Recent Events - July

Sunday School - “Basics of Christianity” (1)

Youth Ministry River-Tracing Trip to Yilan (8)

Noteworthy Events

• Building Update: FPC will continue to meet at its current location (Tingzhou Road) for the next 3 years. Due to additional structural testing on the original building, the estimated time for reconstruction has been extended.

• 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.

• Communion Sunday – July 12: We will hold our monthly celebration of the Lord’s Supper during the service on July 12th. Please prepare your hearts to participate in this intimate act of recognition of our dependence on our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Monthly Prayer Meeting – July 14: FPC’s monthly, kingdom-centered prayer meeting, The Engine Room, is held regularly on the second Tuesday of the month. We gather at 7:30pm in room #320 on the 3rd floor of the church office building and go into prayer from 7:45 to 9:00pm. All are welcome.

• FPC Singles Social Event – July 18 - 5:00-8:00pm: Join other FPC singles for fellowship and fun in Room #302. A meal will be provided. NT150 and registration required (use this URL: tiny.cc/fpcsingles).

• Sunday School Class – 6/21-7/26 - 1:15-2:30pm: Pastor Kim is leading a 6-week adult Sunday School class, Basics of Christianity. The class meets in the room at the end of the hallway opposite the sanctuary. You may bring and eat lunch, if you wish. All are welcome.

• Sunday School Class – 6/21-8/9 - 1:15-2:30pm: Ordained pastor and FPC member Peter Wang is leading an 8-week adult Sunday School class, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. The class meets in basement room #104 in the worship building. You may bring and eat lunch, if you wish. All are welcome.

• Save-The-Date: Aug. 15 – FPC Married Couples Social Event: Time and location TBA

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

• 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.

• Form for In-Person Attendance at All Church Events - In order to assist the government in preventing the spread of COVID-19, Friendship Presbyterian Church requires that all attendees of any church-related activity fill out a brief form for purposes of “contact tracing” in the event of an outbreak. Regrettably, without filling out this form, you will not be allowed to attend our events in-person, including Sunday worship. Only one form is needed per household, and the form only needs to be filled out once. Use this URL: tiny.cc/fpc-covidform.

From the Pastor's Desk

by Pastor Peter Kim

Prayer for the Missionaries

In Taiwan last month, we were hit with a daily downpour of rain for weeks that seemed to be the worst in a number of years. However, compared to what was and is going on in other parts of the world, we have had it pretty easy. The worst, perhaps, that we can complain about is how wet we will be by the time we get home (this month, that is more likely to be the result of the heat, instead of the rain!). And since things do not seem so bad here in Taiwan, it is easy for us to forget about how people are suffering around the world.

But, let's bring it back to Taiwan for a bit. There are a number of people who are here with us in Taiwan who are deeply affected by what is going on in the world. One of the many groups affected are the missionaries among us. Let me try to set the picture.

Foreigners who desire to stay in Taiwan may have a bit of a difficult time coming in. Missionaries, likewise, have a difficult time coming in and finding a way to stay. There are a number of options that missionaries have. Either they can come in as an English teacher (which would force them to divide their time); as an employee of a company (again, their time is divided); as a student of Mandarin (once again, their time is divided, and the rules of keeping a student visa are strict); as a missionary (requiring them to be licensed and have two years’ experience, which is something that not all missionaries may have, especially if we are talking about non-pastoral missionaries); or simply as a visitor (which will require them to travel outside of the country every three months).

Many missionaries have their visas and are able to stay in the country without many issues. However, there are some among us who are struggling with what they need to do. For those missionaries who have come in with a visitor visa, they would normally simply travel somewhere outside of Taiwan every three months (or as some say, "do a visa run"). However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all such travel would not work because, as foreigners, they would not be able to re-enter Taiwan. Thankfully, the government has provided extensions, and many missionaries were able to stay a bit longer. But now, many of them are nearing the 180-day limit and are again faced with a dilemma.

Another bit of good news is that the Taiwanese government is now allowing foreigners with the right type of visa (students, employees, teachers, and even missionaries) to come to Taiwan. However, many of the Taiwan government offices in other countries are backed up in processing documents because the offices are often closed due to COVID-19. In other countries, the Taiwan government office closed down, again, because of COVID-19 (https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3957402).

There are missionaries in our church that have faced or are facing such issues. I also have two friends who are missionaries in Taiwan who are currently facing such an issue. Let us pray for the missionaries, that the Lord would provide a way for them to accomplish His kingdom work.

Let us also pray for Michelle Ko, who we support. She has not been able to re-enter Tanzania because of the risks of COVID-19 there and is still trying to find a way to return to Taiwan. Let us pray that God would provide the way and that He would continue to guide her steps.