Sunday, November 2, 2025
21st Sunday after Pentecost
No EM Sunday service on 10/19 and 10/26

Scriptures: Malachi 1:1-5
Message: “The Chosen People of God”
Preacher: Pastor Michael Lu

*** Announcements for the Week of October 19^th ***

• SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
  SLPC will call two special congregational meetings after service on October 19 and 26 to elect new elders (19th) and deacons (26^th). There will only be ONE Sunday worship in Taiwanese with English translation provided via headset. There will be NO EM service on those two Sundays. Worship will start at 10 AM in the 10^th floor hall. All SLPC member should make an effort to attend both meetings.
• EM RETREAT
  EM will host a Retreat at Hsinchu Bible College from November 21 (Friday night) to 23 (Sunday noon). Dr. Yakhwee Tan will be our featured speaker. Registration deadline is Sunday, November 9. Please register by scanning the QR code:
  
  Or, click the following link to register:
  https://forms.gle/kWc54rq2vmuqAywt9
• 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.
  
  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.

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD

(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 39:1-29)

Pastor Michael Lu

There will be a final battle, a battle for the ages, and although Israel looks to be weak and defenseless, the Lord will come to the rescue of His people. Yes, Israel once a people of shame because of their unfaithfulness, will be restored, and no one will be able to take advantage of them again. No battle is too great for the Lord, no matter how massive the opposition is, because the battle belongs to the Lord.

12 “‘For seven months the Israelites will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. 13 All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I display my glory will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord. 14 People will be continually employed in cleansing the land. They will spread out across the land and, along with others, they will bury any bodies that are lying on the ground.

For seven months the Israelites will be burying Gog and all his hordes in order to cleanse the blood shed on the land. This speaks to how great Gog and all his hordes are that it would be a massive effort lasting more than seven months to complete. Although it would seem that Israel is outnumbered, defenseless, facing hopelessness in battle, but it is also because of their victory that the Lord’s name will once again be proclaimed in relation to Israel.

Yes, the nations saw that Israel was exiled, but there would be no mistake that the Lord is back with a vengeance and has gathered Israel to their own land, not leaving any behind. It is clear that those that were once lost would be found, and that the ultimate battle, the last battle belongs to the Lord.

Today’s Scripture, reminds me of a song by Phil Wickham called “Battle Belongs.”

When all I see is the battle, You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me
There’s nothing to fear now for I am safe with You

So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

May we as believers and as the church fight on our knees, with our hands lifted high, not relying on our own strength, but trusting that the battle belongs to the Lord! Yes, the battle belongs to the Lord. May we never forget this no matter how opposing the challenge that lies before us is. The battle belongs to the Lord, and His name will be glorified.