U Matters

Love is in the air at Union Church. Hunter, our Youth Director, wed Jess one month ago and by all reports he is indeed a happily married man! On Saturday, September 7th, Dr. Joyce Wu, our Assistant Worship Director, will marry Joshua Chen at Chung Chi College Chapel at 1:30pm and you are invited! We rejoice with these new couples and wish them decades of love, peace, joy and happiness.

The well-known love passage, found in 1 Corinthians 13, is a passage that is often read at weddings, however, in this passage the Apostle Paul is really addressing everyone in the church (not only couples). The text is a practical reminder of how we are to express love to others.

"Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn&rsqu o;t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end."

Love never dies. (The Message)

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) May God, through His Spirit, enable us to love others in a way that is honoring to Him.

With love,

Pastor Michele

 

ReCharge Returns!

Beginning Sept 11, we’re kicking off a new season of ReCharge. Join us for dinner, worship and study together on Wednesday nights, 7:00-9:00 pm.
Study opportunities include:
- Revelation, led by Chris Fung
- The Gospel According to Jonah, led by Monte Peterson
- The Keys to a Blessed Life (Young Adults), led by Timothy Ng, Joshua Ng, KK Ip and Ken Morrison
- Lord of the Rings and the Gospel (Youth), led by Hunter Purvis
- Alpha, led by Patrick Wilson
- Stephen’s Ministry Supervision, Pastor Michele


Invitation for Lunch:
Come and learn about Yemen and hear about how you can be a part of the journey!
Hemyar Saad, one of our Union Church congregants, who is originally from Yemen, has been accepted to the University of Sunderland in Hong Kong! Hemyar is the recipient of many awards in the city, including The Loop's 'Top 30 Under 30' (2019), was chosen to be a "fellow" of Resolve (2017/2018) and has established NGO, 'Learning Together'. Since coming to Hong Kong five years ago he has also learned English and graduated from high school (2019). We are thrilled that he has been accepted to University and invite you to help support the next leg of his journey. Join us for lunch on Sunday September 1st, at 12:30 in the sanctuary and learn more about him, the situation in Yemen and how you can make a difference in someone's life. Please sign up in the foyer or email for details. RSVP for lunch.
Prayer. All are welcome to join us for weekly prayer.
Tuesday Morning Prayer - 7:30am
Wednesday Discernment Prayer - 7:00-8:00pm
Sunday prayer for the city after each of the worship services

175th Anniversary

175th Anniversary Trip: DATE CHANGE. We will now be going to Xishuang Banna, Yunnan province, China from 20th - 23rd September. Our preliminary plans are: Friday - travel; Saturday - mission activities; Sunday - fellowship; Monday - travelling back. Please note that this visit is for adults only. To sign up or obtain for more information, please email Yan Yu ( or Brian Woo ( )

Worship and Celebration Service: Saturday, 19th October at Methodist International Church - all welcome. Please sign up at the Welcome Table. 
 

Prayer. All are welcome to join us for weekly prayer.
Tuesday Morning Prayer - 7:30am
Wednesday Discernment Prayer - 7:00-8:00pm
Sunday prayer for the city after each of the worship services

Opportunities

Prayer and Discernment for Union Church - Wednesday, 7:00PM to 8:15PM

Prayer & Discernment Update. The Prayer & Discernment Group continued to meet throughout the summer and as people return from travel, we encourage the community to join the group on Wednesday evenings at 7PM. Those who attended the 23rd March AGM and/or church meeting on 9th June, learned that the Prayer & Discernment Group was created to support Union Church with entering a time of Healing, Waiting on the Lord, and a Season of Stillness. We have clearly discerned that the first priority is to prayerfully seek greater alignment and healing to deepen our trust and become a more Christ-centred community. As such, we have not discerned that we should be in any hurry to commence a search for a Senior Pastor. We believe that unless we first "put our house in order" and seek deep healing through unified prayers, old strongholds will remain entrenched, and issues that have surfaced at various times in Union Church' s past, wi ll recur, in various forms. We can be likened to the Israelites, who waited to move only when the fire by night or the cloud by day led them to go forward. We firmly believe the Lord is telling us to 'wait' before we move forward towards a search. Meanwhile, God is doing great things at Union Church. We are working with Pastor Michele to ensure that the staffing is suitably resourced and that ministries are properly supported. We welcome all to pray as a community while we wait on the Lord to lead us forward.

Welcome & Welcome Back Lunches
Save the date, 8th September. All are welcome. Diners pay. Feel free to go direct to the venue or walk with the host. Sign up at the Welcome Table.

Alpha Returns! Bring your friends, relatives and colleagues to the first session on Wednesday, 25 September at 7:00PM! Sign up at the Welcome Table. Reservation or info contact Alpha.

Marriage Course is back after summer!!
Build a marriage that lasts. Tuesday nights from 15 October to 26 November 2019. 7:00PM to 9:30PM. Fellowship Hall of Union Church
Whether you are newly married or been married for years, this course offers a lifetime of practical ideas and tools to help keep your relationship strong. The course runs for 7 weeks + 1 further week if we have a social gathering. It is based on Christian principles but is designed for ALL couples with or without a church background. The course is structured like a date night between each couple - there is no group sharing - just a romantic 3 course dinner which is served for you, a talk with videos and private discussions between yourselves as a couple.
Cost $1,800/couple including course materials and all the dinners.
For registration, please click or contact Joanna Yau at or sign up at the Welcome Table.

Sunday Lunch Study: Beginning Sunday, Sept 15, we will start off the year talking about Jonah, the Prodigal Prophet. Much more than just a cute children’s story, Jonah’s story teaches us about God’s surprising call, God’s faithfulness when we stray, and God’s extraordinary love and mercy. 12:30-2:00 pm, Youth Room. Lunch provided, $50 suggested donation.

Midweek Lunch Studies
Ezekiel: The Book of Ezekiel has had significant influence over apocalyptic traditions in both Judaism and Christianity. Come learn about this major prophet and his messages of judgement, repentance, salvation and restoration for a people in exile. Led by Yan Yu, meeting for 10 weeks on Tuesdays, 12:30-2:00 pm, in the Union Church youth room. Bring your own lunch. Begins Sept 3. Sign up at the Welcome Table or Contact Yan Yu ( ).
The Gospel According to Jonah, led by Monte Peterson. (see description above) Room 2, Tuesdays, 12:30-2:00 pm. Bring your own lunch. Begins Sept 10.

Union Book Group
Mark your calendars--Union Book Group will meet again Tuesday October 8, 7:30 pm. Our first book is The Reason, by William Sirls, a novel where the characters struggle with questions like Where is God when bad things happen? Does God ignore the prayers of the faithful? Books will be available at the Welcome Table by Sept 8. Contact Monte Peterson or Tess Lyons with questions.

Right Now Media
We’re excited to give you free access to RightNow Media, a wonderful library of video resources for all ages to help you develop and grow as both a disciple of Jesus and disciple-maker.
Link to join:https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/UnionChurch

Sunday School Teachers Needed
Kingdom Kids needs adults who would love to serve and devote their time and energy for our children. We provide Gospel-centered curriculum, training, supplies and the kids. You get the incredible blessing of investing in kids and growing closer to Jesus with them. We are still in need of 1 lead teacher each for the 6-7 years old and 8-9 years old classes at the 9.45am service, and 2 lead teachers each for the 3-5 years old and 10 years old classes at the 11.15am service. Contact JACKLIEN ( )

Sons & Daughters
Sons & Daughters share God's love with men and women in the red-light districts of Hong Kong. They have asked for our assistance with providing practical items, such as food, toiletries, and household items, for use in their drop-in centre and family home. If you are willing to donate ite ms, please see the list of items needed at the Welcome Table.

Justice Focus (7 September, Hong Kong)
https://www.thejusticeconferenceasia.com/hongkong2019
In Hong Kong a new mini-event is being launched under the Justice Conference banner called JUSTICE FOCUS, which is a short half-day burst looking at three local justice issues. Under the theme 'Restoring Brokenness' they are working with 'Mother’s Choice', 'KELY Support', and 'Voice of Prisoners' to examine practical issues they are facing in their justice work and through a process of collaborative group engagement will produce ideas and strategies to help vulnerable children, troubled youth, and rejected offenders. You can get more details and sign up on The Justice Conference Asia website.

Bless Our Schools Sunday
Join "Moms and Prayer" on "Bless Our Schools Sunday", 22 September (9:45am and 11:15am) and pray for congregation members who are students, teachers, school staff or education leaders. Visit their website www.momsinprayer.org, contact Irene Cheung, or WhatsApp 91481545

Join the Union Team:
We are looking for a Young Adults Director, Assistant Youth Director, Children's Ministry Assistant and a Crèche Coordinator. Please contact stating which role you are interested in. We will contact you with more information about the role.

ReCharge will resume on 11 September

Small Group

Small 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. 

Ladies

Fertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and support? Contact Sonia Lee.

Baptism and Membership

If you have been attending Union Church for a while and have never gone through the official process to become a member, now is your chance! Please collect a green form and make it official!

If you have never been baptised and are interested, please see Pastor Michele.  

Youth

Youth Summer Program
We will be having weekly events for Youth this summer.
The next event is detailed below:
What - Prayer Walk for Hong Kong
When - Friday August 30, 6-8PM
Where - Union Church @ Sunlight Tower

We will be meeting at Sunlight Tower on Friday and then proceeding on a prayer walk through Wan Chai to Admiralty where we will board the tram (at Pacific Place) to transport us back to Church. This is a great opportunity for Youth to be involved in our work of prayer for our city.

We encourage parents to join us for the prayer walk - it is a terrific opportunity to participate in a church activity with your youth and also see how Youth Group operates. Please RSVP to Hunter if you are able to attend.

Following our return to Church we will have dinner, games and then dismissal.

KIM Manila Mission Trip 2019
You are invited to join this year's mission trip to KIM in Manila, Philippines. We will be working in conjunctions with Kids International Ministries to continue an ambitious school building project in the local area.
Cost: $5000, includes flights, food/accommodation and donation to KIM for building supplies etc.
Details: October 4-7, open to all members of the congregation. Please email us at if you have any questions.

Kingdom Kids

'ROAR’ VBS SUNDAY SCHOOL, 1 September, 9:45AM and 11:15AM
Join us for our ROAR VBS Sunday School FINALE! Kids will explore God's goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith through worship and fun activities. Children are welcome to bring friends.

Sunday School 2018/2019 Registration
All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Crèche Center MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form HERE. Registration Forms are also available at the Welcome Table. Please note that this registration is good for the school year August, 2019 to June, 2020. Your child/children will be assigned only one (1) class (i.e., 5 yrs old, 10 yrs old) for this whole period in accordance with our age brackets.

Filipino Ministry

1:00PM - 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.

Stephen's Ministry

Are you Going Through a Difficult Time?

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 ( ).

Family In Need

If you would like to help support our family in need ministry, which helps people monthly with basic needs, please mark your envelope "FIN".

Last Week Sermons

"Come Unto Me" by Dr. Peter Lim

Protest/Weather Procedures

In the light of the recent protests and their impact on Hong Kong, we need to ensure the safety of our congregation and staff. We will always try to hold our services as normal, but we will implement the following procedures for our Sunday services when needed:

• All services will proceed as normal as long as there is no protest planned for the area directly around Sunlight Tower.

• In case of spontaneous events that might impact our congregation coming to Church, then our staff will make a decision on whether to suspend services. An email will be sent to all of our members to inform them of which services will be suspended.

We will try wherever possible to give as much notice as possible should we feel the need to suspend any service. Please make sure that you check your email before setting off for Church. You can help us by ensuring that we have your most up to date contact information. If you think your information may be incorrect, please contact .

At this time, we would also like to remind you of our Typhoon/Severe Weather policy:

All Church activities remain unchanged when tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 or 3 is hoisted. They will also be unaffected by the amber or red rainstorm warning signals.

When the Hong Kong Observatory issues a ‘Pre No.8 Typhoon Warning Signal’ on a Sunday, we will complete any service taking place and ask people to leave the Church and make their way home. Services planned for after this will be suspended

When the black rainstorm warning signal or tropical cyclone warning signal number 8 or above is hoisted on a Sunday before 07:30am, all Church activities (Worship services, Classes, Youth and Children’s programs etc.) scheduled at 9:45am or before will be cancelled. If the signal is subsequently lowered 2 hours before the 11:15AM service, the 11:15AM service will be held as scheduled. If the signal is lowered after 1pm, the Church will remain closed for the rest of the day.