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U Matters

Holly and I got an anonymous Christmas card. It was wonderful, but someone in their haste forgot to sign it. There is so much hustle and bustle — and the themes of hope, joy, peace, and love get lost in the shuffle. This final Advent Sunday we put our focus on love. Paul tells us that love is the greatest and John reminds us in 1 John 4:16, “Let us love one another, for love comes from God.” And that love came expressed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Back to that unsigned card. I was free to imagine it was from anyone of you. Even better yet, I thought it might have been from God. Alas, it had a HK postmark. But God is sending his love to his world from Hong Kong from people just like you and me. What can we do this week to reflect that love to the someone in our life who needs it most and deserves it least?

Speaking of showing love and appreciation, my colleague Pastor Michele Bland became Dr. Pastor Michele Bland on Wednesday. She earned a Psy.D. After the 5PM Service Sunday, there will be a reception for her. And if you send her a card, be sure to sign it.

Pastor Greg

This Week

Community Outreach
Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF)
Date: Saturday, 17 December, 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Meeting Point: Union Church
We invite families to join us as we share the birth of Jesus Christ through a mini Christmas Musical with the residence and volunteers at HOLF. We will meet at Union Church and will travel in a bus together to the HOLF Center. For more details and to sign up please email us at .

 



Christmas at Union

Sunday, 18 December, 5PM
"Carols on the Green"

Saturday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
5PM Family Service
8PM Jazzy Christmas and Candlelight
11PM Traditional Carols and Candlelight

Sunday, 25 December, Christmas Day
8:30AM, 9:30AM & 11AM Christmas Day Service 
Please note, there is no 5PM evening service on Christmas Day. 

Opportunities

Cookie Decoration for Sons and Daughters 
When: Saturday, 17 December, 1:30PM-4:30PM 
Where: Fellowship Hall, Union Church
What to Bring: 1) either two dozen plain cookies or pre-made sugar cookie dough that is ready to be rolled, 2) rolling pin, 3) sprinkles, and 4) icing 
There are an estimated 250 women working in bars and discos in Wan Chai. YWAM's Sons and Daughters team formed seven years ago to bring God's love to the ‘Red Light’ district.  Before Christmas, the team visits the women and gives cookies, a Christmas card, and a Bible.  For the past four years, Union children bake and decorate the cookies.  Recipients always ask 'who made the cookies?’  They are extremely touched to learn our children and church care. Please contact Pastor Michele.

New Courses: “The Jesus Lifestyle” and “The Marriage Course”

“The Jesus Lifestyle” 6 week course will start on Wednesday, 11 January 2017. It follows on from the Alpha course but is open to everyone.
'Nicky Gumbel presents such topics as: how to find the secret of happiness? How to change the world around you? How to handle anger?
Time: 7:30PM – 9:00PM
No supper provided. Registration email: ALPHA.

“The Marriage Course” will run from Thursdays, 16 February – 30 March 2017. The course offers a lifetime of practical ideas and tools to help keep your relationship strong. The course is based on Christian principles but is designed for ALL couples with or without a church background.
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
There will be a charge to cover the cost of the weekly dinners. Registration details to follow.

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. 

Adult Education 

Journey to Bethlehem 
Tuesdays, 20 December (Last Class)
Soup Dinner 7:00PM - 7:30PM
Class 7:30PM - 8:30PM
RSVP Brenna Dykman

In preparation for Advent come explore the Old Testament stories of our need as God's people for the Messiah. 

Young Adult

Uni-On, the new university aged group at Union!
Are you between 18 and 23? Studying or interning in Hong Kong? Please join us at Starbucks in Alexandra House (Central) on Thursdays at 6:00PM for a chance to relax and experience community with other university aged young adults from Union. Friends are more than welcome. Contact: Young Adults. 

Youth 

Youth Group Christmas Party – 16 December
This Friday we will have a Christmas Party for the youth! Carols, good food and games
6:00PM – 9:00PM for both Jr & Sr High.
Bring your Christmas sweater!

Cookie Decoration for Sons and Daughters – Saturday, 17 December
All Youth and families are encouraged to attend this church event.
Join this Saturday, 1:30PM – 4:30PM, in the Fellowship Hall of Union Church.
Check out more details under “Opportunities”.

Sunday Life On Break
There will be no Sunday Life this week and during the Christmas Holiday.
It will pick back up on 8 January 2017.

Not-Left-Behind Day - Wednesday, 28 December
Are you in town during Christmas? Are you coming back from boarding-school and feel "left-behind"?
Note on your calendar a special day-out for both Junior and Senior High on Wednesday, December 28 with Anto.
More details coming soon.

Questions? Email 

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School Christmas Party, Sunday, 18 December, 9:30AM & 11:00AM
Kingdom Kids invite all the children for our Sunday School Christmas Party in the Lower Annex. There will be story telling, games, crafts making and Christmas snacks for all to enjoy.

Community Outreach
St. Barnabas Kid’s Learning Program
Date: Sunday, 18 December, 4:30PM – 6:30PM
Meeting Point: St.Barnabas Society & Home, 21 Fung Mat Road, Western District at 4:00PM
We will celebrate Christmas with the under-privileged children of St. Barnabas Kids Learning Program. Please sign up here at .

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS ON SUNDAY, 1 JANUARY 2017
There will be no Sunday School classes on Sunday, 1 January 2017, instead Kingdom Kids will be screening Veggie Tales movies.

US Taxpayers

For US Taxpayers wishing to make tax-deductible donations for the 2016 tax year, please ensure that cheques are made payable to “Friends of Hong Kong Charities, Inc.” and are dated before 31 December 2016. 

Please send your cheques to our Church Admin Office latest by 31 December 2016, otherwise your donation will not be recognized in the 2016 tax year. Thank you for your continuous support to Union Church.
 

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Union Church, 22A Kennedy Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2523 7247 | Fax: +852 2524 0473
Email:    www.unionchurchhk.org