U Matters
When I consider the conversations that I have had with people this week, I am mindful that it has been a week of tension and strain. People are stressed over issues related to health, marriage, church, school, finances, employment, parenting and the city of Hong Kong. I am so grateful that God knows and sees it all and that He is for us, not against us. The Psalmist, in Psalm 46, says it well.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Join us this Sunday for a light lunch held at 12:30PM, as we give thanks to Anto and Jess Ficatier for their ministry with us and to us at Union Church. If you would like to contribute to a love gift for them a box will be available until June 30th (please make cheques payable to Union Church and write Anto Love Gift on the back). Additionally, this Sunday we will take up an offering for our Family in Need ministry. See below for more details.
May we be blessed knowing that God is for us,
Pastor Michele
Special FIN Offering Sunday
This Sunday, we will be taking up a special offering for Union Church's Family in Need (FIN) ministry. Monthly, we support members of our congregation financially, emotionally and spiritually. Currently, we are supporting five refugees and asylum seekers, some are individuals, others have families and your giving makes a difference in their daily lives and helps with food, utilities, transportation, education and the list goes on. Additionally, we respond to one off situations and emergencies, for example medical needs. Through pastoral care and relationships, we are kept updated on individual concerns, needs and joys.
The Family in Need team consists of Isabel Morrison, Brian Woo, Charles Schmitt (chair), and Pastor Michele. Giving to FIN is a great opportunity for us as a congregation to support one another and we depend on your generous donations. This Sunday, we invite you to join in and give generously to those in need. Please use a designated envelope marked FIN (if donating by cheque, please make it payable to Union Church and write FIN on the back).
Family News
175 Anniversary Update
There is a dynamic team working on some wonderful ways to honour Union Church's 175 years in Hong Kong. We will be rolling out some of these plans shortly. That being said, we would like to invite you on a trip Friday August 9th - Sunday Aug 12th to Xishuang Banna, Yunnan province, China. Why there?
In 1998, the congregation of Union Church gave generously towards the building of a church in the rural village of Mengla, in Xishuang Banna, Yunnan province, China, where many ethnic minority groups live. Leaders from this church in Yunnan paid us a surprise visit last November, to thank us, and to share the encouraging news with us that they have now grown from 60 to 3000 believers in size, planting eight more churches, with ministries reaching across the borders into other parts of Asia. As we celebrate our 175th anniversary at Union Church, we would like to invite 10 members of the congregation here to come on this trip with us. Our preliminary plans are: Friday - travel; Saturday - mission activities; Sunday - fellowship; Monday - travelling back. They are a state-church so our trip will have the approval from the local government. Please note that this visit is for adults only. To sign up or obtain for more information, please email
This Sunday
Farewell to Anto and Jess
Union Church family, it is with great excitement that Jess and I share the news of our move to England this summer. The Lord has opened an unexpected door for me in Godalming, a town in Surrey, southwest of London. I will be serving as Youth Minister at Busbridge & Hambledon Church (Church of England). This move will allow us to be closer to families and for Jess to continue her career in London. As we begin to reflect on this season spent in Hong Kong, Jess and I are full of gratitude for all those who have walked with us, spoken into our lives and allowed us to be part of theirs. Hong Kong is a special place full of some special people who will remain close to our hearts. Thank you Union Church for these 3 years of ministry.
On behalf of Union Church, we would like to say thank you to Anto and Jess. Your ministries have been a blessing to us in so many ways. We can rejoice that you are going where the Lord is leading, however, we are sad to see you go and you will be missed.
A farewell will be held this Sunday and their last Sunday is 21 July.
On behalf of Union Church, we would like to say thank you to Anto and Jess. Your ministries have been a blessing to us in so many ways. We can rejoice that you are going where the Lord is leading, however, we are sad to see you go and you will be missed.
A farewell will be held this Sunday and their last Sunday is 21 July.
End of the Year Party
We will be ending our Sunday Youth Group with a celebration in Indigo Hotel 29/F. Youth can attend at either 9:45AM or 11:15AM.
Farewell Prayer for Graduating Seniors
Those Youth who are graduating and heading into the next stage of their life are welcomed to the 11:15AM service on Sunday, where they will be prayed for by the congregation.
Opportunities
Right Now Media
We’re excited to give you free access to RightNow Media, a wonderful library of video resources for all ages to help you develop and grow as both a disciple of Jesus and disciple-maker. Streaming directly to your computer, tablet, or mobile device, you’ll find the online Bible Study Library includes relevant content for every age group or spiritual season. You can search by category, topic, or speaker. Additionally, many of the series have direct links to workbooks and leader guides. Parents, you’ll find that RightNow has a multitude of videos and resources for your kids. Utilise the link below to start using this resource today. (Introduction video HERE)
World Refugee Day 2019 - 22 June, 6:00PM at St. Andrew's Church
This year's theme is “Standing with Refugees”. This is a particularly important topic and event especially in today’s world. Union Church participates in the Hong Kong Refugee Ministry which sponsors this event, so please join the gathering if you can.
Parents in Prayer, Sunday 23 June, 12:30PM to 1:00PM, in the Sanctuary
We would like to invite all Union Church parents to join us for an opportunity to pray for our children immediately after the 11:15AM service. Please join us as we lift up our children (adult children too) and families in prayer. All are welcome. Parents in Prayer will be on a break for the month of July and will resume on 18 August. We encourage parents to continue to lift up your children in prayer.
Prayer at 22A Kennedy Road, Sunday 23 June, 2:00PM-3:00PM
ALPHA RETURNS! Bring your friends, relatives and colleagues to the first session on Wednesday, 25 September at 7:00PM! Sign up at the Welcome Table. Reservation or info contact
.
Join the Union Team:
No U-CAFE during July and the first two Sundays of August, we will restart on 18 August.
ReCharge Wednesdays - Will take a break. We restart on 11 September.
Message from the Joint Leaders
Prayer and Discernment for Union Church - Wednesdays, 7:00PM to 8:15PM
The purpose of this group is to pray and discern the next season of Union Church. Our prayer resulting from these discernment evenings, is that we not only step forward in God's time with the search for a new senior pastor, but we also discern God’s will and desired shape for Union Church in anticipation of returning to 22A Kennedy Road. It is imperative that we are Christ-centered and truly understand what God is calling Union Church to do, and who to lead us.
Men
Union Men BBQ – Saturday July 6, 5-8:00PM
Join the men of Union Church for an evening of fellowship and Christian brotherhood, with drinks and a good grill at the Victoria Recreational Club in Deep Water Bay.
Suggested donations are $250, to cover food for the night. (A separate donation box will be present on site to cover drinks).
Feel free to ‘overbless’ and give a suggested donation of $400 so we can sponsor men who cannot afford to come.
Venue: Victoria Recreation Club, R.B.L. 710, Island Rd, Deep Water Bay (http://victoriarecreationclub.com.hk)
Other info: No specific dress code
RSVP needed:
Adult Education
Summer Lunch-time study of Revelation
Join Yan Yu for an in-depth study of Revelation this summer, looking at Revelation's historical context, focusing on heavenly worship and trusting in God's control even in our darkest times. Participants should read in advance of each session, around half a chapter per day. Contact
with any questions and go to Union website for the schedule.
Small Groups
Small groups are one of the main ways we connect with each other and connect with God, learning what the Kingdom of God is all about. Interested in joining or starting a group?
Contact Monte Peterson.
Contact Monte Peterson.
Ladies
Fertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and support? Contact Sonia Lee.
Baptism and Membership
If you have been attending Union Church for a while and have never gone through the official process to become a member, now is your chance! Please collect a green form and make it official!
If you have never been baptized and are interested, please see Pastor Michele.
Young Adults
New to Union?
Are you a Young Adult? New to Union Church? Make sure you meet our Young Adults Director, Anto Ficatier, at the Welcome Table every Sunday. You can also email Anto for more information about Young Adults at Union!
Youth
Friday End of the Year Party – 14 June
This Friday will be our last regular Youth Group of the year before our summer program kicks off in July. All youth are asked to attend from 6-8:30PM. Dinner will be served at 7:00PM.
For dinner we will be having a potluck style meal – if you are interested in bringing a dish please let us know! You can text Hunter at 6466 5080 or email us at
Kingdom Kids
Sunday School End of Year Party, Sunday, 23 June, 9:45AM & 11:15AM
Children aged 3-10 years old are invited to join us for our End Of Year Party. Lots of games and prizes and snacks. Bring a friend!
Children’s Ministry Summer Program
For families who are around this summer, we have some exciting weekday children’s programmes. The lineup is as follows:
Program 1 - Watercolour Painting - Sky, Galaxy, Bird (6 years and above) By Mamalaterre.
Date/Time: Wed - Fri / 3 - 5 July, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM, cost HK$600 per child.
Program 1 - Watercolour Painting - Sky, Galaxy, Bird (6 years and above) By Mamalaterre.
Date/Time: Wed - Fri / 3 - 5 July, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM, cost HK$600 per child.
Program 2 - Carving and Stamping (8 years and above) By Mamalaterre.
Date/Time: Wed - Fri / 10 - 12 July, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM, cost HK$690 per child.
Date/Time: Wed - Fri / 10 - 12 July, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM, cost HK$690 per child.
Space in the Summer Program will only be reserved once payment is received in full. Please sign up here or at the Welcome Table. Please make cheque payable to "Union Church".
‘ROAR’ VBS SUNDAY SCHOOL, 4, 11, 18, 25 August & 1 September, 9:45AM and 11:15AM
At ROAR VBS Sunday School, kids will explore God’s goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith that powers them through this wild life. For registration, please print/complete the Registration Form, and send us by email (CHILDREN) or submit in person at the Welcome Table on Sunday. Children are welcome to bring friends along too, VBS Sunday School is free for all.
Sunday School 2018/2019 Registration
Filipino Ministry
1:00PM - 1:50PM Congregational Prayer
2:00PM - 2:50PM Bible Study Groups
3:00PM - 4:00PM Worship Service
Every 1st Sunday of the Month from 9:00AM to 12:00PM Outreach & Evangelism.
Stephen's Ministry
Are you Going Through a Difficult Time?
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.
Last Week's Sermons
"Church is... Diverse" by Hunter Purvis