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"Making mature followers in all nations for Jesus Christ"

 

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U Matters

Praise God and thank you for your generosity.  The Stewardship Committee, so well led by Simone Loke, has led us through a very successful CELEBRATE THE JOY OF GIVING campaign. (If you haven't sent in your commitment card, please do so ASAP.)  The 8% increase in pledges (compared to last year's results) should help us as we navigate through a very exciting and challenging 2016.
Gratefully,
Greg

We will be celebrating St. Andrew's Day this Sunday.  Wear your kilt or tartan, and bring your ear plugs because there will be 4 bagpipes!! 

This Sunday, 29 November

Advent Kick-off Brunch after 8:30 AM Service, 29 Nov 
Come celebrate the beginning of Advent with a fellowship brunch after our 8:30AM service. There will be plenty of delicious food and friends to talk to. All children in this service will receive an Advent Calendar (…with chocolates!). We have also prepared a small gift of an advent candle for all members of our service. Advent is the time for us to prepare our hearts for the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ.

St. Andrew’s Day Brunch after 9:30AM Service, 29 Nov
Come celebrate Union Church’s Scottish roots with a St. Andrew’s Day Brunch after the 9:30AM service. Don’t forget to wear some tartan attire (kilt, dress, pants or even a tie) to get into the Scottish spirit. Enjoy brunch, and listen to traditional Scottish bagpipes. And when you pass the peace, don’t forget to say “Sithidh Criosda leat” (Shee Kreesta latt), which means “Peace of Christ be with you” in Scottish Gaelic.

MAKE YOUR 2016 RESOLUTION: Read the Whole Bible in One Year! 
Join other committed members of Union Church. Sign up this Sun, 29 Nov. 
Have you ever read the whole Bible? Do you think you just don’t have the time to do this? Make 2016 the year that you read the whole Bible. It will only take you 15 minutes a day. Each day’s reading includes portions from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. We will help you, encourage you and have a quarterly celebration to share our progress. Our goal is to have100 members of Union Church committed to doing this together. This is also a great program for children, who need to read 15 minutes before bedtime. We have found the best One Year Bible for Children to create this habit early in their lives. Sign up at the “Read the Whole Bible in One Year Commitment” table on the Green after services on Sun, 29 Nov. Or contact Danielle Downing or Chris Yorks for more information.

THANK YOU!!  We have much to be thankful for. Last week there was much celebrating and activities happening at UC. Thank you for the many hands that helped pulled off two nights of Philip Yancey and a Thanksgiving Feast for hundreds at lunch Sunday. Thank you for serving the city and our UC community with grace and joy.

Philip Yancey Ticketing: special thanks to Charles Caldwell for taking us out of our comfort zone and believing that we could utilize an online ticketing system. Thanks for the ticket takers, Patrick and Jane Wilson, Po Cheung, Margie Long, Kathy Leung, Tess Lyons, Ray Wahola, and Brenna Dykman. To our ushers and greeters faciliated by Steven Kim, thank you to the team: Peggy Toh, Louise Yong, Christine Wu, Mei Ling Sutherland, Catriona Woodrow, Nada Huang, Maureen Leow, Albert Leung, Catherine Tam, Marga Wulfgram, Macy Wong, Kathy Leung, Shaun Dove, Sze Man, Linda Yeung, Shireen Loke, Steven Kim

To our book sellers, Jacqueline Lee and Elsa Wong. And to Lee Ann and Anita Au for hosting the book signing and pastors reception. Thank you Terri Appeal for coordinating the HKU talk.

Thanksgiving Feast: Thank you turkey cookers! Some cooked one, some cooked two, another cooked four. Thank you Terri Appel, Tess Lyons, Teresa Fox, Holly Anderson, Jane Arnett, Colleen Nichols, Cherrylyn, Sheri Witthoft and Liza Decir. Thank you Kwai Law and Bianca Yip for all your hard work cooking, cutting and preparing, as well as getting things out on Sunday. Thank you Sunday crew for your help - Ryan, Andy, Tess Lyons, Kathy Albert, Colleen Nichols, Brenna Dykman, and Lee Ann McFarlane. Thank you those who brought in side dishes and desserts, your participation was appreciated.

You all served the body well.  With thanks, Pastor Michele 

Opportunities at Union

Music Makers  Wed 4:00-5:00PM, 4 Nov to 9 Dec  Our Music Director, Chris Yorks, will be teaching all interested children how to sing. This is also a great opportunity for your child to get extra practice for the Christmas Musical. Please contact children@unionchurchhk.org to register your child. 
 
THE SILENCE AND THE SOUND - 6 December, 9:30AM & 11:00AM services. The Silence and The Sound is a musical service of illumination. With Scripture, narration and carols, this compelling cantata tells the story of Christ’s birth. Celebrate the light of Christ this holiday season with the Union Church choir.
 
The CHRISTMAS UNPLUGGED CHILDREN Musical  -  Save the Date: 13 December
For this Christmas Musical our children will be sharing the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, through their eyes. The main focus of our Christmas Musical will be emphasizing the importance of “Family Time”. It will be meaningful, family oriented and filled with lots of fun. All children from ages 3-10 years old are invited to join us. 
 
If you would like to get involved by sharing your talents and time in staging, crowd control, costumes, group leaders, cast prompters, setting up the stage, or just helping us support and cheer for our children, please contact children@unionchurchhk.org.

"Running Well" Union Ladies Retreat  to Thailand  21-24 Jan 2016  The Ladies of Union are invited to pause. Take a break with us! Our own Terri Appel will be guiding discussions on a great new year topic "Spiritual Fitness and Self Care". Sign up and pay at Table on the Green by 29 Nov to guarantee the cheaper all inclusive cost of HK$4500. 

IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE Family Retreat 11-12 March, 2016  Dr. Rev. Jerry Root is coming back to Union! Hold the date!
 
New Study: Great way to usher in the Advent season with this new 5 week study - The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem. The study format is a 10-15 minute DVD followed by discussion questions. Join Mike and Sheri Witthoft Wednesday nights 7PM - 9PM at Union. RSVP to Sheri. Light Dinner provided. Don't miss this great opportunity to get connected.
 
New Group: Live in DB and looking to get connected? Join Charles and Bronwyn for a new study on the "Caring for the Soul" -Thursday nights.Contact Charles.

Oasis

Wed, 2 Dec, 8:00PM (Refreshments at 7:30PM)

'The Bible, God, and Natural Disasters'

Dr. Terence E. Fretheim 

Why does God allow natural disasters?  Dr. Fretheim will share a reflection on the biblical understanding of the world that God created.  A professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, he earned his doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary, won a Fulbright Scholarship, and authored many books, including About the Bible: Short Answers to Big Questions (1999), In God's Image: A Study of Genesis (1999), Abraham: Journeys of Family and Faith (2007), Hope in God in Times of Suffering (2006), and Creation Untamed: The Bible, God, and Natural Disasters (2010).  Bring your questions for the Q&A following the talk.  Please join the young adults for a thirty minute lecture by one of the greatest living theologians.

Youth

Last call for the Youth Banquet: We still have eight seats left for the Youth Advent Banquet Friday Nov. 27th from 7:00 to 10:00pm.  If you would like to reserve any of our final tickets, please e-mail Brenna. Tickets are $200 and include dinner, entertainment, and entry into our live and silent auction. All proceeds support youth mission projects.

REBOOT RZIM Apologetics Conference 

December 5, 2015, 9:00am-5:00pm, International Christian Assembly, North Point

Explore questions such as 'Does God exist?’, ‘Why does God allow suffering?’ and ‘Hasn’t science disproved God?’  REBOOT provides a place for young people from 12-18 years old, with or without any faith or church background, to raise their objections and investigate different perspectives.  In this annual conference, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries wants you to have confidence in what you believe and the chance to be honest about your doubts. Contact Pastor Matthew. 

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School Christmas Musical Rehearsals We invite all children from ages 3 to 10 years old to join us for the "Christmas Unplugged" Children's Musical rehearsals. Children, please come straight to the Lower Annex at the beginning of the 9.30 am and 11.00 am.

Costumes Pick Up Sunday, 29 Nov, Parents, please pick up your child's costume for the Christmas Musical on The Green after the 9.30AM and 11.00AM service. Sheep and Little Shepherd (3-5 year old), Servants (6 year old), Shepherds (7-8 year old), Townspeople (9-10 year old). 

Important Dates for Christmas Musical
Sun, 6 Dec, 12:30PM to 3:00PM First Dress Rehearsal (Pizza Lunch)
Sat, 12 Dec, 9:00AM to 12:00noon Final Dress Rehearsal
Sun, 29 Nov & 6 Dec Costumes Pick Up
Sun, 13 Dec, 9:30AM & 11:00AM Performance Time

Outreach & Missions

 
Local Outreach Opportunities - Mark Your Calendar
  • Sat 19 Dec, 1:00-4:00PM families will gather to Bake Cookies for YWAM Sons and Daughters

  • We are partnering with a local Tung Chung church for a series of Christmas outreach opportunities in Tung Chung, Tai O and Ngong Ping on 20, 23 & 24 Dec. Please contact Lee-Ann or Eric Fung by the end of Nov for more details.

Last Week's Sermons

Please click on the link below to download

"Thanks Giving or Grumpy Giving" by Pastor Greg Anderson

 

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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