U MATTERS
Throughout Lent we journeyed through the Gospel of John highlighting the 7 I Am statements of Jesus. Thanks to the ministry of Faith Comes by Hearing, we joined churches around the world during ONE2022, listening, preaching and absorbing the word of God. Thank you Aaron Tan, Linda Ngan, Carrine Wong and their team of 250+ volunteers who worked tirelessly to promote the listening and reading of God’s word.
In this Eastertide season, we focused last week on Thomas, one of the disciples, and saw how God rescued him from doubt, trauma, and unbelief. This week, in the final chapter of John, Jesus invites the disciples to “come.” Having fished all night Jesus said, “Come and have breakfast.” John 21:12
There are many times in the Gospels that Jesus says Come. (Dr. James Boice)
- Come and see (John 1:39)
- Come and learn (Matthew 11:29)
- Come and rest (Mark 6:31)
- Come and eat (John 21:12)
- Come and inherit (Matthew 25:34-36)
At Union Church, we invite you to come! Come back to in-person worship. Come join a small group. Come join a ministry team. Come to Sunday School. Come and serve. Come and be baptised. Come for prayer. Come and find community. Come and get connected.
We can’t invite you to come for breakfast, but we can invite you to come and celebrate the table of the Lord in partaking of communion together.
Come - we can’t wait to see you in person.
Blessings, Pastor Michele
CHURCH ONLINE & IN-PERSON
Sunday, 1 May we're back in-person on Communion Sunday!
To attend in-person at 8:45, 9:45 or 11:15am, Government requires that we each comply with the Vaccine Pass and have successfully registered for a service. Watch Dan's video from last Sunday to learn more!
Union Church is operating under Government's Vaccine Pass requirements. This means that you must:
- Have a Vaccine Pass or an official exemption
- Scan LeaveHomeSafe on arrival and we will scan your QR code to verify the vaccine pass
- Wear a mask at all times
- Remain socially distanced
- Children under 12 years do not need to show proof; if they are unaccompanied by an adult they will need to complete a health declaration
Since we're operating at 50% capacity, please ensure you have registered and received a confirmation email.
Hey Online congregation! We will continue to livestream the 9:45am Traditional service and the 11:15am Contemporary service here. Please prepare your Communion elements - bread and juice/wine - in advance.
Zoom Coffee Hours: Connect with your Union friends and make new ones during Zoom Coffee Hour at 10:45am and now also 12:15pm. Email Admin for the Zoom link.
FAMILY NEWS
Hunter's memory book & love offering! We will farewell our beloved Youth Director on Sunday, 8 May, as he launches his career as a teacher. Starting this Sunday, you may add notes and photos to his book in Fellowship Hall and consider making a love offering for Hunter.
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 Fellowship Hall.
I once was lost but now am found. Missing anything? Did someone drop off an item months ago for you to pick up? Check out our Lost & Found table in Fellowship Hall or give us a call.
Rice cooker for FIN: Our Family in Need team is serving an individual who needs a rice cooker. Have a new or nearly new one? Please drop it off at the church office.
Annual General Meeting (AGM): All are welcome at our AGM on Saturday, 21 May 2022, 7:00pm at Union Church. People who have been church members for at least six months may vote. Nominations for members of the Committee of Management and Trustees will close on Sunday, 8 May at 8:00pm. Please contact the church office for the nominations form. Kindly return completed forms and the nominee's bio to the church office or email to to the attention of the Honorary Secretary.
THIS WEEK
Women's BSF Pop-up Class, tonight, 28 April: The Passion looks at the last three chapters in Matthew, from the Last Supper to the Great Commission. Two remaining classes are scheduled for 5 and 12 May. To get the Zoom link, please email
Young Adults ReGathering Night, Wednesday, 4 May, 7:30pm: We'd love to have all our young adults join us in-person for a night of fun fellowship. We'll meet at a nearby restaurant for a celebration dinner. Hope to see you there! For more details please contact Dan Tupps.
Women Who Move Mountains studies: We're beginning this new study by Sue Detweiler with two options for ladies: Wednesday lunchtime starting on 4 May and Friday mornings starting 6 May. Learn more and register.
UPCOMING
Halftime Small Group Study, starting 7 May: Aaron & Linda Tan’s small group will embark on a new study that explores the Halftime course over 6 weekly sessions, online, Saturdays, 6pm, starting on 7 May. The Halftime 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.
Young Adults New Study, starting Wednesday, 11 May, 8:00pm: Join us as we start our new study, Be Still. 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.
HK Men's Fellowship Luncheon, Friday, 13 May, 12:00 - 2:00pm: Join us for a special lunch at Madame Fu’s Grand Cafe Chinois. We will celebrate what God has been doing in our lives, and what we will do in the rest of 2022 to lean in to Him and press on to greatness. Cost is $300, seating is limited. Please contact Dan Tupps to register.
Film & Theology, Tuesday, 17 May, 8:00pm, Zoom: Join Chris McKenzie and other movie lovers for this discussion about The Dreamseller. This film features a disillusioned psychologist who tries to commit suicide until he strikes up a friendship with an unlikely saviour who teaches him a new way of living. Watch the film in advance (hint: you'll find it on Netflix) and then Zoom in on the 17th. Register to get the Zoom link.
Creativity Ministry: Let's EAT - a dinner with Jesus, 24 May, 7:30 - 8:30pm, online: This event is for men, women and Young Adults. It will be an evening of spiritual activity designed to be experienced as a group and as an individual. There will be conversation, sharing, visualisation, silence, prayer. Register here.
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 is open!
KINGDOM KIDS
In-person Creche and Children's Church starting from Sunday, 1 May - 9:45am and 11:15am: We are thrilled to welcome our families and children back to church this Sunday. Creche Centre for the littles ones and Children’s Church for children aged 3 years old and above will be available with strict hygiene measures in place and in accordance with government guidelines. Children under the age of 12 are not required to show proof of vaccinations. If they are unaccompanied by an adult, they need to fill out the required declaration form. We greatly appreciate your understanding and kind cooperation as we gather responsibly to worship God.
Online Sunday School, 10:30am: We are also excited to continue our worship and learning about Jesus ONLINE. Children ages 3 to 10 years old are welcome to join us via Zoom. There will be a time of worship, learning about of God’s word, sharing and praying for each other and some games. Please email for the Zoom link.
Kingdom Kids Sunday edition - Intro to Armor of God - is available at the end of the 9:45am and 11:15am worship services on the Union Church website and Facebook page.
Sunday School Registration: Children ages 0-10 years must be registered with our Sunday School. You can find 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 - 29 April, 6:00pm: We're back in-person! Meet at Fini's at 6:00pm for dinner and bring your phone and LeaveHomeSafe app with updated vaccination info (2 vaccinations) or medical exemption. Then we will head over to church for games, a short video and small group discussion. Under 12s do not need to show proof of vaccination. If you are under 12 and unaccompanied by an adult, you will be asked to complete a health declaration. (Also bring any photos or messages for Hunter's memory book - you'll find it in Fellowship Hall.)
In-person Sunday Youth - 1 May, 11:15am, we're meeting at the Union Church Youth Room! We'll continue our series on lesser known figures of the Bible fore Juniors and Seniors. as well as having time to check in with one another, pray and more. Questions? Contact
Confirmation Sunday, 8 May, 11:15am: Calling all Youth to join us in the Union Church Sanctuary to celebrate our confirmands and their step of faith! Please make sure to let Hunter know as soon as possible if you and your family members want to attend this service. We can reserve a limited number of spaces.
MISSIONS
Meet Our Ministry Partners - Home of Loving Faithfulness, in-person, Sunday 8 May: Please welcome representatives of our long-term Ministry Partner, HOLF, in Fellowship Hall on Sunday the 8th. Last Christmas we gave a special offering to HOLF. Learn about the love gift - especially the new sensory garden for the residents - and ways for you to serve at HOLF!
St Barnabas' Society and Home has a wonderful opportunity for the right candidate who will lead a team of 8-10 operational staff, work closely with the Executive Committee, engage donors and lead fundraising events. Learn more here.
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 centres 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!
Light of the World Church and Preschool, Myanmar: Pastor Vum's brother and another relative continue their chemo treatments - thank you for praying for their full restoration. Good news! The five young men who were captured by the army in Kalay have been released from prison - praise the Lord. Please pray for peace for Myanmar and that people come to experience the love and salvation of Jesus Christ.
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 difficult 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
“Thomas: Rescued by God" Watch last week's message by Rev. Dr. Michele Bland
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