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U Matters

This Sunday we worship with our amazing choir as they perform the Christmas Cantata in the morning and at 5PM we hear the amazing story of Kenneth Bae, a missionary held in a North Korean prison. Worship and witness have been at the core of what Union is about. The Deacons have asked the mission committee to focus on persecuted Christians and the poor. Your break-all-records offering to the Hong Kong Church Network for the Poor and your volunteer work have been a wonderful response to the Deacon’s vision.

Quite frankly, we need another “break-all-records” financial commitment from you. We have had a low-key stewardship drive but we still need you to fill out a commitment card. The treasurer is basing the 2017 budget in large part on these commitment cards. Sorry to be a nag but we want you to be sure to fill out a card asap as we enter December.

Pastor Greg

This Sunday

December Communion – 4 December, Advent II "Joy"
The Sanctuary Choir, along with an orchestra, will present "A Gospel Christmas Celebration" at both the 9:30AM and 11AM services. The sermon and communion will be celebrated at the 8:30AM and 11:00AM (U-Café) services.

Christmas Musical First Dress Rehearsal, Sunday, 4 December, 12:00PM to 2:30PM.Children participating in the Christmas Musical are invited to attend the First Dress Rehearsal. We will gather in the Lower Annex room for pizza lunch at 12:00PM and parents kindly pick up your children from the church Sanctuary at 2:30PM sharp

 



Christmas at Union

Sunday, 4 December, 9:30AM & 11AM
Choir Cantata
"JOY"  A Gospel Celebration! 

Sunday, 11 December, 9:30AM & 11AM
Children's Christmas Musical
"A Galactic Christmas Adventure"

Sunday, 18 December, 5PM
"Carols on the Green"

Saturday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
5PM Family Service
8PM Jazzy Christmas and Candlelight
11PM Traditional Carols and Candlelight

Sunday, 25 December, Christmas Day
8:30AM, 9:30AM & 11AM Christmas Day Service 

Opportunities

Cookie Decoration for Sons and Daughters 
When: Saturday, 17 December, 1:30PM-4:30PM 
Where: Fellowship Hall, Union Church
What to Bring: 1) either two dozen plain cookies or pre-made sugar cookie dough that is ready to be rolled, 2) rolling pin, 3) sprinkles, and 4) icing 
There are an estimated 250 women working in bars and discos in Wan Chai. YWAM's Sons and Daughters team formed seven years ago to bring God's love to the ‘Red Light’ district.  Before Christmas, the team visits the women and gives cookies, a Christmas card, and a Bible.  For the past four years, Union children bake and decorate the cookies.  Recipients always ask 'who made the cookies?’  They are extremely touched to learn our children and church care. Please contact Pastor Michele.

Small Group - New class: Join life coach Alison Middleton for 4 weeks of The Daniel Plan - a video based small group study that centers on 5 essentials that will launch your journey to health: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, Friends. Tuesday, 6 December 7:00PM-9:00PM in the Lower Annex. Sign up at the Welcome Table on Sunday. 

Bible Series and Discussion
Sunday, 11 December
12:30-1:30PM
Fellowship Hall
RSVP for Food
Contact Pastor Matthew

'Paul to Ephesus'
We will read the book of Ephesians in full (20 minutes), discuss the question 'what are the riches we have in Christ?' in groups (20 minutes), and close with a Q&A led by Matthew (20 minutes).

“A Galactic Christmas Adventure" Children's Musical - Save the Date: 11 December 2016
For this year's Christmas Musical, our children will have fun sharing the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, through a galactic adventure. The message of our Christmas Musical will be “Hope”, which is in Christ Jesus. "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16.  It will be meaningful, family orientated and filled with lots of fun scenes for all to enjoy. We invite all children from ages 3-10 years old to join us and be a part of this magical time of the year. Let us share the great news of Jesus’ birth for all to hear. The Christmas Musical rehearsals will take place every Sunday starting from 6 November continuing to 4 December at both the 9:30AM and 11:00AM services. During this period of time please bring your children directly to the Lower Annex.

Christmas Musical Costumes Pick Up Arrangement
Parents please pick up your child’s Christmas Musical costumes at The Green after the9:30AM service and the 11:00AM service. (Alternative date: Saturday, 10 December 8:30AM to 11:30AM) 

Prayer for Union Come lift up the needs of Union Church. Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30AM for a time of prayer in the Sanctuary. 

Adult Education 

Journey to Bethlehem 
Tuesdays, 6, 13, 20 December
Soup Dinner 7:00PM - 7:30PM
Class 7:30PM - 8:30PM
RSVP Brenna Dykman

In preparation for Advent come explore the Old Testament stories of our need as God's people for the Messiah. 

Men's Ministry

33 Authentic Manhood
Monday, 5 December, 7:30PM-9:00PM
Join a group of men for a six-week video and discussion series to give a vision for manhood as modelled by Jesus in his thirty-three years on earth. We will gather for six Monday nights to watch a new video, dialogue, and encourage each other. Contact: Pastor Matthew.

'Wrestles, Setbacks, and the Miracle of Life'
Wednesday, 7 December, 12:45PM-2:00PM
The Hong Kong Club
$350 per person for lunch
Men's Fellowship will host a special, co-ed, Christmas luncheon. Rob and Christine Lilwall, professional authors and adventurers, will deliver the talk. Men are encouraged to invite a spouse (or for those dating, a significant other). Please sign up here.

Young Adult

Uni-On, the new university aged group at Union!
Are you between 18 and 23? Studying or interning in Hong Kong? Please join us at Starbucks in Alexandra House (Central) on Thursdays at 6:00PM for a chance to relax and experience community with other university aged young adults from Union. Friends are more than welcome. Contact: Young Adults. 

Youth 

Friday Youth Group 
Junior High (Ages 11-13) from 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Senior High (Ages 14-18) from 7:00PM to 9:00PM (+Hang out in the Youth Lounge until 10:00PM!)

Youth Sunday Life  9:30AM -10:30AM 
Ages 11-13 meet in the Youth Lounge for Youth Alpha
Ages 14-18 meet in Pastor Greg's Office for Youth After

Youth Calendar + Christmas Decoration Sale
This coming Sunday the Youth will be selling Calendars and Christmas Decorations on the Green after the 9:30AM and 11AM services.

Questions? Email 

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School Christmas Musical
Rehearsals: Every Sunday, 6 November to 4 December
First Dress Rehearsal: Sunday 4 December, 12:00PM to 2:30PM (Pizza Lunch)
Final Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, 10 December, 8:30AM to 11:30AM
Performance Date: Sunday, 11 December, 9:30AM & 11:00AM
We invite all children from ages 3-10 years old to join us for the children musical rehearsals for “A Galactic Christmas Adventure”. During rehearsal period, children please come straight to the Lower Annex at the beginning of the 9:30AM and 11:00AM services.

Community Outreach
Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF)
Date: Saturday, 17 December, 1:00PM to 5:00PM
Meeting Point: Union Church
We invite families to join us as we share the birth of Jesus Christ through a mini Christmas Musical with the residents and volunteers at HOLF. We will meet at Union Church and will travel in a bus together to the HOLF Center. For more details and to sign up please email us at Children.

St. Barnabas Kid’s Learning Program
Date: Sunday, 18 December, 4:30PM to 6:30PM
Meeting Point: St. Barnabas Society & Home, 21 Fung Mat Road, Western District at 4:00PM
We will celebrate Christmas with the underprivileged children of St. Barnabas Kid's Learning Program. Please sign up here at Children.

Last Week's Sermon 

Please click on the link below to download

"Hope Without Optimism" by Pastor Greg Anderson

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Union Church, 22A Kennedy Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2523 7247 | Fax: +852 2524 0473
Email:    www.unionchurchhk.org