U MATTERS
It has been an exciting week! The Buzz of VBS on Sundays has been invigorating and the bonus is that we have seen parents we have not seen in months. Sunday Youth continues to have good attendance off site and have been using their self-published devotional, “Rooted and Established”. We were able to pray on site at 22A Kennedy Road. One of our young adults came to faith in Jesus and started the baptism class. The Faith in the Marketplace event was a source of encouragement with more than 60 people attending. And it was this week our Missions team learned that one member of the team has been corresponding almost daily with one of our overseas ministry partners - supporting them, praying and carrying their burdens. What a week of ministry!
I am so grateful to the Lord for the privilege and opportunities that He provides and for the people He has placed in these ministries.
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:29
Grateful, Pastor Michele
WORSHIP SERVICE UPDATES
Our 9:45am and 11:15am services are now full as we have reached 50% of floor capacity. There is space available at the 8:45am service - we would love to see you. If you need to alter your booking, please email as so we may offer your space to someone else. Thank you.
For Sunday services on 29 August, registration will open at 10:00am on Monday here. We will confirm your registration by email or ask you to select an alternative service or watch the livestream.
Union Church offers three in-person services: 8:45am (Family Communion), 9:45am (Traditional Worship) and 11:15am (Contemporary Worship). The latter two services are available via livestream on our church website, Facebook page, church app and YouTube. Be part of our growing online congregation!
FAMILY NEWS
Fall Kickoff - It's almost September and that means it's time for the Fall Kickoff of Children's, Youth, Young Adults and Small Group ministries! There are so many ways to find community, support and Christian study. Read on for more information and check out the Union Church website.
Family Meeting - Update on New 22A and The Grace of Giving - Thank you for the great turnout at the Family Meeting last week where we learned how New 22A is taking shape. The Grace of Giving team reported there is only HK$4.4 million to raise for the new church. We are excited to see how the Lord will move and encourage us to close the gap in the remaining six weeks of our campaign! Want to see the presentation slides? You can find them on The Grace of Giving webpage where there are also details on how you may give. Check out the latest architectural renderings in Fellowship Hall when you next visit church. And finally please be on the lookout for an email arriving in the next day or two from Pastor Michele and Ken Morrison, on behalf of The Grace of Giving team.
Pray for New 22A - We're also inviting the entire church to pray for our move back (move forward!) to 22A Kennedy Road. The church leadership is contributing to a prayer devotional that will be ready in September to help guide our prayers for our ongoing faith journey. We give thanks that 15 people gathered with Pastor Michele to pray at 22A on 15 August.
THIS WEEK
Young Adults Group: We would love to have all our young adults (ages 18-35) join us on Wednesday, 25 August at 7:30pm for a chance to connect and get to know other young adults at Union! For more details please contact our Young Adults Director, Dan Tupps.
Coffee and Conversation: Our older congregation is invited to meet on Hong Kong Island on Thursday, 26 August, 10:30am - 12:00 noon for a time of fellowship. To express interest and get the address, contact .
UPCOMING
Special Offering for Crossroads: Flooding and poor quality concrete have created serious problems at Crossroads Village in Tuen Mun, and funds are needed for spalling concrete and emergency power supply repairs. A long-time "Friend of Union Church", Crossroads has the goal of connecting people in a broken world, bringing together those in need with those who can help - through Global Distribution, Global Hand, Global X-Perience and Global Handicrafts. On Sunday, 29 August we will collect a Special Offering to help Crossroads make urgent repairs.
Kindness Walk! Sunday, 29 August: This is a great way to love our neighbours as we share smiles and snacks with street cleaners, the homeless, elderly, market stall owners and more. The next Walk leaves Union Church at 12:30pm on the 29th. All are welcome. We will congregate in groups of four.
UC Men - Wednesday Wings & Fries: We'd love to have all our men join us at Fini's Wanchai on Wednesday, 1 September any time from 5:00pm - 7:00pm for unlimited wings, fries, drinks and fellowship. Cost is $100. For more details contact .
Young Adults Study - "Discipleship Explored": Wednesdays at 7:30pm, beginning 8 September. 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 seeking to grow in their discipleship. For more details contact
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Halftime Summit 2021, 10 - 11 September: For the third year running, the Halftime Summit returns to Hong Kong at Union Church. Halftime Summit is a two-day, in-person conference that gives you time to pause, reflect and plan for a new season that gives your life more meaning. You will be equipped to clarify your core abilities and passions and discover creative ways to channel your talent towards Kingdom-significance. Learn more about God’s plan to give you new-found purpose, clarity and passion for your second half. Flyers are available via the QR code below or here. Questions? Contact Andrew Lo at
Halftime 6-Week Course: The Halftime team is separately checking interest in a Halftime small group course to be held at lunchtime over a six-week period starting in the second half of October. The content is similar to the intensive 2-day Summit. If you would like to attend or know more, please contact .
Faith & Work Conference Hong Kong 2021: Purpose vs Paycheck, Saturday, 9 October. Join 100+ people who are passionate about faith in the workplace at the in-person Faith & Work Conference. Explore how to find a better "connect" between what we believe and what we do at work, and how to pursue career success and follow Christ's calling as the same time. Consider practical guidance on how God can help you navigate office politics, work-life balance, and dubious practices - and more. Connect with old and new friends and colleagues from across Hong Kong. Receive a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the heart of God for you in your life and work! Venue: Island ECC. Co-organisers: Community Church Hong Kong, Island ECC, The Vine and Union Church. Registration is open. The early-bird price expires 31 August.
6th Annual Ladies Retreat - Save the date! 12 - 14 November 2021. At long last, it's time to get away with Abba Father to South Lantau. Details + registration are coming soon!
KINGDOM KIDS
’TREASURED’ In-Person VBS Sunday School – 22 & 29 August, 9:45am and 11:15am. This Sunday is Week 4 of our Treasured VBS and are having a wonderful time worshipping God and learning more about His truth. We are also excited to share with all of our children how priceless they are to God. Register here or at the Children's welcome table.
Sunday School Registration 2021-2022: Registration for the academic year 2021/2022 is now open. Children ages 0-10 years old enrolling in our Creche and Sunday School programme must be registered by completing the form HERE. Registration forms are also available at the Children’s welcome table. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at CHILDREN or 2101 0414.
Creche & Sunday School Arrangements: The Creche Centre will be open with restricted capacity. Children ages 3 years old and above are invited to join Treasured VBS Sunday School at the 9:45am and 11:15am services. Services fill up quickly and your family must be successfully registered. Thank you for understanding.
Friday Youth Juniors - 20 August – All Youth are invited for dinner at Fini's Wanchai at 6:00pm. Then it's over to Union Church for a night of Worship. Our Youth band will lead us in prayer and praise! There will be a short message and games / activities. Juniors will be dismissed at 9:00pm; Seniors can hang out until 10:00pm.
Sunday Youth – 22 August – Youth are invited to Ps. Michele's home at 11:15am for a lesson and a time of fellowship. Juniors (11-13) have begun a new series on the book of Ephesians, while Seniors are studying the Book of Revelation and the challenging messages this book presents!
Wednesday Youth - 25 August - no Wednesday activities on this day
Friday Youth - 27 August - Amazing Race from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Join us for the Amazing Race! Youth will be grouped into teams who will be challenged with completing a scavenger hunt around the local area. Fabulous prizes await the winning teams. Meet at Union Church. Please sign up here.
Get ready for the Youth Lock-In and Fall Kickoff on Friday - Saturday, 3-4 September! Bring your friends. Talk to Hunter about signing up.
MISSIONS
Missions Sundays: Looking for ways to get involved in Missions? Our Missions committee is bringing representatives of our ministry partners to church on the 2nd Sunday of each month, starting in September. This is a great way to get to know our partners' organisations and the people they serve, and see how you might participate in their activities. We're excited to welcome ICC (International China Concern) all morning on Sunday, 12 September. Have a conversation with them in Fellowship Hall regarding their work in China with abandoned and disabled children as well as families who have disabled children (Family Partners Programme). Union sponsors 10 children! Any questions, please contact our ICC prayer partner on the Missions committee, Dale Weathington.
An opportunity with Kun Sun Prison Ministry: Have you ever thought about extending a hand of friendship to inmates at Stanley Prison? Our ministry partner, Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association (Kun Sun) is running an introduction to prison ministry for volunteers on Sunday, 29 August, 2:30pm - 5:30pm at Kun Sun's offices in Sham Shui Po: 7th floor, Cheung Lee Building, 137-143 Cheung Sha Wan Road (Sham Shui Po MTR exit A1). All you need to bring is a pen, your own water, and a mask! Kun Sun is specifically looking for more men or couples to join the Stanley team. Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. [Hebrews 13:3]
Prayers for Afghanistan: Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Afghanistan for strength and protection - the assuredness that God is standing with them in their time of trial; pray for the Taliban rulers that they may know Jesus as Saviour and the freedom it brings. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:15]
Prayers for Light of the World Church and Preschool, Yangon, Myanmar: The situation is dire. Pastor Vum has lost his uncle and cousin to COVID, and his wife No Te has also lost a family member. On top of this deep grieving, Pastor Vum and his congregation face the double threat of very limited income during the pandemic and violence inflicted by the military. The Missions committee at Union Church has met recently to discuss ongoing spiritual and practical support. Please pray for comfort in their mourning. Pray that conditions improve so that the revenue-earning preschool can re-open. The military is threatening violence and people are unable to sleep at night. Lord, we pray for deep rest and protection in the shadow of your wings for Pastor Vum and his flock. "Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by." [Psalm 57:1]
Inner City Ministries: We give thanks and praise for ICM's Vacation Bible School (VBS) that is coming to a close this week. We pray that children have embraced Jesus and this joy takes root in their families. VBS followed a two-week ICM programme for young adults in July, during which time many people asked the Lord into their lives. Please pray that they will continue to seek God - even in the face of persecution within their circles. We pray for their protection and that kind Christ-loving mentors come alongside them in friendship and discipleship.
International Care Ministries (ICM) - 17th Annual Banquet: Save the date of Thursday, 28 October for Inspiring Hope - Empowering Change, an in-person event in Hong Kong (and in Manila, USA and UK) that will also be streamed live to the ICM community around the world.
International China Concern (ICC) - Circle of Friends 2021: Save the date of Friday, 12 November for ICC's evening of inspiration and vision for children with disabilities in China. Venue: The Lawn at the Hong Kong Country Club.
Sunday teaching + small group fellowship and support = match made in heaven (on earth). The support from each other is more important than ever as we navigate life during the pandemic. If you aren't currently in a small group, this is a wonderful time to try it out. There are groups for women, men, couples, day-time, night-time, etc. Contact for more information.
Pastoral Care and Prayer
Need prayer? Reach out to us confidentially at .
Stephen Ministry
We provide high-quality, confidential care to people who are hurting through our Stephen Ministry programme. Contact Pastor Michele if you would like to know more about the programme or meet with a Stephen Minister.
Flowers for the Altar
We are so blessed by the beauty of the flowers on the altar on Sundays. Now that we are worshipping in-person regularly, we want to invite you to donate flowers for any occasion - a birthday, anniversary, birth or in memory of a loved one. You may sign up on the flower calendar on the notice board near the welcome desk. You may use the florist you prefer. If you have questions, please reach out to
Last week's sermon
“Navigating Transitions - Requires More Trust Less Complaints" Rev Dr Michele Bland
Social Media
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