U MATTERS
Last Saturday 30 of our leaders, Trustees, COM, Deacons and staff, met for a half-day retreat. We spent time worshipping, praying, listening, sharing, envisioning and getting to know one another. We spent time teasing out our core values and although there were many characteristics stated, the groups agreed that, when we think of Union Church we see a caring compassionate community that is generous, missional, and maturing in faith. We also spent time thinking about our neighbours and discovered we have three -Dah Sing Financial Center, digital online community and 22a Kennedy Road. Although there is much work to be done -fine tuning and exploring further on ‘how can we love our neighbours?’ -there was energy, enthusiasm and engagement.
As we consider future ministries of Union Church, we invite you to join us in prayer as we explore together. We are living in exciting times. It is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Blessings, Pastor Michele
WORSHIP SERVICE UPDATES
At this time, all services this Sunday are full. If you have registered and subsequently need to cancel or adjust your numbers down, please email as soon as possible so we may offer your space to someone else.
For Sunday services on 27 June, the registration will open at 10:00am on Monday HERE. If you have registered, you will always receive a reply email letting you know if you are in or if you need to select an alternative service or watch the livestream.
Union Church offers three in-person services: 8:45am (Family Communion), 9:45am (Traditional Worship) and 11:15am (Contemporary Worship). The latter two services are available via livestream on our church website, Facebook page, church app and YouTube. Be part of our growing online congregation!
Our online worshippers are invited to join the Zoom Coffee Hour hosted by the Deacons. We want to connect with our online friends every Sunday in between services, 10:45am - 11:15am. Contact the church office to get the Zoom link.
FAMILY NEWS
Memory Books: What cherished memories do you have of Chris Yorks and Monte Peterson and their ministries at Union? They are returning to the USA this summer and we want to acknowledge all they have done for our church family. Please record your gratitude, photos, and / or signature in memory books - you'll find them at the Memory Book table at church. Feel free to take a page home for your creative handiwork. Can we please have your contribution by 27 June - Monte's last Sunday with us!
If you would like to contribute to a love gift for Monte before the 27th, please send a cheque to "Union Church" with Monte Peterson on the back. We will have a marked donation box at the Welcome table too. You may also give via our online giving page - tick the box for "Love Gift for Monte Peterson". Questions? Please contact .
Following our AGM, and in accordance with our Rules, draft minutes have been posted on the Church notice board for anyone who would like to read them.
The Grace of Giving / The Grace Race: Did you see our latest video update of The Grace of Giving? Watch it here (the first video). And...WE'RE NOT DONE YET! Our church family is going to finish the remaining 1,618 kms of The Grace Race on 25-26 September 2021. Save the dates and save your shirt - we'll have more details about the "Final Final Push" later.
The deadline for sponsorship money / donations is tomorrow! By 18 June, please collect and deposit your Grace Race sponsorship money. You may pay through our online form on the website or by bank transfer to our church account: Account Name: Union Church, Account No. 521-68-00975-1, Account Type: HKD Savings Account, Bank Name: The Bank of East Asia, Limited, Bank Code: 015, Swift Code: BEASHKHH, Bank Address: Shop A-C, G/F, Easey Commercial Building, 253-261 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai. Thank you everyone!
THIS WEEK
HOPE for South Asia: We received the following message from Joe at Hope following the wonderful generosity of our congregation: "Thanks for your prayers and financial support, we're seeing countless men and women using what God has placed in their hands to tackle the challenges of poverty in their families and communities across India. Our Pastor on the ground has seen over 33 people baptise and give their lives to Christ in just the last month from our outreaches. Praise the Lord!"
World Refugee Day 2021: Standing Together in Hope. On Saturday, 19 June from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, people across Hong Kong will celebrate the contributions of refugees and raise awareness of their challenges and aspirations. The venue is The Church of Christ in China, Wanchai Church, Chuk Kui Terrace, 77 Spring Garden Lane, Wanchai. Alternatively you may watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8r1gN1Ek1o. Enjoy the testimonials, music and dancing.
Men's Study of John 4-6: Not too late to join! Men are invited to join a study on John 4-6, led by Andrew Lo. In this online study you will take part in 1) a 30-minute daily study including Bible reading, questions & study notes, and 2) Friday group discussions on Zoom from 11 June to 9 July at 1:00pm - 2:00pm. Register here. If you have questions, please contact Andrew at
UPCOMING
Experiencing Worship: the art, the teaching, the creative worship - join us for worship sessions every Wednesday evening in July, 7:30pm. These events are open to the entire congregation and your guests, and are free of charge. Let's go deeper together in our experience of God. Please register to secure your spot.
- 7 July - Worship Art Jam with Crystal Lo (register by 23 June to allow adequate time to organise the supplies)
- 14 July & 21 July - Worship Teaching by King Chau
- 28 July - Creative Worship with Juliana Rotmeyer
Teaching opportunities: Christian Alliance International School in Kowloon has openings for a Maths teacher (learning support focus), a learning support specialist, and substitute teachers. If you wish to learn more, please look at the job descriptions at https://www.caisbv.edu.hk/current-openings/.
KINGDOM KIDS
Online Sunday School, Sunday 20 June - Children ages 3 to 10 years old are invited to join us for our Online Sunday School.
- 3-7 year old students: The Israelites Cross the Red Sea (Exodus 14) via Zoom, from 10:45 am - 11:30am
- 8-10 year old students: Which is it: One God or Three? (1 Chronicles 29:11), via Zoom, from 10:45am - 11:45am
- Kingdom Kids Sunday edition is available at the end of the 9:45am and 11:15am worship services on the Union Church website or Facebook
The link to the Zoom classes will be emailed to families with children registered in our Sunday School programme for the year 2020-2021.
Children's Summer Programme: There are few spaces left, so hurry and register your child and their friends for these fun children’s summer programmes here at Union. Maximum 12 students per class. Register here. Costs below are per child.
Programme 1: Drumming to the BEAT! Learn Djembe with Malama Piliae, 6-8 July, 10:00am - 11:30am, 5 - 12 years, $150
Programme 2: Children's Musical Theatre with Forrest Morr, 13-15 July, 10:00am - 11:30am, 5 - 12 years, $150
Programme 3: Watercolour Painting and Stamping by bymamalaterre, 20-22 July, 10:00am - 11:30am, 5 - 12 years, $600
Programme 4: Drama Workshop by Dove Tales, 27-29 July, 10:00am - 11:30am, 7 years and older, $500
YOUTH
Friday Youth - 18 June - We're picking back up with our Alpha Youth Series and moving into the 5th session. Juniors are invited to join 6:00pm - 8:00pm, while Seniors can come from 7:30pm - 9:00pm. Your friends can still join in if they’re interested! Please contact for further information.
Sunday Youth - 20 June - Youth are invited this Sunday to join us at Ps. Michele’s home for our weekly session. Juniors are continuing with their series on asking bold questions and Seniors are jumping into a new study of the book of Revelations! Please contact Hunter (6466 5080) if you have any questions.
Wednesday Youth - 23 June - This Wednesday we're heading over to Sun Yat Sen Park to play some Footy! All youth are invited from 1:30-3PM, and make sure to bring plenty of water!
MISSIONS
Dates: Monday to Thursday, July 26-29, 2021, Optional Outing: Friday, July 30 (details TBD)
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: 1 of 4 satellite locations on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Territories. Each location will have 6 leaders and up to 12 campers. As per current government regulations, there will be a maximum of 20 people at each location.
Ages: 12-15. For students turning 16 at the time of camp, please email
directly for application details or sign up HERE.
Fee: HK$800. Payment options will be provided via email after application is submitted.
At Young Life, our heart has been to reach the furthest out kid, and our Summer Camps are a great time to do this! We intentionally craft these camps to create an experience of adventure, community, and purpose for these young people who do not yet know Jesus. We encourage our students who are already Christians or attend church to take this opportunity to invite their friends to come and see who Jesus is for themselves and what life with Him is all about!
Flourishing Future Children's Summer Programme, Mongolia: Flourishing Future is planning special mini-outings for children in Ulaan Baatar over a 6-week period this summer as an alternative to the usual summer camps. There will be precautions against the pandemic while Flourishing Future brings fun, fellowship and God's love to children. Please pray for wonderful, safe fun, and that all the resources materialise, including volunteers! Watch a video about Flourishing Future's summer plans, brought to you by Munkhuu and the FF team.
Alpha: Handbags can make a difference! Do you have quality handbags lying idle in your closet? How about donating them to Alpha Hong Kong to allow more people to develop a relationship with Jesus? Alpha Hong Kong is organising a sale of pre-owned handbags to raise funds so more people can hear the gospel for free. Pray that generous donors will offer gently used handbags by premium brands that are in good condition. You may drop them off at certain locations between 21 June and 9 July, or courier them. Check out Alpha's options.
Sons & Daughters (S&D) helps those caught in sexual exploitation to reclaim a life of love, family, and freedom. S&D urgently needs a volunteer to teach sewing skills to the women embarking on a new life. You are needed on Thursdays, 1:00pm - 5:00pm. S&D will brief you fully on their organisation and mission. You can start now! Please contact .
Small Groups
Meeting as a small group at this time is challenging, but the support from each other is more important than ever. There are online options - please reach out if you need help figuring this out! If you aren't currently in a group, we encourage you to try it out. There are groups for women, men, couples, day-time, night-time, etc. Interested? Contact Monte Peterson.
Families in Need (FIN)
Our FIN ministry helps people with their basic monthly needs. If you can help, we are grateful for your generosity. Please mark your envelope "FIN".
Pastoral Care and Prayer
Need prayer? Reach out to us confidentially at .
Stephen Ministry
We provide high-quality, confidential care to people who are hurting through our Stephen Ministry programme. Contact Pastor Michele if you would like to know more about the programme or meet with a Stephen Minister.
Last week's sermon
“Acts 2 Church - Witnesses" Monte Peterson
Social Media
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