Welcome to SLPC English Ministry
Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 11 a.m.

Next Worship Service

Sunday, March 22, 2026
5th Sunday of Lent

Scriptures: Romans 8:5-13
Message: “Tug of War”
Preacher: Pastor Michael Lu

Recent Sermons & Services

Announcements

*** Announcements for the Week of March 15th ***

  • GUPOZENG (牛埔庄) SEMINAR
    When natural disasters are more frequent, how will churches be a resilient strength in communities? Join the seminar in the 10F hall at 12:30 pm on Sunday, March 29 to learn more about it. It’s open to everyone. Sign up for the event if you need refreshments. https://reurl.cc/rKz7Wx
  • LAST SUPPER COMMEMORATING SERVICE
    There will be a service to commemorate the Last Supper in the 10F hall at 19:30 on Maundy Thursday (4/2). Various groups will offer songs of worship and there will be a Holy Communion. It’s open to everyone.
  • EASTER FLASHMOB PROGRAM
    On Sunday, April 5, SLPC will mobilize its congregation for community sweep and singing hymns in the nearby parks and MRT plazas in the afternoon. If you are interested, please sign up online or in person. https://reurl.cc/r0xDMy
  • OFFERTORY RECORDS VERIFICATION
    SLPC encourages its congregation to verify his/her offertory records through SLPC’s Line OA member service. Contact James for help on access.
  • OFFERING ENVELOPES
    Please use the dedicated envelopes for different kinds of offerings: tithe, building fund, thanksgiving, seasonal, special occasions, and etc.
  • THE ELECTRONIC CONNECT CARD
    The electronic version of the Connect Card can now be accessed by scanning the new QR Code below.
    eConnectCard
    Or by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/AJqmNU2HkizjJXNH6
  • SCAN OR CLICK TO SIGN-IN EVERY SERVICE
    Please scan the service QR Code around the Chapel entrance or on the bulletin, or click the Sign-In link that will be posted in the EM Family Line group chat each Sunday morning for attendance.

***Special Notice***

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ! May the peace of Christ be with you!

The Taiwan CDC has loosened its policies on the COVID-19 restrictions. However, it’s an enclosed space inside the church. As a result, please observe the following guidelines when inside the church premises:

1. Please make sure you have your masks properly worn when entering and inside the church. Disinfect your hands with alcohol if necessary. Maintain social distancing whenever possible.

2. If you don’t feel well, exhibit symptoms of cold, or have been in close contact with people who are contracting COVID-19, please consider to stay at home and participate the online service instead.

3. Food and drinks are conditionally allowed inside the church compound.

Thank you and let’s worship God together on Sundays!

Electronic Sunday Bulletin
EM encourages its congregation to use the electronic version of the Sunday bulletin to save paper.  Please click the following link to access the eBulletin:

https://shorturl.at/R1UBt

Or scan the following QR code.

If you have any suggestion regarding the eBulletin, please let us know.  Thank you!

SERVE IN EM

Come and serve in EM!  You can join the Liturgy, the Audio/Video team, the Praise team, the EM Choir, the Homeless Ministry team, or the Kids Club.  Email: emcaresforyou@gmail.com for more info.

Bible Verse of the Week


Romans 8:13
"For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."


WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL

THE MESSIAH THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL
(REFLECTIONS ON JOHN 11:45-57)

Pastor Michael Lu

The chief priests and the Pharisees were waiting for the Messiah, the one that would restore Israel. However, the chief priests and the Pharisees had their own expectations for the Messiah, and wanted the Messiah to be someone that fit within their expectations and structures.

They expected someone who would uphold the Law of Moses, restore Israel politically, and strengthen the religious system, that is their religious system. In other words, the Messiah had to operate within the boundaries they understood and controlled.

However, Jesus came, and quickly shook things up by healing on the Sabbath, challenging interpretations of the Law, and spoke with an authority that far exceeded established religious institutions. Rather than fitting within their structure, Jesus seemingly possessed authority over the temple, the Law, and even life itself.

Rather than manage the Messiah in their religious system, Jesus required submission to the kingdom of God. That is why the Jewish leaders feared Jesus and wanted to kill Him,

48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and if the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

The Pharisees and chief priests were concerned about the Romans because Judea was under Roman governance. Rome allowed the Jews a limited level of religious self-governance, but rebellion would be punished and political revolt could result in Rome removing Jewish leadership.

Their concern was survival and loss of their institutional power. According to Caiaphas, the high priest that year, killing Jesus would save the whole nation, because it would preserve their position and institutional power under the Roman Empire.

53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.

However, what they didn’t realize was that killing Jesus, was not only their earthly plan to uphold their religious institution, but was God’s will, and that Jesus’ sacrifice was for God’s plan of salvation and life.

The conspiracy to kill Jesus was to take care of this perceived political and religious threat, but in doing so, this would lead to a kingdom greater than their religious institutions, greater than the Roman Empire, and greater than all the kingdoms of the earth.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that Jesus did not come as the Messiah to serve our political ambitions or religious institutions. He came as the Christ to establish the kingdom of God. The real question is not whether Jesus fits into our expectations, but whether we are willing to surrender our expectations and submit to His kingdom and His will.