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U MattersThe past few months I have been praying for friends looking for new jobs. What I have discovered is that my friends do not enjoy waiting. They want (and in some cases need) quick answers from organisations and companies that take their time. For two of them, the wait is over and they are enjoying great new opportunities. But the patience and preparation the remaining job seekers exhibit has been a wonderful witness to me. To be honest, few of us are very good at waiting. This Sunday we begin the season of Advent, “a time of expectant waiting and preparation” for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Advent can be a time of a great spiritual learning but it is too easy to miss as we rush toward Christmas. Let’s take time to reflect, pray, and grow and we prepare to celebrate the coming (meaning of the term Advent) of Christ. |
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This WeekHearing from God in the Season of Advent: Rev. Dr. John Yates will help us slow down and listen as we enter a busy season of preparation. John is a retired Anglican minister, but he and Donna have variously been involved in Pentecostal, Baptist, Lutheran and Evangelical churches. John has been both a parish minister and theological lecturer, but spends much of his time these days in giving spiritual direction, with a “prophetic edge” to a wide range of people, lay and ordained. He is also chair of the Evangelical Alliance in Australia. His writings can be found on www.cross-connect.net.au Saturday, 2 December at 10:00AM. Sign up at the Welcome Table or email Monte Peterson.
December Communion, 3 December, Advent I The Sanctuary Choir with orchestra, will present "Sing Joy to All the World" by Lloyd Larson at 9:45AM and 11:15AM services. The Sermon and Communion will be celebrated at 8:45AM, 11:15AM U-Cafe, 11:15AM U-Bar and 5:15PM services. Hong Kong Gospel Festival 2017, International Session, Sunday, 3 December at 10:00AM The aim is to share the gospel with those who are yet to believe in God and accept God as their savior. Speaker: Rev. John Snelgrove (Founding Pastor of The Vine Church, English Ministry Lead Pastor of Kong Fok Church) Testimony Guests: Tracy Trinita (Indonesia’s First Supermodel and Speaker for RZIM Asia); Bobby Febian (Indonesian Gospel Singer and Preacher, Founder and Lead Singer of Oneway Band Indonesia) Venue: Hong Kong Stadium For more info/admission tickets, please visit: http://hkgospelfestival.org/?page_id=3427 Science and Faith: Friend or Foe?: Come hear Dr. Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director of The Faraday Institute, St. Edmund's College, Cambridge. Tuesday, 5 December at 7:00PM. Light dinner followed by talk and Q&A. A great opportunity to bring your friends! Pew Bibles & Hymnals (Rejoice and Sing printed “Union Church Hong Kong”) If you would like a copy, please pick one up at the Welcome Table today. Missions“Walk-the-Wall”, Saturday, 2 December 2017
International China Concern, a Union supported charity helping abandoned disabled children in China, is organising its annual walkathon “Walk-the-Wall” on 2 December 2017, a 9km leisure walk along the Mount Parker Road Green Trail from Quarry Bay to Tai Tam. Bring your family, friends, colleagues & small groups to this enjoyable hike, while raising funds for China’s neediest children! Sign up https://www.walkthewall.org/hongkong/ Hand-made Wool Slippers For years we have worked with Flourishing Futures in Mongolia. This Christmas I have purchased eight felt slippers for family members. These hand-made wool slippers provide an income for Mongolian women. Siew Ling, our contact person, has shipped a bag full of slippers (adult size) to Union. They cost HK$120. We will have them for sale at the church starting this Sunday. StewardshipUS TAXPAYER Please send your cheques to our Church Admin Office latest by 31 December 2017, otherwise your donation will not be recognized in the 2017 tax year. Thank you for your continuous support to Union Church. Online Giving“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” Malachi 3:10 All of your giving, including tithes, offerings and special gifts for Missions, can be paid online via our website or mobile app. The church has made this possible in order to make giving more convenient for our congregation. If you have any questions about online giving, feel free to write to accounts or call 21010415. Thank you for your continued faithful giving.
December Service Schedule UpdateU-Café Services will be held throughout December.
Please Note: There will be no U-Bar Service at Hotel Indigo on December 17, 24, 31.
Opportunities“Follow That Star Ferry” Children’s Christmas Musical - Save the Date: 10 December 2017
This year’s Christmas Musical, our Sunday School children will be performing the Nativity with the theme “Follow That Star Ferry”. Infused with some local HK flavour and filled with lots of fun scenes, the children will be sharing this wonderful news of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ for all to hear. We invite all children from ages 3 to 10 years old to join us and be a part of this wonderful time of the year. The Christmas Musical rehearsals takes place every Sunday until the 3rd of December at both the 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM services. During this period of time, please bring your children directly to ROOM 3 and kindly pick them up again from the same room.
Crèche Center, every Sunday from 8:30AM to 12:30PM
Dear parents of children ages 0 up to 3 years old, please note that for the month of December the Creche Center will be re-located to Room 1 due to Christmas Programs. We appreciate your kind understanding and cooperation. In addition, please leave the baby strollers at the designated stroller parking area which can be found at the church main entrance door in order to keep the Creche Center clean and safe for babies to use. Prayer for Union Come lift up the needs of Union Church. Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30AMfor a time of prayer in the sanctuary.
Family in NeedIf anyone has a weight scale at home they are not using or would be willing to donate, there is someone in the congregation who could use one. If so, please contact a member of the Families in Need Committee: Charles Schmitt, Isabel Morrison, Brian Woo or Pastor Michele. Thank you.
ServeIf you are looking for a place to serve at Union Church Pastor Michele would love to chat!
With growing services, especially at 11:15AM service, we have 4 locations operational at the same time, we could really use your help in the usher greeter team. Options: Main sanctuary (4 people needed each Sunday; welcoming, actively seating; offering); Door (this is a meet and greet -traffic control -directing people -children, bathrooms, services etc) Foyer (front line of Union Church -welcoming, directing people to Hotel Indigo when the 18/F is full) If you can help once a month it would be greatly appreciated. MembershipThere is no better time than NOW to become a member at Union Church. If interested in membership, please see or contact Pastor Michele or Pastor Greg for details.
Small GroupLooking for a small group? There are some great options available. Women, Intergenerational, Men - check out the brochure.
YouthFriday Youth Group, 1 December – Youth Christmas Banquet
This Friday, we are hosting our annual Youth Christmas Banquet! If your youth is interested in helping out on the night, please contact the Youth team ASAP! Sunday Youth Group, 3 December – just10
Youth of all ages are welcome from 9:45AM to 10:45AM, in the Youth Room. Every week we follow the “just10” curriculum. This week is about Commandment #2, and we talk about Knowing God. Upcoming Big Youth Events
Friday, 8 December: RESOUND (inter-city Youth Ministry Night) Friday, 15 December: Christmas Party Youth activities
Are you a youth and want to be involved in our youth group? There are many ways you can be involved: Youth Group (Friday, Sunday), Youth Band, Christian Clubs, Confirmation etc. Questions? Email YOUTH
Kingdom KidsFirst Dress Rehearsal, Sunday, 3 December 12:30PM to 2:30PM
This Sunday we will have our first Dress Rehearsal (without costume) for our Christmas Musical and Pizza lunch will be provided for all the children and volunteers. Children are still required to attend the regular Sunday rehearsal during the 9:45AM & 11:15AM services. We would appreciate it if you could drop of your children for the Dress Rehearsal at 12:30PM sharp at Room 3 and kindly pick them up again in the same place at 2.30PM. CHRISTMAS MUSICAL IMPORTANT DATES: * Final Dress Rehearsal (with costumes): Saturday, 9 December from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM * Performance Date: Sunday, 10 December at 9:45AM & 11:15AM services. Christmas Musical Costumes Pick Up Arrangement * Sunday, 3 December: Age group 3-5 year old, Main Cast and others who have not pick up their costume. Community Outreach * HOLF Mini Christmas Musical, Saturday 16 Dec, 1:00PM to 5:00PM. Join us as we bring the joy of our Children’s Christmas Musical to the residence and staff at Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF). We will meet at Sunlight Tower at 12.45PM and a bus will take us the the HOLF Center at 1:15PM and we should arrive back at Union Church around 5:00PM. * St. Barnabas Home & Society Kids Program, Sunday 17 Dec, 4:30PM to 6:30PM. Join us as we celebrate Christmas with the wonderful kids from the St. Barnabas Home & Society Kids Program. St. Barnabas Home & Society cares for the underprivileged families and homeless people in Hong Kong. We will meet at St. Barnabas Center at 4:00PM. We would also like to bless the children with Christmas gifts so if you would like to contribute toys or educational gifts for children ages 5 to 14 years old that would be so wonderful. Kindly wrapped your gifts and marked with post it paper of the gender, age and type of gift and pass it to Children Ministry staff starting from this Sunday. For more info, please contact us at CHILDREN or 2101 0414. Sunday School 2017/2018 Registration
In order to receive updates regarding Children Ministry program and for the safety of all children attending our Sunday School and Creche Program, we asked that parents to please register their children by filling in and signing the Registration Form available on our church website and also at the Welcome Table. Register HERE and for more information, please visit www.unionchurchhk.org or contact us at CHILDREN or 2101 0414. Thank you. Last Week's SermonPlease click on the link below to download:
Sixth Commandment: "Anger Management" by Pastor Greg Anderson |