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U Matters

In a world of bus crashes and school shootings, we begin a Lenten journey towards Easter. Last night at the Ash Wednesday service, a moving meditation, imposition of ashes, and communion left me (and many others) deeply touched by God’s love expressed in Christ. It was a most memorable service.

Someone told me that they don’t remember what I preached about Sunday but they can’t get Galatians 5:22 out of their head. Ten-year-old Britta Tellvik's “Fruit of the Spirit” song in the middle of the sermon was a highlight indeed. Especially when she turned to the praise band and said, “Hit it boys!”

My prayer is that we “hit it” with our prayers for the Lord to change and use us. We rely on the Holy as we train to have our lives reflect the fruit of the Spirit.

What a joy it is to learn from and with you as we celebrate Christ’s love!

PS
There are still spaces for the 24 February Men’s Fellowship Dinner at the Hong Kong Club. Jeff Rotmeyer will share about his work with the poor and disabled in HK. What a time of food and fellowship. Sign up Sunday or online.

Gratefully
Pastor Greg
 

This Week

Sunday School - Veggie Tales Movie Showing
Dear Parents, we would like to wish you a Blessed & Happy Chinese New Year. This Sunday there will be no regular Sunday School and children ages 3-11 years old are invited for Veggie Tales movie showing at Room 2&3. Pop corn and snacks will be provided. Strict hygiene procedure will still be enforce. All children will be required to have their temperature taken and hands disinfect with disinfectant sprays that are safe for children.

2017 Annual Report is available, pick up a copy at the Welcome Table this Sunday! 

Annual General Meeting

Notice of AGM
Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, 10 March 2018. The meeting will be at 7PM. Please come join us as we celebrate together, and give glory to God. Non-members are welcome to attend. Please bring a dessert to share after the meeting. The sign-up sheet will be available at the Welcome Table.

Nominations Announcement
Nominations for 2018 Committee of Management (CoM) are now open to the church. Members of 6 months and above, over 18 years of age and in good standing, who wish to nominate a candidate for the 2018 CoM, please fill in a nominations form available on the Welcome Table or from the church office and submit to the office, attention the Honorary Secretary. Nominations must be seconded by another voting member and have the agreement of the nominee.The candidate will also need to be over 18 years old, a member of more than 6 months and in good standing.


Nomination for CoM members will be closed on Sunday 25th of February 2018.

Lent at Union

Luke for Lent
It's not too late to read Luke with us this Lent! Pick up a bookmark with the reading plan or find it here and SIGN UP to get weekly email encouragement as you read.

  • N.T. Wright’s Lenten devotional on Luke follows along with our reading plan. (available at Welcome Table for $100)
  • Join a Bible Study on Luke at 12:30PM Sundays. RSVP to Monte Peterson.
  • Schedule too inconsistent for a small group? Try our NEW online small group (sign up here or at Welcome Table)
  • Series on Jesus’ parables at Wednesday night ReCharge, 7:15PM, starting 21 February
  • Watch this introductory video to the Gospel of Luke, courtesy of thebibleproject.org

Any questions? Contact Monte Peterson.

Save the Date - Saturday, 21 April
The Gospel of Luke shows us a Saviour who consistently cared for and ministered to those on the margins of society--the poor, the oppressed, the sick and the lonely. Our Lenten journey leads us not only to the cross and resurrection but also to God's promise of a new kingdom. Let's join God in that work of loving all of God's creation as we BLESS THE CITY, on Saturday, 21 April. More details forthcoming, but for now, Save the Date!  

Opportunities

Special Taize worship service, Sunday, 11 March, 5:15PM, led by brothers from the Taize community in France. They are in Hong Kong in preparation for a young adult gathering from 8-12 August, 2018, and we are blessed to have this opportunity to worship with them. Taize is an ecumenical Christian monastic community in France with a strong devotion to reconciliation and peace. They are known for their contemplative, quiet style of worship and prayer which involves simple, repetitive songs, which become a way of listening to God. Worship will be followed by a fellowship dinner with the brothers.
 
Pastoral Care Team: Interested in being a part of the Pastoral Care Team for Union Church? Pastor Michele would love to hear from you. If interested, please note that this will be a commitment to specific training in the area of pastoral care.
 
5-week Lunch Study Class
Discipleship Explored- the book of Philippines - please consider this lunch time study Tuesdays 1:00PM-2:00PM at Sunlight tower with Pastor Michele - please sign up at the Welcome Table or contact Pastor Michele. Starting Tuesday, 27 February.
 
Celebrate International Woman’s Day with a service lead by HK Women’s Clergy. Tune in on Sunday, 4 March at 11:05AM, RADIO 4 or listen to the archives.
 
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.

Online Giving

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”  Malachi 3:10
 
All of your giving, including tithes, offerings and special gifts for Missions, can be paid online via our website or mobile app.  The church has made this possible in order to make giving more convenient for our congregation.
 
If you have any questions about online giving, feel free to write to accounts or call 21010415. Thank you for your continued faithful giving.  

Family in Need

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.

Serve

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 Hotel Indigo when the 18/F is full)
If you can help once a month it would be greatly appreciated. 

Baptism/Membership

Baptism Classes for Easter Baptism
Interested in being baptized? Please join Pastor Michele on Tuesdays, 6, 13, 20 March, 7:30PM-9:00PM for classes. Contact Pastor Michele or sign up at the Welcome Table.

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. 

Small Group

It's ALWAYS a good time to join a small group, but right now new groups are forming for our Lenten study, so if you've ever wanted to "try out" a small group without a long-term commitment, here's your opportunity!

And if a traditional small group is hard for your schedule to manage, try our new ONLINE small group. Using an online learning platform (moodle), you will have the chance to discuss the week's readings with other Union folk and pray together throughout the course of the week, whenever it fits your schedule.

Questions? Contact Monte Peterson or sign up here.

Men

Men’s Dinner at The Hong Kong Club - Last Days to Register
When: Saturday, 24 February, 6:30PM-9:00PM
Where: The Hong Kong Club (hosted by Don Kanak)
Join the Men of Union Church for an evening of fellowship and Christian brotherhood, with drinks and a good dinner. RSVP and payment need to be done before the event. You can sign-up on Union Church Website, mobile app, by email, or on the sign-up sheets located at the Welcome Table. Your registration will be completed upon reception of your payment by credit card or cheque. Tickets are sold $400 but you can also overbless and pay $600, which will help to cover sponsorship. Contact: . Deadline for registration - Wednesday, 21 February.

Young Adults

Lunch on Sunday, 25 Feburary
All Young Adults (18-35 years old) are invited to join Jess and Anto Ficatier next Sunday (25 February) for lunch. We gather at 12:30PM in the lobby of Sunlight Tower and will go to La Cucina Italiana, in QRE (food not provided this time, orders will be made individually).
Contact: Anto Ficatier

Youth

CNY Break – No Friday or Sunday Youth Group
Please note that there will be no youth activities over the Chinese New Year Break. Youth will resume on 23 February.
 
Youth Mission Trip to Cambodia – April 2018
Date: 9-13 April
What: Union Church is organizing a Youth Mission Trip in Cambodia in partnership with FCOP International. We will help a building project outside of Phnom Penh (FCOPI will give us more information 1 month before the trip). The trip is family-friendly. All church members are welcome to join the youth to make a difference to the local community.
Cost: $3000 HKD (excluding flights)
Registration:
Go to www.unionchurchhk.org/news-events and apply using the online registration form. Do not book your flights until the trip is officially “on” (we need 10 participants minimum)
Deadline: Please apply before 11 March
Contact: Anto Ficatier

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 YOUTH
 

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School 2017/2018 Registration
In order to receive updates regarding Children's Ministry program, latest classroom arrangement and for the safety of all children attending our Sunday School and Crèche Program, we asked that parents please register their children 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. Thank you.

Outreach

Prison Ministry: interested in being a part of a team to go to Tai Lam Correctional Institution on Dragon Boat Festival public holiday, Monday, 18 June? It will be a great opportunity! We would meet a few times (Sunday after church) to plan. Deadline approaching, so if you are interested, please contact Melody Landes or Pastor Michele. 

Last Sunday's Sermon

Please click on the link below to download:

"From Faith to Freedom" by Pastor Greg Anderson

Ash Wednesday's Sermon

"A Cross of Ash" by Monte Peterson