We are in the season of Advent, a time of waiting.

Waiting can be difficult. We wait for exam results, for economies to turn, for partner’s hearts to soften, for children (young and old) to make good choices, for bodies to heal. Waiting can be challenging and trying. Thus it is important to remember that while we wait, God is working on us and in our situation. As we wait we can be filled with hope and expectation knowing that God knows every detail and He is for us not against us. (Rm. 8:31) As we wait may we have courage and hope that, “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

Whatever you are waiting for, according to Ecclesiastes 3:11, let’s remember that “God has made everything suitable for its time.”

Blessings this Advent season,

Pastor Michele

This Week

“CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” Children’s Christmas Musical - 8 December 2019
This year, our Sunday School children will be performing the Nativity with the theme “CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION”. Our children will be sharing this wonderful news of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ for all to hear and we invite children aged 3 to 10 years old to be a part of this wonderful Christmas Musical Play.

Next Week

Selah - a quiet evening of reflection. Join us on December 15, Sunday, Advent III Service at 5:15 PM

Recharge

Join us for dinner, worship and study together on Wednesday nights, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
Study opportunities include:
- Celebration of Discipline: December 11, Simplicity with Monte Peterson
- Youth: Gospel of John
- Revelation with Chris Fung
- Young Adults: Jonah, the Prodigal Prophet

Small Groups

A new year is a great time to make a new commitment to fellowship and growth with other Christians! If you aren't currently in a group, we encourage you to try it out. There are groups for women, men, couples, daytime, nighttime, etc. Interested? Contact Monte Peterson to start the new year off right!

Upcoming Event

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. If interested let us know by signing up at the welcome table, by using the QR code or the link - https://forms.gle/5Z9vdgVmDsMQUTiX9.

Opportunities

Join the Union Team:
We are looking for an 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.

Prayer at Union

All are welcome to join us for weekly prayer.
Tuesday Morning Prayer - 7:30 AM
Wednesday Prayer and Discernment for Union Church - 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM

Discernment & Prayer Group:
Thank you for joining us in prayer and discernment for Union Church, both individually and corporately. Now that several weeks have passed and as previously mentioned, we would welcome the opportunity to hear what the Union Church community is discerning. In the coming weeks there will be opportunities to share as we would like to hear from you. If you would like to send any comments, please look for a box at the Welcome Table. Additionally, the Deacons will continue to meet with small groups and other pockets of the congregation. If you are not in a small group and would like to meet up with any of our Deacons, please look for opportunities to do so next week and in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact us.

Youth

Resound - December 6
All youth are asked to arrive at Union Church at 6:00PM - we will then walk over to Methodist International Church. Resound will end at 9:30PM. If youth need to be dismissed early please let Hunter know.

Sunday Youth Group – Sunday December 8
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 starting a new series in anticipation of the Advent season.

Wednesday Recharge – December 11
We will be finishing the Gospel of John Series by Joe Boyd! In his one-man performance of the Gospel of John. Boyd combines theatre, comedy and sermon to explore John in an entirely new way. We will be watching 30 minute segments of the video and then discussing together.

Kingdom Kids

Christmas Musical Important Dates:
- Final Dress Rehearsal (with costumes) - Saturday, 7 December, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
- Performance date - Sunday, 8 December, 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM services

Christmas Musical Costumes Pick Up Arrangement
Please pick up your child's Christmas Musical costume this coming Saturday, 7 December before the Final Dress Rehearsals from Room 4

Children’s Christmas Community Outreach
Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF): Saturday, 14 Dec 2019, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join us as we share the joy of Jesus’s birth with the residents and workers of HOLF through our mini Christmas Musical Play. Transportation to and from the HOLF centre will be provided.
St. Barnabas Society & Home: Sunday, 15 Dec 2019, 3:00 PM - 5:00  PM (Please note the change of time)
Kingdom Kids will be leading a Children’s Christmas Program for the children in the care of the St. Barnabas Society. Families are invited to join us and share Jesus’s love with the underprivileged families.
To join the above outreach, please REGISTER at , or at the Welcome Table.

Sunday School 2019/2020 Registration
Please 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.

Missions

In keeping with the history of our church and the Great Commission, Mt. 28:18-20, we are excited about missions.

We are excited about the many ministries we support annually, both locally and internationally, and we hope you take advantage of opportunities to get involved. Each week, there will be a missions committee member at the welcome table; please ask them how you can participate or if you have questions. Additionally, please tune in to the video in the foyer to learn more.

We hope you welcome the many Lutheran Theological Students from Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand who are attending Union.

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.

To get involved with these and other ministries, please talk to any member of the missions committee: Nick Appel (Chairman), Kathy Foley (Secretary), Dennis Hopton, John Jamison, Melody Landes, Jeff Cheung, KK Ip, Yan Yu (Deacon), Catriona Woodrow (Deacon), Michael Birley (COM). Additionally, David Ashton-Howorth and Pastor Michele attend meetings.

Filipino Ministry

Christmas Celebration: 8 December

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

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 ( ) 

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.

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

"Wonderful Counselor" by Monte Peterson

Christmas Cantata

"Everlasting Light The Promise of Christmas" by Union Church Choir

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.