U Matters

Today is Maundy Thursday, the day that Jesus celebrated the Last Supper, the Passover meal with the disciples and washed their feet. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “command.” It refers to the instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples, to love and serve one another.

Loving and serving one another can be challenging particularly in this season of social isolation, however, it has been encouraging to see God at work through our congregation over this past week. I’ve seen the enthusiasm of our missions team, who are daily looking for ways to connect to the poor and our community in Wan Chai. There has been an outpouring of generosity from our congregation to love our neighbours. It’s also been encouraging to hear of food being delivered to a family in quarantine. “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

We are connected to each other through our Lord, and through technology, additionally it’s been encouraging to hear from our Union Church community in New York, Australia and Columbia. Let us continue to do what we can to love and serve one another.

Tonight, we remember the words of Jesus who said, “this is my body given to you; do this in remembrance of me.’ Luke 22:19

Blessings on this Easter weekend, Pastor Michele

THIS WEEK

Please join us ONLINE ONLY for our GOOD FRIDAY service at 3pm tomorrow (Friday 10th April) and our EASTER SUNDAY services, April 12th, at 9:45AM for our traditional service and 11:15AM for our contemporary service. Please join us via our website, mobile app or Facebook page.

If you are unable to be online at the time of our worship services, you can watch our them later in the day, again via our website, app or Facebook page.  Don't forget that you can still give your offering online via the giving page of our website, or by using the QR code below. You can also send us a cheque, made payable to "Union Church" or "Friends of Hong Kong Charities, Inc" if you are a US taxpayer. Please send them to: 18F, Sunlight Tower, 248 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Online Giving

If you would like to drop anything off for our Mission partners, the Church will be open from Monday to Friday between 12:00PM to 4:00PM. If you need to contact anyone at Union Church please call 6225 5042.

Please check our website and your email for latest news.

Reaching OUT during Covid-19:

HK Church Network for the Poor is coordinating with their partners to source face masks and distribute them to underprivileged families and groups in Tai wai, Central, Kwun Tong, Yau Ma Tei, Tai Kok Tsui, Fanling, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan, Hung Hom. So far, they have received requests for 23,000+ face masks from most deprived districts in HK, and have started to distribute collections to partners. They still need many more. Thanks to support from churches and individual donors, they are sharing more than supplies but also love and hope in Christ. To donate please bring your masks to Union Church. Thank you.

Sons & Daughters are asking for donations of rice, board games and computer monitors. If you can help, please bring them to the Church between 12 - 4pm Monday to Friday. They are also raising funds for Dawn who is a woman in S&Ds Aftercare Program. Last year she decided to leave the sex industry for good and is now preparing to return home. She needs help fundraising. Please support her at: https://gogetfunding.com/dawns-journey-home/ 

ReCharge:

We're ZOOMing back to ReCharge! Woohoo - we're excited to announce that beginning Wednesday, April 15, we will have THREE options for Wednesday night ReCharge; all 8-9 pm, all online: 

+The Lord's Prayer Study with Monte Peterson. "Lord, teach us to pray," the disciples asked, and Jesus answered. We will learn about prayer, God and ourselves through this study of how Jesus answered that question. Join here  
+Online Prayer together with Pastor Michele click here
+Young Adults with Dan Tupps will be studying Psalm 23. In this 6 part series Pastor Matt Chandler introduces the great shepherd, the Lord, who promises to provide for every need of his flock. Though only 6 verses long, this psalm teaches us profound truths about our loving and protective God. Join here

Connecting:

Thank you to the ONE Hearing the Word Campaign team! Thank you for uniting the city through Gods word and your ministry. Thank you Aaron and Linda, Carrine and team

Pastoral Care Support, if you are looking for some support and prayer please let our staff know. Contact Ministry leaders directly or admin at:   or call 6225 5042.

Upcoming:

The Marriage Course - ONLINE - Tuesdays, from 21 April to 2 June 2020 (7 weeks). 

We are excited to announce that the new course videos are now available!  It will be the first time we will be using this new brand-new re-imagined series with new teaching content, creative short films, global stories, sofa couples and expert insights. For registration, please click here or contact Joanna Yau.

Online Alpha: Are you asking questions about the meaning or purpose of life? Want to know more about Jesus or Christianity or why we celebrate Easter? Alpha is a low-pressure course where you can ask those questions and engage in conversation, and it can even be done online! If you are interested in a "Zoom" Alpha, contact Monte Peterson for more details. 

Union Book Group: Extra time on your hands? Join the book group! We'll meet Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30 to discuss The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. On Tuesday, May 26, we'll discuss Love Does by Bob Goff.  Books available at the Welcome Table. Join us for either or both!

Right Now Media: Looking for ways to nurture your faith in this time? If you haven't tried Right Now Media, this is a good chance! A library of online Bible Studies, speakers and family videos. Get free access here: https://www.unionchurchhk.org/resources/right-now-media/ QR code to join Right Now Media:

 

Small Groups

Meeting as a small group in this time is challenging, but the support from each other is more important than ever. There ARE online options - please reach out if you need help figuring this out! If you aren't currently in a group, we encourage you to try it out. There are groups for women, men, couples, day-time, night-time, etc. Interested? Contact Monte Peterson.  

Youth

Good Friday Youth Group – Friday April 10

We will have Youth Group this Friday, We will be hosting Union Youth’s first ever “Living Room’s Got Talent.” This is a chance for our youth to show off their amazing talents! Youth are asked to submit a video by Thursday Night at the latest.

What: Living Room’s Got Talent

When: Online Meeting at 6PM on Friday for live voting

Details: Zoom Link will be provided.

Easter Sunday Discussion – Sunday April 12 - Youth are invited to join a small group discussion on the Sunday sermon at 12:30 on Sunday. Zoom link will be provided.

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School WEEKLY CHALLENGES: Dear Parents, please click HERE for the link to our KINGDOM KIDS WEEKLY CHALLENGES. Prizes are available for the first 5 families who sends in video recording of the challenges completed to  . We look forward to receiving videos from you. 

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 ( ) 

Fertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and support? Contact Sonia Lee.

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 Sermon