U MATTERS:
This week I heard of two separate stories of prayer requests that had been answered. On both occasions our church was asked to pray for people with serious health issues and on both occasions, God answered prayer. What a privilege we have to pray for one another.
Our staff read an article this week that included insights into the prayer life of Hudson Taylor, missionary to China. Dr Howard Taylor describes an experience that he had whilst traveling with his father, Hudson Taylor through China. He writes,
“It was not easy for Mr. Taylor in his changed life, to make time for prayer and Bible study, but he knew that it was vital. Well do the writers remember traveling with him month after month in northern China, by cart and wheelbarrow, with the poorest of inns at night…and then after sleep at last had brought a measure of quiet they would hear a match struck and seek the flicker of candlelight which told that Mr. Taylor, however weary, was pouring over the little Bible…from two to four a.m. was the time he usually gave to prayer; the time when he could be most sure of being undisturbed to wait upon God.”
The commitment to prayer is inspirational. The commitment to waiting on the Lord is remarkable. As we continue to lift up our prayer concerns may we embrace the words of the Apostle Paul, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Blessings, Pastor Michele
FAMILY MATTERS:
Building Union For the Future (BUFF) Outreach to Workers at 22A: We are reaching out to the site workers at 22A Kennedy Road periodically to show our appreciation for their hard work. The next opportunity will be to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by purchasing mooncakes to deliver to them. We invite you to join us in this ongoing initiative by donating funds to the church office and designating them for “BUFF hospitality”. The BUFF team also encourages you to walk by 22A Kennedy Road to pray for the safety of all workers and site activities. Please contact the Church Office for more details.
THIS WEEK:
Coffee Hour: Miss running into friends and connecting over a cup of coffee on Sunday mornings? Join us for "Coffee Hour," from 10:45AM to 11:15AM. You'll have to brew your own coffee, but we'll all bring the conversation! Sign up HERE for the zoom link.
Youth: During the month of September, we are kicking off with our Friday Zoom Gatherings, starting a new Wednesday Study called “Sticky Faith’ and continuing our regular Sunday meetings after the service! Contact Hunter at for more info.
Prayer and Discernment: Join us as we continue to pray for our church. Tuesdays, starting Tuesday 8 September at 7:45AM - 8:30AM on Zoom. Contact ADMIN for the zoom link.
Please join us this Sunday, ONLINE ONLY, at 9:45AM for our traditional service and 11:15AM for our contemporary service. Please join us via our website, mobile app or Facebook page. If you are unable to be online at the time of our worship services, you can watch them later in the day, again via our website, app or Facebook page. Don't forget that you can still give your offering online via the giving page of our website, or by using the QR code below. You can also send us a cheque, made payable to "Union Church" or "Friends of Hong Kong Charities, Inc" if you are a US taxpayer. Please send them to: 18F, Sunlight Tower, 248 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Time and Talent:
Looking to share your time and talent at Union Church as part of your stewardship? We need a CRM expert or systems developer to join a multi-disciplinary task force to evaluate our church’s management system needs and next steps. We’re a fun group! Learn more by reaching out HERE
Upcoming:
Halftime Summit: Halftime Summit: Have you been asking yourself: What would give my life more meaning? Can I still pursue significance even though it seems I have not yet accumulated enough through my career? What is God’s plan for this season of my life? Then join us on October the 23rd and 24th. Please click HERE for more information.
Save the Date: Ladies Dinner Monday November 2nd, details to follow
See HERE for more information or to register to get the zoom links for any of these classes. Please join us!
Missions:
Some of our congregation are still conducting Kindness Walks in Wan Chai. Please pray for them as they serve the poor and homeless in our neighbourhood.
Kingdom Kids:
‘ROCKY RAILWAY’ VBS ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Date: SEPTEMBER 27 and OCTOBER 4
TIME: 10.45 AM
Your children are invited to join us this Sunday for Week 4 of our VBS Sunday School and learn together how Jesus’ Power Lets Us Live Forever! We look forward to seeing your family and friends. Be sure to check-in early. Note: For those who have yet to register or who would like to register their friends, please make sure to include the correct and complete postal address to ensure the VBS package reaches your home. REGISTER HERE.
2020 Children’s Christmas Musical Online Casting Audition
Save the date: Saturday, 3 Oct, at 9:30 am. We are excited to inform you that this year Children’s Christmas Musical will take place on Sunday, 13 December 2020. We will have our ONLINE audition on Saturday, 3 October at 9:30 am. The link will be sent to children who are registered in year 2020/2021 Union Church Sunday School program. If you have yet to register your children for this academic year, we encourage you to do so.
Sunday School 2020/2021 Registration IS NOW OPEN: All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Centre MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form HERE. For safety reasons, only children officially registered in our Sunday School program will receive the Zoom link to our Online Bible Study. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at or 21010414.
In-Person Creche and Sunday School are SUSPENDED until further notice. In order to safeguard the health and safety of all of our families and staff and to help curb the spread of the Covid-19, we have SUSPENDED all of our Children’s Ministry In-Person Program until further notice. We encourage the children to join our Online Sunday School Lessons. Thank you for your patience and kind understanding, we look forward to sending you all an update once we are able to meet in person again.
Youth:
Parents Info Session - Friday September 25
We will still be hosting an information session for parents of Youth next Friday at 5PM. During this time, parents will have a chance to ask questions, get to know Hunter and learn more about Youth Ministry at Union! Zoom link is available HERE
Friday Youth Group - September 25
Youth are invited to join the Zoom meeting at 6PM on Friday, and we will have a special guest who will be sharing with us!
What: Friday Youth
When: Friday Sept 11, 6PM-8PM
Details: Zoom Link is available HERE
Sunday Discussion – September 27
Youth are invited to join a small group discussion on the Sunday sermon at 12:30 on Sunday. Zoom link is available HERE
Wednesday “Sticky Faith” Study - September 30
During the month of September we are jumping into a series called “Sticky Faith” – learning Christian Spiritual practices and growing closer in our relationship with God
What: Sticky Faith Wednesday Study
When: Every Wednesday, 6:30-8PM
Details: Zoom Link HERE.
Small Groups:
Meeting as a small group in this time is challenging, but the support from each other is more important than ever. There ARE online options - please reach out if you need help figuring this out! If you aren't currently in a group, we encourage you to try it out. There are groups for women, men, couples, day-time, night-time, etc. Interested? Contact Monte Peterson.
Connecting:
The Marriage Course: please contact Joanna Yau for more details.
Pastoral Care Support, if you are looking for some support and prayer please let our staff know. Contact Ministry leaders directly or admin at: or call 6225 5042.
A Stephen Minister can help. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through a crisis or a difficult time. Please contact Pastor Michele if we can help ( )
Fertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and support? Contact Sonia Lee.
Family in Need (FIN):
If you would like to help support our family in need ministry, which helps people monthly with basic needs, please mark your envelope "FIN".
"More Than Conquerors: Overcoming Giants" Pastor Michele