It has been a week. A week filled with destruction, disruption, devastation, fear, and heightened emotions. I know many of you are praying and feeling the weight of the uncertainty.

And yet this weekend we are gearing up for a Thanksgiving Service, a special service that combines all our services in ONE celebration. In some respects, it seems odd to be thinking of giving thanks with so much tension and uncertainty, but the Apostle Paul reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

If anyone can speak to being thankful in trying times it is the Apostle Paul. He suffered imprisonment, stonings, beatings, hunger, ship wrecks, physical and emotional pain, and yet was able to say “I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.” Philippians 4:12.

Even while imprisoned Paul encourages us to “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20.

When the prophet Daniel learned that evil men were plotting against him to destroy him he got “down on his knees three times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he had done previously.” Daniel 6:10.

We know that, “the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it…” 1 Corinthians 11:23.

Giving thanks in challenging times is not easy, and may seem impossible, but with God all things are possible. As we pray, as we grieve, as we wonder, may we remember the words of the Psalmist who wrote, “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.” Psalm 30:11–12.

Thankful,

Pastor Michele

Corporate Prayer:
We are working on setting up an online group prayer call, potentially using the ZOOM platform. If you are interested please contact the church office so you can be connected.

Thoughts on Stewardship from Committee of Management Members

In writing this message, our city is currently going through one of the toughest days of the protest, which is now entering its sixth month. Many people are emotionally drained and some are physically hurting. The images on TVs and digital devices are just too painful to watch. Let’s continue to pray for our city. Pray for God’s mercy and protection.

I consider myself a very blessed person. I know that God is my savior, my refuge and He is in perfect control. His plan is greater and better than we could ever imagine. We are protected by His strength, preserved by His love. It is in times like this that we need to remember the less fortunate people. May God use Union Church mightily to bring more people to Christ. May God use us as His instruments to help and comfort those who need help.

Union Church is a generous church. As you consider stewardship commitment this year, let’s remember the Bible says this: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭20:35‬.

Together we worship and serve a generous God.

Andrew Lo (CoM)

This Weekend

Hallelujah Party, Saturday, 16 November 2019 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
We are closely monitoring the situation and will inform everyone if there are any changes by 10.00am, Saturday morning. Please stay tuned to the Union Church website, Facebook, apps, and watch for any email announcement. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

One Worship, Sunday, 17 November 2019 10:30 AM at Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School.
Please bring a dessert.

Recharge

Join us for dinner, worship and study together on Wednesday nights, 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
Study opportunities include:
- Celebration of Discipline: Richard Foster's classic book on Christian disciplines (see below for more details).
- Youth: Gospel of John
- Revelation with Chris Fung
- Young Adults: Jonah, the Prodigal Prophet

November 20: Worship with Chris Yorks
November 27: Solitude with Juliana Rottmeyer
December 4: Fasting with Terri Appel
December 11: Simplicity with Monte Peterson

Opportunities

Union Book Group
Our next book is Cara Wall's The Dearly Beloved, which tells the stories of two pastor couples in New York City, ministering through years of social upheaval. We're meeting on Tuesday, November 19, at 7:30 PM. Pick up a book at the Welcome Table!

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. Link to join:https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/UnionChurch

'The Three-Mile An Hour God' Retreat
November 23, 2019, Bethany Retreat Centre, Cheung Chau: A weekend guided retreat offered by Basileia.

American Thanksgiving Service, Thursday 28 November at 12:30PM

Elderly Home Visit
Join us in sharing God's love with the residents of China Coast Community on Saturday, November 30, 2:00 - 4:00 PM. 5 more spots available; please sign up at the Welcome Table! Contact with questions.

Join the Union Team:
We are looking for an Assistant Youth Director, and a Crèche Coordinator. Please contact stating which role you are interested in. We will contact you with more information about the role.

Upcoming Lunches and Dinners

Christmas Fair, 24 November
We have lots of our missions partners coming to sell items to raise money. Come and buy some early Christmas presents.

Semi-Annual Ladies Dinner, 25 November
Join us for an evening of worship, great food, and a talk by Sonia Lee. You won't want to miss this. Sign up in the foyer, use the QR code, or this link - https://forms.gle/VidNpUqZ42fMuHbV6 . Bring a friend.


Join our 'Good Gift' socially conscious Christmas Fair!
Crossroads is partnering with Fair Trade Hong Kong to host a Christmas Family-Fun Fair at the Crossroads Village in the Gold Coast. Actvities include tree climbing and a zip line, bike riding, simulations run by Crossroads and crafts and fun by other vendors! Fill your Christmas stockings with Social Enterprise and Fair Trade gifts and snack on ethically sourced food and drinks.
Dates: November 23rd and 24th from 11am to 7pm on both days.
Venue: Crossroads Village. 2 Castle Peak Road, Gold Coast, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Cost: Free entry with a small entrance fee to some of the activities
Limited free parking.
Sign up to our Facebook event for more details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/410766489629980/ 

Save the Date

The 5th Annual Ladies Retreat will be held in Penang on Friday February 28th to Monday March 2nd. There are early and late flights available to accommodate individual preferences. Hope you can join us. Details are forming; if interested let us know by signing up at the welcome table, by using the QR code or the link - https://forms.gle/5Z9vdgVmDsMQUTiX9.

Prayer at Union

All are welcome to join us for weekly prayer.
Tuesday Morning Prayer - 7:30 AM
Wednesday Prayer and Discernment for Union Church - 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM or 7:45 PM to 9:00 PM

Discernment & Prayer Group:
Thank you for joining us in prayer and discernment for Union Church, both individually and corporately. Now that several weeks have passed and as previously mentioned, we would welcome the opportunity to hear what the Union Church community is discerning. In the coming weeks there will be opportunities to share as we would like to hear from you. If you would like to send any comments, please look for a box at the Welcome Table. Additionally, the Deacons will continue to meet with small groups and other pockets of the congregation. If you are not in a small group and would like to meet up with any of our Deacons, please look for opportunities to do so next week and in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact us.

Youth

Friday Youth Group – Friday November 15
Juniors (11-13) are asked to arrive from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Seniors (14-18) are to arrive from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
This Friday will be a Scripture Night, where Youth are given a passage from scripture as well as discussion questions and have a chance to break off into small groups. The theme we will be discussing this Fall is Expectations.

Sunday Youth Group – Sunday November 17
Youth can attend at either 9:45 AM or 11:15 AM in Indigo Hotel 29/F
Juniors (11-13) will be following the Be Bold curriculum, dealing with big questions around their faith.
Seniors (14-18) will be starting a new series in anticipation of the Advent season.

Wednesday Recharge – November 21
We are continuing with the Gospel of John Series by Joe Boyd! In his one-man performance of the Gospel of John, Boyd combines theatre, comedy and sermon to explore John in a entirely new way. We will be watching 30 minute segments of the video and then discussing together.

Christmas Banquet - November 29
You are invited to this year's Christmas Banquet! Join us for a night of laughter, entertainment and fundraising for Kids International Ministries and Youth Missions!
When: Friday November 29, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: Union Church Sanctuary
What: Dinner, Live Auction, Entertainment

Kingdom Kids

Children's Christmas Musical: Sunday, 8 December, 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM services
We are excited to inform you that this year's Children's Christmas Musical will take place on Sunday, 8 December 2018 at both the 9:45 AM and the 11:15 AM services.
Important dates for this year's Christmas Musical Rehearsals:
Sunday Rehearsals - 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 1 Dec
First Dress Rehearsal - Sunday, 1 Dec, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Second Dress Rehearsal - Saturday, 7 Dec, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
More details about our Children's Christmas Musical will be emailed to all the parents with registered kids in our Sunday School.

Children’s Christmas Community Outreach
Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF): Saturday, 14 Dec 2019, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Join us as we share the joy of Jesus’s birth with the residents and workers of HOLF through our mini Christmas Musical Play. Transportation to and from the HOLF centre will be provided.
St. Barnabas Society & Home: Sunday, 15 Dec 2019, 4:00 -6:00  PM
Kingdom Kids will be leading a Children’s Christmas Program for the children in the care of the St. Barnabas Society. Families are invited to join us and share Jesus’s love with the underprivileged families.

To join the above outreach, please REGISTER at , or at the Welcome Table.

Sunday School 2019/2020 Registration
In order to help us serve your family better, we would appreciate it if you could kindly register your children HERE. All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Center MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at or 21010414. Thank you.

Missions

In keeping with the history of our church and the Great Commission, Mt. 28:18-20, we are excited about missions.

We are excited about the many ministries we support annually, both locally and internationally, and we hope you take advantage of opportunities to get involved. Each week, there will be a missions committee member at the welcome table; please ask them how you can participate or if you have questions. Additionally, please tune in to the video in the foyer to learn more.

We hope you welcome the many Lutheran Theological Students from Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand who are attending Union.

Sons & Daughters
Sons & Daughters share God's love with men and women in the red-light districts of Hong Kong. They have asked for our assistance with providing practical items, such as food, toiletries, and household items, for use in their drop-in centre and family home. If you are willing to donate items, please see the list of items needed at the Welcome Table.

To get involved with these and other ministries, please talk to any member of the missions committee: Nick Appel (Chairman), Kathy Foley (Secretary), Dennis Hopton, John Jamison, Melody Landes, Jeff Cheung, KK Ip, Yan Yu (Deacon), Catriona Woodrow (Deacon), Michael Birley (COM). Additionally, David Ashton-Howorth and Pastor Michele attend meetings.

Filipino Ministry

Christmas Celebration: 8 December

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

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 ( ) 

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.

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 baptised and are interested, please see Pastor Michele.

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".

Last Week's Sermons

"The Shocking Case of the Non-Cheerful Giver" by Dr. Jeff Greenman
"The Kingdom Economy" by Catriona Woodrow

Protest/Weather Procedures

In the light of the recent protests and their impact on Hong Kong, we need to ensure the safety of our congregation and staff. We will always try to hold our services as normal, but we will implement the following procedures for our Sunday services when needed:

•  All services will proceed as normal as long as there is no protest planned for the area directly around Sunlight Tower.

•  In case of spontaneous events that might impact our congregation coming to Church, then our staff will make a decision on whether to suspend services. An email will be sent to all of our members to inform them of which services will be suspended.

We will try wherever possible to give as much notice as possible should we feel the need to suspend any service. Please make sure that you check your email before setting off for Church. You can help us by ensuring that we have your most up to date contact information. If you think your information may be incorrect, please contact

At this time, we would also like to remind you of our Typhoon/Severe Weather policy:

All Church activities remain unchanged when tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 or 3 is hoisted. They will also be unaffected by the amber or red rainstorm warning signals.

When the Hong Kong Observatory issues a ‘Pre No.8 Typhoon Warning Signal’ on a Sunday, we will complete any service taking place and ask people to leave the Church and make their way home. Services planned for after this will be suspended. When the black rainstorm warning signal or tropical cyclone warning signal number 8 or above is hoisted on a Sunday before 07:30AM, all Church activities (Worship services, Classes, Youth and Children’s programs etc.) scheduled at 9:45AM or before will be cancelled. If the signal is subsequently lowered 2 hours before the 11:15AM service, the 11:15AM service will be held as scheduled. If the signal is lowered after 1PM, the Church will remain closed for the rest of the day.