Noteworthy Events

Worship time at the FPC Retreat.

• FPC Line News Group: Be sure to join our FPC LINE news group, where you can get all the latest information about FPC. You will only receive messages from FPC. You can also send questions and prayer requests which will be received by the church leaders. To join, search for "@osv3181q" or scan this QR code:

• Church Membership Class: This fall, our church membership classes are being presented in a new, hour-long format over four Sundays each month. The November classes meet on Sunday the 10th, 17th, 24th, and Dec. 1st, from 1:15 to 2:15pm in room 402. These will be the last classes of the year. Participation is open to all and does not obligate you to become a member. However, those seeking membership must attend all four classes, whether in a single month or spread out over multiple months. Sign up at the Newcomer Welcome table in the fellowship hall.

• Churchwide Picnic – Sunday, Nov. 17, After Service: Grab your lunch and come join us for a churchwide picnic! We will meet at the Triangle Park at 1:00pm, then head over to the Tai Da Lake to enjoy food and fellowship together.

• Youth Service Event – Saturday, Nov. 23: All FPC teens (and their friends!) are invited to a Saturday service event, providing childcare for an FPC women’s church event. Permission slips are available in the youth worship service and at the Newcomer Welcome table.

• G2C University Student Meet-Up – Nov. 24 – FPC’s university ministry Gospel 2 the Campus (G2C) is holding a meet-up lunch on Sunday the 24th, 1:15-3:00pm, in Room 501. We welcome all undergraduate, graduate, and Chinese-studies students. Join us!

• Spotlight on Service: Did you know that each Sunday Church Service at FPC takes an average of 28 individual acts of service? We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the 60 individuals who served FPC during a Sunday Service or special event in October. If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please email deacons@friendshiptaipei.com  

• Youth Group Weekly Gatherings - Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm: Our youth ministry provides a time of worship, Bible study, fellowship, and fun. We meet every Friday, 6:30-9:30pm, at 261 Roosevelt Road, 6th floor.

• FPC Sanchong Church Plant (“New Blessings”): Support our Mandarin-language church plant in Sanchong by “Liking” their Facebook page. Search this phrase:三重祝福教會 or scan this QR code:

From the Desk of Pastor Kim

by Peter Kim

Thanksgiving and Prayers

As Thanksgiving comes up (as celebrated in America and in many Taiwanese churches), I wanted to spend this time to give thanks to God for the many ways that He has blessed our church this year.

I am thankful for the retreat that we had last month in which we had the opportunity to draw closer together to form purposeful connections.

I am thankful for the fact that in this year alone, we have had over thirty people become members of our church and we are anticipating another ten or so in this next month.

I am thankful for the multiple baptisms that were conducted this year (ten in total, four of which were for teenagers and four for infants/children).

I am thankful for the many conversations that happen during our in-service sharing times.

I am thankful for our children’s ministry and how many children are learning about Jesus every week.

I am thankful for our youth ministry that strives to be a place where the youth can be rooted in God’s truth.

I am thankful for our university ministry, G2C, and all the students it reaches.

I am thankful for how we are striving to be gospel-centered in all that we do as a church.

I am thankful for our leadership the elders, the deacons, and the staff and all the hard work that they put in week in and week out.

I am thankful for all the volunteers and all those who have chosen to serve to continue to build up our people.

I am thankful for the many visitors we have throughout the year.

I am thankful for God’s work through us to be a light to so many people.

Here is my prayer:

Thank you dear Lord for all the ways that You have blessed Friendship Presbyterian Church, not only through providing and guiding us through this year, but also by the fact that You have used our church to be a blessing to so many people all over. We are thankful that You involve us in Your kingdom work in Tanzania through our sister Michelle. We are thankful that You involve us in Your kingdom work through the church-plants here in Taiwan in Sanchong and Banqiao. We are thankful that You involve us in Your kingdom work through CRTS, the seminary here in Taipei which trains many people for future ministry. I am so thankful for the many ways that You involve us in Your kingdom work. My prayer, LORD, is that You lead Friendship Presbyterian Church continually in Your ways that we may walk in Your truth by the leading of Your Holy Spirit with the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May we shine Your light in this land and around the world. Would you provide for us all that we need including more leaders and volunteers who are willing to give it their all for Your kingdom work. And may You be exalted and glorified through our church, the gathering of believers here at Friendship Presbyterian Church. For Your name’s sake, we ask all these things in the powerful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

5 Questions With...Jack Coetsee

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian?  I came to Taiwan to teach English in 2004. My younger brother came to visit me in Taiwan in 2005 and found FPC. He suggested that I attend here, but I was reluctant until my conversion in 2006.

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday? Monday to Friday I teach English, and on Saturday I spend time with my wife and three kids.

3. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you? I grew up in a conservative Christian home in South Africa, was baptized as an infant, but only got converted at age 28 in Taiwan, 13 years ago.

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today? Accepting God's pace of sanctifying me—I would like to sprint ahead in my Christian growth! But God has me at a crawling pace for now, according to what I can handle.

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible, and why? Genesis. It's the book of origins, it explains everything we need to know about life, it contains pre- and post-Fall history, and it contains the pronouncement of the gospel in chapter 3, verse 15. It explains where we come from and what to expect in the rest of history. Lastly, through God's working with his people, we learn about God's attributes and how the LORD is different from the pagan gods. Through the book of Genesis, we learn so much about ourselves, God, creation, sin, and humankind that it makes for one of my favorite books of the Bible.