聖荷西臺美長老教會的沿革與歷史
1982年 中會謝慶雄牧師邀請蔡凱棠牧師聚集數個自台灣來的家庭,借用聖荷西市區一間美國人的教會, 在主日下午一起開始聚會。至1983年,在謝慶雄牧師的帶領下,遷到Meridian的加爾文長老教會, 1983年6月12日聖神降臨節的主日,舉行第一次的主日禮拜,當時有18名成人及7名孩童參與, 教會名稱定為「加爾文長老教會台語部」,隨後名稱又改為「聖荷西台灣基督教會」。
經過三年多積極籌備與奮鬥,在上帝恩典帶領下,教會經由聖荷西中會幫忙, 獲得美國長老教會總會新教會發展計劃的贊助,教會於1986年底開始尋聘專任組織牧師, 同年遷至Santa Clara第一長老教會。
蒙上帝的恩典,教會獲得林昭義牧師在過渡期間的牧養,隨後自紐澤西州哲吾大學聘得蔡鈴真牧師任組織牧師,1987年9月蔡牧師就任,於是蔡牧師就組織九人的事工委會(Steering Committee)來推動教會五年發展計劃。在發展階段期間,上帝在教會大大做工,教會會員人數穩定增加,各樣事工及團契也陸續被組織起來並穩定發展。
教會發展經過了四年,終於在1991年2月24日會員大會表決通過教會的組織章程與規則(Standing Rules and by laws),並正式訂定教會名稱為「聖荷西臺美基督長老教會」。1991年4月13日美國基督長老教會聖荷西中會正式核準本教會成立堂會,在1991年5月19日的聖神降臨節主日正式成立堂會感恩禮拜。
1997年2月25日台美教會遷到Saratoga西望教會會址繼續敬拜神,也幫助西望教會經濟的不足,於是台美教會與西望教會建立平等教區協議,一起共同為社區發展傳福音事工。
蔡鈴真牧師在任13年之後,於2000年返台任芥菜子會總幹事。2003年至2005年,趙清隆牧師任台美教會第二任牧師。2005年之後本教會在沒有駐堂牧師的期間,上帝的保守與恩典下,長執同工們的協力,且主日也多蒙灣區多位牧長幫忙講道,台美教會才能一直穩定成長。
自2009年, 台美教會邀請陳振鴻牧師任教會的顧問牧師,三年來陳牧師努力牧養教會弟兄姊妹。
2011年6月4日聖荷西中會票選全數通過,正式決定遷移台美教會至以馬內利教會會址,2011年6月12日台美教會與西望教會最後一次的聯合敬拜慶祝聖神降臨節,並一起恭守聖餐,之後聯誼午餐並互相祝福,咱台美教會在2011年6月19日起在新址繼續敬拜上帝。
自2005年至2011年台美教會的聘牧從未停止,選出來的聘牧委員一直都很用心在尋找主任牧師。聖神感動賴顯章牧師,聽到聖荷西台美基督長老教會的呼聲與期待,就如當初馬其頓的呼聲感動保羅一樣,也感動了賴牧師願意回應上帝的呼召,2011年5月15日會員大會票選全數通過成為臺美基督長老教會的第三任主任牧師。 感謝中會與總會協助辦理賴顯章牧師神職人員工作許可,賴顯章牧師於八月初,到任開始牧養我們。
神的恩典滿滿於臺美基督長老教會,2012年5月19日,中會議長Rev. Stephanie Lutz Allen主持賴顯章主任牧師就任式典禮. 2012年12月1日也舉行獻堂感恩禮拜。 目前我們關懷週間使用我們教會場所的特殊兒童(FCSN)和戒酒協會(AA),並我們也參與以馬內利長老教會所推動的難民之家的服務事工。 基於此,2013再次訂立"愛你的鄰舍"作為主題,願我們落實實際關愛我們的厝邊。願我們所有臺美弟兄姊妹,大家互相鼓勵,互相提攜,在賴顯章主任牧師的帶領下,齊心同工,共同興旺主的福音。
A History of TAPC
In 1982, some Taiwanese families used a facility downtown San Jose to worship God under the direction of Rev. K.T. Tsai.
In 1983, under the leadership of Rev. Stephen Hsieh, they moved to the Meridian Calvin Church and named the church “San Jose Taiwanese-American Christian Church.” The purpose was to spread the gospel to the Taiwanese community.
In 1987, the church moved to the Homestead First Presbyterian Church, where it was registered with the Presbyterian Church USA and Rev. Andrew Tsai served as the first term pastor. In 1991, as the number of members grew, the church was formally established.
Although Rev. Andrew Tsai resigned in June 2000, many pastors supported the church and the congregation never ceased to hear God’s word.
Aside from our regular Taiwanese and English worship services, the church activities include Children’s Sunday School, Adult School, Fellowship, and other services to the Taiwanese community.
Since 2009, TAPC has invited Pastor Mark Chen to serve as its interim pastor, and he has lead the congregation diligently.
On June 4, 2011, the San Jose Presbytery voted to allow TAPC to move to the Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
On June 12, TAPC and WPC held a last joint worship with Christ to commemorate their time together. Afterward, we had lunch together and blessed each other for the future.
As IPC gives TAPC most of their belonging graciously and freely, in the spirit of unity and amazing grace from our Lord Jesus Christ.
TAPC begin worshipping at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on June 19. We thanks to Mel Gorertz who supports TAPC for so many years.
From 2005-2011, TAPC has been searching for a new pastor. The search committee has looked diligently, and the Holy Spirit moved Rev. Lai Hsein-Chang to hear TAPC's prayers and become our pastor.
On May 15, 2011, the entire congregation voted to accept Rev. Lai Hsein-Chang as TAPC third pastor. The San Jose Presbytery helped Rev. Lai Hsein-Chang in his application for a work visa, allowing him to arrive on schedule in August 2011 as TAPC's pastor.
TAPC would like to give thanks for God's overflowing grace and the support of the San Jose Presbytery, whose Rev. Stephanie Lutz Allen presided over the installation of Rev. Lai Hsein-Chang on May 19, 2012.
On December 1, 2012, TAPC finally had the opportunity to hold a worship dedicating Immanuel Presbyterian Church to God.
All of TAPC's brothers and sisters should encourage each other as they work with Rev. Lai and one another to spread the gospel.