U Matters
Reflecting on the week there seems to be no better time than now to be joining with other believers throughout the city to fast and pray. There is a lot going on. Students are making their way back to the classrooms, other students are finished and yet due to the pandemic are uncertain of their future. Churches are busy making arrangements to resume on-site yet with limited capacity and the city is abuzz with a lot of questions, worries and concerns about the future. We have a lot to pray for.
For some of us fasting is familiar and comfortable, for others it is rather daunting. Fasting is a spiritual disciple that enables us to see more of God’s fullness. It is an opportunity to repent, pray and meditate on God’s word. It is an opportunity to be still with God and to ask the Holy Spirit to stir us, to awaken our churches and heal our city.
Typically people fast food, but according to Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose.” For those with a health condition or those who find abstinence from food difficult, consider fasting from technology, computer time, social media, or face book. You may want to start small and fast for one day or two meals per day.
The point is that we humble ourselves and pray. That we meditate on God’s word. That we lift our concerns for ourselves, our churches and our city before the living God. Prayer is powerful. Prayer is speaking and it is also listening. Here are a few verses you may wish to meditate on this weekend. Psalm 48:9-10; Psalm 103:1-5; 11-13; 1 John 5:14-15; 1 John 1:9
In whatever way works for you, let’s be intentional to join other believers in Hong Kong to fast and pray this weekend - May 28-31st. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Praying, Pastor Michele
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS:
Last week, our church family should have received a letter dated 20 May 2020 on behalf of the Joint Leaders in which they are recommending to the congregation that Pastor Michele become our next Senior Pastor. This recommendation follows more than a year of being still, waiting on the Lord, praying and discerning His next steps for our church. The letter describes the journey during which we believe God has led us to make this recommendation. In the week following the release of the letter, the Deacons have also been arranging meetings with Small Groups and ministry teams to hear their comments and to answer questions. There will be another opportunity to engage with leaders and ask questions during the informal family meeting at Union Church this coming Sunday, 31 May at 12:30pm. Your views are important and we hope you can attend. The letter also mentions our forthcoming Annual General Meeting planned for 27 June 2020 and all are welcome. Further details of the AGM will be mentioned at the family meeting this Sunday and will also be noted in subsequent issues of Acts@22A leading up to the AGM. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday which is also Pentecost Sunday!
On behalf of Union Church, we would like to thank our creative and committed AV team. Your professionalism and faithfulness to us during this season has been greatly appreciated.
Thank you Rob & Betty Porter, Andy Szombathy, Nico and Santi Espinosa, Barbara Yorks, Sophia Jeter, Perla Balisong.
Nominations for COM members and Trustees will close on Sunday 7th June at 8:00PM. If you wish to nominate someone, please collect a form from the Church office. You will need their agreement and a seconder. Please return the form to the office.
Please check our website and your email for latest news.
Sunday Worship: We are delighted to announce that the Government has given permission for Churches to worship in person. We will start this Sunday, 31st of May, and will hold three services: 8:45AM, 9:45AM, 11:15AM and a 3:00PM for our Filipino service. Please note that there are conditions to allowing us to worship together. The following criteria must be met: reduce to 50% capacity on the floor, temperature check on arrival, wearing masks, no food or drink allowed and we will keep a record of attendees. Please arrive in plenty of time to sign your health declaration (or download it HERE and bring it with you). We are restricted in numbers please consider joining the 8:45AM service if you are able. Please note we will stream the 9:45 and 11:15 services at the Hotel Indigo if we surpass numbers. You are also welcome to worship from home, we will be streaming the 9:45AM and 11:15AM services via our website, app, Facebook page and YouTube.
Fast for the city: please join all the churches in Hong Kong as together we pray and fast for the city - May 28-30. No sign up, no set format. You may chose to fast a meal or a day- up to you. Let’s unite our hearts in prayer as we pray together for our city
World Refugee Day is on! We are pleased that the live event is planned to proceed on 20 June (Sat) at Kowloon Union Church, 4 Jordan Road, Kowloon, 3-5PM. We hope to see you all there.
ReCharge:
We have THREE options for Wednesday night ReCharge; all 8-9PM:
Missions:
Last Sunday we learnt more about Union Church's Kindness Walk in our neighbourhood. If you would like to find out more, please contact the Missions committee.
COVID-19 has hit the Philippines hard! Union Church is raising funds to help ICM and the poor in the Philippines. HK$300 supplies 1000 meals. Please consider giving generously using the QR code and state ICM:
Sons & Daughters, our neighbours in Wan Chai, share God's love with the women and men of the red light districts throughout Hong Kong. They are looking for volunteers for their Outreach and Drop-in teams. If you're interested, please email
. They are also in need of food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, electronics, and board games. If you're interested in making a donation, please see the items needed at: https://forms.gle/
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.
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.
Friday Youth Group – May 29. We are back at Sunlight Tower this week! Youth are invited to join us at Union Church this Friday for our first in-person Youth Group in a long time. There are some restrictions, but we are excited to come together for different activities and it will be a great time to reconnect.
What: Fellowship Night
When: All youth are invited to join us at 6PM. Juniors (11-13) will be dismissed at 7:30PM. Seniors (14-18) will be dismissed at 9PM.
Details: There will be no dinner provided, so please make plans to either eat before or after. Youth are required to wear masks, and there will be guidelines on distance between youth when seated etc. All youth will also be asked to sign a Health Declaration form when entering.
Sunday Discussion – May 31. This Sunday Union Church will be back to in-person worship for the first time in a while. Youth are invited at 11:15 to join Ian and volunteers downstairs at the 6th floor veranda to read scripture together and discuss.
Kingdom Kids
CRECHE & SUNDAY SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS for Sunday 31 May 2020 and until further notice:
Creche Centre will be open with restricted capacity. For children aged 3 years old above, Veggie Tales Movies will be shown in room 2&3 with strict hygiene measures and in accordance with the government guidelines. We greatly appreciate your understanding and kind cooperation as we gather and worship God responsibly.
ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Senior Students (10 years old and above): Fruit of the Spirit Bible study, every Saturday via Zoom, from 4 - 5 pm.
6 years old and above students: Books of the Bible study, every Sunday via Zoom, from 10.45 am - 11.30 am.
3-5 years old students: Kingdom Kids Sunday edition, through Union Church website, app and Facebook, at the end of the 9.45 am and 11.15 am service.
Sunday School 2019/2020 Registration & Zoom Link to Online Sunday School :
All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Center 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
Stephen's Ministry
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".
"Faith in Uncertain Times" Pastor Michele.