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U Matters

Today is American Thanksgiving.  (A Canadian member reminded me that the first North American Thanksgiving was celebrated in Canada in 1578 by Sir Walter Frobisher.  This was way before the Pilgrims.)  Last Sunday, Anto in his debut sermon, reminded us that thanksgiving is always a verb and never a noun in the Bible.  Let’s take time today to thank our Lord for his goodness and mercy.

Last week we had our largest attendance of the Autumn and we all fit!  A highlight was the new 5:15PM service.  Check it out!  We thank you for your patience and understanding as we learn to worship together in a new and smaller place.

This is the critical Sunday for turning in your pledge cards.  For those of you who are new, we base our budget on the income promised by our members.  The traditional way to do this is to fill out a pledge card. Please prayerfully consider what God would have you give and then please turn in or mail in your card.  Thank you!

This Sunday at 9:45AM we will celebrate St. Andrew’s Day.  There will be bagpipes and kilts.  We invite you to wear your trews and tartans.

Gratefully
Pastor Greg

This Week

St. Andrew's Day Service, this Sunday 26 November 9:45AM
Come celebrate Union Church’s Scottish roots! Don’t forget to wear some tartan attire (kilt, dress, pants or even a tie) to get into the Scottish spirit. Come and worship with special music and traditional Scottish bagpipes.

Reformation Lunch and Learn: 500 years later, what does the Protestant Reformation mean for us today? Come learn from Rev. Dr. Jan Martin Depner, Professor at Lutheran Theological School, and enjoy a German lunch. This Sunday, 26 November at 12:30PM. It's not too late, but email Monte Peterson so we can plan food.

 
There are still some copies of pew Bibles & Hymnals (Rejoice and Sing printed “Union Church Hong Kong”) left. If you would like a copy, please take one home at the Welcome Table.
 

Stewardship

Online Giving
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”  Malachi 3:10
 
All of your giving, including tithes, offerings and special gifts for Missions, can be paid online via our website or mobile app.  The church has made this possible in order to make giving more convenient for our congregation.
 
If you have any questions about online giving, feel free to write to accounts or call 21010415. Thank you for your continued faithful giving.  
 

December Service Schedule Update

U-Café Services will be held throughout December.
Please Note: There will be no U-Bar Service at Hotel Indigo on December 17, 24, 31.​
 
3 December Advent I
8:45AM Communion Service (Music Room at Sunlight Tower)
9:45AM & 11:15AM   Union Church Choir Christmas Cantata with orchestra
“Sing Joy to All the World!”
11:15AM U-Café & U-Bar ‘Live’ Sermon with Communion
5:15PM Evening Worship & Communion
   
10 December Advent II
8:45AM Communion Service (Music Room at Sunlight Tower)
9:45AM & 11:15AM Children’s Christmas Musical
  “Follow That Star Ferry”
11:15AM U-Café & U-Bar ‘Live’ Sermon
5:15PM Evening Worship
   
17 December  Advent III
  Normal Service Schedule
Please Note: There will be no U-Bar on 17, 24, 31 December
   
24 December  Advent IV & Christmas Eve
8:45AM Carols & Communion
9:45AM Carols & their story
11:15AM Carol Praise
11:15AM U-Café Christmas Praise 
  Please note: There will be no U-Bar today
5:00PM  Jazzy Family Service and Candlelight
7:00PM Traditional Carols and Candlelight
   
25 December  Christmas Day 
10:00AM Carols & Choir
  

 
 
 
 

 

 

Worship

December Communion, 3 December, Advent I
The Sanctuary Choir with orchestra, will present "Sing Joy to All the World" by Lloyd Larson at 9:45AM and 11:15AM services. The Sermon and Communion will be celebrated at 8:45AM, 11:15AM U-Cafe, 11:15AM U-Bar and 5:15PM services.
 

Opportunities

“Follow That Star Ferry” Children’s Christmas Musical - Save the Date: 10 December 2017
This year’s Christmas Musical, our Sunday School children will be performing the Nativity with the theme “Follow That Star Ferry”. Infused with some local HK flavour and filled with lots of fun scenes, the children will be sharing this wonderful news of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ for all to hear. We invite all children from ages 3 to 10 years old to join us and be a part of this wonderful time of the year. The Christmas Musical rehearsals takes place every Sunday until the 3rd of December at both the 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM services. During this period of time, please bring your children directly to ROOM 3 and kindly pick them up again from the same room. 
 
Hong Kong Gospel Festival 2017, International Session, Sunday, 3 December at 10:00AM
The aim is to share the gospel with those who are yet to believe in God and accept God as their savior.
Speaker: Rev. John Snelgrove (Founding Pastor of The Vine Church, English Ministry Lead Pastor of Kong Fok Church)
Testimony Guests: Tracy Trinita (Indonesia’s First Supermodel and Speaker for RZIM Asia); Bobby Febian (Indonesian Gospel Singer and Preacher, Founder and Lead Singer of Oneway Band Indonesia)
Venue: Hong Kong Stadium
For more info/admission tickets, please visit: http://hkgospelfestival.org/?page_id=3427 
 
Prayer for Union Come lift up the needs of Union Church. Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30AMfor a time of prayer in the sanctuary.
 

Missions

“Walk-the-Wall”, Saturday, 2 December 2017 
International China Concern, a Union supported charity helping abandoned disabled children in China, is organising its annual walkathon “Walk-the-Wall” on 2 December 2017, a 9km leisure walk along the Mount Parker Road Green Trail from Quarry Bay to Tai Tam. Bring your family, friends, colleagues & small groups to this enjoyable hike, while raising funds for China’s neediest children! Sign up https://www.walkthewall.org/hongkong/
 

Serve

If you are looking for a place to serve at Union Church Pastor Michele would love to chat!
With growing services, especially at 11:15AM service, we have 4 locations operational at the same time, we could really use your help in the usher greeter team.
Options:
Main sanctuary (4 people needed each Sunday; welcoming, actively seating; offering);
Door (this is a meet and greet -traffic control -directing people -children, bathrooms, services etc)
Foyer (front line of Union Church -welcoming, directing people to Hotel Indigo when the 18/F is full)
If you can help once a month it would be greatly appreciated.
 

Education

Hearing from God in the Season of Advent: Rev. Dr. John Yates will help us slow down and listen as we enter a busy season of preparation. John is a retired Anglican minister, but he and Donna have variously been involved in Pentecostal, Baptist, Lutheran and Evangelical churches. John has been both a parish minister and theological lecturer, but spends much of his time these days in giving spiritual direction, with a “prophetic edge” to a wide range of people, lay and ordained. He is also chair of the Evangelical Alliance in Australia. His writings can be found on www.cross-connect.net.auSaturday, 2 December at 10:00AM. Sign up at the Welcome Table or email Monte Peterson.

Science and Faith: Friend or Foe?: Come hear Dr. Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director of The Faraday Institute, St. Edmund's College, Cambridge. Tuesday, 5 December at 7:00PM. Light dinner followed by talk and Q&A. A great opportunity to bring your friends!
 

Membership

There is no better time than NOW to become a member at Union Church. If interested in membership, please see or contact Pastor Michele or Pastor Greg for details.
 

Ladies

Join us for the annual Union Church Ladies Retreat, Thursday, 25 - Sunday, 28 January 2018
We are off to Vietnam and hope you can join us. Approximate costs (incl flights, accommodation & meals) $4,900. Pay first instalment $2,500. Deadline for registration Thursday, 30 November. Contact Pastor Michele. A sign up form is available at the Welcome Desk or register your interest here.
 

Small Group

Looking for a small group? There are some great options available. Women, Intergenerational, Men - check out the brochure.
 

Young Adults

Starting a new Young Adult Evening: “Wednesday Sunlight”
Starting next week, 29 November, all Young Adults (18 to 35) are welcome to gather in the Youth Room for fellowship and good discussion.
Food is provided.
Contact Anto for more information.
 

Youth

Friday Youth Group, 24 November – Scavenger Hunt
This Friday, we are joining together with Community Church, Watermark, and Young Life in a Scavanger Hunt around Union Church! Both Senior and Junior youth are to be at Union from 6:00PM to 9:00PM where they will engage in a Scavanger Hunt as well as other fun activities.
 
Sunday Youth Group, 26 November – just10
Youth of all ages are welcome from 9:45AM to 10:45AM, in the Youth Room. Every week we follow the “just10” curriculum. This week is about Commandment #3, and we talk about Taking God Seriously

Tickets Sale - Youth Christmas Banquet - LAST CHANCE
The annual Youth Christmas Banquet will take place on 1 December this year. Make sure to book your ticket quickly by contacting the Youth Team or stopping by the Youth Table this Sunday (or contact the Youth Team by email).

Upcoming Big Youth Events
Friday, 24 November: Scavanger Hunt
Friday, 1 December: Youth Christmas Banquet
Saturday, 2 December: ICC Walk the Wall 
Friday, 8 December: RESOUND (inter-city Youth Ministry Night)
Friday, 15 December: Christmas Party

Youth activities
Are you a youth and want to be involved in our youth group? There are many ways you can be involved: Youth Group (Friday, Sunday), Youth Band, Christian Clubs, Confirmation etc.
 
Questions? Email YOUTH
 

Kingdom Kids

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL IMPORTANT DATES:
* Performance Date: Sunday, 10 December at 9:45AM & 11:15AM service
* First Dress Rehearsal (with Pizza Lunch): Sunday, 3 December from 12:30PM to 2:30PM
* Final Dress Rehearsal (with costumes): Saturday, 9 December from 8:30AM to 11:30AM

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL SUNDAY REHEARSALS:
* Sunday Rehearsal: 19, 26 Nov & 3 Dec at 9:45AM & 11:15AM service
Kindly drop off your children at ROOM 3  at least 10 minutes before church service time. 

Christmas Musical Costumes Pick Up Arrangement
* Sunday, 26 November: Age group 6-10 year old
* Sunday, 3 December: Age group 3-5 year old & Main Cast
Alternative date: Saturday, 9 December

Crèche Center, every Sunday from 8:30AM to 12:30PM
Babies and toddlers ages 0 up to 3 years old will proceed directly to the Crèche Room. Please note that on Sunday 3 Dec and 10 Dec, the Crèche will be moved to ROOM 1 due to Christmas Performances. In addition, in order to keep the Crèche Center clean and safe for babies to use, we would appreciate it if parents could leave the baby strollers at the designated stroller parking area which can be found at the church main entrance door. Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Sunday School 2017/2018 Registration 
In order to receive updates regarding Children Ministry program and for the safety of all children attending our Sunday School and Creche Program, we asked that parents to please register their children by filling in and signing the Registration Form available on our church website and also at the Welcome Table. Register HERE and for more information, please visit www.unionchurchhk.org or contact us at CHILDREN or 2101 0414. Thank you. 
 

Last Week's Sermons

Please click on the link below to download

(Great) Thanksgiving by Antonin Ficatier
 
 
Conversion and Money by Dr. Jeff Greenman