she? She has a gift for everyone?
Where can I buy Christian resources near church?
Who was Elder Howard? What did he do for EM?
What Scripture is on the church building?
Where can I see XO’12 photos and 2012 video? www.slpcenglish.org
Third, during times of intense persecution, Christians inscribed a “Jesus fish” to symbolize that Christians are safe in this location. Today, it still marks where Christians dwell and worship God. Inside the fish outline are five Greek letters: , which stand for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.” Indeed!
Did you know there’s a Christian bookstore right next to our church? Well, there is! Just exit church stairs, turn left, pass the CHB bank, and you’re there! Christian music CD’s, books for living, Bibles, and even Christian-themed gifts and cards right at your footstep! In fact, for those who do the monthly worksheets for our church’s Three-Year Bible Schedule, the reward is a NT50 gift certificate to anything you buy at “Zhong1-Zhu3” or China Sunday School -1-
We encourage you to build up your spiritual journey in the New Year, and a great start is to visit this bookstore and see what resources are available that suit your needs. Although many things are in the Chinese language, you can still find English materials (especially music). And if you cannot find what you want, ask them and they’ll be happy to special order for you. Check out www.cssa.org.tw, open M-F 10AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-7PM, and Sun 2:30PM-6:30PM.
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DEC’12 REVIEW Outreach: (i) 12/9, EMers passed out Christmas fliers to our neighbors; (ii) 12/23, we celebrated a “Family” Christmas at Taipei International Hotel with a buffet dinner, lots of gifts (iPad mini!) and performances. Worship: (i) 12/2, we welcomed Dr. Chris Dippenaar from TTCS and had Praise Team leading us in contemporary style; (ii) 12/23, EM’s Christmas worship service with EM Choir presenting “Who would send a baby?”; (iii) SLPC baptism service 10 AM, 10F. Fellowship: (i) EM carecells are welcoming new and old friends alike to join them on Tues, Weds,
and Thurs nights starting 7:30 PM on 7F; (ii) Our CARE team is ready to care for your needs— emcaresforyou@gmail.com. Discipleship: (i) “TYBS 2011-12” concludes, but a new three-year schedule begins “TYBS 2013-15”; (ii) SLPC’s 100Y Anniversary Bible Verse mini-binders (English edition) are available at Welcome Table; (iii) Free English Bibles also available at Welcome Table. Service: Thank you, EM coworkers, for your faithful giving to God’s church and God’s people in 2012. May the Lord show you all His love and faithfulness into the New Year and bless you richly!
Above: Snapshots from Christmas Outreach (XO’12). Special thanks to William, this year’s coordinator, and all who made it such a great time. For more photos, check EM’s Facebook page at “SLPC-EM” and “like” us! (Also see EM’s year-in-review 2012 video).
Baby “Amelia” (12/4) On 12/4 morning, Ps. Peter and Melody Chen welcomed their second child Amelia at a healthy 3,422 g and 52 cm. She was born into the family at Mackay Hospital in Taipei, and joins older brother Aaron (1 year, 8 months). Above: Welcome Amelia! May your beauty shine from inside out as you bless your family and the EM family in the years to come.
Even before birth, Amelia had been plenty active and is proving to be very active indeed now that she’s arrived, eating and kicking often. More adjustments will be
needed with the sweet addition, but it’s a happy time for the family. As did Aaron, the parents have made a CD to celebrate Amelia’s birth with EM, available at the Welcome Table throughout Jan 2013 (one per household). Enjoy!
Weddings (12/29 & 1/1)! What a great holiday season as we celebrated not only Christmas and New Year, but also the happy weddings between EMers En-ling and Huang-an and the SLPC 100 Year Anniversary Joint Wedding. To show our love and support, many EMers participated at En-ling and Huang-an’s wedding on Saturday, 12/29 at the beautiful Da Dao Cheng Presbyterian Church. It was a simple but elegant wedding as Ps. Peter officiated and both EM praise team and choir sang songs to bless the young couple. We also had Sam play the piano and Harrison lead worship as liturgist. God’s preswww.slpcenglish.org
ence was surely with us in Spirit and in truth. Furthermore, in-between the cold and rainy days, the Lord brought us a sunny and warm day to bless us even more. To begin the New Year, on 1/1, thirteen couples were married at Suang-Lien Elderly Home’s beautiful chapel in San-chi (near Dan-shui). Officiated by senior pastor Rev. Charlie Chen, it marked the first “joint wedding” in SLPC’s 100 year history. Many of the grooms and brides are non-Christians so we not only blessed them with gifts, but also with God’s Word and God’s love. God bless them all! -2-
Above: En-ling and Huang-an’s wedding. Below: SLPC 100Y joint wedding.
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Christmas Offerings (12/16 & 12/24) There are so many ways to celebrate the one reason for the season: Jesus Christ is born to us today (Luke 2:11).
Above: En-ling and friends for Advent. Below: SLPC’s Christmas Eve service.
Throughout the year at EM, we have invited many guests—including regulars like praise team and choir—to make a “special offering” to the Lord during Sunday worship. On 12/16, we invited En-ling and her friends (Abby, Naomi, En-ling, Ssuchi, Peggy), who offered a special song “All Things Bright and Beautiful” reminding us of God’s goodness in his creation.
Every Christmas Eve at SLPC (12/24), we have various musical and drama offerings to prepare for celebrating Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day. This year’s offerings were no less wonderful than previous years, including the highlight of SLPC children’s drama presentation of Joshua’s story as the Israelites entered the Promised Land. And to conclude, the congregation sings “Silent Night” as pastors, elders, and deacons light up the night with candles, err… neon stars this year. Hope your Christmas was joyful!
In Memory of Elder Howard Chow (12/6) If you were part of EM in its “birth” in March 2006, you may have known Honorary Elder Howard Chow, who was instrumental to laying down the foundations of this English Ministry at SLPC. Not only that, but Elder Howard was very active in all aspects of EM, including the Choir, Sunday school, activities, and of course, at English Above: Ps. Peter & family, Rev. Shu-lin Hsueh worship. Along with memorizing Engand other caring members from SLPC visit Elder Howard and Mrs. Chow (far right) at Mackay lish Scriptures in his 70’s, he constantly encouraged, supported, and menHospital in Dan-shui. tored EMers, including Ps. Peter. With-
out his love and faithfulness, EM would not be the same as it is today. In 2008, Elder Howard became ill and soon after, moved to Suang-Lien’s Elderly Home. Though he became less frequent, his contributions remained as EM grew from 40’s to 100+ regular worshipers today. After a fight with cancer, Elder Howard passed away peacefully to join Jesus, whom he loved very much, on December 6, 2012. We will miss you, Elder Howard.
JAN’13 PREVIEW Outreach: (i) As we begin the New Year, we are all ears to hearing what outreach activities and mission works you have in mind. So let us know and join us on the planning as well. Worship: (i) Ps. Peter will preach from the first book of the Bible, Genesis, as we start the first month of a new year; (ii) Praise Team will lead us on 1/6 with contemporary worship; and Choir makes a special offering on 1/20; (iii) Every second Sunday is communion Sunday at EM, and we invite all baptized Christians to participate. Fellowship: (i) EM carecells have grown as families throughout last year, and are welcoming new friends to join them (see schedule on calendar); (ii) Our CARE team is ready to help you start the year strong with prayer— please let us know your needs. We’re
also recruiting new members to join the team. Discipleship: (i) “TYBS” worksheet for Dec readings are due 1/27; also, we have a new Three-Year Bible Schedule for 2013-2015. (ii) Free English Bibles are available at Welcome Table, and are helpful as you join Teacher Cecilia’s (iii) Basic Bible Reading in English course, which starts again in January—every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM in 702. Service: Hello?! We’re seeking coworkers to build up the EM family even more in 2013. These are some areas in need: teachers for Children’s Ministry and Christian Education courses, members for Worship Team (Music, Word, and A/ V), Care Team, Lunch Team, Welcome Team, and even EM volunteers for weekday administrative works. Let us love God and love ‘EM together!
-3-
Above: Nope, it’s not a Christmas tree. Rather, it’s TAIPEI 101 “exploding” with fireworks to ring in the New Year. Looking forward to another great year at EM!
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www.slpcenglish.org
JANUARY 2013
Join us for Sunday worship at 11 AM (7F) and lunch fellowship afterward in the café area.
Sun
Our Vision Evangelistic & Nurturing Church Our Mission Love God & Love Others as Ourselves
Mon
6 Gen 9
7 Gen 10
9:30a BBRE 11A English Worship 1P Choir
13c Gen 21-22
14 Gen 23
9:30a BBRE 11A English Worship 1P Choir
20 Gen 31
21 Gen 32-33
9:30a BBRE 11A English Worship 1P Choir 1P SLPC Board Meet
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Gen 1-2
2 Gen 3
3 Gen 4
4 Gen 5-6
5 Gen 7-8
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC * HAPPY NEW YEAR!
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
8 Gen 11-12
9 Gen 13-14
10 Gen 15-16
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
15 Gen 24
16 Gen 25
17 Gen 26
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
22 Gen 34-35
23 Gen 36
24 Gen 37-38
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
27 Gen 42-43
28 Gen 44-45
29 Gen 46-47
30 Gen 48
31 Gen 49-50
9:30a BBRE 11A English Worship 1P Choir
7:30P SLPC10F Christmas Eve
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
c: Communion BBRE: Basic Bible Reading in English
TYBS Readings: Gen: Genesis
11 Gen 17-18 12 Gen 19-20
18 Gen 27-28 19 Gen 29-30
25 Gen 39-40 26 Gen 41 3P Wedding: Diane & Paris
From the Pastor’s Desk MAIL TO
FROM SLPC English Ministry 雙連教會英文牧區 111 Zhong Shan North Rd, 9F Sec 2, Taipei, Taiwan 台北市中山北路二段 111 號 9 樓
slpcenglish.org
Email: emcaresforyou@gmail.com Tel. 02-2541-5390 Fax. 02-2523-1361 SLPC-EM
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 Lordsa-leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maidsa-milking, 7 swans-a-swimming, 6 geese-a-laying, 5 golden rings… 4 weddings to go to, 3 messages shared on Sunday, 2 funerals to attend, and 1 new baby to the family.” Okay, that’s not exactly how the song goes, but it’s been a rather hectic Christmas season for me. In addition to regular preaching and pastoral duties, there were other festive events (4 weddings), long Sundays (3 messages on one particular Sunday), heartbreaking events (2 funerals), and of course, the joyous birth of my second child Amelia (1 new baby). All in all, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Some people have suggested that
the “true love” in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” refers to Above: Rev. Peter Chen 陳道南牧師 and family (missing Amelia). God. If that’s the case, then I’ve received many good gifts from God indeed. And though tiring in some ways, it’s also been the most rewarding Christmas holiday in my entire life. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for people.” This year, let us work as never before for the Lord rather than for others or ourselves because each day is an opportunity to give back to the Lord the right service and right attitude.
Articles in this edition of EM News reflect the opinions and personalities of the English Ministry at Suang-Lien Presbyterian Church. If you would like to contribute to EM News—opinions, testimonies, photos, etc—please email to emcaresforyou@gmail.com. www.slpcenglish.org -4-