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U Matters

“You are only young once but you can be immature forever.” The Apostle Paul, perplexed with the immaturity of the church at Galatia, asks them to grow up. He asks them to “keep in step with the Spirit," to get aligned with the plan and purposes of God. He mentions the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5: 22-23)” That’s what maturity looks like, no matter what your age is. It is a joy to serve a church where people are growing up and growing closer to God and each other. 

Gratefully
Pastor Greg
 

This Week

Sunday School Teachers Training & Gathering
We are organising a Sunday School teacher’s training and gathering this coming Sunday, 11 February from 12:30PM to 2:30 PM. It is a great chance to meet other teachers’ volunteers and learn more about our Sunday School Ministry. Lunch will be provided and please RSVP at if you would like to join this gathering.

Health Safety Notice
Dear Parents, the HK Education Bureau have announced on Wednesday the closure of Kindergarten and Primary level school across Hong Kong starting from 8 Feb until after the CNY school holiday ends to limit the spread of the flu outbreak. Here at Union Church, our Sunday School program will continue as per normal with pre-cautionary measures in place. If you or your children is sick or is showing symptoms of flu, we kindly ask that you seek medical care and stay at home. Children attending Sunday School will have their temperature checked before entering classrooms and their hands disinfect using disinfectant spray that is safe for children. We truly appreciate your kind understanding and cooperation as we do our part in preventing the spread of the flu and help protect the health and safety of everyone attending our Sunday School program and church services.
 

Annual General Meeting

Notice of AGM
Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, 10 March 2018. The meeting will be at 7PM. Please come join us as we celebrate together, and give glory to God. Non-members are welcome to attend. Please bring a dessert to share after the meeting. The sign-up sheet will be available at the Welcome Table.

Nominations Announcement
Nominations for 2018 Committee of Management (CoM) are now open to the church. Members of 6 months and above, over 18 years of age and in good standing, who wish to nominate a candidate for the 2018 CoM, please fill in a nominations form available on the Welcome Table or from the church office and submit to the office, attention the Honorary Secretary. Nominations must be seconded by another voting member and have the agreement of the nominee.The candidate will also need to be over 18 years old, a member of more than 6 months and in good standing.
Nomination for CoM members will be closed on Sunday 25th of February 2018.

Lent at Union

Luke for Lent
Lent, the time of preparation for Easter, is right around the corner - Ash Wednesday is 14 February! This year we are studying the Gospel of Luke, and there are many ways to get involved:

  • Read through Luke, day by day (pick up a bookmark with the reading plan or find it here) and SIGN UP to get weekly email encouragement as you read.
  • Read N.T. Wright’s Lenten devotional on Luke (available at Welcome Table for $100)
  • Join a Bible Study on Luke at 12:30PM Sundays. RSVP to Monte Peterson.
  • Schedule too inconsistent for a small group? Try our NEW online small group (sign up here or at Welcome Table)
  • Series on Jesus’ parables at Wednesday night ReCharge, 7:15PM, starting 21 February

Any questions? Contact Monte Peterson.

Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, 14 February @ 7:15PM
Union Church Sanctuary
Let’s join together as a church family for our Ash Wednesday Service.It is the first day of Lent and marks the 40 days before Easter. It is a period of fasting and renewal. The service will include worship and communion with the optional imposition of ashes. Ash Wednesday Worship is filled with Gospel truth. It is a witness to the power and beauty of our union with Christ! All welcome!

Save the Date - Saturday, 21 April
The Gospel of Luke shows us a Saviour who consistently cared for and ministered to those on the margins of society--the poor, the oppressed, the sick and the lonely. Our Lenten journey leads us not only to the cross and resurrection but also to God's promise of a new kingdom. Let's join God in that work of loving all of God's creation as we BLESS THE CITY, on Saturday, 21 April. More details forthcoming, but for now, Save the Date!  

Stewardship

Online Giving
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”  Malachi 3:10

All of your giving, including tithes, offerings and special gifts for Missions, can be paid online via our website or mobile app.  The church has made this possible in order to make giving more convenient for our congregation.

If you have any questions about online giving, feel free to write to accounts or call 21010415. Thank you for your continued faithful giving.  

Opportunities

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.

5-week Lunch Study Class
Interesting in deepening your faith? Join Pastor Michele for a new 5-week lunch study on Tuesdays, 1:00PM-2:00PM, starting Tuesday, 27 February until Tuesday, 27 March. Held at Sunlight Tower. Contact Pastor Michele or sign up at the Welcome Table.

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.

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. 

Baptism/Membership

Baptism Classes for Easter Baptism
Interested in being baptized? Please join Pastor Michele on Tuesdays, 6, 13, 20 March, 7:30-9:00PM for classes. Contact Pastor Michele or sign up at the Welcome Table.

Membership
There is no better time than NOW to become a member at Union Church. If interested in membership, please see or contact Pastor Michele or Pastor Greg for details. 

Small Group

It's ALWAYS a good time to join a small group, but right now new groups are forming for our Lenten study, so if you've ever wanted to "try out" a small group without a long-term commitment, here's your opportunity!

And if a traditional small group is hard for your schedule to manage, try our new ONLINE small group. Using an online learning platform (moodle), you will have the chance to discuss the week's readings with other Union folk and pray together throughout the course of the week, whenever it fits your schedule.

Questions? Contact Monte Peterson or sign up here.

Men

Men’s Dinner at The Hong Kong Club
When: Saturday, 24 February, 6:30PM-9:00PM
Where: The Hong Kong Club (hosted by Don Kanak)
Join the Men of Union Church for an evening of fellowship and Christian brotherhood, with drinks and a good dinner. RSVP and payment need to be done before the event. You can sign-up on Union Church Website, mobile app, by email, or on the sign-up sheets located at the Welcome Table. Your registration will be completed upon reception of your payment by credit card or cheque. Tickets are sold $400 but you can also overbless and pay $600, which will help to cover sponsorship. Contact:

Youth

Friday Youth Group, 9 Feburary
Youth of all ages (11-18) are invited to come to Youth Group at Sunlight Tower this Friday!
Juniors (aged 11-13): 6:00PM-8:00PM
Seniors (aged 14-17): 7:30PM–9:00PM (with an optional hang-out for Seniors until 10:00PM)
This Friday’s youth will be centered on the Biblical Concept of “Identity in Christ”. Dinner is from 7:30PM to 8:00PM!

Sunday Youth Group, 11 Feb
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 “Sermon on the Mountain” with Anto leading the teaching.
 
Youth Mission Trip to Cambodia – April 2018
Date: 9-13 April
What: Union Church is organizing a Youth Mission Trip in Cambodia in partnership with FCOP International. We will help a building project outside of Phnon Penh (FCOPI will give us more information 1 month before the trip). The trip is family-friendly. All church members are welcome to join the youth to make a difference to the local community.
Cost: $3000 HKD (excluding flights)
Registration:
Go to www.unionchurchhk.org/news-events and apply using the online registration form. Do not book your flights until the trip is officially “on” (we need 10 participants minimum)
Deadline: Please apply before 11 March
Contact: Anto Ficatier

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 (Friday, Sunday), Youth Band, Christian Clubs, Confirmation etc.

Questions? Email YOUTH
 

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School Teachers Opportunity
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belong to such as these.” Is God calling you to join a ministry this year? Are you free enough for God to interrupt your life and invest in the lives of our children? If your answer is yes, join us and be a part of this important and wonderful journey in raising all of our children for God’s Kingdom. Get in touch with us at or 2101 0414.

Sunday School 2017/2018 RegistrationIn order to receive updates regarding Children's Ministry program, latest classroom arrangement and for the safety of all children attending our Sunday School and Crèche Program, we asked that parents please register their children by filling in and signing the Registration Form available on our church website and also at the Welcome Table. Register HERE and for more information, please visit www.unionchurchhk.org or contact us at CHILDREN or 2101 0414. Thank you.

Outreach

Prison Ministry: 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 interested please contact Melody Landes or Pastor Michele. 

FCOP Lai See packets for Chinese New Year
This Sunday, please consider purchasing a 20 envelope packet of red envelopes with an inscribed Christian message for your gift giving this year! Each packet of 20 is $500 and 100% of the donations go towards the expansion and development of the FCOPI Rice Farm in Cambodia that feeds 3000 children daily in church homes across the nation. The ultimate goal for the fully developed 400 hectare farm is to make FCOPI into a self sustaining ministry. Help make this happen!! You can purchase your Lai See envelopes at the Welcome Table before and after Sunday services. 

Last Sunday's Sermon

Please click on the link below to download:

"Spiritual Stupidity" by Pastor Greg Anderson

 This Wednesday's ReCharge Sermon

"The One That Got Away" by Pastor Greg Anderson