U MATTERS
I know some of you are having a rough week - particularly parents of young children and those seeking medical attention. I also know that some of you are suffering in silence - please know that you are not alone. We encourage you to reach out - we would love to pray and listen. There is much we cannot control but we can control how we respond to the challenges and difficulties that we are facing. We can control some things - what we eat, what we do with our free time, what we think about, what we read, watch and the list goes on. Self-care is critical during these challenging times.
This week, 32 people joined a Robert Morrison lecture given by Catriona Woodrow. People tuned in from Ireland, Scotland, mainland China, Australia and various parts throughout Hong Kong - it was a thoughtful and encouraging evening. A new cohort of Stephen Ministers is being trained - there are 9 new members, who upon completion of the 50 hours of training, will be added to the team and our new Stephen Leaders are facilitating the training - Ellen Ahn, Crystal Lo, Tess Lyons and Catriona Woodrow. Our Young Adults, Small Groups, Youth are still meeting - and there are some new lunchtime studies for men and women starting in March with Dan and Juliana. Alternatively, join us at Zoom Coffee hour -10:45-11:15. We hope that you get connected!
At GriefShare this week we heard a poem which resonated with many of us -
“The Weaver”- Grant Colfax Tullar
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
Living with uncertainty isn’t easy. We need to remember that we are not alone. God has given us His Spirit and one another. Jesus said this, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
Blessings, Pastor Michele
CHURCH ONLINE
We are continuing the Psalms of Hope sermon series. Find comfort and strength in the sovereignty and love of God! Join us for the livestream of the 9:45am (Traditional) and 11:15am (Contemporary) services here. In Pastor Michele's message last Sunday, she mentioned Nabeel Qureshi and his book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. Some of you have asked for more information. If you don't want to read the book, consider watching the lecture (including an intro by Lee Strobel).
Please note that the church remains closed to visitors, in line with the latest regulations.
Meet our Ministry Partners: We have a special Zoom Coffee Hour this Sunday, 20 February, at 10:45am. International Care Ministries will join the conversation and share how their pastors' network in the Philippines has been serving ultrapoor communities to bring hope and transformation. Everyone should hop on! Email for the Zoom link.
STAY CONNECTED
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Join the conversation on Instagram: What's your favourite Psalm? Check it out. While you're on Union's Instagram account, check out Dan's and Jacklien's special Psalms.
THIS WEEK
@thetable Zoom social, Tuesday, 22 February, 8:00pm, The women of Union and their friends are gathering for more fun this month. Last month's online social featured a great cross section of our diverse congregation - join us for the next one! Email for the Zoom link. (Hint: it's the same Zoom link as for the January social.)
Robert Morrison, Pioneer Protestant Missionary to China, Online: Catriona Woodrow delivers the 2nd class about the life and work of this significant church leader on Wednesday, 23 February, 8:00pm - 9:15pm. Register for the class now.
Young Adults Study - "Your Time is Now": ONLINE Wednesdays at 8:00pm: Speaker and chaplain Jonathan Evans encourages us to walk in God’s purpose today and for the rest of our lives. Learn how we can take hold of what God wants to give us right now. For more details and the Zoom link contact Dan Tupps.
GriefShare on Zoom: Session 7 on Tuesday, 22 February - "Guilt and Anger" - touches upon these emotions that can create barriers to the peace and healing God has for us. Learn more about GriefShare.
Oxfam Hong Kong is hiring! Oxfam is an independent development and relief agency based in Hong Kong and a member of the Oxfam federation. They are looking for a Director of Fundraising and Communications. Take a look - applications close on 25 February.
UPCOMING
Compassion Project: Let's pause, be still and listen to God as HE leads a new grassroots initiative where women help women. What might the Compassion Project look like? Join us and pray about this. Learn more here. The Creativity Ministry is targeting 1 March, 8:30pm for the first online meeting.
Online Ash Wednesday Service: Save the date of 2 March, 7:30pm for our worship service that marks the beginning of our Lenten journey with Jesus towards the cross and His resurrection. We will stream the service here.
Women's Ministry - New Online Wednesday Lunchtime Study, 6 weeks, starting 9 March, 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Juliana Rotmeyer is leading a new online study group for busy women looking for lunchtime spiritual refreshment. Our first study is Eugene Peterson's Run with the Horse: The Quest for Life at Its Best. Please register so we can send you the book.
Alpha Online, Thursdays, starting 10 March, 7:45pm, with the introductory session, Is There More To Life Than This? The Alpha course is your opportunity to ask any question about the Christian faith. Bring a family member, friend or colleague to the online course - ask God who that person is. Registration is open.
Women's Ministry - Save the Date - Tuesday, 29 March, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: Let's Koinonia! More coming soon.
KINGDOM KIDS
Peace Vouchers: This is the last week to collect PARKnSHOP voucher(s) to help families in Hong Kong who are struggling during this difficult time. You can post the vouchers to us at 18/F Dah Sing Financial Centre, 248 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai with "Peace Vouchers" on the envelope. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Feel free to include a loving message or Bible verse(s) on your envelope. The deadline is Sunday, 20 February. Thank you for your kind support.
Online Sunday School, Every Sunday at 10:30am: Children ages 3 to 10 years old are invited to join us! There will be a time of worship, learning about God's Word, sharing and praying for each other and a Kahoot game. It will be fun to learn together. Please email to get the Zoom link.
Kingdom Kids Sunday Edition - Jesus Calms a Storm - will be available at the end of the 9:45am and 11:15am worship services on the Union Church website and Facebook. See recent episodes here.
Online Friday Youth - Tomorrow! - 18 February, 6:00pm - 8:00pm: We'll continue with our series, Fruit of the Spirit: The 9 Keys to Happiness. We'll meet on Zoom at 6:00pm before heading into breakout rooms for Juniors and Seniors. See you on Zoom - the link is here.
Online Sunday Youth - 20 February, 11:15am: We'll continue our series on forgotten figures of the Bible for Juniors and Seniors, as well as having time to check in with one another, pray and more. Youth can join the Zoom here at 11:15am.
MISSIONS
Alpha is bringing the hope of the Gospel to the younger generation! Alpha Hong Kong is excited to share that Alpha Cantonese Teen Series (ACTS) is now soft launching one episode per week, downloadable and for free on their website. ACTS is a Cantonese-language series designed to engage students in conversations about life, faith and Jesus. Through 13 engaging talks, ACTS creates a space for students to explore and develop a relationship with Jesus. Here's quick glimpse of episode 1: https://youtu.be/nGfmSWzp_Ow. Find more details at http://alpha.org.hk/en/acts/.
MUSIC4MISSIONHK to benefit ICC, Sunday, 27 February, 7:00pm: Everyone is welcome to join this launch of Music4Mission by Union's Caleb Chung (on violin) and his friends, Aidan (viola) and Joshua (cello). The first charity they are raising awareness about is International China Concern HK (ICC). Zoom in - see the details in the image!
ONE2022 Campaign: We are excited about the upcoming ONE2022 campaign that kicks off on Ash Wednesday. Union Church's sermon series, small groups and daily listening will all focus on ONE2022, which unites churches from many languages around the world. Let's stay grounded as a church in Scripture and prayer.
Save the date - Saturday, 12 March - Virtual Tour with International Care Ministries (ICM), Philippines: Our Missions committee invites you to immerse yourself in a live virtual trip to one of ICM's Transform communities near Dumaguete. More details and registration coming soon.
Light of the World Church and Preschool, Myanmar: Thank you for praying for this ministry! Pastor Vum's entire family has been sick but are recovering. Please pray for complete restoration of health, protection for the Vum family and church members, and for the preschool staff and children.
CAMACOP church planter recovering, Philippines: You might recall that Pastor Rafhel Cuadra suffered a broken shoulder during typhoon relief efforts in Southern Leyte, Philippines. He had successful surgery over two weeks ago and he sends his thanks for our prayers and the financial support that made his surgery possible.
Small Groups
Stay connected while church is online. The support from your friends in a small group is tangible demonstration of God's love for us. Interested in joining one? There are groups for women, men, couples, day-time, night-time, etc. Contact so that we might suggest a good group for you.
RightNow Media
Did you know that you can have free access to the amazing studies and resources at RightNow Media through Union Church's account? You'll find relevant content for every age group or spiritual season and you can search by category, topic, or speaker. Access RightNow Media through this page on our Union Church website.
Prayer
Prayer changes everything. Need prayer? Reach out to us confidentially at .
Stephen Ministry
Going through a crisis or a difficult time? Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support during life's challenges. Please contact if we can help.
Last week's service
“Psalms of Hope" Rev Dr Michele Bland