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U Matters

The first Easter at Sunilght Tower went well. The Children’s Ministry, along with Youth Group members in biblical costumes, provided an Easter to remember! Thanks to all!

Speaking of costumes, this week is the Sevens. We are holding all our services for those of you who didn’t get tickets. Even if you did, please join us.

Gratefully
Pastor Greg

This Week

2018 CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE
Please visit here or our mobile app to update your information and upload your photo. Alternatively, please stop by the Directory Corner at the back of Sanctuary to update or confirm your contact details this or the following three Sundays, 8, 15, 22 & 29 April. Photographers will stand by to take your pictures for the directory. Members as well as regular attendees are welcome to have their details included.

Communion Sunday in April
We will celebrate Holy Communion this Sunday, 8 April at all services.

ReCharge will be resumed next Wednesday
Please join our midweek service on Wednesday, 11 April at 7:30PM. 

Opportunities

BLESS THE CITY, Saturday, 21 April
Join us as we BLESS THE CITY, on Saturday, 21 April, living out God's promise of a new, upside-down kingdom.
9:30AM: Gather at Union for coffee and a brief worship
10:00AM: Go out in teams to do various acts of service, from visiting with our disabled neighbours, to crocheting kindness blankets, to a trail clean-up.
Find full details online and SIGN-UP here. RSVPs are necessary, as some teams have limited numbers and others require materials.
A great opportunity to bring your friends!

"ANGST: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety"
Save the Date: Sunday, 22 April 12:30PM to 2:15PM
Union Church presents ANGST: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety. A documentary film about anxiety, truth and hope. ANGST reveals the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, along with the help, resources and tools available to address the condition. The film also includes a special interview with Michael Phelps, a mental health advocate and one of the greatest athletes of all-time.

ANGST is appropriate for students 5th Grade and higher, educators, parents, professionals, and adult who wishes to learn more about mental health issue.
There is a suggested donation of HK$50 per adult and a light lunch will be provided. Sign Up Now at the Welcome Table or with the number of people joining, on or before 17 April 2018.

Taizé worship service, Sunday, 15 April, 5:15PM
Taize is an ecumenical Christian monastic community in France with a strong devotion to reconciliation and peace. They are known for their contemplative, quiet style of worship and prayer which involves simple, repetitive songs, which become a way of listening to God. Worship will be followed by a fellowship dinner.

Project Bridge
There is a critical need for volunteer families to open their homes temporarily (3-12 months) to children in desperate need of a safe and loving home, through Project Bridge, a program of Mother's Choice. On Monday, 16 April, there will be an information session to find out more about this need and how families can respond, held at Island ECC Church. Would you pray about what role you could play in supporting families in crisis in our community? Sign up here.

Elderly Home Visit
Sunday, 22 April, from 2:00PM-3:00PM.
China Coast Community Home, 63 Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong
Do you have a burden and heart for serving our elderly neighbours, people who are often lonely and forgotten? Join a group sharing God's love with the residents of China Coast Community Home, a home for English-speaking elderly people. We will sing together, hand out love gifts, and connect with the residents.

A group will meet at Union and travel together, or you can meet us there.
Questions? Contact Theresa Cheung.
Sign up at the Welcome Table, online or mobile app. 

Pastoral Care Team: Interested in being a part of the Pastoral Care Team for Union Church? Pastor Michele would love to hear from you. If interested, please note that this will be a commitment to specific training in the area of pastoral care.
 
Prayer for Union Come lift up the needs of Union Church. Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30AM for a time of prayer in the sanctuary.
 

Membership

Welcome / Membership Lunch
Are you a newcomer and like to learn more about Union Church? Are you interested in becoming a member and meet one of our deacons at the lunch? Please join us for welcome/membership lunch on Sunday 29 April, 12:30PM in the Sanctuary. This is a family-friendly event. Please RSVP to Pastor Michele.

 

Family in Need

Family in Need (FIN): 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.
 

Serve

If you are looking for a place to serve at Union Church Pastor Michele would love to chat!
With growing services, especially at 11:15AM service, we have 4 locations operational at the same time, we could really use your help in the usher greeter team.
Options:
Main sanctuary (4 people needed each Sunday; welcoming, actively seating; offering);
Door (this is a meet and greet -traffic control -directing people -children, bathrooms, services etc)
Foyer (front line of Union Church -welcoming, directing people to Hotel Indigo when the 18/F is full)
If you can help once a month it would be greatly appreciated. 
 

Small Groups

Small groups are where we dig into the nitty-gritty of following Jesus. Studying the Bible, reading topical books, praying, laughing and eating together--small groups are where we connect with each other. Groups meet all over Hong Kong on different days of the week. Interested? Contact Monte Peterson or sign up here

Adult Education

Manna and Mercy:
Do you ever struggle to understand or explain how the themes from the Hebrew Scriptures connect to Jesus' story? Or how to connect any of it with your own story?

This class is for you if:

  • You aren't sure what you believe, or
  • You have a friend you'd like to share God's story with, or
  • You have gone to church your whole life and just want a refresher, or
  • You want help articulating your faith, to be able to talk about it with others.

Manna and Mercy, by Dan Erlander, is both simple and rich, and this 6-week class will help all of us connect God's story to our own.
Wednesdays at 7:45PM, with dinner served from 7:00PM-7:45PM. (Note this NEW time!) RSVP to Monte Peterson. Begins 11 April. Find more information and an introductory video online here

Young Adults

Jesus Among Secular Gods – New Study for Young Adults
Do you ever struggle to understand or explain why Christianity is relevant in today’s world?
Through this new 6-week Bible study Jesus Among Secular Gods, by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale, you will learn how to share your faith in a culture of opposing worldviews, develop confidence sharing the claims of Christ, and be better equipped to respond to difficult questions posed by unbelievers.
Wednesdays 7:45PM-9:00PM, with dinner served from 7:00PM-7:45PM.
RSVP to Anto Ficatier
Begins 18 April. Find more information and an introductory video online here.
 

Youth

Friday Youth Group, 6 April  – Leader’s Christian Testimony
This week we’ll hear from Karinda Chuntavorn – one of our Adult Leaders – who will be sharing her personal Christian testimony!
Juniors (aged 11-14): 6:00PM-8:00PM
Seniors (aged 14-17): 7:30PM – 9:00PM (with an optional hang-out for Seniors until 10:00PM)

Dinner is from 7:30PM to 8:00PM with pasta being served!
 
Sunday Youth Group, 8 April
Youth of all ages (11-17) are welcome to join us from 9:45AM to 10:45AM in Pastor Greg’s Office every Sunday. We will be following the curriculum “The Story of Jesus” this semester, and this week’s theme is on Lent with a talk on The Resurrection.
 
Beach/Trail Clean-Up Day – 12 April
Litter is a problem on some of HK's beaches and trails. On Thursday, 12 April youth are invited to clean up a little section at the south side of Discovery Bay for about 2/3 hours then relax by the DB beach after work is done.
Info:

  • Meet at 9:45AM, Central Ferry Pier #3
  • Back at Pier #3 at 5:10PM
  • Bring: reusable 1L water bottle, packed lunch, plastic bags for collecting litter, gloves, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, swimsuit & towel. Octopus w/ at least $100 charged.
  • Wear sporty outfit w/ close-toed shoes.

Event is led by Anto Ficatier, Youth Director at Union Church (Anto is 1st Aid and Youth Leasure Management Certified)
Contact: 9849 5110 /
RSVP needed before the event. Maximum of 10 participants.

 
Other Youth activities
Are you a youth and want to be involved in our youth group? There are many ways you can be involved: Youth Group (FridaySunday), Youth Band, Christian Clubs, Confirmation etc.
 
Questions? Email YOUTH

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School Teacher Wanted
Kingdom Kids are in need of lead teachers for the 6-7 year old group at the 11:15AM service. If you are passionate about God’s word and love to share it and model it for our children to follow and available on Sunday, please get in touch with us at CHILDREN.
 
Mom’s Date, Saturday 19 May
Kingdom Kids would like to invite Moms and children to join us for a fun afternoon of activities and tea time on Saturday, 19 May from 2:00PM-5:00PM. For more information or to sign up for this event, please email .
 
Sunday School 2017/2018 Registration
If you are new to Union Church or if you have yet to register your children for our Sunday School program, kindly register your children here. All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Crèche 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.

Outreach

Prison Ministry: Are you interested in being a part of a team to go to Tai Lam Correctional Institution on Dragon Boat Festival public holiday, Monday, 18 June? It will be a great opportunity! We would meet a few times (Sunday after church) to plan. Deadline approaching, so if you are interested, please contact Melody Landes or Pastor Michele.

Last Week's Sermon

"No April Fool" by Pastor Greg Anderson