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U Matters

There are two Old Testament concepts that might seem foreign to 21st century Hong Kong Christians. The first is the concept of “Sabbath.”  Dr. Anne Stewart from Princeton Seminary will be in church this Sunday and I will interview her during my sermon on the 4th commandment: “Rest for the Restless.”

The other concept is that of the “Tithe,” giving 10% of our income to the church.  Chris Yorks, our worship director and long-time tither, reminded me to mention Malachi 3:10:  “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse.”  The storehouse would be your local place of worship.  An “Offering” is money in addition to your tithe which is a gift. Union has received some unsolicited gifts that are allowing us to move forward on additional facilities.  We thank you!  Many of you give offerings to ICC or the Bawing Scholarship program, which you can learn about Sunday.  We thank you!

This month we have a chance to give to the ongoing missions and ministries of Union Church. In order for Union to move forward, each of us is going to have to move forward in our giving.  For those of you who tithe, praise God!  For those of you who are working toward tithing, this is a great year to increase your giving to meet Union’s increased needs.  Please pray about how following Christ with your finances will effect the way you give and live.

Gratefully
Pastor Greg

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

The Deacons (and a number of you) have asked that we restore the evening service.  Beginning next Sunday, 19 November, we will have a 5:15PM service. It will be a combination of the old 5:00PM with some changes.  It will be a 45 minute service with a full sermon, and opportunities for fellowship.

Thanksgiving

There are still some seats available for Thanksgiving lunch buffet on Sunday, 19 November, 12:30PM at the Indicolite Restaurant, 2/F Hotel Indigo. Costs: $180 per person. Click here for the menu. Buffet tickets are available for sale at the Welcome Table.
Note: In honour of the season - We invite you to bring a non-perishable item to support HK families in need. e.g. rice, pasta, can goods and etc

The American Community’s annual Thanksgiving service, sponsored by the American Consulate and held at St. Johns Cathedral, will be at 12:30PM on Thursday, 23 November.
There will be a light lunch following the service in the Cathedral courtyard.

This Week

Baptism Classes
If you are interested in being baptized, Pastor Michele would love to hear from you. Classes will continue on Tuesdays 14 and 21 November at Sunlight Tower, Union Church, 7:00PM-8:30PM.
Baptism date: Sunday, 26 November

GriefShare, Thursdays 2, 9, 16, 23 November 7:30PM-9:00PM
Lost a loved one through death or have a friend who is grieving? Consider joining GriefShare -an opportunity to learn and share about grief and loss with others who have been there. Topics include Living with Grief, the Journey of Grief etc. Come discover coping strategies and learn from the experts.
See or contact Pastor Michele for details. 

Semi Annual Ladies Dinner: Walk in the Wilderness, Monday, 13 November 7:00PM-9:15PM
All ladies at Union Church are invited to a dinner held in your honour – An evening of great food, fabulous connecting, engaging worship and much much more. Event is free but we need to know you are coming. Sign up at the Welcome Table. Bring a friend.

It will be So Good to have you join us in Sogod!
Deadline for registration: this Sunday, 12 November.

Missions, in partnership with the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church of the Philippines, is promoting the training of pastors and planting of new churches all across Leyte Province in the central Philippines.  A number of pastors involved with the church planting ministry are recipients of scholarships extended by UC members to the Shekinah Alliance Bible College.  Come and see for yourself an exciting new ministry based in the city of Sogod reaching out to new areas east of Cebu this coming 8-11 December.  Approximate cost is HK$4,000.  Sign up for the trip by contacting Dennis Hopton or Marga Wulfgram

Family Matters

Family in Need (FIN): Sometimes life throws us challenges and we need to reach out for help. If you need spiritual, emotional, physical, and/or financial help please contact Pastor Michele and/or members of the FIN Team Charles Schmitt and Isabel Morrison. To maintain accountability, we ask that requests come through this group. If someone in need approaches you for financial assistance, please refer them to the Pastors or the FIN Team.

FIN - Family in Need
requests a laptop. Please see Pastor Michele if you can help.

Opportunities

If you are looking for a place to serve at Union Church Pastor Michele would love to chat!
With growing services, especially at 11:15AM service, we have 4 locations operational at the same time, we could really use your help in the usher greeter team.
Options:
Main sanctuary (4 people needed each Sunday; welcoming, actively seating; offering);
Door (this is a meet and greet -traffic control -directing people -children, bathrooms, services etc)
Foyer (front line of Union Church -welcoming, directing people to Indigo Hotel when the 18th floor is full)
If you can help once a month it would be greatly appreciated.FIN - Family in Need requests a laptop. Please see Pastor Michele if you can help.

21st Century Romans Road Seminar, Friday, 17 November at 7:30PM-9:00PM
Join Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) to learn about how through today's technology, we can break down multiple barriers for the people in remote villages to hear the Gospel in their own heart language.
Speaker: Troy Carl, Vice President of Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH).
Venue: International Christian Assembly (ICA), 483 Kings Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
Free Registration: hello@faithcomesbyhearingasia.com 

Hong Kong Gospel Festival 2017, International Session, Sunday, 3 December at 10:00AM
The aim is to share the gospel with those who are yet to believe in God and accept God as their saviour.
Speaker: Rev. John Snelgrove (Founding Pastor of The Vine Church, English Ministry Lead Pastor of Kong Fok Church)
Testimony Guests: Tracy Trinita (Indonesia’s First Supermodel and Speaker for RZIM Asia); Bobby Febian (Indonesian Gospel Singer and Preacher, Founder and Lead Singer of Oneway Band Indonesia)
Venue: Hong Kong Stadium
For more info/admission tickets, please visit: http://hkgospelfestival.org/?page_id=3427 

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.

Education

Reformation Lunch and Learn: 500 years later, what does the Protestant Reformation mean for us today? Come learn from Rev. Dr. Jan Martin Depner, Professor at Lutheran Theological School, and enjoy a German lunch. Sunday, November 26 at 12:30PM. Sign up at the Welcome Table. 

Hearing from God in the Season of Advent: Rev. Dr. John Yates will help us slow down and listen as we enter a busy season of preparation. Saturday, 2 December at 10:00AM. 

Science and Faith: Friend or Foe?: Come hear Dr. Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director of The Faraday Institute, St. Edmund's College, Cambridge. Tuesday, 5 December at 7:00PM. Light dinner followed by talk and Q&A. A great opportunity to bring your friends!

Membership

Membership
There is no better time than NOW to become a member at Union Church. If interested in membership, please see or contact Pastor Michele or Pastor Greg for details.

Ladies

Join us for the annual Union Church ladies retreat, Thursday 25- Sunday 28 January, 2018
We are off to Vietnam and hope you can join us. Approximate costs (incl flights, accommodation & meals) $4,900. Pay first instalment $2,500 now to enjoy early bird special. Contact Pastor Michele. A sign up form is available at the Welcome Desk or register your interest here.

 

Small Group

Looking for a small group? There are some great options available. Women, Intergenerational, Men - check out the brochure

Youth

Friday Youth Group, 10 November
Juniors meet from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Seniors meet from 7:30PM to 9:00PM, with an optional hang out in the Youth Lounge after until 10PM. 

Sunday Youth Group, 12 November  just10
Youth of all ages are welcome from 9:45 to 10:45AM, in the Youth Room. Every week we follow the “just10” curriculum. This week is about Commandment #5, and we talk about Peace with Parents.

Tickets Sale - Youth Christmas Banquet
The Youth Christmas Banquet will take place on 1 December this year. Make sure to book your ticket quickly by contacting the Youth Team or stopping by the Youth Table this Sunday.

Upcoming Big Youth Events
Saturday, 25 November. - Sunday, 26 November: Juniors Retreat
Friday, 1 December: Youth Christmas Banquet
Saturday, 2 December: ICC Walk the Wall 
Friday, 8 December: RESOUND (inter-city Youth Ministry Night)
Friday, 15 December: Christmas Party

Youth activities
Are you a youth and want to be involved in our youth group? There are many ways you can be involved: Youth Group (Friday, Sunday), Youth Band, Christian Clubs, Confirmation etc.

 
Questions? Email 

Kingdom Kids

Children’s Christmas Musical Sunday Rehearsal at Sunlight Tower, Sunday 9:45AM & 11:15AM
Children ages 3 to 10 years old are invited to join our Children’s Christmas Musical Rehearsal which takes place at both the 9:45AM service and 11:15AM service. For these rehearsals, children will meet at Room 3 and they are to be picked up again from Room 3 at the end of the church service. This year Children’s Christmas Musical will take place on Sunday, 10 December. Please save the date and we look forward to spend time with your children as they share the story of Jesus’s birth with all of you.  

Crèche Center, every Sunday from 8:30AM to 12:30PM
Babies and toddlers ages 0 up to 3 years old will proceed directly to the Crèche Room. In order to keep the Crèche Center clean and safe for babies to use, we would appreciate if parents could leave the baby strollers at the designated stroller parking area which can be found at the church main entrance door. Thank you for your kind cooperation and we look forward to welcome your family there. 

Sunday School 2017/2018 Registration 
All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Crèche Center MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form available on our church website and also at the Welcome Table. Register HERE and for more information, please visit www.unionchurchhk.org or contact us at CHILDREN or 2101 0414.

Last Week's Sermon

Please click on the link below to download

Fifth Commandment: "Peace with Parents" by Pastor Greg Anderson

Union Church, 18/F Sunlight Tower, 248 Queen’s Road East,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Tel: +852 2523 7247 | Fax: +852 2524 0473
Email:    www.unionchurchhk.org