U MATTERS
Sociologist Robert Sampson studies social disorders at Harvard and is convinced that isolation has shifted the way people behave. Not sure if that has been your experience - but it is interesting to consider.
Many of us have been isolated, and only recently people have been returning to work and school. We are almost half way through 2022 and to date we have only had 4 in-person worship services.
According to Titus, our beliefs and our behaviour work together and he gives us a gentle reminder in how we are to behave.
We read,
"Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.
...when God, our kind and loving Saviour God, stepped in...He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Saviour Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.
Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone." Titus 3:1-11 The Message.
How we treat others is critical - as the hymns says, "They will know we are Christians by our love." Or in the words of John, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
It is my hope that we will know the love that God has for us and that love will transform us and our relationships. It is my hope that we will love one another, and that love will be contagious - a tangible demonstration for the world to see.
As our ministries ramp up, as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to year to come at our AGM - may love prevail. We are excited to report that our worship services now allow for 85% capacity - we hope to see you soon.
Blessings - Pastor Michele
CHURCH IN-PERSON & ONLINE
According to the latest government announcement, churches can operate at a capacity of 85% starting from 19 May. Thus registration is no longer requested for our Sunday services starting from 22 May.
Let's worship together in-person on Sunday, 22 May at one of the three services, 8:45am Family Communion, 9:45am Traditional Worship and 11:15am Contemporary Worship. This Sunday we are continuing with the "Lean-In" series. Please have your phones ready for scanning with LeaveHomeSafe and up-to-date vaccination status.
If you are worshipping online we will livestream the 9:45am and 11:15am services here.
Join us at a Zoom Coffee Hour - a great time to catch up online - 10:45am and 12:15pm. Email Admin for the Zoom link.
FAMILY NEWS
Annual General Meeting (AGM), Saturday, 21 May, 7:00pm at Union Church. All are welcome. People who have been church members for at least six months may vote. The Union Church Annual Report and Financial Reports are available at the church.
Pastor Ruth to retire! After 31 years in ministry to the Filipino fellowship and Union Church as a whole, the Rev Ruth Tablada is departing for the Philippines at the end of May. She is leaving such a legacy! Please leave mementos and photos in her memory book in the Fellowship Hall or email your photos and message to Admin and give online.
THIS WEEK
Creativity Ministry: Let's EAT - a dinner with Jesus, 24 May, 7:30 - 8:30pm, online: The idea for Let's EAT comes from Eugene Peterson's book Run with the Horses where he compares prayer to dinner with God. This will be an evening of spiritual food, not actual food. Come join this special evening + experience a deepening in your relationship with Jesus. Please sign up here.
Young Adults New Study: "Be Still", Wednesdays, 8:00pm: In this video series, we will explore creative ways we can connect with God each day, learning how to practically develop and grow habits that cultivate daily stillness in the midst of our busy and fast-paced world. Questions? - contact Dan Tupps.
stART Retreat, Saturday, 28 May, 9:00am - Sunday, 29 May, 1:00pm: Creativity Ministry invites women, men and young adults to come together at a two-day retreat to experience God in new ways, being immersively present using art as a companion. Come join us at the Heritage Lodge for this creative journey. Learn more - registration open!
Halftime Small Group Study, Saturdays, 6:00pm online: This 6 weekly sessions study will help you consider your core abilities and passions and discover creative ways to channel your talent towards Kingdom-significance. If interested in joining, please email and Vivien Teu, the coordinator for this study, would love to have a chat and involve you.
UPCOMING
Kindness Walk, Sunday, 29 May: Come along and share love, smiles and treats with our Wan Chai neighbours. Everyone is welcome. We will meet in Fellowship Hall at 12:30pm service. If you have questions, please contact Admin.
Wings & Fries with the Guys, Wednesday, 1 June, 6:00pm - 8:00pm: Men, we'd love to have you join us for our monthly gathering at our new venue - The Roundhouse - 29 Amoy Street, Wan Chai, seating upstairs. Only $100 for unlimited wings, fries, fellowship and more! Questions? Contact Dan Tupps.
Young Adults Canoe/Kayaking Adventure, Friday, 3 June: Join us for a day out on the water in Tai Tam, plus BBQ lunch. For more details, please contact Dan Tupps.
New Study: The Artist Way, starting Tuesday, 7 June, 12:30pm - 1:30pm, online: Creativity Ministry invites you to join a study that explores the Artist Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. The 12-week study is open to men, women and young adults. Learn more and register.
New Men's Study: Gospel of John 13-17, starting Tuesday, 7 June, 8:00 - 9:00pm, online. How do you respond to life's trials? Hardships threaten to bring separation, sorrow and despair. But Jesus offers a better way. In daily troubles of every kind, we can seek God's comfort in confidence through faith. Men, we'd love to have you join this six-week study with Dan Tupps and Andrew Lo. Register here.
KINGDOM KIDS
In-person Creche and Children's Church, Sunday, 9:45am and 11:15am: Our dedicated Creche ladies are looking forward to welcome our babies and toddlers and share with them the joy of praising God through Sunday School songs and Bible stories. We are also excited to learn the importance of knowing and putting on the whole armor of God with our 3 to 10 years old.
Online Sunday School, Sunday 10:30am: We are also excited to continue our worship ONLINE and learn about God's Armor together. Children aged 3 to 10 years old are welcome to join us via Zoom. Please email for the Zoom link.
Sunday School Registration 2021-2022: Registration for the academic year 2021/2022 is open. Children ages 0-11 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 our website or email or call 2101 0414,
YOUTH
In-person Friday Youth - 20 May, 6:00 - 9:00pm: We are finishing our series on 9 keys to happiness.
In-person Sunday Youth - 22 May: We will be focusing on what it means to practically live in Jesus' footsteps.
Over the next few weeks keep a look out for upcoming news on events such as "The Amazing Race" and so much more. Peace and love.
MISSIONS
Union Church is a long term supporter of Inner City Ministries (ICM) which runs outreach programs and ministries to ethnic minority families and kids. They are based in Yau Ma Tei and thanks to your generosity last year, they distributed 200,000 masks and 150,000 supermarket coupons to their communities, among other amazing things they did to spread God's gospel. We have just learnt that they are in need of volunteers to teach kids aged 3-9 on Saturday afternoons, just once a moth. A curriculum and onsite help will be provided. Furthermore, if you or your children happen to be around in August this year, ICM will love to have you as a volunteer to help in their VBS program. Please contact Emmanuel if you are interested ( ).
Outreach to Home of Loving Faithfulness - Sunday, 26 June. We will share the painted birdhouses and small branches we've made and we will paint tyres for the sensory garden too. Please bring your creations back to Union for collection on/before 26 June. Register here. Transportation will be provided.
Light of the World Church and Preschool, Myanmar: The Vums ask us to keep their preschool graduation ceremony, planned for this Saturday, 21 May, in our prayers. Preschool events are great opportunities for outreach to the parents, family members, and friends who attend. Please pray for receptive hearts for the gospel message!
Restrictions lifting - time to Walk the Wall! ICC Hong Kong is excited to announce the resumption of Walk the Wall 2022. This crucial walkathon raises support for children in ICC's cretres who have been abandoned and in their Family Partners Programme (FPP). Young people in FPP are often raised by low-income families ineligible for government social welfare. Learn more and sign up for "Walk On Your Own" or Walk the Wall Competition". Just do it!
Baptism
Are you following Jesus and want people to know? Share with others the new hope you have in Jesus through baptism. Interested and ready to celebrate? Contact Pastor Michele.
Small Groups
Stay connected and get support from your friends in a small group that is a tangible demonstration of God's love for us. Interested in joining one that is right for you? Contact so that we might suggest one for you.
Stephen Ministry
Lonely? Grieving? Going through a separation or divorce? Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support during life's challenges. Please contact .
Giving
Thank you for your tithes and offerings! If you are not coming to church this Sunday, you may post a cheque payable to "Union Church", deliver it to the church office, or give online. May you be blessed as you give of your time, talent and treasure!
Prayer
These are troubling times. Sometimes we need people to come alongside for spiritual support. Would you like someone to pray with you? Simply email or WhatsApp us at +852 9182 7247. Our Deacons and prayer ministry team will respond.
Last week's sermon
"Lean-In - Challenges & God's Faithfulness." Watch last week's message by Pastor Michele.
Stay connected
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