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U MattersI have been in pastoral ministry for over 20 years, the majority of the time serving in Hong Kong and one of the most meaningful training sessions that I ever attended came from Peacemaking Ministries. Let's face it, conflict is everywhere - in marriages, in the workplace, at school and at church, and knowing how to respond is important. Peacemaker Ministries believe that conflict provides opportunities to glorify God, serve other people, and grow to be like Christ.
When faced with conflict, they suggest the 4-G's of Peacemaking. First, we need to ask ourselves does our conflict Glorify God? Second, they encourage participants to "Get the log out of our eye" - each of us takes responsibility for the role we play in the conflict and seek to repair any harm caused. Third, we need to "Gently Restore" -instead of pretending that the conflict doesn't exist, seek to restore relationships. The final G is "Go and be reconciled" - actively pursuing genuine peace and reconciliation, seeking mutually beneficial solutions to our differences.
Relationships can be complicated, but God made peace with each of us through Jesus Christ. He transforms us and through the work of the Holy Spirit makes us mature so we can reflect the glory of God's reconciling love. As we journey towards Easter, lets never forget that we are reconciled with Christ, the Prince of Peace, and He makes all things new.
Join us this Saturday night for our annual AGM. Bring a dish to share starting at 6:00PM, followed by worship at 7:00PM. Sunday, Anto Ficatier will be preaching at all services on our series: The Crucified Life. In the afternoon, join Jacklien for a light lunch with the movie "Child Disrupted" starting at 12:30PM, bring a friend.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Michele
Annual General MeetingNotice of AGM
Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, 23 March 2019 from 6:00PM. Please join us as we celebrate together, and give glory to God. Non-members are welcome to attend. Please bring a dish to share. The following members have been nominated by the Nominating Committee:-
The Nominating Committee consists of: Pastor Michele Bland, Christine Wu, Patrick Wilson, George Ding, Anne Sawyer, John Nicholls and Juliana Rotmeyer.
The following member have been nominated by the Congregation:-
ALL candidates will be voted on at the AGM.
Returning CoM members include: Anson Wang, Andrew Lo, Trevor Tam, Juliana Rotmeyer, Timothy Ng and George Ding (Honorary Treasurer).
AGM Information
For details of candidates, please pick up a Nomination Booklet from the Welcome Table. The Union Church Annual Report and Financial Reports are also available on the Welcome Table.
Minutes AvailableIf you would like to read the minutes from the Special General Meeting they are available at the Welcome Table.This Week"Moms in Prayer” Conference
Guest Speaker: Barb Hawn, International speaker and author of “Glory Arising”- The Beginning of Moms in Prayer Mongolia.
When: Friday, 22 March: 7pm-9pm & Saturday, 23 March: 9am-4pm (Light refreshments served 30 minutes before)
Cost: HK$200 pp
Venue: International Baptist Church of HK, 7/F Tower A, Southmark Building, 11 Yip Hing Street, Wong Chuk Hang.
"CHILD, DISRUPTED” - Movie Screening and Talk
When: Sunday 24 March 12:30PM to 2:15PM
Join us for a documentary about how technology impacts children’s behaviour and which offers insight into how parents/guardians can curb its influence while equipping children to develop healthy relationships with technology.Followed by a short talk and Q&A on Biblical Perspective on Technology with Antonin Ficatier.
* Suitable for children aged 8 years old and above, parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers.
* Suggested donation of HK$50 per adult, light lunch and child care for children below 8 years old will be provided.
* Register at
or Sign Up at the Welcome Table.
Ladies Night Out - All Welcome
It's Wing Night - join us Monday, 25 March, 5:00PM - 7:00PM at Fini's (across the street - 69 Stone Nullah Ln, Wan Chai) for conversation and connectivity.
Lent2019 Spring Family Retreat: Rooted and Nourished in Christ
Date: Friday 29 - Saturday 30 March 2019.
Overnight camp: $450 pp.
Children under 12 years old: $350 pp.
Day cost: $125 pp.
Cost includes dinner and breakfast (if staying overnight), and lunch.
Join us at the Methodist Retreat Centre on Lantau. Speakers, intergenerational activities, small groups, dynamic worship and lots of fun. Sign up and pay at the Welcome Table.
"One" Hong Kong 2019 Hearing the Word Campaign
It is not too late to join the other 24,000 + people around HK listening to God’s Word over Lent. Start by downloading the APP with this link: http://www.onehtw.com.
No time? God says in 2 Peter 1 that His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. God promised he would give you that 25th hour in the day to listen to His word.
For App users, watch out for updates in the News Section of One App.
We challenge you to do more than just listen:
OpportunitiesBless the City - Save the Date! On Saturday, May 4, we will gather to bless the city of Hong Kong in tangible, practical ways, partnering with Sons and Daughters, Hong Kong Church Network for the Poor, and more.
Union Family News
Union celebrates 175 years this year. If you would like to be a part of the planning team we would love to hear from you. Please see Pastor Michele.
Peace Box 2019 Campaign
Join us as we bless the children from the under-privileged families and the elderly living alone by contributing a box filled with necessities.
Please drop off the boxes during office hours on weekdays or on Sundays and we have extended the date until 31 March. For more info, please click HERE or visit the Welcome Table.
ReChargeReCharge is a weekly night at Union Church where we fellowship, worship, and study.
Join us on Wednesdays: 7:00PM - dinner (suggested donation towards the cost of food: $100) 7:30PM - worship 7:45PM-9:00PM - classes Studies for this season:-
The Crucified Life (sign-up and get your book at the Welcome Table)
Network (for Young Adults)
Youth Bible Study
LadiesFertility Support Group - Struggling and could use some support? Contact Sonia Lee.
Baptism and MembershipIf you are interested in baptism or membership please sign up in the foyer, collect a form and submit it or see Pastor Michele.
Adult EducationSunday Lunch Study
The Crucified Life: Seven Words From the Cross is a video-based class, with study guide available at the Welcome Table. Join us in the Youth Room after the 11:15AM service. March 24 we are talking about Relationship, and the new relationships Jesus invites us into. Small GroupSmall 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 AdultsNew 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! ServeUnion Church is always looking for people to serve. If you would like to be an usher, greeter or bible reader, please see Pastor Michele.
YouthWednesday Youth Bible Study
7PM Dinner and Worship
7:45–9:00PM Bible Study
The subject of our Bible study will be the Parables of Jesus.
Friday Youth Group Worship Night – 22 March
Juniors (11-13) are asked to arrive from 6-7:30PM
Seniors (14-18) are to arrive from 7-9PM with ‘hangout’ in the Youth Room from 9-10PM.
This week we will be discussing in groups how to be true friends, using Paul’s words in Philippians 2:3-4 as a guide.
Sunday Youth Group – 24 March
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 KidsEASTER Sunday Children’s Program, Sunday 21 April, 9:45AM & 11:15AM services
Kingdom Kids invites children aged 3-11 years old for Easter Sunday Children’s Program, followed by an Egg hunt. Friends are welcome to join and no registration needed.
Sunday School 2018/2019 Registration
Filipino Ministry1:00PM - 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
MissionsUpcoming trip to Myanmar - 6-9 June 2019
We are planning a trip to visit Light of the World (LOTW) Church and Preschool in Yangon, Myanmar. LOTW spreads the Gospel in a heavily Buddhist area. Union has been supporting LOTW since 2015, and some of our members have previously visited. Last year we raised a special offering to help with the construction of a new church building, and we would like to visit and worship with the pastors and congregation in their new church. Plans are to depart on the night of 6 June and return the night of 9 June (7 June is a public holiday in HK). We anticipate flight plus hotel costs to be ~$4200 HKD. Visas are required for Myanmar. We recommend this trip for adults and possibly teenagers accompanied by parents, but suggest the trip is not appropriate for young children. If you're interested to join, please contact Ray Warhola and Kathy Foley.
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 are many opportunities for volunteer support, including the following: lunchtime intercessory prayer, male and female volunteers for outreach ministry, house parents for their shelter, education providers for job skills/training as part of their exit program, administrative support, musicians and worship leaders, social work interns, cookie baking, card writing, and assistance with fundraisers. There are several upcoming information sessions on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00PM (20 March, 17 April, and 22 May). If you want to get involved or learn more, please contact Janice Chan or Brittney Tsang. HK TaxpayerFor HK Taxpayers wishing to make tax-deductible donations for the tax year of April 2018 to March 2019, please ensure that cheques are made payable to “Union Church” and are dated before 31 March 2019.
Please send your cheques to our Church Accounts Department latest by 31 March 2019, otherwise your donation will not be recognised in the 2018/2019 tax year. Thank you for your continuous support to Union Church.
Last Week's Sermon"Words from the Cross: Salvation" by Hunter Purvis
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