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U MattersThe Greatest Commandment and the Ten Commandments sum up our role as Christians well. In short, we are to worship God and build up the body of Christ. In so many ways this week I witnessed members of our congregation doing this. Many gathered Sunday to worship, some came to pray on Tuesday morning and Wednesday night, others set up WhatsApp prayer chains to pray for the sick and the broken-hearted, some visited the hospital and brought food. We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
This week, I also overheard a conversation with Jeff Rotmeyer (Impact HK) and Hemyer (our friend from Yemen) discussing an upcoming Kindness Walk. Jeff asked Hemyer, “so how many people are you bringing on the walk?” Hemyer replied, “30.” Jeff, “what? 13?.” Hemyer, “no, 30.” Jeff, “30?” Hemyer, “yes there are 30 people who want to come and bless the people of Hong Kong.” I stood amazed. Hemyer, an aslymn seeker, gathering 30 aslymn seekers and refugees to go and help the homeless of Hong Kong. WOW –such power and influence in the body of Christ. We all play such an important part in building up the body of Christ and when we do, God is glorified. There is healing and transformation when we work together.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Michele
Information AvailablePlease help yourself to a copy of our Annual Report from the Welcome Table.
This WeekWelcome New COM members:
Thank you to those who came to the AGM last Saturday. For our leaders for leading, for our various committees for sharing and serving, and for all the yummy food. Your presence was important. We give thanks for those willing to serve. The congregation re-elected Trevor Tam, Andrew Lo, Anson Wang, Julianna Rotmeyer, Timothy Ng and George Ding and we welcome the newly elected, Bronwyn Alexander, Michael Birley, Doris Cheung, and Jonathan Ah-Weng. We give thanks to those who have served this past year: Peter Fishwick, Amie Moriarty, Jimmy Phua, John Jamison and Drew Foster.
Peace Box 2019 Campaign
This is the last Sunday to drop off your Peace Box. Thank you so much for joining us in blessing children from under-privileged families and the elderly living alone by contributing a box filled with necessities.
Kindly drop off your Peace box/es with Ms. Cary at the Welcome Table.
Lent & EasterApril 14th, Palm Sunday Services - 8:45AM, 9:45AM, 11:15AM, 5:15PM
April 19th, Good Friday Service - 3:00PM
April 21st, Easter Sunrise Service at 22A Kennedy road - 7:00AM
April 21st, Easter Services at Sunlight Tower
- 9:45AM & 11:15AM : Easter Brass and Choir
- 5:15PM : Easter Praise
"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:
OpportunitiesElderly Visit to China Coast Community English speaking home on Easter Monday, 22 April 2:00PM-3:00PM, in Kowloon Tong
We build friendships and touch residents' lives with the love of Christ through connecting with singing and activities and chat.
Limited sign ups - we welcome 6 more with hearts to bless the elderlies!
Contact: Theresa Cheung 9380 4037
Bless the City - Save the Date! On Saturday, 4 May, 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.
Collecting: Airline Toiletry kits and Hotel toiletries - note that kits can be brand new OR partially used! As part of Bless the City, we will be working with the Amber Foundation to assemble toiletry kits for Sons and Daughters and other ministries. Whether you are spring cleaning or spring traveling, bring these items to church during the month of April and we'll put them to good use!
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.
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
Prayer for Discernment for Union Church
This season of ReCharge goes until 10 April, and after an Easter break, will resume 8 May. Watch for announcements regarding the next group of studies!
A Discernment Prayer Group is meeting on Wednesday evenings as part of Recharge. The purpose of this group is to pray and discern the next season of Union Church Our prayer resulting from these discernment evenings, is that we not only step forward in God's time with the search for a new senior pastor, but we also discern God’s will and desired shape for Union Church in anticipation of returning to 22A Kennedy Road. It is imperative that we are Christ-centred and truly understand what God is calling Union Church to do, and who to lead us. Anyone feeling called to participate can join these prayer and discernment sessions.
LadiesFertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and 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 Room 2 and 3 after the 11:15AM service. On 31 March, we are talking about Jesus' shortest statement from the cross: "I thirst." What is it we thirst for?
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.
YouthNO Friday Youth Group – 29 March
Due to the Church Family Retreat (see here for more details) we will not have Youth Group this Friday.
Sunday Youth Group – 31 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.
Wednesday Youth Bible Study
7:00PM Dinner and Worship
7:45PM – 9:00PM Bible Study
The subject of our Bible study will be the Parables of Jesus.
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: Relationship" by Antonin Ficatier
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