Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on 06 September 2026, by Michael Adesina, Sa Khaing Htoo & Anjenette Bolanos. The scripture readings that day was Proverbs 3:1-12 (O.T.), Jeremiah 29:11-14 (O.T.) & Mathew 5:13-16 (N.T.)

Sermon – "Education Sunday 2026"

Good morning, everyone, my name is Michael, and today I will be talking about my school life and my hopes for the future.

About six days ago, we commenced the new school year, where I started my studies in a new class, Primary 5, to be precise. My school's name is Hong Kong Taoist Association Wun Tsuen School, located in On Tai Estate in Kwun Tong. My school is bilingual, and I started studying there in the year 2022. The subjects I take are Mathematics, English, Humanities, Physical Education, Chinese, Science, and 'Hello Future', which is an activity that engages us in saving animals. I do this once a year.

The morning bell rings at 8:20 a.m., and we rush to the assembly. After the assembly, we all go to the classroom to have our lessons for the day. I normally have a short break called recess to eat my snacks around 9:30 a.m. I can share my snacks with my friends during recess if I want. We also have a weekly sports day where I play basketball and participate in other sporting activities.

My favourite school occasions are the annual sports day, where I participate in track and field activities, and 'Wun Tsuen Got Talent', which is a talent competition. For example, dancing, group singing, and solo singing are some of the activities we do.

always look forward to school field trips, such as our memorable visits to a museum and a botanical farm. These field trips usually enable me to learn many things about nature, art, science, and the history and local culture of Hong Kong.

Also, I have represented my school in various competitions, such as choral performance, Putonghua and Cantonese solo verse speaking, French speaking, and Mathematics competitions, and I have received some accolades.

Every time it is the last day of school before the Christmas holiday, we sing Christmas songs. After we finish singing, a fake Santa Claus greets everyone around. As for the Chinese New Year, we dress up in our traditional Chinese costumes, play games, and eat together to celebrate.

As I look back on the years I have spent in school, I know that my journey would not have been so smooth without the help of God and the wonderful people around me. Even though my studies faced some challenges, but the support of my parents and the guidance of my teachers helped me overcome every obstacle.

I am truly grateful to everyone 

Who has supported me, because your kindness has motivated me to always do my best.

In the future, I want to become a data scientist so I can help people make good and smart decisions. I hope to use my knowledge to keep my community safe and help people live in peace.

In this new school year, it is important for us, as children of God, to always trust, fear, and love Him. We also need to always be obedient to our parents and teachers, read our books, and prepare well for the challenges ahead so we can have a great school experience. I pray that God will help us to live a long and great life.

Finally, it is my prayer that we are bless with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to excel in this new academic year, and the good Lord will help us all to achieve our future aspirations. Amen.

Sharing II – Khaing Htoo – Education Sunday

Good morning, KUC family. 

Firstly, I thank God for His grace, and I thank you, the KUC family, for giving me this opportunity to share.

Studying in Hong Kong, especially at Lutheran Theological Seminary, feels like planting a tree in fresh soil. At first, it was hard for me to adjust to a new environment and culture. I often wonder why God put me on the hill of divine wind, To Fung Shan.  But now, I clearly see the value of learning at LTS.

In Myanmar, I witnessed poverty and suffering, but I did not fully understand the reasons behind it. At LTS in Hong Kong, I am gaining knowledge through lectures, daily experiences, and reading. This knowledge helps me turn awareness into action. I am gaining understanding and therefore wisdom. 

By sharing life with fellow students from different places and backgrounds, I have realized something important: we all depend on God, and we all depend on one another. For me, true wisdom is not about being smarter than others. It is about developing our vision of God and seeing His work everywhere.

The Bible verse that guides me is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord—plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This verse comforts me, but it is more than encouragement. I believe God’s plans are not only for my life but also connected to my family, my church, and my community in Myanmar. It is not just a promise; it is a calling to serve with humility, faithfulness, and love, as Jesus did. 

The way I understand education is this: my learning and knowledge are not a ladder to climb away from people, and not a tool to dominate others. In my opinion, education is a bridge that reconnects us with people. It is a tool to serve, a way to grow in self-awareness, and a means to bring change in society.

Albert Einstein once said: “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” That is why I see education in three important ways:

The first one is vision. Education shapes how we see ourselves. But more than that, it opens our eyes to see others. It helps us recognize our own needs, and just as importantly, the needs of those around us.

The second one is Voice – The purpose of learning is to discern good from evil, truth from falsehood, and justice from injustice. When we see clearly, we must stand for justice and speak against injustice, especially for those who are overlooked.

The final one is Action – As the saying goes, “Think global, act local.” Our speculative ideas can reach the world, but our main responsibility is to act in our own community. Therefore, education calls us to bring good purposes and ideas into practice wherever we are.

When I finish my studies in Hong Kong, I am determined to return to Myanmar and continue serving as a teacher at the Pwo Karen Theological Seminary in Yangon. This is not just a job for me; it is my calling.  I believe my calling is not only to teach in a classroom but also to serve wherever there is need, using whatever abilities God has given me.

The training I have received at LTS has taught me that faith and responsibility cannot be separated. To follow Christ is to serve people faithfully. I know,  it is sure,  that I cannot do everything, but I can do my best in what I am called to do.

Please pray for me and for Myanmar. This is my final year of study. Pray that God will give me wisdom, strength, and perseverance as I continue my studies at LTS, and that He will prepare me for the work He has called me to do. Please also pray for my beloved country, Myanmar—for peace and healing.

 Thank you for welcoming me and for listening. May God bless you all. Amen.

Sharing III – Education Sunday – Annjenette Bolanos

Introduction

The reading from Matthew 5:13-16 sounds beautiful, deeply comforting, and heroic. Jesus tells us, “You are the salt of the earth..You are the light of the world”. He says that a city on a hill cannot be hidden.

But I want to be completely honest with you today. For a long time, my life has felt completely hidden.

My world as a mother revolves around survival. My hands are tied due to systemic rules, legal status or institutional barriers.I am into a state of financial vulnerability, depending on assistance, or charity just to keep the lights on and the kids fed.  Now, when we add the pursuit of education to this, - aiming for a degree to build a future for my children- it is a heavy climb. But when we add the restriction of not being allowed to work, the weight becomes paralyzing. It feels like being exiled. In moments of quiet desperation, I have asked God, “How can I be a light when our circumstances covered me with a thick blanket?” “How can I be salt when my life feels so bitter?”
 
Salt

Looking closely at the scripture, Jesus did not say that “You will become salt once your circumstances are perfect”. He said, “You are the salt”. 

Salt has an incredible value. By refusing to give up to life challenges, by opening my books and study materials late at night when the kids are asleep, I am preserving my family’s future. My education and my perseverance prepares myself to become a source of nourishment and distinct flavor as salt. It keeps my mind alive, it keeps my hope from decaying, and it shows my children that our current situation does not define our worth, it shows them resilience. It brings  flavor and hope into a situation that should taste like despair.

Light
Jesus said, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand”.

Right now, my circumstances feel like a heavy bowl covering my life. My movements are restricted. It limits my independence. It seems forcing me into the dark, telling me that I am helpless and stuck.

However, looking closely at what education does, Education is the spark. Every class I pass, every essay I write, and every concept that I learn adds fuel to that lamp. It's true, the system might have tied my hands from the workplace for now, but it cannot stop me from learning, from growing, and sharing. In Jeremiah 29:5 and 7, God commanded the people to “Build houses and settle down, seek the peace and prosperity of the city which I have carried you”. Which means not to wait for the circumstances to change before you start to build.

Conclusion: 

Pursuing my education is my response to that calling to build houses while waiting for God’s plan. And I believe that if it leads to a life of humility, and gives hope to even one who is in despair, then education is a sacred calling that goes far beyond earning a certificate or degree. Everytime I open my study materials and stay late into the night, I am building. I am filling the rooms of my children’s lives not with material wealth but with rare and beautiful treasures.

Yet, with all honesty, this is never easy to do. Balancing between a zero income household with kids while managing exams and assignment deadlines is terrifying. I cannot do it alone. It requires a strength that I simply do not possess on my own. But I have my survival strategy. It's knowing and trusting that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

May God bless us all.