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U Matters“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1
Last Sunday we celebrated with a wonderful joint worship service and a thanksgiving feast. I write this on Thanksgiving Day. How do we express our gratitude to God for his goodness? Writer Max Lucado writes: “Measure the gifts of God. Collect your blessings. Catalog his kindnesses. Assemble your reasons for gratitude.” As I reflect back on my years at Union, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God expressed by the people of God. How can I ever repay his mercy and grace and steadfast love? Perhaps by being a steadfast steward. Just as we have a God who gives through thick and thin, we are called to be givers at all times. Union is about to start a new era and the future looks very bright indeed. Your steadfast giving during this time of transition and change will enable Union to move into that future. God is good, God is steadfast, and he will lead. Let us follow his Son by our steadfast living and giving. Gratefully,
Pastor Greg This WeekSt. Andrew's Day Service, this Sunday, 25 November 9:45AM
Come celebrate Union Church’s Scottish roots! Don’t forget to wear some tartan attire (kilt, dress, pants or even a tie) to get into the Scottish spirit. Come and worship with special music and traditional Scottish bagpipes. Parents in Prayer, this Sunday, 25 November, 12:30PM to 1:15PM, Room 2 & 3 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 mark the date in your calendar and join us as we lift up our children and families in prayers. All parents welcome for this time of prayer. Available this Sunday! Before and after services, you will have the opportunity to support some very worthy missions and work on your Christmas list as well! -Christmas shopping bags, supporting the Tung Chung children's program of the Middle-C Small Group -Christmas napkin rings, supporting Union Missions Committee -"The Choir of Jesus College Cambridge--Praise My Soul" CD , supporting FIN (Families in Need) -Mongolian slippers, supporting Saikhan Mongolia -JHF is giving us the chance to bless Chinese minority women as we decorate our homes for Christmas. Some have children with disabilities; some need education funds for their children; others are trying to lighten the extended family’s financial burden. Your suggested donation of $30 for one or $50 for two handcrafted ornaments will add beauty to your home while helping needy people in western China fulfill their hopes and dreams. (Extra donations are also welcome.) Thanks for giving the gift of HOPE! ReChargeReCharge is a weekly night at Union Church where we fellowship, worship, and study.
Join us on Wednesdays:
7:00PM – dinner (there is a donation box to cover the cost of the food)
7:30PM – worship
7:45-9:00PM – classes
3 different classes are offered this Fall: - Overflow by Monte Peterson - Stephen's Ministry Training by Pastor Michele - Boundaries by Anto Ficatier (please see Young Adults below for more info) Overflow - new class in November: A Life Refreshed by Generosity, with Monte Peterson Jesus says that he has come to bring us "life abundant," but often it feels more like "life-barely-making-it." Join us as we explore life to the full - receiving the blessings and gifts of God and pouring them into others. You can register at the Welcome Table every Sunday, or by filling out the online form HERE. OpportunitiesSeason of Thanksgiving Adult EducationTalk: “James Legge, A Driver of Change” – 2 Dec, 12:30PM
We are very blessed to have Christopher Legge with us on December 2! Christopher Legge is one of the great-grand-children of James Legge, the founder of Union Church. He will deliver a short talk about the legacy of James Legge. Please join for this great opportunity to learn more about the roots of our church! Date: 2 December, 2018 Time: 12:30PM-1:30PM Location: Indigo Hotel, 2/F (Function Room) Light lunch will be provided RSVP needed: please email admin@u nionchurchhk.org Lunchtime Alpha Starting in January 2019, we're launching a lunchtime Alpha, geared towards workers in Sunlight Tower and Wan Chai. Interested in attending, bringing a friend, or helping out? Get in touch with Anto or Monte. Pray that God works through this opportunity to bring Christ's light into Sunlight! Tuesdays at 12:30PM-1:30PM, beginning 8 January. MenCigars under the Stars – Sunday, 2 December
The concept of Cigars Under The Stars is to sit out, enjoy good conversations with a glass of whisky in one hand, and a cigar in the other (and try to watch the stars!). It was an important part of the Men’s Ministry a few years ago and it will be a great farewell from the Men of Union Church to Pastor Greg. The Landes have generously opened their rooftop in Repulse Bay for the night. Mark the date in your calendar! Guests are expected to have had dinner beforehand. The event is of course open to non-smokers and non-drinkers. Date: Sunday, 2 December - 8:00PM - 10:30PM Place: Landes’ rooftop, Repulse Bay (the exact address will be given to you once RSVP) Contact: Please RSVP to Anto Ficatier A Walk on Bowen Road with Pastor Greg – Thursday, 6 December You know how Pastor Greg always mentions Bowen Road in his sermons? Well, here is a chance to do the actual walk with him! We’ll meet at 8:00PM at Bowen Road Park (junction between Bowen Road and Bowen Drive), and walk the road down and back. There’s parking available. The walk will take about 90 minutes. A great opportunity to exercise and spend some time with Pastor Greg! Date: Thursday, 6 December - 8:00PM Place: Bowen Road Park (junction between Bowen Rd and Bowen Drive) Contact: Anto Ficatier Young AdultsThis Sunday, 25 November: Monthly Fellowship Lunch
This Sunday is our monthly fellowship lunch for Young Adults. Anto is away this week so Timothy Ng will take the lead (thanks Tim!). Join Tim at 12:30PM in the lobby of Sunlight Tower and we will go to La Cucina Italiana at QRE. We’ll make orders and pay individually for this meal. Feel free to invite friends! When: this Sunday, 25 November - 12:30-2:00PM Where: La Cucina Italiana, QRE No RSVP needed. Boundaries: a new study for Young Adults Boundaries is an exciting new course for Young Adults. The study is designed to help us develop healthy habits and maintain personal boundaries in all areas of our lives. Join Anto to practice how to say yes and how to say no! Every Wednesday Night, as part of ReCharge 7:00PM dinner, 7:45PM - 9:00PM study. Email Anto Ficatier for more information! 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! LadiesLadies Retreat: Chiang Mai, 17 - 20 January, 2019
Only 4 seats left for the ladies retreat. Don’t be left behind. Join us Thursday 17-20 Jan in Chiang Mai - worship, fun, speakers, new friends, prayer, and more fun. Great opportunity to get connected! More details and formal sign up can be found at the link using the below QR Code. Signup sheets are also available at the Welcome Table, and a collection box is there for payment by cheque. Approximate costs (incl. flights, accommodation and meals) $4900 per pax. *Final deadline for sign-up and payment is 25 November.  MembershipMembership - if you are not a member and would like to be, please download application forms here or collect a peach coloured application form at the Welcome Table and/or see Pastor Michele.
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.
Small GroupsNew to Union? Been here awhile but haven't connected yet? Small groups are where we dig into the nitty-gritty of following Jesus, and connect with each other. Studying the Bible, reading topical books, praying, laughing and eating together - it's good! We know there are a lot of you wanting to connect or looking for the right group, and we will be laun ching new groups in 2019! What a great way to start off the new year! If you are looking to join a group, or have felt God nudging you into leadership, please contact Monte Peterson.
YouthChristmas Banquet Rehearsal Night – 23 November
All Youth who will be involved in the Youth Banquet are required to attend the 23rd November Rehearsal. Juniors and Seniors will meet from 6:00PM-9:00PM, and review their roles. Sunday Youth Group – Sunday, 25 November 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. Christmas Banquet – Friday November 30 Our Annual Christmas Banquet is coming up fast, and we are so excited to have this opportunity for the Congregation to meet our Youth and have a chance to support their missions here in HK and around the world! Tickets are available for $250pp and can be purchased on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall as well as from Hunter during the week. If you have any questions please email us at or whatsapp Hunter at 6466 5080. Kingdom KidsChildren’s Christmas Musical
Important Dates:
Rehearsals: Sundays 11, 25 Nov & 2 Dec, 9:45AM & 11:15AM
First Dress Rehearsal - Sunday, 2 Dec, 12:30PM to 2:30PM
Second Dress Rehearsal- Saturday, 8 Dec, 8:30AM to 11:30AM
Performances: Sunday 9 December, 9:45AM and 11:15AM
Children aged 3 to 11 years old are invited to join us for our annual Children’s Christmas Musical titled "BETHLEHEM NEWSFLASH" Every Sunday until Dec 2nd, children will gather at the Fellowship Hall at the start of the service for rehearsals. The Song Books and CDs are available in the Fellowship Hall and on our church website. After church service ends, children aged 3-5 years old can be picked up from R ooms 2 & 3 and children 6 years old and above from the Fellowship Hall. Creche Mini Thanksgiving Party, Sunday 25 Nov, 10:45AM to 11:15AM Parents of Creche children are invited to join us this Sunday for a mini Thanksgiving party. This Sunday from 10:45AM to 11:15AM, we will gather together in praise and prayer and give thanks to God for our Creche Centre especially our Creche volunteers who have dedicated their Sunday morning caring, loving and helping our babies and toddlers getting to know Christ through Bible story, songs, play and snacks time. Parents are welcome to express their gratitude to Ruby, Rose, Cristina and Merlinda, our wonderful Creche volunteers ladies through prayers, words of encouragement, cards and/or gifts (not compulsory and non monetary). Children’s Ministry Christmas Outreach Program
- Saturday, 15 December, 9:30AM to 1:30PM: Mini Christmas Musical at Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF). Sign up here.
- Saturday, 22 December, 3:00PM to 6:00PM: Christmas Program with St. Barnabas Society and Home. Sign up here.
Sunday School 2018/2019 Registration
In order to help us plan our program well and serve your family better, please register your children HERE. All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Center MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at CHILDREN or 21010414.
MissionLocal mission in Tung Chung
We are partnering with a local church in Tung Chung to run a weekly English program on Saturday mornings in Nov & Dec. The students will be Primary 2-3 children from Ying Tung Estate - a new public estate in Tung Chung. We will be teaching the children English through songs, Bible stories and fun activities. Please contact Crystal Lo. Family in Need (FIN)We have been praying for Gavin Shui as he battles cancer. Please check out this link on how you can register as a donor for Gavin and others who need a bone marrow transplant.
Last Week's Sermon"One Worship Thanksgiving" By Pastor Greg Anderson |