U MATTERS:

Throughout the week Sunlight Tower has been bustling as we set the stage for our new sermon series -More than Conquerors: Overcoming. There are new sets, a new format, and new features. Additionally, we are rolling out the all new VBS -Rocky Railway. We are excited about our Fall Kick Off series!

Scripture sets the stage for us on the topic of being more than a conqueror and overcomer. There are many people in the Bible who were overcomers. Job needed to overcome losses and rebuild his life; Saul, the first king of Israel, wondered if he was worthy to be king and Joshua and Jeremiah seemed to suggest that they were afraid and felt inadequate. Our new series will feature a Bible character each week and address their struggles of overcoming.

Regardless of the areas that we are needing to overcome, Scripture provides us with some encouragement. The Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Romans Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

As we face our own personal challenges and difficulties may we know that we are not alone.  God has given us a community, His Spirit, His word and His promise -nothing will separate us from His love.

Blessings, Pastor Michele

FAMILY MATTERS:

Building Union For the Future (BUFF) Outreach to Workers at 22A: BUFF is planning to reach out to the site workers at 22A every month with small gifts of snacks or protective equipment to show our appreciation for their hard work. We invite you to join us in this outreach by praying, donating or coming with us to visit them. Feel free to WhatsApp Rosanna Chan at 98770447 for more details. Please mark your donation:  ‘BUFF – hospitality’.

New roles on COM: We are delighted to welcome Ellen Ahn to the Committee of Management (COM). Ellen is actively involved in the church's current ministries and previously served as Honorary Secretary and was a member of COM. Joanna Yau, who joined COM in 2019, has taken up the role of Honorary Secretary, following Bronwyn Alexander’s resignation in order to start a new role. Thank you all for your continued service to the Body of Christ!

THIS WEEK:

Coffee Hour: Miss running into friends and connecting over a cup of coffee on Sunday mornings? Join us for "Coffee Hour," from 10:45AM  to 11:15AM. You'll have to brew your own coffee, but we'll all bring the conversation! Begins this Sunday, September 6. Sign up HERE for the zoom link.

Youth: During the month of September, we are kicking off with our Friday Zoom Gatherings, starting a new Wednesday Study called “Sticky Faith’ and continuing our regular Sunday meetings after the service! Contact Hunter for more info.

Prayer and Discernment: Join us as we continue to pray for our church. Tuesdays, starting Tuesday 8 September at 7:45AM - 8:30AM on Zoom. Contact ADMIN for the zoom link.

New lunchtime ZOOM study: Discipleship Explored. Are you just starting (or restarting) your walk with Jesus? Or perhaps you'd like to grow from a "Sunday faith" to a 7 days/week faith? This journey through Paul’s letter to the Philippians is ideal for new believers, those recommitting to their relationship with God, or anyone who seeks to deepen their discipleship. Wednesdays, 1-2 pm. Begins September 9. Contact Monte.peterson@unionchurchhk.org.

Please join us this Sunday, ONLINE ONLY, at 9:45AM for our traditional service and 11:15AM for our contemporary service. Please join us via our website, mobile app or Facebook page.

If you are unable to be online at the time of our worship services, you can watch them later in the day, again via our website, app or Facebook page.  Don't forget that you can still give your offering online via the giving page of our website, or by using the QR code below. You can also send us a cheque, made payable to "Union Church" or "Friends of Hong Kong Charities, Inc" if you are a US taxpayer. Please send them to: 18F, Sunlight Tower, 248 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Online Giving

Did you miss Hunter's Fun Facts with Acts? Don't worry, because all the questions are here! The answers can be found at the end of this newsletter.

Who was the author of Acts? What is the name of the day when the Holy Spirit came to Disciples? Where was Saul headed when he was blinded? What was Cornelius the Roman Soldier’s rank? What book was the Ethiopian Eunuch reading? What city was Paul the Apostle from? What was Lydia of Thyatira’s occupation? What book follows Acts? True or false – gentiles could enter the Temple of the LORD?  Who answered the door when Peter escaped prison? Who replaced Judas Iscariot as the 12th disciple? What was Paul’s profession? What couple lied to Peter about their donations? What Prophet did Peter quote at Pentecost? What governor of Judea imprisoned Paul? Who was the first Christian Martyr? How many Chapters are in the book of Acts? Who was Paul’s first missionary companion? What Greek god was Paul mistaken for? Where was Paul going when shipwrecked? What natural disaster occurred while Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi? In Peter’s dream, before meeting Cornelius, what were the animals lowered in? Where was the first major council of the Church held? Which companion of Paul did he later write two letters of the New Testament to? Where were the followers of Jesus first called Christians? 

Time and Talent:

Looking to share your time and talent at Union Church as part of your stewardship? We need a CRM expert or systems developer to join a multi-disciplinary task force to evaluate our church’s management system needs and next steps. We’re a fun group! Learn more by reaching out HERE

Upcoming:

Book Group: Please join us as we start off our new season of reading and discussing a variety of books! Our first book is Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey, by Sharon Garlough Brown, and we will meet at 7:30 on September 22.  Sensible Shoes is a fictional account of four women, embarking on a journey towards a deeper life with God. Due to delays in the mail, we are reading e-versions, available here and here. Contact Monte Peterson with any questions. 

Men's Fellowship of Hong Kong - Join us for the online event "The Courage to Launch: Pursuing Greatness in the Face of Things We Can’t Control” on Friday, September 11 at 1:00pm via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81575868105. We will hear from Jonathan Povey, Michael Birley, Wade Wollin, and Joe Pereira as they share their stories of Courageous Launches. For more details contact Dan Tupps ( ).

ReCharge:
New ReCharge Lineup for the Autumn! Beginning September 9: Several New Studies (all online for now)
6:30-8:00 pm: Youth with Hunter 
8:00 pm: Prayer with Pastor Michele
                Revelation with Chris Fung. Chris has written a book on Revelation, and loves to teach about it! He is convinced that the “most difficult book in the Bible” can be understood through common sense reading! Background knowledge of Revelation IS NOT NECESSARY, but reading the passage before each session will help participants get the most out of it.
                Goliath Must Fall with Dan Tupps and Monte Peterson. This is a video and discussion-based study on the various "Goliaths" in our lives (like fear, comfort, anger) and how focusing on Jesus can help us to overcome. 

Register HERE to get the zoom links for any of these classes. Please join us! 

Missions:

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS with International China Concern 12th September 2020 - 7:30 pm - Online Event.
International China Concern is pleased to invite you to a unique 1-hour experience packed with entertainment, compassion, inspiring stories and cute kids. On 12th September 2020 (Saturday), we will bring you an exclusive performance by a violin impresario, plus Dr. Peter Cheung will share his personal testimony. The joy will be provided by dozens of children who are learning what it’s like to be part of a family that cares deeply about them and strives to meet their needs. At a time when there is so much gloom and stress in the world, we offer you a brief respite and a glimpse into our special world. Tiaras are optional! Smiles and warm hearts are guaranteed. To join, please use these links:

International China Concern (ICC) was founded in 1993 by David Gotts after seeing firsthand the suffering of Chinese children with disabilities who had been abandoned and left without hope in desperate conditions.In the beginning, ICC sent short-term teams into China to provide care in government welfare centres.

Pour out your love 傾福行動 - https://fundrazr.com/pouroutyourlove: We invite you to share the blessings and contribute one-tenth of your $10,000 government subsidy for the ICC children.

Kingdom Kids:

‘ROCKY RAILWAY’ VBS ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Date: SEPTEMBER 6, 13, 20, 27 and OCTOBER 4 

TIME: 10.45 AM 

We’re excited to Kick-Off our Rocky Railway ONLINE VBS Sunday School this coming Sunday, 6 September at 10.45 am. On this faith-filled adventure, kids will discover that trusting Jesus helps pull them through life’s ups and downs. We look forward to seeing your family and friends. Be sure to check-in early. 

Note: VBS packages have been mailed home to families who have registered and an email notification with the Link to the VBS Zoom will be sent to families by Friday. For those who have yet to register or would like to register friends, please make sure to include the correct and complete postal address to ensure the package reaches your home. REGISTER HERE

Sunday School 2020/2021 Registration IS NOW OPEN: All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Centre MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form HERE. For safety reasons, only children officially registered in our Sunday School program will receive the Zoom link to our Online Bible Study. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at   or 21010414.

In-Person Creche and Sunday School are SUSPENDED until further notice. In order to safeguard the health and safety of all of our families and staff and to help curb the spread of the Covid-19, we have SUSPENDED all of our Children’s Ministry In-Person Program until further notice. We encourage the children to join our Online Sunday School Lessons. Thank you for your patience and kind understanding, we look forward to sending you all an update once we are able to meet in person again.

Youth:

Friday Youth Group Fall Kickoff - September 11. After  taking a break from Friday Zoom Calls for a while, we are excited to get back into the swing of things starting next week. Youth are invited to join the Zoom meeting at 6PM on Friday, and we will have a special guest who will be sharing with us!

What: Friday Youth Kickoff

When: Friday Sept 11, 6PM-8PM

Details: Zoom Link will be provided.

New Wednesday “Sticky Faith” Study - September 9

During the month of September, we are jumping into a series called “Sticky Faith” - we’ll be working through the Bible, learning important ways to manage stress and anxiety and more.

What: Sticky Faith Wednesday Study

When: Every Wednesday, 6:30-8PM

Details: Zoom Link HERE.

Sunday Discussion – Sunday September 6

Youth are invited to join a small group discussion on the Sunday sermon at 12:30 on Sunday. Zoom link is available HERE

Small Groups:

Meeting as a small group in 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

Men's Lunch Study: 
+ 30 minute daily study including Bible reading, questions and study notes.
+ Friday group discussion via Zoom, from 1-2 pm. 

+ Anyone interested please WhatsApp Andrew Lo @ 9864-5999 

Connecting:

The Marriage Course: please contact Joanna Yau for more details.

Pastoral Care Support, if you are looking for some support and prayer please let our staff know. Contact Ministry leaders directly or admin at:   or call 6225 5042.

Stephen's Ministry:

A Stephen Minister can help. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through a crisis or a difficult time. Please contact Pastor Michele if we can help (

Fertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and support? Contact Sonia Lee.

Family in Need (FIN):

If you would like to help support our family in need ministry, which helps people monthly with basic needs, please mark your envelope "FIN".

Last Week's Sermon:

Fun Facts with Acts: Answers:

Author of Acts? Luke

Name of the day when the Holy Spirit came to Disciples? Pentecost

Where was Saul headed when he was blinded? Damascus

Cornelius the Roman Soldier’s rank? Centurion

What book was the Ethiopian Eunuch reading? Isaiah

What city was Paul the Apostle from? Tarsus

What was Lydia of Thyatira’s occupation? Clothes Dyer

What book follows Acts? Romans

True or false – gentiles could enter the Temple of the LORD? False.

Who answered the door when Peter escaped prison? Rhoda

Who replaced Judas Iscariot as the 12th disciple? Matthias

Paul’s profession? Tentmaker

What couple lied to Peter about their donations? Ananias and Sapphira

What Prophet did Peter quote at Pentecost? Joel

What governor of Judea imprisoned Paul? Felix

First Christian Martyr? Stephen

How many Chapters in the book of Acts? 28

Paul’s first missionary companion? Barnabas

What Greek god was Paul mistaken for? Apollo

Where was Paul going when shipwrecked? Rome

What natural disaster occurred while Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi? Earthquake

In Peter’s dream before meeting Cornelius, what were the animals lowered in? A large sheet

Where was the first major council of the Church held? Jerusalem

Which companion of Paul did he later write two letters of the New Testament to? Timothy

Where were the followers of Jesus first called Christians? Antioch