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U MattersFamilies can be messy, but we know that Jesus was born in the mess of the manger and He meets us in the mess of our lives. Eugene Peterson writes, “When we sin and mess up our lives, we find that God doesn’t go off and leave us –he enters into our trouble and saves us.”
The Greek word for conflict is “agen” which means “agony.” If you have ever been in conflict you know that it can be agonizing, but it can also be a healing growing experience. Peacemaking Ministries suggests four G’s to navigate conflict biblically, whether it be marriages, families, colleagues or church it can still apply. They are: • Glorify God, • Get the log out of your eye • Gently restore • Go and be reconciled. This Chinese New Year season, may we be reminded that because of Christ we are reconciled with Him and because of this great truth we can be reconciled with others. May your Chinese New Year holiday be filled with peace, joy and love, Pastor Michele Message from the Joint LeadersPsalm 133 says: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!...For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life evermore”.
The name “Union” was given to this Church. However, the enemy always seeks to sow “Dis-union” and divide us. We have all fallen short, we have all made mistakes. Martin Luther King Jr said “There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” The apostle Paul says “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Only in Christ is this truly possible. Only He who loves and dwells within us is our hope; in Him we are more than conquerors. He promises that when we confess our sins and repent He is faithful and will forgive our sins and restore us to fellowship with Him. He “re-Unions us”! We therefore should confess, repent and seek restoration so as to be “re-Unioned” with Him and with one another.
This starts with “me”, that is with each one of us!
The Special Meeting last Sunday was a time when we came together as a body and shared views, opinions and heartfelt feelings. While there was a diversity of views expressed, there are many who feel we left with a greater sense of unity than when we arrived. Many have said that it was a positive “watershed moment” for Union Church. There was also a strong sense of the need to look forward, to journey “onward and upward” in seeking, with God’s help and inspiration, to become a more Christ-centred and loving community of faith. Let us not leave these “good feelings” there. Let us indeed seek to move forward in “re-Union”, reflecting authentic unity in the midst of our rich diversity, with Christ as our true centre.
The vision statement of Union Church is “making mature followers in all nations for Christ, through our united lifestyle, witness and mission” May this be so. Although we are many, in Christ we are one!
May we always cherish and give thanks for the love and grace of God which we receive so freely, yet at such great cost to our Saviour, and which bind us together more closely than the differences that can ever separate us.
The Leaders of Union Church
February Service Schedule Update3 February (Sunday) - "The Father's Heart, Our First Love: God is Love" by Pastor Michele
10 February (Sunday) - "The Father's Heart, Our First Love: God is Holy" by Antonin Ficatier
17 February (Sunday) - "The Father's Heart, Our First Love: God is Self-Sacrificing" by Revd Canon Dr G. Howard Mellor
24 February (Sunday) - "The Father's Heart, Our First Love: God Transforms" by Monte Peterson
*No ReCharge on 6 February as the Church Office will be closed on 5, 6 and 7 February for statutory holiday of Chinese New Year.
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 Coming in February: The Father's Heart for Justice 13 Feb: Environmental Justice: It's Just Creation with Matt Peterson 20 Feb: Justice for Women with Brittney Tsang from Sons and Daughters 27 Feb: Justice for Refugees with Dr. Isabella Ng, co-founder of Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees The Good and Beautiful God In this study we will put our ideas about God to the test and see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God, and engage in spiritual practices that can help us grow. Books available at the Welcome Table. Weekly reading is encouraged to get the most out of this study, and it's not too late to join! Opportunities“The Marriage Course” is being offered again on Tuesdays, from 26 February to 9 April 2019 (7 weeks)!! Whether you are newly married or have been married for years, this course offers a lifetime of practical ideas and tools to help keep your relationship strong. The course is designed for couples who want to invest in their relationship and to continue to strengthen their marriage or who are looking to address specific challenges. The course is based on Christian principles but is designed for ALL couples with or without a church background. There is NO group sharing with other couples in the course; each couple is seated in their own table of 2 so they can go through the materials, chat and enjoy a meal together between themselves privately. Time: 7:00PM – 9:30PM. Cost $1,800/couple including course materials, meals and drinks during each session.
For registration and more information, please visit the Union Church website (http://www.unionchurchhk.org/event/1278119-2019-02-26-the-marriage-course-feb-2019/) or contact Joanna Yau. Lecture at St John's Cathedral
Dr Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director of the Faraday Institute, Cambridge, UK will be giving a lecture entitled “Genetics, God and the Future of Humanity” in the Li Hall, St John’s Cathedral at 1:00PM on Tuesday, 19 February. Dr Alexander preached at Union on 5 December 2017 on “Science and Faith – Friends or Foes” and was struck by the high level of interest in this kind of topic from Union members. All welcome. Save the Date
NT Wright will be offering a series of public lectures at St. John's Cathedral in March. See here for more information. "One" Hong Kong 2019 Hearing the Word Campaign
We are excited that churches in Hong Kong will be acting in unity to run a Bible listening campaign from 6 March to 21 April, 2019. During this time, anyone can download a phone app called “One Hearing the Word” and listen to or read one scripture, one testimony, one devotion and one prayer in English, Cantonese or Mandarin. We invite you to participate in the Campaign. For details and registration with the Campaign, please visit: http://go.onehongkong2019.asia/ 2019 Family Retreat:
Save the Date: 29th - 30th March 2019. Union Church is inviting everyone to join us at the Methodist Retreat Centre on Lantau for a Family Retreat. There will be lots of fun, worship and connecting activities. More details will follow, but if you are interested please contact or complete the form at the Welcome table. Please note that places are limited, so they will be allocated on a "first come, first served" basis. Adult EducationSunday Lunch Study
Join us as we read and discuss The Good and Beautiful God together (our church wide study) after church on Sundays. 12:30PM-2:00PM, youth room. Books available at the Welcome Table ($70). We WILL meet this Sunday, 3 February, discussing chapter 5, "God is Love," but will NOT meet Sunday, 10 February. Young Adults“Word Made Flesh”: The Gospel of John as a one-man show!
A new 6-weeks Bible study for Young Adults. Actor Joe Boyd explores the mysteries of the Gospel of John in a one-man show that utilizes his unique balance of comedy, sincere drama, and historical insights crafted over decades of studying the text and performing on stages across the US. Join Anto for this new study that will take place every Wednesday, starting in January, for 6 weeks. Every screening will be followed by a group discussion. Wednesday Night (as part of ReCharge), from Jan.9 to Feb.20, 2019 (with break on Feb.6 for CNY) 7:00PM dinner, 7:45-9PM study Email Anto Ficatier for more information! New 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! MembershipMembership - if you are not a member and would like to be, please download application forms here or collect a peach coloured application form at the Welcome Table and/or see Pastor Michele.
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.
Small GroupsNew to Union? Been here awhile but haven't connected yet? Small groups are where we dig into the nitty-gritty of following Jesus, and connect with each other. Studying the Bible, reading topical books, praying, laughing and eating together - it's good! We know there are a lot of you wanting to connect or looking for the right group, and we will be laun ching new groups in 2019! What a great way to start off the new year! If you are looking to join a group, or have felt God nudging you into leadership, please contact Monte Peterson.
YouthYouth Group CNY Hike – Friday, 1 February
Before everyone heads off for the CNY break, we want to get together for a YG Hike! The Youth group will meet at Union a little early, hike up to Bowen Road above the Church and then come back for dinner and some activities. 5:00PM Meet at Union Church 5:15PM Hike up to Bowen Road 6:30PM Return to Union Church 7:00PM Dinner & Activities 8:00PM Dismissal.
No Sunday Youth Group - Sunday, 3 February
There will be no Sunday Youth Group during the CNY break. We will start back the following Sunday February 10.
ICC Hengyang Mission Trip – 14-21 April
In partnership with ICC, Union Youth will be traveling to Hengyang in Hunan province, where we will be helping provide holistic care and nurture to abandoned and disabled children and young adults. Sign ups are now open and we need to put our team together as soon as possible! Please sign up here.
Kingdom KidsSunday School Arrangement for CNY
Sunday, 3 February, 9:45AM and 11:15AM: Children are invited to join their families for worship in the sanctuary or join us for Veggie Tales Movie show in Room 2 and 3. Sunday, 10 February, 9:45AM and 11:15AM: Children’s Sunday School Resumes. Sunday School Teachers
Kingdom Kids is seeking additional lead teachers for our 3-5 year olds and 10 year olds group at the 11:15AM service. It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to share the gospel with young ones and it will bring so much joy to your life and the lives of the children and their families. If you are interested in joining our amazing team of Sunday School teacher volunteers, please reach out to us at . Training is provided. Sunday School 2018/2019 Registration
In order to receive updates regarding Children Ministry programs and for the safety of all children attending our Sunday School and Creche Program, we ask that parents 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 or 2101 0414. Thank you. Filipino Ministry12:00 – 1:00PM Intercessory Prayer
1:00 – 1:50PM Corporate Prayer
2:15 - 3:15PM Group Bible Study
3:30 – 4:30PM Worship
Coming Event:
Chinese New Year Filipino Conference 5 - 6 February, 2019 College of Prayer Seminar. This is for everyone who has desire for greater intimacy with God. Venue: Fairview Park Alliance Church, Fairview Park, Yuen Long Pray for: the healing of Ailyn Gico who had a stroke and is half paralyzed. Family in Need (FIN)We have been praying for Gavin Shui as he battles cancer. Please check out this link on how you can register as a donor for Gavin and others who need a bone marrow transplant.
Last Week's Sermon"God is Generous" by Hunter Purvis
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