No Services on Dec. 28th

Sorry, but many people are unavailable on Sunday, Dec. 28th.  See you in 2009!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Celebration

Pastor Chris read part of Luke chapter 2 for us yesterday, reminding us that one person can make a difference.  Perhaps someone asked on the night that baby Jesus was born - anything new going on in Bethlehem?  Oh, nothing much, I did hear a woman had a baby in a small barn out back.  What seemed so insignificant then, has meant so much for the world.  Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  He is the mighty Savior.  

Two turkeys!!  We had a wonderful potluck yesterday!  Great friends and conversations, and food!

Celebrate Christmas!

Join us Dec. 21st at 4 pm to celebrate the birth of a special baby!!

Then on Dec. 28th we will not have any services. So see you Dec. 21st and not again until 2009!

New friends Helen and Ala liked playing with baby Amanda today at the November potluck.
Doritoes, pumpkin pie and whipped cream, and tuna sandwiches - - a good variety - yum!
Chicken, duck, sweet potatoes with marshmallow, rice vegie casserole - also yum!

Pastor Chris preached on giving thanks - expressing it to God and to one another.  

God has a plan for us

Pastor Chris preached from his favorite book of the Bible - Jeremiah.  

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 29:12  

Church potluck

Beanie weinies, fish ball vegetable stew, do hwa, bbq pork, tofu and onions, apple cobbler, ... all part of yesterday's church potluck... hopefully a monthly event --- trying for every third Sunday -- call Pastor Chris for details.  

Yesterday Michael preached about Luke 19 and Zaccheus.  Friendship is the motivation for evangelism, not only the method.  Through our getting to know people is how they can see Christ in us.  We also need to be ready to share how Christ has changed us.  

After dinner, Mei-Mei had fun posing.  :)  

BBQ

Just a little note to say "thank you" to everyone for helping out today. There was plenty of food and fellowship. I sincerely hope that everyone had a great time. I know I did. I appreciate everyone that comes and worships with us. You truly are a blessing to me.

Will put up some pics as soon as possible!

BBQ

The church will be having a BBQ on July 13 to say goodbye to Carlos and karina as they go back to Costa Rica to live. We will also be saying goodbye to Jessica as she will be going to the US to study for 4-5 years. Kyle, Jenny and Amanda, as well as Michael and Sandy, will be going back to the US to visit. I think we will feel a little lonely this summer.

The BBQ will start immmediately after our modified worship service, which starts at 4pm.

PIngtung City, Taiwan park pictures

  

The park near Pacific Mall can be a busy place.... vendors selling a variety of items, kids swinging, older folks talking and playing chess, families watching monkeys in a cage, and people just relaxing with a walk.  Sometimes there are musical performances here.  The gazebo and small pond are popular places.   The tree-lined sidewalk is so cool. 

The English-service is a few blocks away.  Call Pastor Chris for directions. 

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?" Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the others things will be yours as well.

Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to work about today. (Matthew 6:31-34 Cont. English version)

Wo xin ren Ye-su! (I trust Jesus!)

One Body Many Parts

The body of Christ has many different parts, just as any other body does. ... Together you are the body of Christ. Each of you is part of His body.

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud or rude.
Love isn't selfish or quick tempered.
It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.
Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.
Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.
LOVE NEVER FAILS! (I Corinthians 12: 12, 27, 13:4-8, Cont.English version)

Join us for a Christian English service in Pingtung City, every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm. We welcome you!

Living Sacrifices

Pastor Chris reminds us to be "living sacrifices" as it says in Romans 12:1-2. We shouldn't be like those in this world, but rather we should let God change us. We should aim to be pure and pleasing to God.

Carlos and Karina's Wedding video

Beautiful Baby Amanda

Welcome Baby Amanda Grace!

(How babies are delivered --haha  -- not Amanda, obviously)  

CONGRATULATIONS TO Kyle and Jenny as the happy parents of baby Amanda!  God bless your family!

Sunday's Sermon

Pastor Chris says that he has been reading the book of Obadiah, one of the minor prophets, in his daily reading.   Today he focused on this verse: 

17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; 
       it will be holy, 
       and the house of Jacob 
       will possess its inheritance.

Jacob and Esau were always quarreling and their nations continued to quarrel.  There is a promise that there would be deliverance and an inheritance.  An inheritance can only be given following someone's death.  Jesus died so that we can have a wonderful inheritance.  

(summary by Sandy)

Relationships

We are to encourage one another and to fellowship with other believers as we share our faith with others.  

Reminder:  Bible study on book of Galations on Sunday morning at 8:30 am

4 - 5:30 pm Worship service in English

Afterward:  dinner together (optional) ;)

Call each other.  Pray for one another.  Invite others to know Christ and to church.   Remember the church is not the building nor the service, but rather a group of people sharing their joys and struggles as they grow in Christ together.

Call Pastor Chris if you need directions!

April 6th Update

Pray for Jenny's baby = due any day now

Yesterday's sermon:  Michael preached on Ephesians 1: 3- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

and Ephesians 4:1-13 1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

 7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.8This is why it says: 
   "When he ascended on high,       he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  

Youtube skit

"Everything" Jesus is always waiting for us! He is always ready to stand between us and things which tempt us!

March 30th sermon

Pastor Chris' sermon Sunday was on I Corithians 16: 13-14

13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.

Update

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:11-13

Jesus gives us strength to endure hardships!

Please pray for Angie on her mission assignment overseas and for Jenny who will have her baby any day now.

Reminder: Sunday 8:30 am Bible study in English
4:00 pm Worship and Teaching...
Tracy will be leading the music in April.
On April 6th, Michael will be giving the sermon.

Church Retreat

The group
The cave-castle hotel was next to the Bethlehem Hotel.
dinner ;)
beautiful setting

The group played games, drove race cars, ate together, walked along the beach, worshipped together, and encouraged one another- that's what a retreat is for ;).

Pingtung English Fellowship - things are happening!

Pastor Chris has allowed me to post on the church's blog, and here's my first post! --Sandy

The members will be going on a retreat March 15-16 to Kenting. No church service at 4 pm?

March 23rd is Resurrection Sunday! Come at 4 pm for a time of worship and celebration of the Risen Lord Jesus!
8:30 Sunday morning - English Bible Study
4:00 pm Sunday afternoon - English songs, sermon, prayer
Often, many of the members will go out to eat in Pingtung City after the service.
If you are in the Pingtung City area, and would like to join an English church, please come! You can call Pastor Chris at the number on the top of the screen. We are from the USA, Central America, Norway, and Taiwan. We are from Yung Da, NPUST and Meiho in Neipu. We welcome everyone!

Pictures

Just thought I would share some pictures with everyone!

Pic 1: WeiRu, Rosa, Petter

Pic 2: Chris, Becky, Daniel, Caitlin

Pic 3: Group Photo

Pic 4: Michael and Sandy

Pic 5: Angie and Adam

Pic 6: Carlos [Just Married]

Pic 7: Kyle and Jenny [Baby on the Way]

Pic 8: Brad and Jade

Will try to upload more later!