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U MattersWhat is role of the church? Why do we meet? What makes a church gathering any different from a club?
My favourite passage about the church is found in Acts chapter 2:42-47. For me, this passage has always been a wonderful reminder of the role and function of the church.
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
The Early church believers were devoted to teaching, they were connected with one another through fellowship, prayer, praising and the breaking of bread. The depth of the community, the involvement in one another’s life and the depth of sharing with one another inspires and challenges me. It was this type of engagement and connection that the Lord blessed. Notice the results, there were miracles, as well as, spiritual and numerical growth.
As we journey together in our walk with God and in our community, it is my hope that we will follow a similar model. That we will be committed to developing deep relationships, committed to studying God’s word, committed to lifting one another up in prayer, and committed to praising and serving.
These past two months we have enjoyed Sunday morning teaching from our staff, Anto, Hunter, Monte, Pastor Michele and guest speaker Pastor Howard Mellor. Union Church has always enjoyed hearing from a variety of speakers and March will be no exception. As we approach Lent, we look forward to hearing from special guests, Dr. Jeff Greenman (president of Regent College), Dr. David Wang and Pastor Andrew Gardner. We hope to see you Sundays, but we also hope that you will be connected to a small group for study and prayer, connected to serving and connected to the people of God at Union Church. If there is anything we can do to help you get more connected we would love to hear from you.
Blessings,
Pastor Michele
Annual General MeetingNotice of AGM
Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, 23 March 2019 at 6:00PM. Please come join us as we celebrate together, and give glory to God. Non-members are welcome to attend. Nominations Announcement
Nominations for 2019 Committee of Management (CoM) are now open to the church. Members of 6 months and longer, over 18 years of age and in good standing, who wish to nominate a candidate for the 2019 CoM, please fill in a nominations form available on the Welcome Table or from the church office and submit to the office, attention the Honorary Secretary. Nominations must be seconded by another voting member and have the agreement of the nominee. The candidate will also need to be over 18 years old, a member for more than 6 months and in good standing. Nomination for CoM members will be closed on Friday 8th of March 2019.
This WeekSunday School Outing, Sunday 24 February, 12:30PM to 4:30PM
Children aged 10 years old and above are invited to join us for our monthly Sunday school outing. This week we will do community service and children will gather at Room 18 at 12:30PM sharp.
Contact us at
for more details.
LentLent is coming soon!
Lent is a wonderful opportunity for deeper study, reflection and action as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection at Easter.
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, 6 March, 2019: dinner at 7:00PM, worship at 7:45PM
Union Sanctuary - This is in place of our regular ReCharge programming
Let's join together as a church family for our Ash Wednesday Service. It is the first day of Lent and marks the 40 days before Easter. It is a period of fasting and renewal. The service will include worship and communion with the optional imposition of ashes. Ash Wednesday Worship is filled with Gospel truth. It is a witness to the power and beauty of our union with Christ! All welcome!
The Crucified Life: a study of Jesus' last seven words. Offered at ReCharge, beginning 13 March, and Sundays after the 11:15AM service, beginning 10 March.
February and March Schedule Update24 February (Sunday) - "The Father's Heart, Our First Love: God Transforms" by Monte Peterson
3 March (Sunday) - sermon on Refugee Hospitality by Rev. Dr. Judy Chan
6 March (Wednesday) at 7:45PM - Ash Wednesday Service by Monte Peterson
10 March (Sunday) - Lent I by Rev. Dr. Jeff Greenman
10 March (Sunday) at 5:15PM - Taizé Service by Anto Ficatier
*A detailed Lenten Schedule will be released in the service bulletin for this Sunday.
BUFFBUFF – Update Report for January 2019
Union Church moved from its previous location in Kennedy Road to Sunlight Tower in September 2017 in order to allow the redevelopment of its site at 22A. Foundation work is now underway and the superstructure contract is due to begin in October 2019. The Occupation Permit for the development is scheduled for June 2022 and we anticipate moving into our new church premises at 22A Kennedy Road in late 2022 / early 2023. The model of the development is currently on display on the Reception table and indicates the disposition of our new Sanctuary, church premises in the podium with the residential block above it. This is a working model and may be subject to amendment as detailed design progresses. BUFF will keep you up to date with the progress of the project and also inform you when the next prayer meeting will be held at 22A site to which everyone is invited to attend. We are about to start the detailed interior design work for the church. If you would like to be involved in this, or if you have any questions regarding our redevelopment, please contact me at Patrick Wilson BUFF team member ReChargeReCharge 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 The Father's Heart for Justice
27 Feb: Justice for Refugees with Dr. Isabella Ng, co-founder of Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees. Dr. Ng is an academic working with the Department of Asian and Policy Studies in The Education University of Hong Kong.
OpportunitiesWelcome Lunch
New here? Been attending for a while but looking to meet more people? Join us for lunch on Sunday, 3 March, at La Cucina Italiana, 29/F, QRE Plaza. 12:30. Contact or for more information. Union Family News
Union celebrates 175 years this year. If you would like to be part of the planning team we would love to hear from you. Please see Pastor Michele. "Child, Disrupted”, Sunday, 24 March, 12.30PM to 2.15PM
Join us for a documentary film about how time spent using technology specifically impacts children’s behavior followed by a short talk on Biblical Perspective on Technology and Q&A by our own Young Adult Director, Antonin Ficatier.
* Suitable for children aged 8 years old and above, parents, grandparents, educators, caregivers.
* Suggested donation of HK$50 per adult, light lunch and child care for children below 8 years old will be provided.
* Register at
or Sign Up at the Welcome Table.
PEACE BOX 2019 CAMPAIGN
Join us as we bless the children from the underprivileged families and the elderlies living alone by contributing a box or boxes filled with necessities. It is a great opportunity to share God’s love with those in need.
Please bring in the boxes to Union Church during office hours on weekdays or on Sundays until March 17th. For more info, please click HERE, visit the Welcome Table or email us at
.
2019 Family Retreat:
Save the Date: 29 - 30 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. Please see the fliers in the foyer and sign up quickly.
"One" Hong Kong 2019 Hearing the Word Campaign
Come and hear Randy Frazee, co author (with Max Lucado) of The Story, as he speaks about the Good News. Join us in not only hearing this beautiful story, but also another in the making: the birth of city-wide ONE Hearing the Word Campaign, on 2 March 2019, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at International Christian Assembly, North Point.
Admission fee: Free. R.S.V.P: Register through http://onehongkong2019.eventbrite.hk. If you'd like to serve as a volunteer at the Story Celebration or for helping the church to promote this city-wide One Campaign, please go to the Contact Us section at the One website. ‘GOD IN THE MOVIES’
When: Fridays,1, 8, 15 March
Where: Gospel Community Church Ministry Centre, East TST $100HKD per person for three weeks For registration and details, please email Bob at
Adult EducationSunday Lunch Study
Join us as we read and discuss The Good and Beautiful God after church on Sundays. 12:30PM-2:00PM, youth room. This Sunday we'll be discussing chapter 8, "God Transforms." MenUnion Men's Dinner
Join the men of Union Church for an evening of fellowship and Christian brotherhood, with drinks and a good dinner at The Hong Kong Club. A great opportunity to meet the other men who are active at Union Church! Our own Robert Barker will deliver an encouraging talk. Please RSVP as soon as possible - there are only 35 seats! Date: 2 March, 2019 Time: 6:30 - 9:00PM Location: The Hong Kong Club, 1 Jackson Road, Central Cost: $400 or $600 (to sponsor others) Dress code: Smart Casual (The Club has very strict rules) Please RSVP: Antonin Ficatier (deadline for registration is February 28) Sign-up available at the Welcome Table and online registration HERE. Young AdultsNew 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! Baptism and MembershipThree Baptism classes will be offered on Sunday 24 February, and 3 and 10 March from 12:45PM-2:00PM. If you are interested in baptism or membership please sign up in the foyer, collect a form and submit it or see Pastor Michele for details.
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.
YouthFriday Youth Group – 22 February
Juniors (11-13) are asked to arrive from 6-7:30PM
Seniors (14-18) are to arrive from 7-9PM with ‘hangout’ in the Youth Room from 9-10PM.
This Friday will be a Scripture Night, We invite Youth to come discuss the Spring theme of Friendship, and what Scripture can teach us about our relationships.
Sunday Youth Group – Sunday, 24 February
Youth can attend at either 9:45AM or 11:15AM.
Juniors (11-13) and Seniors (14-18) will meet in Indigo Hotel 29/F, and seniors will head out after prayer to have a biblical discussion.
Kingdom KidsFilipino Ministry12:00 – 1:00PM Intercessory Prayer
1:00 – 1:50PM Corporate Prayer
2:15 - 3:15PM Group Bible Study
3:30 – 4:30PM Worship
Pray for: the healing of Ailyn Gico who had a stroke and is half paralyzed.
MissionLocal Mission - Sons and Daughters (S&D) is a ministry that seeks to reach out to the men and women in the red-light districts of Hong Kong. There are many opportunities for volunteer support, including the following: lunchtime intercessory prayer, male and female volunteers for outreach ministry, house parents for their shelter, education providers for job skills/training as part of their exit program, administrative support, musicians and worship leaders, social work interns, cookie baking, card writing, and assistance with fundraisers. There are several upcoming information sessions on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00PM (20 March, 17 April, and 22 May). If you want to get involved or learn more, please contact Janice Chan or Brittney Tsang.
Last Week's Sermon"God is Self-Sacrificing" by Revd Canon Dr G. Howard Mellor
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