U Matters

It has been a tense week filled with uncertainty, emotion and disbelief. As we look at Hong Kong, we watch, we pray, and we wait. As we watch the news, there is so much we do not know and there are so many unanswered questions. In effect, we are in a season of waiting.

Many of us can relate to waiting and, truth be told, we are not very good at it. We have grown accustomed to immediate gratification. We want it now – or in some cases yesterday. But we wait. We wait on the markets, we wait on medical results, we wait to graduate, we wait for direction, we wait for new roles, we wait for Mr. or Mrs. Right; we wait.

Waiting isn’t easy but it is how we wait that is important. We can wait in fear, we can wait in despair, we can wait in worry and anxiety or we can wait prayerfully trusting in the only thing that can sustain us, our church and our city – God. The Psalmist writes,

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
   from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
   for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:1-2;5-7

While we wait, let’s continue to be engaged. Consider caring for your marriage (new course starts soon), praying for the 30+ going to Manila on a mission’s trip this weekend or consider connecting with a small group as we kick off a new series on Jonah, (Tim Keller’s book Prodigal Prophet available at the welcome table Sunday).

Whatever it is you are waiting for, may God give you courage, comfort and peace, 

Pastor Michele


ReCharge

Join us for dinner, worship and study together on Wednesday nights, 7:00-9:00 pm.
Study opportunities include:
- The Gospel According to Jonah,  facilitator: Monte Peterson
- The Keys to a Blessed Life (Young Adults), facilitators: Timothy Ng, Joshua Ng, KK Ip and Ken Morrison
- Lord of the Rings and the Gospel (Youth), facilitator: Hunter Purvis
- Alpha, facilitator: Patrick Wilson
- Stephen’s Ministry Supervision, facilitator: Pastor Michele
- Revelation, facilitator: Chris Fung is NOT meeting in October, but will return November 13.
 

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

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

 

Opportunities

Jonah: The Prodigal Prophet
Starting in October, Union will kick off a sermon series about Jonah. Much more than just a children's story, Jonah teaches us about running away from and answering God's call, and about just how big and unexpected God's mission is. Pick up your copy of Tim Keller's book, the Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God's Mercy, available at the welcome table for $100.

Invitation for Lunch:
Come and learn more about Myanmar and Laos and hear about how you can pray for the future pastors there!
You might have noticed some new faces at Union since the beginning of September. Six students from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tao Fung Shan, Shatin have been helping with our Sunday School. Their names are Mung Dang, Ling Naing, Langh Cin Kim, Mung Ngaih Lian, Maninout and Soe Saing. Five of them are from Myanmar and one from Laos. The Missions Committee would love to invite the congregation to join us for lunch on Sunday October 20th at 12:30 PM in the sanctuary and learn more about these students, their faith, their communities, and how we can pray for them. Please sign up in the foyer or email for details. RSVP for lunch.

Evangelism Workshop
Scripture says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15).
Yan Yu is going to lead a group in a relaxed workshop to practice sharing our faith in everyday conversations. We will reflect on why we evangelise, before practicing in pairs. We will then discuss as a group any difficulties we have come across. Our prayer is that our Union Church congregation will indeed be prepared to witness our faith to others and will do so "with gentleness and respect".
Sunday, October 27, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM. Light lunch provided. Sign up at the Welcome Table or online.

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-centred 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 for the 6-7 years old at the 9:45 AM service, and 1 lead teacher for the 10 years old class at the 11:15 AM service. Contact JACKLIEN ( ).

Marriage Course
Build a marriage that lasts. Tuesday nights from 15 October to 26 November 2019. 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. 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.

Midweek Lunch Studies
It's not too late to join either of our Tuesday lunch studies, on Ezekiel or Jonah! BYO Lunch
Ezekiel led by Yan Yu, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM. Youth room. 
The Gospel According to Jonah, led by Monte Peterson. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM. Room 2.

Union Book Group
Mark your calendars - - Union Book Group will meet again Tuesday October 15 at 7:30PM. 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 are available at the Welcome Table. Contact Monte Peterson.

Right Now Media
We're excited to give your 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

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 items, please see the list of items needed at the Welcome Table.

The 2019 Fall Walk to Emmaus
The Men's walk (WTE#81) will be from 4-7 October. The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal movement dedicated to strengthening our local Hong Kong churches and communities through the development of mature Christian disciples and leaders. If you are interested or have any questions, please ask Nick Appel or Charles Schmitt. Please go to https://hkwalktoemmaus.org/ for information about signing up.

SAVE THE DATE:
Halftime Summit: Friday, 25 Oct 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM and Saturday, 26 Oct 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
What would give my life more meaning? What is God's plan for the second half of my life? The Halftime Summit is designed to help you clarify your core abilities and passions and help you discover creative ways to channel your passions and talents toward Kingdom-significance. Facilitated by Halftime leaders, for more inforamtion contact Andrew Lo:  or go to halftime.org

One Worship, 17 November 2019.

The 5th Annual Ladies Retreat will be held in Penang on Friday February 28th to Monday March 2nd. There are early and late flights available to accommodate individual preferences. Hope you can join us. Details are forming if interested let us know by signing up at the welcome table.

Prayer and Discernment for Union Church - Wednesday, 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM or 7:45 PM to 9:00 PM.

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, will 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. 

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

Small Groups

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

NO Friday Youth Group - Friday October 4
There will be no Friday Youth Group this week

Sunday Youth Group - Sunday October 6
Youth can attend at either 9:45 AM or 11:15 AM in Indigo Hotel 29/F
Juniors (11-13) will be following the Be Bold curriculum, dealing with big questions around their faith.
Seniors (14-18) will be following the Bible Project series on Spiritual Beings.

NO Wednesday Recharge - October 9
There will be no Wednesday Recharge this coming week.

Kingdom Kids 

Hallelujah Party, SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, 2 November, 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Kingdom Kids invite Union Church families and friends with children aged 1 to 11 years old to join us for our annual family "Hallelujah Party". There will be a live performance by Dove Tales Theatre Co titled Daniel in the Lion's Den and lots of games, prizes, face painting, cotton candy and snacks. Please sign up at CHILDREN MINISTRY or at the Welcome Table - with the number of people coming we would appreciate it if you could bring baked goods and/or savouries to share (NUT Free).

Children's Christmas Musical, SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, 8 December, 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM services
We are excited to inform you that this year Children's Christmas Musical will take place on Sunday, 8 December 2018 at both the 9:45 AM and the 11:15 AM services.
Important dates for this year Christmas Musical Rehearsals:
Audition - Sunday, 13 & 27 Oct
Sunday Rehearsals - Sundays, 27 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 1 Dec
First Dress Rehearsal - Sunday, 1 Dec, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Second Dress Rehearsal - Saturday, 7 Dec, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM

More details on our Children's Christmas Musical will be emailed to all the parents with registered kids in our Sunday School. If you have not yet registered your children with us, kindly do so at your earliest convenience.

Sunday School 2019/2020 Registration
We would appreciate it if you could kindly register your children HERE. All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Center MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at or 21010414. Thank you.
 

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 (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".
 

Last Week's Sermons

"Encountering God in Creation" by Dr. Jonathan Moo

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.