U MATTERS:
For months the city and the world have been focused on numbers. For months we have watched various numbers go up and down. Numbers have been a source of both encouragement and discouragement. Numbers paint a picture, not always the whole picture but a picture. When I reflect on numbers, a song comes to mind -The 12 Days of Christmas. It is never too early… Let’s extend the original verisons a little, and sing together a celebration of THIS WEEK in review:
789 Online Service Views
90 Years of Living -Happy Birthday Valerie -co-founder of HOLF
49 VBS Participants
40 Hours of Video Editing
26 Youth in Bible Studies
18 Total Weeks ONLINE
16 People for Coffee Hour
15 Hours of Video Recording
8 Quarantine Baskets
4 NEW Adult Classes -Revelation, Discipleship Explored, Goliath Must Fall x2
3 RTHK English Christian radio shows left
2 Prayer Groups
And
1 Worship Seminar
It’s been a week! “Let’s give thanks to him and praise his name. For the lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5 Together we celebrate and give thanks for the One Lord, One faith and One baptism. Ephesians 4:5
Blessings, Pastor Michele
FAMILY MATTERS:
It is with sadness that we learned that Tom Young died this week. Tom was a friend to many at Union Church, a part of the Walk to Emmaus community, and the man behind our endless food events at Union Church. Tom had a wonderful laugh and could fill a room. He served us well and will be missed. Our sympathies go to his family.
Building Union For the Future (BUFF) Outreach to Workers at 22A: BUFF is planning to reach out to the site workers at 22A with Moon Cakes to celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival to show our appreciation for their hard work. We invite you to join us in this outreach by praying, donating or coming with us to visit them. Feel free to WhatsApp Rosanna Chan at 98770447 for more details.
THIS WEEK:
Coffee Hour: Miss running into friends and connecting over a cup of coffee on Sunday mornings? Join us for "Coffee Hour," from 10:45AM to 11:15AM. You'll have to brew your own coffee, but we'll all bring the conversation! Begins this Sunday, September 6. Sign up HERE for the zoom link.
Youth: During the month of September, we are kicking off with our Friday Zoom Gatherings, starting a new Wednesday Study called “Sticky Faith’ and continuing our regular Sunday meetings after the service! Contact Hunter for more info.
Prayer and Discernment: Join us as we continue to pray for our church. Tuesdays, starting Tuesday 8 September at 7:45AM - 8:30AM on Zoom. Contact ADMIN for the zoom link.
New lunchtime ZOOM study: Discipleship Explored. Are you just starting (or restarting) your walk with Jesus? Or perhaps you'd like to grow from a "Sunday faith" to a 7 days/week faith? This journey through Paul’s letter to the Philippians is ideal for new believers, those recommitting to their relationship with God, or anyone who seeks to deepen their discipleship. Wednesdays, 1-2 pm. Begins September 9. Contact Monte.peterson@
Please join us this Sunday, ONLINE ONLY, at 9:45AM for our traditional service and 11:15AM for our contemporary service. Please join us via our website, mobile app or Facebook page. If you are unable to be online at the time of our worship services, you can watch them later in the day, again via our website, app or Facebook page. Don't forget that you can still give your offering online via the giving page of our website, or by using the QR code below. You can also send us a cheque, made payable to "Union Church" or "Friends of Hong Kong Charities, Inc" if you are a US taxpayer. Please send them to: 18F, Sunlight Tower, 248 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Time and Talent:
Looking to share your time and talent at Union Church as part of your stewardship? We need a CRM expert or systems developer to join a multi-disciplinary task force to evaluate our church’s management system needs and next steps. We’re a fun group! Learn more by reaching out HERE
Upcoming:
Book Group: Please join us as we start off our new season of reading and discussing a variety of books! Our first book is Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey, by Sharon Garlough Brown, and we will meet at 7:30 on September 22. Sensible Shoes is a fictional account of four women, embarking on a journey towards a deeper life with God. Due to delays in the mail, we are reading e-versions, available here and here. Contact Monte Peterson with any questions.
Men's Fellowship of Hong Kong - Join us for the online event "The Courage to Launch: Pursuing Greatness in the Face of Things We Can’t Control” on Friday, September 11 at 1:00pm via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Register HERE to get the zoom links for any of these classes. Please join us!
Missions:
International China Concern is pleased to invite you to a unique 1-hour experience packed with entertainment, compassion, inspiring stories and cute kids. On 12th September 2020 (Saturday), we will bring you an exclusive performance by a violin impresario, plus Dr. Peter Cheung will share his personal testimony. The joy will be provided by dozens of children who are learning what it’s like to be part of a family that cares deeply about them and strives to meet their needs. At a time when there is so much gloom and stress in the world, we offer you a brief respite and a glimpse into our special world. Tiaras are optional! Smiles and warm hearts are guaranteed. To join, please use these links:
International China Concern (ICC) was founded in 1993 by David Gotts after seeing firsthand the suffering of Chinese children with disabilities who had been abandoned and left without hope in desperate conditions.In the beginning, ICC sent short-term teams into China to provide care in government welfare centres.
Pour out your love 傾福行動 - https://fundrazr.com/pouroutyourlove: We invite you to share the blessings and contribute one-tenth of your $10,000 government subsidy for the ICC children.
Kingdom Kids:
‘ROCKY RAILWAY’ VBS ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Date: SEPTEMBER 13, 20, 27 and OCTOBER 4
TIME: 10.45 AM
For those who missed our VBS Sunday School Kick-off, you are still welcome to join us this Sunday at 10.45 am. On this faith-filled adventure, kids will discover that trusting Jesus helps pull them through life’s ups and downs. We look forward to seeing your family and friends. Be sure to check-in early.
Note: VBS packages have been mailed home to families who have registered and the email notification with the zoom link to the VBS will be sent to families by Friday. For those who have yet to register or would like to register their friends, please make sure to include the correct and complete postal address to ensure the package reaches your home REGISTER HERE.
Sunday School 2020/2021 Registration IS NOW OPEN: All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Centre MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form HERE. For safety reasons, only children officially registered in our Sunday School program will receive the Zoom link to our Online Bible Study. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at or 21010414.
In-Person Creche and Sunday School are SUSPENDED until further notice. In order to safeguard the health and safety of all of our families and staff and to help curb the spread of the Covid-19, we have SUSPENDED all of our Children’s Ministry In-Person Program until further notice. We encourage the children to join our Online Sunday School Lessons. Thank you for your patience and kind understanding, we look forward to sending you all an update once we are able to meet in person again.
Youth:
Friday Youth Group Fall Kickoff - September 11. After taking a break from Friday Zoom Calls for a while, we are excited to get back into the swing of things starting next week. Youth are invited to join the Zoom meeting at 6PM on Friday, and we will have a special guest who will be sharing with us!
What: Friday Youth Kickoff
When: Friday Sept 11, 6PM-8PM
Details: Zoom Link will be provided.
New Wednesday “Sticky Faith” Study - September 16
During the month of September, we are jumping into a series called “Sticky Faith” - we’ll be working through the Bible, learning important ways to manage stress and anxiety and more.
What: Sticky Faith Wednesday Study
When: Every Wednesday, 6:30-8PM
Details: Zoom Link HERE.
Sunday Discussion – Sunday September 13
Youth are invited to join a small group discussion on the Sunday sermon at 12:30 on Sunday. Zoom link is available HERE
Small Groups:
Meeting as a small group in this time is challenging, but the support from each other is more important than ever. There ARE online options - please reach out if you need help figuring this out! If you aren't currently in a group, we encourage you to try it out. There are groups for women, men, couples, day-time, night-time, etc. Interested? Contact Monte Peterson.
Connecting:
The Marriage Course: please contact Joanna Yau for more details.
Pastoral Care Support, if you are looking for some support and prayer please let our staff know. Contact Ministry leaders directly or admin at: or call 6225 5042.
A Stephen Minister can help. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through a crisis or a difficult time. Please contact Pastor Michele if we can help ( )
Fertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and support? Contact Sonia Lee.
Family in Need (FIN):
If you would like to help support our family in need ministry, which helps people monthly with basic needs, please mark your envelope "FIN".
"More Than Conquerors: Overcoming Inadequacy " Pastor Michele