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U MattersIt is difficult to write about joy as I am grieving my impending leaving of this great church. Who was it that said “partings are such sweet sorrow”? When we turn from Shakespeare to Scripture, Paul shared some insights on joy and parting that are recorded in Acts 20. Can’t wait to share them in the sermon.
The Children’s “Bethlehem Newsflash” was great joy and that is not fake news! Thanks to Jacklien, the teachers, parents, and especially the children who made it such a great event. See you Sunday! Gratefully, Greg Message from the Joint LeadersTo launch the 2019 Church Theme "The Father's Heart, Our First Love", the entire Union Church family is invited to participate in a church-wide study entitled “The Good and Beautiful God”. Join the study through a small group, Wednesday Recharge, or by following along through independent study. Sunday sermons will reflect each week’s message. To participate in the study or connect to a Small Group, sign-up at the Welcome Table on Sunday or e-mail
. While the preaching schedule is full to the end of February, we jump into January with the following preachers:
Sunday 6 January - Communion Sunday - Pastor Michele Bland
The Father's Heart, Our First Love 1: What Are You Seeking? Sunday 13 January - Prayer Sunday - Reverend Howard Mellor The Father's Heart, Our First Love 2: God is Good Prayer Sunday will include a special prayer service at the 22A Kennedy Road church redevelopment site at 2:00PM. Join us to help grow spiritual roots as the big machines prepare the next stages of our church home redevelopment. We are continuing to welcome Love Gifts for Pastor Greg until the end of December. If you wish to make a donation, please make your cheque payable to "Union Church" and write "Pastor Greg Love Gift" on the reverse. Please then place the cheque in the offering bag or the collection box on the Welcome Table.
Union Church’s 175th Birthday
As we enter 2019, Union Church prepares to celebrate its 175th year! Throughout 2019 there will be special events to commemorate this important and wonderful milestone. If you would like to be a part of a commemoration team please let us know. This WeeKCommunity Outreach, HOLF, Saturday 15 Dec, 9:30AM to 1:30PM
Join us as we bring the joy of our Christmas Musical to the residents and staff at Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF). We will meet at Sunlight Tower at 9:00 AM and a bus will take us to the HOLF Center at 9:30 AM and we should arrive back at Union Church around 1:30PM. To sign up, please email us at CHILDREN ( ) or contact us at 2101 0414. December Service Schedule Update16 December (Sunday) Advent III : JOY - Normal Service Schedule
23 December (Sunday) Advent IV : LOVE - Normal Service Schedule 24 December (Monday) Christmas Eve Services 5: 00PM - Jaz zy Family Service and Candlelight 7:00PM - Traditional Carols and Candlelight 25 December (Tuesday) Christmas Day Service 10:00AM - Carol and Choir *Please note: There will be no U-Cafe on 23 and 30 December.  ReChargeReCharge is a weekly night at Union Church where we fellowship, worship, and study. We are taking a break for the holidays, but are so excited about the new line-up for 2019.
Beginning 9 January: Stephen's Ministry, “Word Made Flesh” (see the Young Adults section below for details), Good and Beautiful God (our church-wide study) and Prayer: Connecting to the Father's Heart. Join us on Wednesdays: 7:00PM - dinner (suggested donation towards the cost of food: $100) 7:30PM - worship 7:45PM-9:00PM - classes OpportunitiesCommunity Outreach: St. Barnabas Home & Society Christmas Program, Saturday 22 Dec, 3:00PM to 6:00PM.
Join us as we celebrate Christmas with the wonderful people under the care of St. Barnabas Home & Society. St. Barnabas Home & Society cares for underprivileged families and homeless people in Hong Kong. We will meet directly at St. Barnabas Center at 2:30PM. To sign up for above outreach, please email us at or contact us at 2101 0414. 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 EducationLunchtime Alpha
Starting on 8 January 2019, we're launching a lunchtime Alpha, geared towards workers in Sunlight Tower and Wan Chai. Interested in attending, bringing a friend, or helping out? Get in touch with Anto or Monte. Pray that God works through this opportunity to bring Christ's light into Sunlight! Tuesdays at 12:30PM-1:30PM. Young Adults“Word Made Flesh”: The Gospel of John as a one-man show!
A new 6-weeks Bible study for Young Adults. Actor Joe Boyd explores the mysteries of the Gospel of John in a one-man show that utilizes his unique balance of comedy, sincere drama, and historical insights crafted over decades of studying the text and performing on stages across the US. Join Anto for this new study that will take place every Wednesday, starting in January, for 6 weeks. Every screening will be followed by a group discussion. Wednesday Night (as part of ReCharge), from Jan.9 to Feb.20, 2019 (with break on Feb.6 for CNY) 7:00PM dinner, 7:45-9PM study Email Anto Ficatier for more information! New to Union? Are you a Young Adult new to Union Church? Make sure you meet our Young Adults Director, Anto Ficatier, at the Welcome Table every Sunday. You can also email Anto for more information about Young Adults at Union! LadiesLadies Retreat: Chiang Mai, 17 - 20 January, 2019
A collection box is at the Welcome Table for payment by cheque. Approximate costs (incl. flights, accommodation and meals) $4,900 per pax. MembershipMembership - if you are not a member and would like to be, please download application forms here or collect a peach coloured application form at the Welcome Table and/or see Pastor Michele.
ServeUnion Church is always looking for people to serve. If you would like to be an usher, greeter or bible reader, please see Pastor Michele.
Small GroupsNew 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.
YouthYouth Christmas Party! – Friday, 14 December & Sunday, 16 December
On Friday and Sunday we will celebrate the end of the term with a Christmas Party for the Youth. We’ll have food, games, secret Santa and more. We will meet from 6:00PM - 9:00PM on Friday and during the 9:45 and 11:15 services on Sunday. This will be the last Youth Activity until we come back in January. If you're interested in signing up for the Secret Santa, please do so here! There will be food provided, but if you would like to bring a ‘pot-luck’ dish for the Youth you are welcome! No Youth Group During Christmas Break We will not be having Youth Group during the Christmas Holidays, but will jump right back in starting Friday, 4 January! Kingdom KidsSunday SchoolSunday, 16 December, 9:45AM & 11:15AM: Children aged 3 to 10 years old are invited to join us in Room 2 & 3 for our children’s Christmas Party. Sunday, 23 & 30 December, 9:45AM & 11:15AM: Children are invited to join their families for worship in the sanctuary or join us for Veggie Tales Movie show in Room 2 & 3. Sunday, 6 January 2019, 9:45AM & 11:15AM: Children’s Sunday School Resumes. Sunday School 2018/2019 Registration In order to help us plan our program well and serve your family better, please register your children HERE. All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche 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. MissionLocal mission in Tung Chung
We are partnering with a local church in Tung Chung to run a weekly English program on Saturday mornings in Nov & Dec. The students will be Primary 2-3 children from Ying Tung Estate - a new public estate in Tung Chung. We will be teaching the children English through songs, Bible stories and fun activities. Please contact Crystal Lo. Family in Need (FIN)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.
StewardshipU.S. Taxpayers
For US Taxpayers wishing to make tax-deductible donations for the 2018 tax year, please ensure that cheques are made payable to "Friends of Hong Kong Charities, Inc." and are dated before 31 December 2018. Please send your cheques to our Church Admin Office latest by 31 December 2018, otherwise your donation will not be recognized in the 2018 tax year. Thank you for your continuous support to Union Church. Last Week's Sermon"A non-peaceful Prince of Peace" by Pastor Antonin Ficatier |