This was the first full week of 2019, and Sunlight Tower was abuzz as many of our ministries relaunched. Lunch time Tuesday we hosted the first worked place Alpha at Union and Wednesday night Recharge offered four different classes. Young Adults are studying the book of John, there's a new four-week session on Prayer, Terri Appeal started a new class on the Good and Beautiful God (our sermon series) and our pastoral care training for Stephen’s Ministers resumed. Additionally, there are some new small groups starting and one immediately after church on Sunday at 12:30 with lunch. If you would like to connect or collect a book to read along with the congregation, please see Monte Peterson.

This Sunday, we welcome Rev. Dr. Canon Howard Mellor to the pulpit in all of our services. Dr. Mellor was the minister at the Methodist Church for a number of years, and currently lives in Winchester. Over his years of ministry, he has pastored churches and has worked as a Director of Evangelism and a Principle at Cliff College. This Sunday is also prayer Sunday and there will be opportunities to meet with someone for prayer. We hope to see you.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7


Blessings,
Pastor Michele

Church Family Meeting

 Prayer Sunday: “Pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
This Sunday is Prayer Sunday. After each service, intercessors will be available to pray for people. Regardless of what is on your heart - burdens to hand over to the Lord or moments of praise - we encourage everyone to come forward and pray or receive prayer. Look for individuals wearing a Prayer Badge and ask them to pray with you. There will also be a Prayer Event at the Union Church site, 22A Kennedy Road, at 2:00PM on Sunday, 13 January. Please join us for Prayer Sunday!

ReCharge is a weekly night at Union Church where we fellowship, worship, and study. 

Join us on Wednesdays:
7:00PM - dinner (suggested donation towards the cost of food: $100)
7:30PM - worship
7:45PM-9:00PM - classes

Prayer: Connecting to the Father’s Heart
Sometimes we all get into a rut and need encouragement in recovering "the love you had at first" (Revelation 2:4). Join us as we start off the new year with a series on prayer. 

Jan 16: Judy Lam, missionary with OMF International and spiritual director

Jan 23: Catriona Woodrow, Union Church member, speaking on Jewish Prayer

Jan 30: Juliana Rotmeyer, Union Church member: Let Go + Let God through prayer colouring. 

The Good and Beautiful God
In this study we will put our ideas about God to the test and see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God, and engage in spiritual practices that can help us grow. Books available at the Welcome Table. Weekly reading is encouraged to get the most out of this study, and it's not too late to join!

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18-25 January
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between 18 January and 25 January. Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship. The following services are organized for this event:

- Ecumenical Prayer Evening, Saturday 19 January, starting at 8:00pm, in St. Teresa's Church, with Rev. Dr. Lam Sung Che as the speaker. 
- English Service for Unity, Tuesday 22 January, starting at 7:30pm, in Rosary Church, with Pastor Tony Read as the speaker. 
- The Joint Ecumenical Communion Service, Thursday 24 January, starting at 9:30am, in St. John's Cathedral, with Rev. Dr. Chu Wing Sang Calvin as the speaker. 

For more information please click here. 

 

Community Outreach, St. James Settlement Pre-CNY Feast with Elderlies, Saturday 19 January, 11:00AM to 4:00PM
St. James' Settlement "Village Casserole Feast", Saturday, 19 January, from 11:00AM to 4:00PM. Join us as we help spread God's love and bless the elderly living alone during Chinese New Year. We will meet directly at 14/F, St. James' Settlement Jockey Club Social Services Building, 100 Kennedy Road, Wanchai. To sign up, please email us at or contact us at 2523 7247 with the number of adults and children joining and email address.

 

Crochet Beginners Class on Wednesday, 16 January at 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Union Church is hosting a “Crochet Beginners Class” on 16 January (Wednesday) at 10:00AM-12:00PM. Join us to learn to make Granny Squares. Yarn, hook and notes included in donation fee $150 per head. All proceeds go to support the homeless at ImpactHK. Please contact Melody Landes or sign up at the welcome table.

 

2019 Family Retreat:
Save the Date: 29th - 30th March 2019. Union Church is inviting everyone to join us at the Methodist Retreat Centre on Lantau for a Family Retreat. There will be lots of fun, worship and connecting activities. More details will follow, but if you are interested please contact or complete the form at the Welcome table. Please note that places are limited, so they will be allocated on a "first come, first served" basis.

Adult Education

Young Adults

 

 

Union Church is always looking for people to serve. If you would like to be an usher, greeter or bible reader, please see Pastor Michele.
 

New to Union? Been here awhile but haven't connected yet? Small groups are where we dig into the nitty-gritty of following Jesus, and connect with each other. Studying the Bible, reading topical books, praying, laughing and eating together - it's good! We know there are a lot of you wanting to connect or looking for the right group, and we will be laun ching new groups in 2019! What a great way to start off the new year! If you are looking to join a group, or have felt God nudging you into leadership, please contact Monte Peterson. 
 

 

 

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.

We have been praying for Gavin Shui as he battles cancer. Please check out this link on how you can register as a donor for Gavin and others who need a bone marrow transplant.