~ WELCOME ~

The English Ministry of the Austin Taiwanese Presbyterian Church is a place where you will find young adults and youth who are discovering the powerful love and joy that comes through knowing Jesus Christ. Together, we celebrate our journey of faith through relevant biblical teaching, worship, prayer, and relationships.

Words from the director

WEEK OF JANUARY 30, 2012
ATPCMELTINGPOT

Dear Friends,

Wow. January has already flown by so quickly. Very important, I have about five of you who have told me you want to go to the TCA Spring Break Mission Trip. If anyone else wants to go, please let me know as soon as you can because the deadline to sign up is coming up. Parents we encourage you to go as well if you are interested. Adults can attend this trip!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pianist: Calvin
Worship: Faith
Bulletin:Jack
Ushers: Bobby

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDU-BLOG

*WEDNESDAY NIGHT, we have theMIX at 8:00 p.m.http://www.ustream.tv/channel/meltingpotatpc. And on FRIDAY NIGHT, FRIDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP Everyone coming on Friday wear a tie! Any color and size! Come at 7:30 p.m.

LOOK AHEAD: Are you interested in doing a Mission Trip? TCA has asked us if we want to come tag along with them during Spring Break. The trip is in South Padre, Texas! If you want more information come talk to Paul, or E-mail me, also check out the link to their Web site here for more info about the trip. http://www.tcasealed.net/Site/Missions_Events.html. *I <3 Taiwan Mission Trip sign-up sheets are out. If you’re interested let Paul know so you can get a sign-up form. *Basketball for everyone at church on Feb. 25th @ 10 a.m.
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL: THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
“And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” (Eph. 4:11 & 12 ESV)
It’s no secret that I love to watch soccer. It’s a game that people all around the globe embrace. There is a unique thing that happens in the rules of the game. When a player is ejected from the game (red carded) she is sent off the field. She’s not on the bench, she’s not in the stands, the FIFA rules indicate that she must not be present around the soccer grounds. The rule is so strong that most players shower up and leave the stadium. But here is the thing, once that player leaves, the whole team is not allowed to bring a new player on. The team has to play a person down. Every position in soccer is needed. After all it is a very big field. Once the game is underway, the team feels the attack from the opponent. Under the stress the team either unites and responds to the attack or individuals start going astray and making their own individual game plans. In a sense they leave the team even before an ejection happens. Now the coach is in a unique position. He can see the whole field. He can see all the players. He can see when a play breaks down. He also can see if players aren’t working together. In all my years around the game, I’ve never seen a coach go ballistic when one of his players chooses to go astray. I do see a common reaction of disappointment. It often looks like a coach dropping his head and letting out a sigh and begins to pace back and forth. Similarly, I see where the body of Christ struggles in the same way. All of us have our unique gifts we can contribute. Every single one of us. But what happens? We begin to feel the attack and under pressure, we decide to do our own thing and go astray. When you go astray the Body begins to become weaker without your gifts. In soccer, when a team goes a person down, the opposing team tries to seize the opportunity and the attack only gets stronger. In your emotions you might not be concerned with that too much. But is that the state of heart that we want to have? And “The Coach” sees it all happen, but we choose to have ears that don’t listen to Him. Think about the spiritual gifts you possess and figure out two simple ways you can recommit those gifts to your local church. Also, if you are struggling with serving your part in the Body right now, examine why you were on “the team” in the first place. Ask good honest questions: Did I come here for me? Did I come here to serve? Was I pushed into this? Be honest with yourself. Players have to make adjustments all the time to help make their game work. You’re not alone, if you have friends in the Body check-in with them and walk alongside them. God be with all of you this week. Blessings, Paul