U MATTERS
The Apostle Paul refers to the church as the body of Christ - this is a wonderful image. He wrote, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
This text reminds us that church is not an individual activity - we do church together. We are connected. Just like when you get a toothache - your whole body suffers. Just like when a family member is in quarantine, the whole family is involved. Just like when one band member is not available, the sound is affected. When one part suffers - we all suffer.
Church is about community - being connected. Connected in good times and in challenging times. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, witnessed explosive growth by developing pockets of community groups - which he called band groups. His theme - “watching over one another in love.”
The concept of “watching over one another in love” is a good one, but how can we do it? For Wesley, it was not so much a Bible study, it was inviting people to share how they were doing - having them answer questions like ‘How is your soul? How is your relationship with God?’ It is difficult for us to “watch over one another in love” and “to suffer and rejoice with one another” if we don’t know each other or allow ourselves to be known.
I wonder, how would we at Union Church “watch over one another in love?” What would that look like? How could we participate? It’s exciting to explore this together, as we continue to build our community.
Blessings, Pastor Michele
CHURCH IN-PERSON & ONLINE
Let's worship together in-person on Sunday, 12 June at one of the three services, 8:45am Family Communion, 9:45am Traditional Worship and 11:15am Contemporary Worship. This Sunday we are continuing with the "Lean-In" series. No registration required. Please have your phones ready for scanning with LeaveHomeSafe and up-to-date vaccination status.
If you are worshipping online we will livestream the 9:45am and 11:15am services here.
FAMILY NEWS
This week, we learned that Stephen Mao went to his heavenly home and as a community we mourn alongside his wife Jillian. Together we grieve and remember him fondly. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
Kindness Walk, this Sunday, 12 June: This is a great opportunity to connect with our Wan Chai neighbours and share love, smiles and treats with them. We're moving up our end-of-month Kindness Walk because of Father's Day and the visit to HOLF. All supplies are furnished; meet in Fellowship Hall at 12:30pm. Got questions? Contact Admin.
New newsletter format coming! Soon we will send our weekly Acts@22A newsletter via a new email service provider to ensure better quality and reliability in our communications. If you have trouble viewing today's email, try the version on the church website - https://www.unionchurchhk.org/resources/acts22a/
Compassion Project - Capture Hong Kong! 1 June - 31 August: We are collecting moments you have captured in Hong Kong to create a post card calendar. 52 photos will be selected for a 2023 calendar that goes on sale in October 2022 to benefit future outreach projects. Learn more here. Thank you in advance for sharing your view of Hong Kong with us!
Baptism! Congratulations to Elsie Fok who was baptised at the beach on 4 June 2022. We celebrate your public proclamation of your faith in Jesus!
THIS WEEK
New Study: The Artist Way, Tuesdays, 12:30pm - 1:30pm, online: Creativity Ministry invites you to join a study that explores The Artist Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. The 12-week study is open to men, women and young adults. Learn more and register.
New Men's Study: Gospel of John 13-17, Tuesdays, 8:00pm - 9:00pm, online. How do you respond to life's trials? Hardships threaten to bring separation, sorrow and despair. But Jesus offers a better way. In daily troubles of every kind, we can seek God's comfort in confidence through faith. Men, we'd love to have you join this six-week study with Dan Tupps and Andrew Lo. Register here.
UPCOMING
World Refugee Day, Monday, 20 June, 5:00pm - 9:30pm: World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. In Hong Kong, all are welcome to this evening of performances at St Andrew's Church featuring Djembe Band, Historical cultural drama, Cultural diversity fashion show, unique product booths, harmonics choir, and much more.
Young Adults Game Night! Wednesday, 22 June, 8:00pm. Come out for some fun and exciting board/card games, such as Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Saboteur, Five Minute Marvel and more! For more details contact Dan Tupps.
The Compassion Project brings awareness to unmet needs, inviting God to act through a team of women willing to pause, pray + listen with a compassionate response. We are excited to launch our first summer projects! The goal is to invite friends to join church (us, you + me) outside the church building. Our team has developed three opportunities for you to join + invite people to come join us. Learn more and sign up.
Night Hike - Monday, 27 June, 5:45pm
Wander + Explore, Sunday, 10 July, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Art in the Park, Saturday morning, 13 August
KINGDOM KIDS
Come Serve with Us: Do you wonder what you can do to help our fun-loving, loud, curious little humans make room for God in their lives so God can do something through their lives? In our Children’s Ministry, we have lots of opportunities to help children experience God’s love. Come see Jacklien or reach out to us at to see all the exciting ways for you to help shape the faith of our children.
In-person Creche and Children's Church, Sunday, 9:45 am and 11:15 am: We are looking forward to continue our learning about the last piece of God’s Armor, Sword of the Spirit. Children ages 3 to 10 years old are welcome to join us in Room 2&3. Babies and toddlers are welcome to join our Creche Centre and enjoy a time praising God and listening to Bible stories.
Online Sunday School, Sunday, 10:30am: If your child is not able to make it to church in person, they are welcome to join us ONLINE via Zoom and learn together about the armor of God. Please email for the Zoom link.
Kingdom Kids Sunday edition - Sword of the Spirit - is available at the end of the 9:45am and 11:15am worship services on the Union Church website or Facebook page.
Sunday School Registration 2021-2022: Registration for the academic year 2021/2022 is open. Children ages 0-11 years old enrolling in our Creche and Sunday School programme must be registered by completing the form here. Registration forms are also available at the Children's welcome table. For more information, please visit our website or email or call 2101 0414.
YOUTH
Things are happening at Union Youth. Just this past week we went to see "Jurassic World: Dominion" at the cinema - a good time for all of us.
On Sunday mornings, we are continuing with our series on the book of James and asking the question, what does it mean to live a faithful life?
What else is happening?
- Wednesday 15 June: Join our adventurous canoe and kayak day. Reach out to the Youth Interns for more details.
- Coming soon we'll have Union's first-ever Summer Camp on Friday and Saturday, 24 - 25 June.
- There are also opportunities for outreach on Kindness Walks and to serve refugees at Chungking Mansions.
Stay tuned and reach out to either Sebastian Caldwell or Elise Bland for details.
MISSIONS
Meet our Ministry Partners: FCOP International in Cambodia is a church planting movement that cares for orphans, separated children, and widows in need. Over the years, Union Church has carried out numerous mission trips to FCOP, and has welcomed founders Ted and Sou Olbrich to speak at Union. On Sunday, 26 June, Ted will share the latest FCOP updates with us during Meet our Ministry Partners at 10:45am, at church via Zoom. Ted is on fire for the Lord - come be inspired! Details to follow. Read FCOP's life-changing stories here and learn more the organisations vision and mission on their website.
Outreach to Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF) - Sunday, 26 June. We will share the painted birdhouses and small branches we've made and we will paint tyres for the sensory garden too. Please bring your creations back to Union for collection on or before 26 June. Space is still available! Register here. Transportation will be provided.
Light of the World Church and Preschool, Myanmar: Pastor Vum has requested we continue to pray for the continued existence and operation of the preschool amidst government closures of private schools. The church and preschool are currently impacted by a reduction in hours of electricity service, so please pray that they will have a regular and reliable supply of electricity for their ministries. Also, please pray for Pastor Vum's brother, who is currently undergoing both radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer. May our gracious and merciful God hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar.
Baptism
Are you following Jesus and want people to know? Share with others the new hope you have in Jesus through baptism. Interested and ready to celebrate? Contact Pastor Michele.
Small Groups
Stay connected and get support from your friends in a small group that is a tangible demonstration of God's love for us. Interested in joining one that is right for you? Contact so that we might suggest one for you.
Stephen Ministry
Lonely? Grieving? Going through a separation or divorce? Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support during life's challenges. Please contact
Giving
Thank you for your tithes and offerings! If you are not coming to church this Sunday, you may post a cheque payable to "Union Church", deliver it to the church office, or give online. May you be blessed as you give of your time, talent and treasure.
Prayer
These are troubling times. Sometimes we need people to come alongside for spiritual support. Would you like someone to pray with you? Simply email or WhatsApp us at +852 9182 7247. Our Deacons and prayer ministry team will respond.
Last week's sermon
"When Individuals Collide & Families Divide: Leaning into Unstoppable Love" Watch last week's message by Dr. Lance Lee
Stay Connected
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