5 Questions With...Grace Chen

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian?  I started attending Bible Study Fellowship (BSF young adult class) in fall 2019. At a dinner with other BSF members on October 15th, I met Yu-Ping, who warmly invited me to join T.G.I.F. outing on the following Friday and FPC Sunday service.

Gradually, as I became a regular attendee of FPC, I got to know other brothers and sister and felt very welcomed and supported by them especially in my community group, T.G.I.F, where I felt safe to share about my struggles and prayer requests.

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday?  I teach 10th-grade English in Neihu Senior High School from Monday to Friday. Right now, on Tuesday evenings, I attend BSF classes. On other evenings, I sometimes have dinner with friends or colleagues. If the weather is not too bad on Saturdays, I will usually be out along with my camera, e.g., going to exhibitions/bookstores/speeches, visiting cafés, going mountain climbing with friends, etc.

3. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?  I am actually quite naughty and childish on the inside even though I look quite mature and well-behaved. Another thing that might amaze others is that I am a person of great physical strength compared to other girls.

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today?  Securing a quiet-time with God every day to pray and do Bible study is one of the most challenging things nowadays since, there are so many interesting things to do and places to go to, especially in Taipei. Sometimes, we are eager seeking other things and we don’t have enough time and energy to really spend time developing our relationship with God.

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible?  My favorite book of the Bible would be Proverbs because it’s filled with words of wisdom and teaches us how to act or speak wisely which often serves as a guideline for me. One of my favorite verses is, Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Recent Events - April

Good Friday Service

Easter Sunday

New Members (see Table of Contents for a picture of them without masks!)

Noteworthy Events

• 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:

• Good Friday Tenebrae Service – April 10th, 7:30-9:00pm: In the Easter season, the Tenebrae (TEN-uh-bray) service recreates the emotional aspects of the passion story. The tone is somber because the emphasis is on the darkness of the crucifixion. There will be orchestral music, readings from the crucifixion story, the lighting and extinguishing of candles, and the return of the Christ candle at the end looking forward to his resurrection. Join us on YouTube: http://tiny.cc/fpcgoodfri.

• Youth Ministry Opportunity: We are seeking a volunteer to serve in our Youth Ministry as a teacher and assistant. If you are feeling called to serve in this wonderful ministry, please contact Asst. Pastor Peter Brown (peterbrown@friendshiptaipei.com ) for more information.

• Church Membership Class – 4 Sundays Each Month: Our church membership classes are being presented in an hour-long format over four Sundays each month of the spring. We will meet from 1:15 to 2:15pm on April 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th in the room at the end of the hall from the sanctuary. (As part of our COVID-19 prevention steps, these meetings may take place online. Please check our website for updates.) This schedule will be repeated in May. Participation is open to all and does not obligate you to become a member. However, those seeking membership must attend all four classes (or make it up the following month).

• Sunday School Classes – Begin April 19th, 1:15-2:30pm: Basics of Christianity will meet in basement classroom #104. Discipleship and Emotion will meet in basement classroom #106. (Note--as part of our COVID-19 prevention steps, these meetings may take place online. Please check our website for updates.)

• Youth Ministry Weekly Gatherings – New Time/Date: Our youth ministry has moved its weekly gatherings from Friday evenings to Sunday afternoons. The meetings go from 2:30 to 4:30pm and are held in the church offices. (As part of our COVID-19 prevention steps, these meetings may be held online. Please check our website for updates.) As always, our aim is to provide a time of worship, Bible study, fellowship, and fun.

• 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: