U Matters

"We love because He first loved us." 1 Jn 4:19 Love can take on many forms. We read in scripture,

'I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'

'I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' Mt. 25:36;40 MSG

We give thanks for the bakers, chefs and all those who participated in the bake sale and fundraiser lunch for a special need this past Sunday. The response was inspiring and thanks to you, our goal was met! What an encouraging event. To God be the glory.

In the spirit of hospitality, we would like to invite you to connect with one of our Stephen Ministers if you are feeling stressed, anxious, worried, afraid or grieving the loss of a loved one. Regardless of the reason, our Stephen Ministers, are part of a confidential lay-leader support system, and have been trained to offer support, prayer and encouragement. If you are interested in finding support, please contact Pastor Michele or email

In the spirit of hospitality, as we launch into our fall season, we would also like to encourage you to join one of our fellowship meals this Sunday. Between morning services, a light complimentary breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall. At lunchtime, consider joining us at one of the various restaurants that have been booked.

May we be inspired to exercise the same hospitality to one another as Christ has shown us.

Blessing s on your week,

Pastor Michele

Welcome & Welcome Back Lunches September 8, 12:30pm
All are welcome. Diners pay. Feel free to go direct to the venue or walk with the host.
Options:
Pastor Michele - Hotel Indigo
Chris & Barbara Yorks - Linguine Fini
Hunter Purvis - La Cucina
Jacklien Lee - Cuisine Royale
Monte Peterson - Pizza Express
 

ReCharge Returns!

Beginning Sept 11, we’re kicking off a new season of ReCharge. Join us for dinner, worship and study together on Wednesday nights, 7:00-9:00 pm.
Study opportunities include:
- Revelation, led by Chris Fung
- The Gospel According to Jonah, led by Monte Peterson
- The Keys to a Blessed Life (Young Adults), led by Timothy Ng, Joshua Ng, KK Ip and Ken Morrison
- Lord of the Rings and the Gospel (Youth), led by Hunter Purvis
- Alpha, led by Patrick Wilson
- Stephen’s Ministry Supervision, Pastor Michele

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

175th Anniversary Trip: DATE CHANGE. We will now be going to Xishuang Banna, Yunnan province, China from 20th - 23rd 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 Yan Yu ( or Brian Woo ( )

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

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

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, wi ll 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 Alpha.

Marriage Course is back after summer!!
Build a marriage that lasts. Tuesday nights from 15 October to 26 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. 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.

Sunday Lunch Study: Beginning Sunday, Sept 15, we will start off the year talking about Jonah, the Prodigal Prophet. Much more than just a cute children’s story, Jonah’s story teaches us about God’s surprising call, God’s faithfulness when we stray, and God’s extraordinary love and mercy. 12:30-2:00 pm, Youth Room. Lunch provided, $50 suggested donation.

Midweek Lunch Studies
Ezekiel: The Book of Ezekiel has had significant influence over apocalyptic traditions in both Judaism and Christianity. Come learn about this major prophet and his messages of judgement, repentance, salvation and restoration for a people in exile. Led by Yan Yu, meeting for 10 weeks on Tuesdays, 12:30-2:00 pm, in the Union Church youth room. Bring your own lunch. Begins Sept 3. Sign up at the Welcome Table or Contact Yan Yu ( ).
The Gospel According to Jonah, led by Monte Peterson. (see description above) Room 2, Tuesdays, 12:30-2:00 pm. Bring your own lunch. Begins Sept 10.

Union Book Group
Mark your calendars--Union Book Group will meet again Tuesday October 8, 7:30 pm. 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 will be available at the Welcome Table by Sept 8. Contact Monte Peterson or Tess Lyons with questions.

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.
Link to join:https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/UnionChurch

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-centered 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 each for the 6-7 years old and 8-9 years old classes at the 9.45am service, and 2 lead teachers each for the 3-5 years old and 10 years old classes at the 11.15am service. Contact JACKLIEN ( )

September 22, 5:15PM.
SELAH - A pause to walk in the Spirit. This is a service designed to come away from the busyness of our schedule and sit and spend time intentionally with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. It is a walk by faith, trusting God to reveal, heal, teach and guide us in a more intimate relationship with HIM. There will be worship. There will be s ilence. There will be prayer. We will gather together as ONE, and walk privately as one. You are invited to come, as HE meets you heart to heart.

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.

Share God's Love with the Elderly in Hong Kong
We have an opportunity to share God's love this mid-autumn festival with the elderly in the Kwung Tong District, in partnership with HKCNP (Hong Kong Church Network for the Poor).
Sunday, 8 September, 2:30-5:00 pm. We'll gather at ECF Saint Too Canaan College and then visit the elderly in 3 public estates, bringing mooncakes and sharing Jesus' love with them. Ch inese spea kers preferred. Contact Theresa Cheung, , or Monte Peterson.

Bless Our Schools Sunday
Join "Moms in Prayer" on "Bless Our Schools Sunday", 22 September (9:45am and 11:15am) and pray for congregation members who are students, teachers, school staff or education leaders. Visit their website www.momsinprayer.org, contact Irene Cheung, or WhatsApp 91481545

The 2019 Fall Walk to Emmaus Women and Men's walks are coming!
The Women's walk (WTE#80) will be from 26 -29 September and 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 Terri Appel or Bronwyn Alexander about the Women's walk, and Nick Appel or Charles Schmitt about the Men's walk. Please go to: https://hkwalktoemmaus.org/ for information about signing up.

Faith Comes By Hearing
Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) Asia invites you to join them at their Vision Trip Sharing session on 29 September 2019 from 12:45pm to 2:30pm in the Sanctuary, to hear encounters of Father's Love for His people and of God's miracles through testimonies from their supporters who recently returned from Sapa. Please contact Carrine at or 66822346 for more information . Please RSVP






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

Small Group

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

Youth Summer Program
Youth Covenant Night – Friday September 6
What – Covenant Night
When – Friday September 6, Juniors (11-13) 6-8PM, Seniors (14-18) 7-9PM
Where – Meet at Union Church @ Sunlight Tower

This Friday will be a Covenant Night, where we invite Youth to come together and craft a covenant for the rest of the year that they will abide by. This is a great chance to help create healthy boundaries for Youth and also hear what they want from the year! We invite Parents of Youth to attend, and to observe what goes on at Youth Group on Fridays and also have a chance to voice any que stions or concerns they might have.

Sunday Youth Group – September 8
Youth can attend at either 9:45 or 11:15.
Juniors (11-13) and Seniors (14-18) will meet in Indigo Hotel 29/F, and Seniors will head out after prayer to have a biblical discussion.

This is the first Sunday back from the summer and we’re excited to hear about what Youth were up to in the last couple of months.

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 conjunction 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 questionss.

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School 2019/2020 Registration 

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. Please note that this registration is for the school year August, 2019 to June, 2020. Your child/children will be assigned only one (1) class (i.e., 5 yrs old, 10 yrs old) for this whole period in accordance with our age brackets.

Kingdom Kids Upcoming Events - Save the Date
Hallelujah Party: Saturday, 2 Nov 2019, 2.30 - 5.30 pm
Christmas Musical Pageant: Sunday, 8 Dec 2019, 9.45 am & 11. 15 am
Children’s Christmas Outreach:
HOLF - Sat, 14 Dec, 1-5 pm
St.Barnabas Society & Home - Sun, 15 Dec, 4-6 pm

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

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 Sermons

"God's Love Compels Us" by Pastor Michele

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.