U Matters
Last week, our theme was "Church is... Family" and we learned about an opportunity to be family to those in need through Mothers Choice - Project Bridge. If you missed this and want to learn more, we are happy to direct you. There are real needs in Hong Kong!
Family is important, and building a solid family is vital. Join us for a new series to Recharge your Family.
Recharge your Marriage: Effective Communication, a talk by psychologist Dr Erica Liu Wollin and Pastor Wade Wollin on Wednesday May 22nd, dinner 7:00, talk 7:45.
Recharge your Parenting: Technology and Family, a talk by our Director of Young Adults Anto Ficiater on Wednesday May 29th, dinner 7:00, talk 7:45.
Recharge your Parenting: Parenting Teens, a talk by Young Life Director Josh Powell on Wednesday June 5th, dinner 7:00, talk 7:45.
You won't want to miss these great evenings. Feel free to bring a friend and sign up in the foyer.
This Sunday, we are focusing on "Church is... Ministry" and we are delighted to commission 20 new Stephen Ministers. These individuals have been equipped with 50 hours of pastoral care training, and have been on this journey since last year. As a church, we are excited that we will be offering more intentional and strategic pastoral care to our congregation and beyond. I am thrilled that these members of our congregation are willing to be instruments of blessing and encouragement to those in need.
Congratulations to Jane Arnett, Jutta Depner, Ellen Deumuek, Vereena Espinosa, Anto Ficatier, Teresa Fox, Susan King, Sonia Lee, Crystal Lo, Tess Lyons, Isabel Morrison, Ken Morrison, Sylvie O'Brien, Maurice O'Brien, Trudy Staalman, Cor Staalman, Carrine Wong, Catriona Woodrow, Barbara Yorks, and Yan Yu. We look forward to commissioning you this Sunday.
"Church is Ministry..." “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Blessings,
Pastor Michele
This Week
International China Concern (ICC) Circle of Hope Dinner - 17 May
ICC, a Union supported charity helping the abandoned and disabled in China, is having its annual dinner on 17 May. We are arranging Union table(s) to join and help bring love, hope and opportunity of one to the neediest segments in society. To join a Union table, please contact Pastor Michele or Emilie Banfield. Or buy tickets directly at: https://bit.ly/COHHK2019
"One" Hong Kong 2019 Hearing the Word Campaign
Thanksgiving Celebration on 18 May at Kong Fok Church from 11:00AM to 12:30PM (registration 10:30AM). https://onethanksgiving.eventbrite.hk +852 97578990
Parents in Prayer, Sunday 19 May, 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 for this time of prayer.
Commissioning Service for Stephen Ministers
Stephen's Ministry, Christian lay caring ministry for those in need, is a vital part of our congregation's mission. This is a new ministry at Union Church and we are very excited about the potential impact this ministry can have on our Church and city. If you are interested in more information, please contact Pastor Michele or email
.
ReCharge
ReCharge is a weekly night at Union Church where we fellowship, worship, and study.
Join us on Wednesdays:
From 8 May to 5 June
7:00PM - dinner (suggested donation towards the cost of food: $80)
7:30PM - worship
7:45PM-9:00PM - classes
Join us on Wednesdays:
From 8 May to 5 June
7:00PM - dinner (suggested donation towards the cost of food: $80)
7:30PM - worship
7:45PM-9:00PM - classes
Parables of Jesus: Study for Youth
We will be studying the parables of Jesus. We will look at the context in which Jesus taught them, gaining a better understanding of their meaning and how they apply in our lives. We will read the parables together, and also have time to discuss how they speak to us personally. This class is geared towards Youth (ages 11-18).
Contact: Hunter Purvis
Faith in the Midst of Suffering: Learning with Job
Job is a man who knows suffering - he loses everything! In Job’s story we hear questions all of us ask: Why do terrible things happen? How can we trust God when loving makes us so vulnerable? Join us - it's never too late!
Contact: Monte Peterson.
Big Picture: a new study about the Bible (for Young Adults)
We all have questions about the Bible: What is it? Who wrote it? When? Why? In this new 5-week study Anto Ficatier (Young Adults Director) and Tyler Cox (Theology teacher at ICS) will present a “big picture” overview of the Bible, with historical, theological, and practical insights. Each session will be highly interactive and will spark great conversations!
Recharge your Family
Recharge your Marriage: Effective Communication, Dr Erica Liu Wollin and Pastor Wade Wollin on Wednesday, 22 May, dinner 7:00PM, talk 7:45PM.
Recharge your Parenting: Technology and Family, Anto Ficiater on Wednesday, 29 May, dinner 7:00PM, talk 7:45PM.
Recharge your Parenting: Parenting Teens, Josh Powell on Wednesday 5 June, dinner 7:00PM, talk 7:45PM.
Contact: Pastor Michele
Message from the Joint Leaders
Prayer and Discernment for Union Church - as part of Recharge
The Discernment Prayer Group has been meeting weekly since March 20th. 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.
Opportunities
Union Book Group:
Our next book is "Everything I Never Told You", by Celeste Ng, and we'll discuss it on Tuesday, 21 May, at 7:30PM. Books available at the Welcome Table or the Hong Kong Public Library. Bring suggestions for future books and join us!
One Worship, Sunday 26 May, 10:30AM
On Sunday, 26 May, we will combine the congregation for a joint worship service at SKH Tang Siu Kin Secondary School, 9 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai. This will be a wonderful opportunity to gather under one roof to worship and we hope it will allow everyone at Union to meet those who attend a different service. This is also a great opportunity to bring a friend. There will be a BBQ lunch immediately following the service. If you are interested in helping out, cooking a dish, bringing a dessert, ushering either on the street or in the sanctuary please contact Pastor Michele or David Ashton-Howorth, our Operations Director.
“The Marriage Course” - Social Info Gathering & Dinner - Tuesday 28 May 2019, 7:00PM to 9:30PM
Ever wondered what The Marriage Course is all about? Curious why it is open to newly-weds as well as couples married for many years? Want to know more before signing up?
Come and join us for a social, info gathering evening!!! Find out more about this course which is designed for ALL couples and how it offers a lifetime of practical ideas and tools to help keep your relationship strong. We will have couples sharing their testimonies on the course. We will also let you know the dates of the upcoming marriage course!
Union Church Fellowship Hall. Sign up in the foyer. Register online or contact Joanna Yau for more details.
Elderly Home Visit
Elderly Visit on Saturday 8 June, 2:00-3:00PM at Kowloon Tong, China Coast Community! Please come, connect and bless!
Building friendships and sharing our love of Christ with the residents.
Building friendships and sharing our love of Christ with the residents.
Adult Education
Jewish Faith: Window into the Biblical World
Sunday, June 2, 12:30-2:00, lunch provided - our own Catriona Woodrow, seasoned teacher and theology student, will lead us in a study of Jewish faith and practices in Biblical times, enriching how we read and understand both the Old and New Testaments.
Sign up at the Welcome Table or here.
Sign up at the Welcome Table or here.
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 long time 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.
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.
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
ICM Poverty Simulation - 17 May
This Friday, we will be joining with International Care Ministries (ICM) for a Poverty Simulation and Service Night. All Youth are invited to arrive at 6:00PM, when we will have an early dinner, then we will break into teams at 6:30 and begin the activity. We will the end the activity at 8:15PM and have a debrief session.
Sunday Youth Group – 19 May
Youth can attend at either 9:45AM or 11:15AM.
Juniors (11-13) and Seniors (14-18) will meet in Indigo Hotel 29/F, and seniors will head out after prayer to have a biblical discussion.
Kingdom Kids
Sunday School 2018/2019 Registration
Register HERE. Registration Forms are also available at the Welcome Table. Contact us at CHILDREN or at 2101 0414 for any enquiries.
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.
Missions
Local Mission - Sons and Daughters (S&D) is a ministry that seeks to reach out to the men and women in the red-light districts of Hong Kong. There is an upcoming information session on Wednesday from 7:30-9:00PM (22 May). If you want to get involved or learn more, please contact Janice Chan or Brittney Tsang.
Last Week's Sermons
"Church is...Family" by Monte Peterson