U Matters

Last week, my daughter got up early so she could have breakfast with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby (with 25 other students). This week, I got up early and had breakfast with Pastor and author Francis Chan (with other international Pastors). It is exciting to meet big Christian names – heroes of the faith.

But in fact we meet heroes of the faith all the time. Pastor Ruth Tablada is one and she is our longest serving staff member. She was ordained by Union Church in 2010, and, for a female in the Philippines, this is extraordinary. The organisers of the Hong Kong Christian Conference are others, starting in China 91 yea rs ago, th ey have served the city faithfully. As of today, 132,234 have participated in this year’s conference. Those serving in non Christian-friendly countries, those struggling with their own personal issues and remaining faithful, those being persecuted for His name's sake are all heroes of the faith. The book of Hebrews chapter 11 lists many New and Old Testament heroes of the faith.

To be a hero of the faith is to have demonstrated your faithfulness in action in an extra-ordinary manner. Faith, by definition means “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. There is so much we do not see, but we are to have faith - God sees and He knows.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Heb. 10:17) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). There is lots going on in our city, in our families, in our work place and in our church but we need to have faith in the God who says, “even if we are faithless, I will remain faithful.” (2 Tim. 2:13).

We can respond to faith with action. This Sunday we invite you to join us as we pray for the city on our feet. Immediately after the service, 12:30 p.m., join us for a prayer walk. We will make our way to 22A Kennedy Rd, with stops along the way. Wear walking shoes, bring water, all are welcome. Clerk of Deacons Charles Caldwell is mapping out our route. Hope you can join us.

Be of good courage and have faith,

Pastor Michele

175th Anniversary

Hong Kong Bible Conference: For more information please check the short video of Rev. Darrell Johnson - HERE. We are happy to announce that Rev. Darrell Johnson will be speaking in Union Church on the 11th of August.

175th Anniversary Trip: DATE CHANGE. We will now be going to Xishuang Banna, Yunnan province, China from 20th - 23rd of 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

Worship and Celebration Service: Saturday, 19th October at Methodist International Church - all welcome.

Important Notice

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.

Opportunities

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

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 .

Marriage Course is back after summer!!
Build a marriage that lasts. Tuesday nights from 10 September to 5 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 (1 Oct will be a week off). 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 .

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. Streaming directly to your computer, tablet, or mobile device, you’ll find the online Bible Study Library includes relevant content for every age group or spiritual season. You can search by category, topic, or speaker. Additionally, many of the series have direct links to workbooks and leader guides. Parents, you’ll find that RightNow has a multitude of videos and resources for your kids. Utilise the link below to start using this resource today. (Introduction video HERE)
Link to join:https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/UnionChurch

Sunday School Teachers
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. Contact JACKLIEN ( ).

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.

ReCharge will resume on 11 September.

Please note that there is no U-CAFE this week. We will resume on the 18th of August.

ReCharge will resume on 11 September.

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 baptized 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 - Games/Activities Night
When - Friday August 9, 6-8PM
Where - Union Church @ Sunlight Tower

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, 11, 18, 25 August & 1 September, 9:45AM and 11:15AM
At ROAR VBS Sunday School, kids will explore God’s goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith that powers them through this wild life. For registration, please print/complete the Registration Form, and send us by email ( ) or submit in person at the Welcome Table on Sunday. Children are welcome to bring friends along too, VBS Sunday School is free for all.

Sunday School 2019/2020 Registration
Sunday School Registration for academic year 2019/2020 is now open. 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.

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

Sometimes life throws us challenges and we need to reach out for help. If you need spiritual, emotional, physical, and/or financial help, please contact Pastor Michele and/or members of the FIN Team, Charles Schmitt and Isabel Morrison. To maintain accountability, we ask that requests come through this group. If someone in need approaches you for financial assistance, please refer them to the Pastors or the FIN Team at .

Last Week Sermons

"Faith Not Fear" by Pastor Michele Bland