35 2013
www.slpcenglish.org
Newsletter
FEB
“New” Subtitles for English Worship INSIDE THIS ISSUE// P.1/ - Top News: “New Subtitles for English Worship” - Local News: Dazzle Indian Curry Restaurant P.2/ - January’13 Review - Connect Cards from EMers - Diane & Paris’ Wedding
P.3/ - SLPC 100Y Celebrations - Connect Card (con’t) - February’13 Preview
P.4/ - Calendar / Three-Year Bible Schedule - From the Pastor’s Desk
LEARN MORE//
Still and always trying new things for the sake of spreading the Gospel in a land that’s 95% nonChristian, EM has started displaying simultaneous Chinese translations on Above: A “Stop” sign in two PowerPoint for languages can communicate a the pastor’s very important message to twice sermon. So as many people. far, the results have been quite positive since it began on January 20’s Sunday worship. (1) Those whose English listening abilities are at basic levels seem to love the new translations. Previously, they had struggled to understand the message despite their attentiveness. Now, they can understand it all and not be bored!
vors, although the taste is not that authentic; try their side dish “samosas” with cilantro and onion dip.
anniversary logo? How will church celebrate?
married? Who?
Is there good Indian food near church?
How can I build a good marriage based on L.O.V.E.?
Why doesn’t EM have worship service on 2/10?
Has EM been growing? What are people writing on Connect Cards recently? www.slpcenglish.org
We’ll continue to try it out for upcoming months, but it seems we’re doing well to reach into our community. C’mon, EM, invite everyone you know! Really!
Local News—Dazzle Indian Curry by Beth Hu
What is the SLPC 100-year
Another EM couple got
(2) Those intent on learning English at EM seem to love it! Not only can they understand the entire message, but it helps them a lot to hear the English and to read the Chinese at the same time. It actually helps improve their English more than just listening to the English. (3) Those who are Taiwanese and already quite fluent in English are also benefiting from the new Chinese translations. While they do understand most of the English, one person said reading along in their native Chinese language adds even more meaning and feeling for her. (4) Native English speakers seem to “tolerate” it. One concern was that it may distract these people, but so far, a few have expressed that they are not bothered by it at all (compared to verbal English followed by verbal Chinese translations, which doubles the length of the message).
As EM’s token of appreciation for the success of the recently held Christmas outreach, the XO’12 coworkers enjoyed a dinner gathering at Dazzle Indian Curry Restaurant, just a block away from church on Jin Xi Jie No.4-3, (open 11:30-14:30, 17:30-21:30, 25217238, www.dazzlecurry.com). Here’s a review of my dining experience there: Atmosphere: cozy, good place to chill (be informed there’s Bollywood MTV being played in the background =D). Food: serves a wide variety of curry fla-1-
Cleanliness: not a problem, but the restroom is on the second floor. Value: reasonably priced; a la carte ranges from NT150-200, set meals from NT250-350. For curry-lovers at EM, this might not fully please your palates, but if you’re just craving for something different after church service (step out of your usual McDonald’s, KFC or Ikari routine), this place would not be a bad option. *Know something around SLPC you want to share with us? Write us and inform us!*
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JAN’13 REVIEW Outreach: (i) On 1/19, EM families went to see dinosaurs at the Flora Expo. More exciting activities to come for both families and nonfamilies in 2013; (ii) On 1/28, XO’12 coworkers celebrated over an Indian curry dinner at Dazzle. Worship: (i) Ps. Peter preached from Genesis on how Jacob walks with God in his deception, dependence and development as God’s chosen one. May we grow in our own walk with God this year; (ii) We welcomed Praise Team on 1/6 and Choir on 1/20. Fellowship: (i) EM carecells truly are families as we go through the ups-and-downs of life together.
Available Tues through Thurs during weeknights; (ii) CARE team is growing and desiring to pray for your walk with God. Keep writing the cards and we’ll keep asking God to bless you. Discipleship: (i) “TYBS” worksheet for Dec readings due 1/27; new Three-Year Bible Schedule for 2013 -2015. (ii) Sign up for a free English Bibles at Welcome Table; (iii) Basic Bible Reading in English course has started and continues through June.
Outreach events this month include the Dinosaur Exhibit (above) and celebrating over our big Christmas event XO’12 (below).
Service: Seeking coworkers to build up the EM family in 2013. Let us love God and love ‘EM through our services!
Connect Cards from EMers
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5
EM is off to a strong start in 2013, at least in terms of people praying through the Connect Cards. Last year you wrote a total of 732 cards! That’s an average of 14 per week. So far in January, you’ve written 84 cards, averaging 20 cards per week! A family who prays is a family that grows. In fact, in 2012 we averaged 94 worshipers each Sunday; so far in January, we’re averaging 107! Even the weekly average offering
has increased from ~NT38,000 in 2012 to ~NT54,000 in January 2013. Hallelujah! God is faithful! Let us remain faithful throughout this year. Although not every prayer we received have been answered, we have been encouraged in the Care Team that God, our heavenly Father, has listened and responded to many of you. Therefore, we would like to share some of them with you:
Diane & Paris Wedding (1/26) EM is truly a family. After all, we share important events of our lives together, including at Diane & Paris’ wedding celebration. The worship ceremony took place at the newly renovated Suang-Lien Presbyterian Church on 10F at 3:00 PM, and the banquet at W Hotel in Xinyi District at 6:00 PM. Both were wonderful as the Lord blessed the newly married couple and everyone there. As part of the wedding, Ps. Peter shared a message from Matthew 7:24-27 on how to build a strong foundation for a marriage. The key is to build on L.O.V.E. (1) Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and www.slpcenglish.org
mind. For the couple it means praying together to God daily; (2) Love the Other as yourself, meaning both husband and wife should intentionally set aside quality time for each other because there is no other relationship more important (besides God); (3) Love Victory as we all need lots of courage to face the inevitable “storms” of life, and the key is to encourage one another all the time; (4) Love Eternity because a marriage is a lifetime commitment and we need to recognize that “Yesterday was good, today is better, and tomorrow Is best.” Happy marriage, Diane and Paris!
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Above: Special moments from Diane & Paris’ wedding and banquet on 1/26.
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SLPC 100 Year Celebrations As SLPC approaches its 100-year birthday, we will surely celebrate in many ways. As early as late-February, we invite you to participate in this historic first century of Suang-Lien! (1) Church Bazaar 園遊會: 2/28, 9:30AM12:00PM at Zhong-Shan Creative Hub grass field.
Above: SLPC’s 100th anniversary logo. Do you sense the ideas of “double” like in 雙 and also Jesus’ disciples going out two-by-two?
(2) Church Party 聯歡晚會: 2/28, 7:309:30PM at SLPC 9F & 10F worship hall. (3) Thanksgiving Concert 感恩音樂會: 3/1, 7:30-9:30PM at SLPC 10F worship hall.
(4) Memorial Sunday Worship 紀念主日禮 拜: 3/3, 10:00AM-12:00PM at 10F worship hall. (5) Love Meal 愛餐: 3/3, 12:00–2:00 PM at Liyan Banquet hall (Taipei Toko: No.413, Linsen N. Rd.) **Ticket: 200NTD/Person (6) Thanksgiving Worship 感恩禮拜: 3/3, 3:00-5:00PM at 10F worship hall. (7) Dinner 晚宴: 3/3, 5:30-9:00PM at HaiBao-Wang Restaurant (No.59, Sec. 3, Zhongshan N. Rd. )
Connect Cards from EMers (con’t) (1) Praise God for giving us a great ceremony on our wedding; (2) Praise God my family is doing great in 2013; (3) Thanks for bringing me here; (4) Dear God, thanks for a busy but eventful year of 2012, and for everything you helped me out; (5) Thanks for God’s word today. Praise God for finishing my working holiday visa application; (6) Dear Lord, as many are “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is un- joining our carecell, I pray that they seen. Then your Father, who sees what is done feel your love and feel welcomed; (7) Thank you, God, for courage to be a in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
righteous man; (8) God, make me your humble servant this year. Your glory will shine this year; (9) Dear God, thank you for helping me on my final exams; (10) Praise God to give me an enjoyable and memorable snowboarding trip; (11) Thanks, God, for bringing our families to harmony, happiness and faith; (12) Thanks, God, for refreshing my soul; (13) I praise the Lord for finally bringing my friend to church; (14) God, thank you for giving me the hint; I will follow your direction.
FEB’13 PREVIEW Outreach: (i) On 2/23, we will visit the Hakka Culture Park (family friendly activity). Sign up at Welcome Table or email rose.lo@gmail.com.
tions for EMers—please don’t hesitate to ask us!
Worship: (i) No English worship on 2/10 due to Chinese New Year; joint SLPC worship at 10:30 AM on 10F; (ii) Ps. Peter will continue in Genesis and Exodus along the theme of “walking with God” in our lives; (iii) Praise Team leads 2/3 with contemporary worship; and Choir makes offering on 2/17; (iv) Communion is on 2/17 this month.
Discipleship: (i) “TYBS 2013-15” worksheet for Jan readings are due 2/24; (ii) Join the Basic Bible Reading in English course with Teacher Cecilia every Sunday at 9:30 AM in 702 (no class 2/10.17); (iii) Find success in your career as human resource professional Rose Lo offers a two-week course “Career Advancement” on 2/17.24; (iv) Stay tuned for more exciting courses Genesis (Mar) and Bible Overview (Apr).
Fellowship: (i) Whether visitor or regular, we welcome you in our carecells, where we develop relationships in small groups. Commit to spending more time together and you will surely grow as you learn more about each other and about God; (ii) Our Care Team can provide prayer and visita-
Service: (i) As Abraham gives his all, his towards greater success. best, his most and his first to God, God promises to bless Abraham will even greater things in life (great nation, great name). Join us at EM, where we always strive to give our all, best, most and first to God; (ii) SLPC annual meeting after worship on 2/3.
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Above: Growth, success and career. Things constantly on our minds and taking the majority of our week’s time. Learn on 2/17 and 2/24 in “Career Advancement” how you can better grow in your career and
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www.slpcenglish.org
FEBRUARY 2013
Join us for Sunday worship at 11 AM (7F) and lunch fellowship afterward in the café area. * No English worship on 2/10 (Chinese New Year). *
Sun
Our Vision Evangelistic & Nurturing Church Our Mission Love God & Love Others as Ourselves
Mon
3 Ex 3-4
4 Ex 5-6
9:30a BBRE 11A English Worship 1P Choir
10 Ex 15
11 Ex 16
10:30a Joint CNY Worship (10F) * No English worship
17 Ex 25
18 Ex 26
11A English Worship 1P Choir
24 Ex 35
25 Ex 36
9:30a BBRE 11A English Worship 1P Choir
Tue
Wed
Thu
5 Ex 7
6 Ex 8-9
7 Ex 10-11
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
12 Ex 17-18
13 Ex 19-20
14 Ex 21
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
19 Ex 27-28
20 Ex 29
21 Ex 30
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
7:30P Chosen CC
26 Ex 37-38
27 Ex 39
28 Ex 40
7:30P Chrysalis CC 7:30P Agape CC
7:30P 1Way CC 7:30P Music Team
228 Memorial Day 7:30P Chosen CC
CNY: Chinese New Year BBRE: Basic Bible Reading in English
Fri
Sat
1 Ex 1
2 EX 2
8 Ex 12
9 Ex 13-14 Chinese New Year
15 Ex 22
16 Ex 23-24
22 Ex 31-32
23 Ex 33-34 10a Hakka Culture Park (www.thcp.org.tw)
TYBS Readings: Ex: Exodus
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
I’ve been feeling especially blessed recently. For one, it’s been many years since I last found any significant amount of money on the ground— NT500 just for walking home for lunch! For another, God’s word is really speaking personally to me even as I preach it to you all. Like Jacob, I see myself as a “deceiver” in my youth as I relied much on my own wit, hard work, wealth, friends and, well, anything besides God. I remember those days as tiring and unfulfilling. Then, I see myself as the “depender” that Jacob becomes through his struggles, whether in career or relationships. Later in life, even this week, I’m realizing how it’s best to be a “developer” whom God is working on as I learn to grow in God’s presence, personal and applicable knowledge of God
and worship in spirit and in Truth. I really praise the Lord. And like Abraham, I Above: Rev. Peter Chen & Family 陳道南牧師家庭 see myself as one who strives to give God my best, especially through obedience. God said to Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). For me, I ended up in Taiwan! Now I await the second part of the promise, which is: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” May these words come true for me as well as for you. Fear God and obey Him alone.
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-