January 2012

Join us for Sunday worship at 11 AM (7F) and lunch fellowship afterward in the caf area.

SUANG L IEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sun
E NGLISH M INISTRY
Suang Lien Presbyterian Church 111 Zhong Shan North Rd, Sec 2 Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)

Mon

Tue
3 1Ch 19-20
7:30 PM Chrysalis 7:30 PM Agape

Wed
4 1Ch 21-22
7:30 PM Dolce* 7:30 PM Music

Thu
5 1Ch 23-24

Fri
6 1Ch 25-26

Sat
7 Ps 90-92

English Ministry News

JANUARY 2012 ISSUE 22

1 New Years Day 2 1Ch 17-18

11 AM Worship 12 PM Lunch 1 PM Choir

One Plus One

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
December 11 Review 2011 Year of

8c
Phone: 02.2541.5390 Fax: 02.2523.1361 slpcenglish@gmail.com www.slpcenglish.org
11 AM Worship 12 PM Lunch 1 PM Choir (801)

9 1Ch 27-29

10 2Ch 1-2
7:30 PM Chrysalis 7:30 PM Agape

11 2Ch 3-4
7:30 PM Dolce* 7:30 PM Music

12 2Ch 5-6

13 2Ch 7-8

14 Ps 93-95
Taiwan Presidential Elections

15
11 AM Worship 12 PM Lunch 1 PM Choir

16 2Ch 9-10

17 2Ch 11-12
7:30 PM Chrysalis 7:30 PM Agape

18 2Ch 13-14
7:30 PM Dolce* 7:30 PM Music

19 2Ch 15-16

20 2Ch 17-18

21 Ps 96-98

A DIVERSE PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOD AND LOVE OTHERS AS OURSELVES

the Babies

22
11 AM Worship 12 PM Lunch 1 PM Choir

23 2Ch 19-20
Chinese New Year

24 2Ch 21-22
7:30 PM Chrysalis 7:30 PM Agape

25 2Ch 23-24
7:30 PM Dolce* 7:30 PM Music

26 2Ch 25-26

27 2Ch 27-28

28 Ps 99-101

iNoel

29
11 AM Worship 12 PM Lunch 1 PM Choir

30 2Ch 29-30

31 2Ch 31-32
7:30 PM Chrysalis 7:30 PM Agape

January 12 Preview Presidential Elections 2012

c = Communion Carecells meet on Tues & Weds nights. TYBS Readings: 1Ch: 1 Chronicles 17-29 2Ch: 2 Chronicles 1-32 Ps: Psalms 90-101

when it comes to people, it doesnt have to be like that. Instead, EM ought to be a place where one person arrives and brings one other person next time. That seemed to be the case at the Christmas celebration. In the last five Sundays of December 2011, we averaged 107 worshippers and we sold altogether 205 tickets for iNoel (though there should have been at least 210+ people since babies and little children did not need to buy tickets). For this New Year, why dont we each make it a goal to bring at least one person to join EM, especially someone who is not yet Christian? If we do so, EM will grow rather quickly, but more importantly, Gods kingdom will spread quickly throughout Taipei and Taiwan. Dont allow another year to slip by that you have not shared your faith with others. The Good News about CHRISTmas does not end as one year leaves, but begins as one person arrives with one other.

3 3

Baptism Begins 3

EM Calendar / TYBS

4
4

Above: Just 43 of the 200+ smiling faces at iNoel.

From the Pastors Desk

Happy New Year! Throughout the year, there are special times when I reflect and see how my life is progressFaith is built one brick at a time. ing. Times like my birthday, wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, and especially the end of each year are special to me as I slow down from the busyness and simply evaluate how far I have come. While its easy to see a baby grow, it can be tough to see if we are growing ourselves since adults no longer grow in as obvious ways like children (except getting rounder perhaps, like me). Find such times for yourself because they are invaluable in your development as a child of God. Ask yourself questions like: Am I wiser today than a year ago in having learned from Gods Word? Am I applying more of Gods truth in my life? How have I been blessed by God this past year? How is the quality of my love compared to 1 Corinthians 13? Have my relationships deepened? Do I make a difference in other peoples lives? Am I more involved in the church family? Do I sense Gods presence daily? Am I bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Like houses built one brick at a time so we are built up slowly but surely in our faith. Make sure in this New Year, your foundation is built on Jesus Christ.

From the Pastors Desk

Happy New Year! As one year arrives, one year leaves. Theres no other way. You cannot have two years at the same time. However,

LEARN MORE:

How many EM babies were born in 2011?

T.Y.B.S. in 1&2 Chronicles (OT)

Having read through 1&2 Kings in Nov-Dec 2011, 1&2 Chronicles may seem like a repeat, but there are important distinctions to keep in mind as you read this month. The Chronicles were written to remind the nation of their entire history, and of their position among other nations, emphasizing the history of priestly worship from the death of Saul to the end of the Babylonian captivity. Chronicles contain more detail on the organization of public worship, of religious ceremonies, of Levites and singers and of the relationship of kings to the worship of God, than does the Kings. The history of the Northern Kingdom is omitted from the Chronicles because the Northern Kingdom had no bearing on the development of true worship of God in Jerusalem. Essentially, Kings record the political history while Chronicles record the religious history. Kings give us a human viewpoint while Chronicles give us a divine viewpoint.

Rev. Peter Chen

How many people attended iNoel?

What zodiac sign is the upcoming Chinese New Year?

EMs on Facebook! Add SLPC-EM SLPC-EM

What is Papalazzi and BAC? Who were baptized in 2011? When can I vote?

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 Newsopinions, testimonies, photos, etcplease email to slpcenglish@gmail.com.

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SUANG LIEN ENGLISH MINISTRY NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 22

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MONTH IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 2011

Outreach: Our Christmas celebration dinner iNoel was a big success on 12/25 as many EMers invited friends and families to attend. On average, for each one EMer, there was one guest who joined us. Worship: Ps. Peter preached from Matthew 25, and Dr. Stephen Lakkis (TTCS) came and shared Gods Word on 12/18. Our Christmas worship of Stories of the Nativity on 12/25 used multimedia videos to help us visualize Jesus birth. Fellowship: Carecell members bonded with Christmas fun and gifts. Discipleship: As the year 2011 ends, people will be half way through the TYBS readings. Service: Thanks to many coworkers to put together the Christmas Worship and Christmas Celebration iNoel. A few special mentions go to William Chang who coordinated iNoel, Jennifer Eh for generously donating BAC (Black As Chocolate) and Mydori gifts, and Kenneth and Beth Hu for setting up their fun Papalazzi photo booth. So many more people to acknowledge but so little space. Thanks all!

MONTH IN PREVIEW: JANUARY 2012

Outreach: While no events are planned, do follow up with your friends and families, whom you invited to iNoel. Check if they received Jesus into their hearts on Christmas night and invite them to continue learning more about Jesus in a local church. Worship: For 2012, Ps. Peter will select recent or upcoming passages from TYBS and preach from them. We hope this will help those following TYBS in their time alone with God and encourage more EMers to follow in TYBS. Fellowship: Carecells are a happening place to be for both Christians and not-yetChristians. We welcome you to experience the warmth of the church family as you build meaningful relationships and grow together in the Lord.
Above: Guess the Rices Win the Prizes. So what was the final count for of the three grains? How containers rice Chinese New Year is on January 23, 2012, which begins the Year of the Dragon. It is believed to be an auspicious year so many couples plan to have children born as dragons. there be? How many EM dragons will

Discipleship: TYBS goes into its second year and the worksheet of December readings is due 1/29. Due to the Chinese New Year break, we will not have courses in January. Service: A new year is a great start for those who may not have served before. If you seem to be doing all the right thingsreading Bible, praying, attending worshipand still find yourself stagnant in your faith, then serving may give you the boost you need!

2,0697,45839,573. 2,069 7,458 did you compare?

2011 Year of the Babies

With four babies born to EMers this year, EM should be able to grow without any problems if we keep it up! Indeed, 2011 proves to be the Year of the Babies with the birth of Aaron Chen in April (Pastor Peter & Melody), Bella Lee in August (Bill & Bonnie), Allan Wang in November (Adam & Joy), and Ian Lin in December (Joe & Shirley). Congratulations to all the parents on these bundles of joy as they grow up in their families. And may our Sundays be filled with extra warmth and smiles as we look upon these little miracles from God and be reminded that we, too, are miracles of life and love.

Presidential Elections 2012

Whether you are voting for the Taiwanese President on 1/14/2012 or for the US President on 11/6/2012, we all know our nations leaders are important in casting the vision for the people. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) says, Where there is no vision, the people perish. Thus, it is very important that as law-abiding citizens, we cast our ballots to vote for whom we believe is the best person to lead. However, it doesnt stop there. In order to move toward the vision, everyone must pitch in and work for it. Its not enough to just cast a vote or share a vision if nobody strives to make it reality. Whoever you vote for, remember as Law-abiding citizens of Gods eternal nation, our vision cast by Jesus is to be a diverse people who love God and love one another. Let us make it a reality at EM.

Clockwise: Aaron, Ian, Allan, and Bella

iNoel Christmas Celebration (12/25/11)

On Christmas evening, the EM family celebrated the birth of Christ with a fantastic program and delicious foods at Li-Yan Banquet Hall. A year ago when we budgeted for iNoel, we anticipated 17 tables (or 170 people) for the event. However, God blessed us with 21 tables (200+ people)! Question: How many shall we anticipate for next years Christmas celebration? All the programs and coordinators are from EMers. Thus, in a sense, it was a talent show as we used what talents God has given to us and presented it for others and for God to enjoy. Question: Who will use their talents next year? Before the first of twelve courses was served, before the first of many gifts was delivered, before the first of many shows began, people gathered around the fun stations as they Guess the Rices Win the Prizes, Make & Eat their own Santa hat brownie, played Jenga wooden blocks, and took fun pictures at Papalazzis photo booth. Question: Whats there not to like about Christmas at EM?
No baby is born ready to walk so remember that baptism is just the beginning of a great adventure ahead.

Baptism Begins
In addition to four baby births in 2011, EM also experienced many spiritual baby births. In all EM had ten people get baptized, including three baby baptisms, and also three people who transferred church membership to Suang Lien. We welcome them all in Gods family and remind you that your baptism is just the beginning! As a baby learns to eat solid food or to walk and run or to talk and write, so also spiritual babies need to learn much as they grow into Christlikeness. While there is no need to rush as true growth takes time, you do need to surround yourselves with the right nurturing environment just like how babies have loving parents and home. We pray you continue to grow in EM. April: Vivianne Chen (b) and Willy Lin (b). August: Wen-Ting Lo (b), Aaron Chen (baby b), Christy Lin (m), and James Wu (m).
Above: The four fun stations in action as the night began. To see more photos, please check EMs Facebook Page SLPC-EM SLPC-

December: Lesley Juan (b), Samuel Chiang (b), Albert Ho (b), Amy Huang (b), Eva and Eli Seitz (baby b), Michael Lee (m).