FROM THE PASTOR S DESK One More Year

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1 Watchword 2014 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) November - December 2014 FROM THE PASTOR S DESK One More Year Inside this issue: From the Pastor 1 Congregational News 2 Bible Readings 3 Advent & Christmas Calendar FELSISIA Convention 5 From the Treasurer 6 You took my place 3 5 J esus told the parable of the Fig Tree in the Vineyard (Luke 13:6-9) as a warning and as a message of grace. How do you apply this parable for your life? Read it carefully: Then Jesus told this parable: A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, For three years now I ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil? Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year, and I ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down. One more year comes to the end. How was your year? Productive in your business? Productive in your family? Productive in your faith? What are the fruits you can count? It s easy to count the profit (or lost) in your business; just put the figures together. It s easy to do an evaluation of your family: achievements, growth or decrease, happiness and sorrows But it s difficult to count our good deeds: Did we do enough? Is God happy with us? Or is He looking for fruits and cannot find any? Honestly speaking, no one of us can say that we have done enough. We are always in debt before God. 1 But this is not an excuse for not making an effort. We are weak and temptations are huge. Thank God we have a gardener who intercedes for us: Leave it alone for one more year, and I ll dig around it and fertilize it. Jesus is always ready to stretch His hand on our behalf. First of all, we are planted in God s vineyard, His Kingdom, since our Baptism. By God s grace, we are able to live under His protection and care. Jesus enables us to live our faith according to God s will and to produce fruits. Over all, He forgives our failures and encourages us each day. But we cannot be stubborn and reject His care and help. The natural way of a tree is to produce fruit; the natural way of a Christian is to produce good deeds. What can be considered a good deed? Whatever the Christian does by his faith in Jesus: to take good care of our family, be faithful at our job, be active at the church, be a light in society, and so on. We cannot count our good deeds, but God knows them. Luther wrote: Faith does not ask if good works are to be done, but before one can ask, faith has already done them and is constantly active (FC SD, IV, 10 11). One more year! Let s thank God for 2014 and commit 2015 in His gracious hands. Jesus is nurturing us with His Word and the Sacrament abundantly. Pastor Walter 27 Settlers Drive, Edgemead Parsonage : (021)

2 Congregational News Thanksgiving Service Our Thanksgiving Service was held on 7 th September. Beyond the regular food donations of Luther s Loot, vegetables and fruit were brought to the altar as Thanksgiving offerings and forwarded to the Congolese Mission. Baptism of Gabriella Glass Gabriella Glass, born on 30 April 2014 to Matthew and Brigitte Glass, was baptized on 12 October and added as God s child into His Kingdom. We wish God s blessings on her parents Matthew and Brigitte, sponsors, grandparents Carl & Anzel Runds, and Graham & Jane Glass, and the witnesses Dale and Shirley. Meetings with Bishop Dieter Bishop Dieter and Maggi stayed in Cape Town on leave for a week after the Convention. He had meetings with the Elders on Thursday, with the Congregation on Sunday after the Service, and with Pastor Walter on Monday. He explained the process of a call for a new pastor to St. Thomas, as Pastor Walter s contract and work permit expire in December next year. Bishop Dieter is planning to come to Cape Town next July to begin the process. 2 Bishop Dieter and Maggi cutting St Thomas 21st Anniversary cake (photo: Maike Hillermann) Page 2

3 You took my parking place at church One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, " I always park there! You took my place!" The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That ' s my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That ' s where I always sit! You took my place!" "I took your place.." (Send by Marilyn Aubrey) 01-Nov Revelation 9, Nov Revelation 10, Nov Psalms 1 04-Nov Revelation 11, Nov Revelation 11, Nov Revelation 11, Nov Revelation 20, Nov Revelation 20, Nov Revelation 20, Nov Psalms Nov Revelation 21, Nov Revelation 21, Nov Revelation 21, Nov Revelation 22, Nov Revelation 22, Nov Revelation 22,16-21 Bible readings Nov Psalms Nov Isaiah 1, Nov Isaiah 1, Nov Isaiah 1, Nov Isaiah 2, Nov Isaiah 2, Nov Isaiah 3, Nov Psalms Nov Isaiah 4, Nov Isaiah 5, Nov Isaiah 5, Nov Isaiah 6, Nov Isaiah 7, Nov Isaiah 7, Dec Psalms Dec Isaiah 8, Dec Isaiah 8, Dec Isaiah 8,23-9,6 05-Dec Isaiah 9,7-10,4 06-Dec Isaiah 11, Dec Isaiah 12, Dec Psalms Dec Isaiah 14, Dec Isaiah 19, Dec Isaiah 24, Dec Isaiah 25, Dec Isaiah 26, Dec Isaiah 26, Dec Psalms Dec Isaiah 28, Dec Isaiah 29, Dec Isaiah 29, Dec Isaiah 30, Dec Isaiah 32, Dec Isaiah 33, Dec Psalms Dec Isaiah 35, Dec Matthew 1, Dec Matthew 1, Dec Matthew 2, Dec Matthew 2, Dec Matthew 3, Dec Matthew 3, Dec Matthew 4, Dec Matthew 4,12-17 Page 3

4 FELSISA Convention S th t. Thomas hosted (for the very first time) the 59 Convention of the Free Evangelical-Lutheran Synod in South Africa FELSISA, from 25 to 28 September Everything went smoothly and our almost 80 visitors were happy with the arrangements and our reception of them. The catering was very well done by the Skibbe s family - thank you. The venue was changed to the church at the last minute as the Edgemead Civic Centre no longer offered good conditions due to a change of management. We were able to arrange enough place for the 37 delegates, 4 Associate Members, 4 Extraordinary Members, 6 Official Guests, and visitors. Services: The preacher at the Opening Service was Pastor Tobias Ahlers, from Johannesburg ELF; the preachers of the Closing Service was Bishop Dr. Dieter Reinstorf, from Pietermaritzburg; and Pastor Walter was in charge of the Order of Service of both services. John, Mike & Cindy Rodewald Papers: The main papers were presented by Dr. Mike Rodewald, from the Lutheran Bible Translators, LBT, from the USA, on Barriers to the Gospel ; and by his brother Mr. John Rodewald, from the Mission of Christ Network, USA, on How can business support the church in promoting the Kingdom of God. Reports: The Bishop s report was well accepted and discussed, and also reports from the Mission of Lutheran Churches, Lutheran Theological Seminary - LTS, and other documents: Financial Report, Structure of the FEL- SISA, Pension Fund, FELSISA Trust. Proposals were discussed and voted upon. Elections for the Synodical Council: Bishop Dr. Dieter Reinstorf was re-elected, Pastor Rudiger Gevers (Vryheid) was elected Deputy Bishop and Pastor Kurt Schnackenberg (Shelly Beach), Mr. Eckard Paul (Panbult) and Mr. Harald Niehbur (Pietermaritzburg). A HUGE THANK YOU to the Elders and to all St. Thomas members for helping so much! We thank God for your willingness and love. Convention in plenary session 4 (Photo : Maike Hillerman) Page 4

5 Advent &Christmas Events & Services Christmas Play The Christmas Play will be on 7 th December, 2 nd Sunday in Advent. The children and the choir begin rehearsals for the Christmas Play on 02 November. A General Rehearsal is booked for 30 th November after the Service. A Burger Braai will be prepared that Sunday so that all can stay for the rehearsal. (Free offerings will be welcome). The theme of the play is The Tale of the Three Trees. It s an interesting story about dreams and how God leads our life in His best way, highlighting the main events of Jesus life. Mini Bazaar The bazaar is scheduled for 07 December, after the Christmas Play. Please participate by preparing Christmas decorations, cookies, bread, cards and white elephant. The white elephant and handcraft may be brought to church on the Sunday before, 30 November. Seniors Party & Brunch A brunch will be served after the Christmas Play. Please bring something to share and your own beverages. The seniors (retired people) will sit at a special table and will be served by the youth and children. SUMMARY 30 November, 09:30am Service, 1 st Sunday in Advent + General Rehearsal + Burger Braai. 07 December, 09:30am Service + Christmas Play + Seniors Party + Bazaar. 07 December, 07:00pm Fraternal Candlelight Service at Edgemead Spar 14 December, 09:30am Service, 3rd Sunday in Advent 17 December, 07:00pm Advent Evening, at the parsonage 21 December, 09:30am Service, 4th Sunday in Advent 24 December, 06:00pm - Candlelight Service 25 December, 09:30am Christmas Service 28 December, 09:30am Service, 1st Sunday after Christmas 01 January (NO SERVICE THIS YEAR as Pastor Walter will be on leave) 5 Page 5

6 Wedding Anniversary BIRTHDAYS From the Treasurer C urrently we are R 50,000 behind our yearly budget on contributions for the month ending October We planned for a membership growth in our 5 year plan of about 6 members per year, but the fact is that we are losing members (due to re-location) and our membership is not growing as we want to. On the other hand, there are a substantial amount of members that are pensioners and cannot contribute as much as they would like to. We still want to encourage members to increase their contribuition according to their income (or according to the inflation). The expenses are growing and the income is not growing and we will have to with hold any major expenses for next year. Every year FELSISA is charging each congregation an amount per confirmed member. The next few years might be very tuff financially as we are also trying to become financially independent from synod by reducing our yearly grant by R 25,000. We will need to plan for some additional income in the form of bazaars and other fund raising activities. We would appreciate any suggestions for fund raising. I would like to stress the fact that we are not in financial trouble, but we are not growing either. Kind regards Paul Bohmer NOVEMBER Pastor & Lidia on holiday Pastor Walter and Lídia are going on leave to Brazil from 29 th December to 21 st January, where their youngest son Paulo will graduate as Musician and Conductor on 17 th January. Reading Services will be held on the first three Sundays in January. DECEMBER 11 - Glynis Rewitzky 13 - Dennis Rewitzky 20 - Christy Johnson 22 - Matthew Crouch 3 - Graham Lear & Taylor Marriott-Watson 5 - Peter Reinstorf 6 - Bob Laspe 8 Carin Bohmann 9 - Michelle Hohls 27 - Vivian Louw 31 - Marja Wybrow Baptism Anniversary 12 Jenny Rewitsky & Gitta Schreiber 15 Zenka Deetlefs 25 Deon Deetlefs Baptism Anniversary 06 Dennis Rewitsky 11 Mine Halm 16 Matthew Crouch & Taylor Marriot-Watson 21 Dalene Potgieter Rolf and Sarah Hillermann Shawn and Christy Johnston Louie and Robbi Eggers Leander and Samantha Johannes August and Michelle Hohls Brigitte and Mathew Glass Deon and Margrit Deetlefs Keith and Lorraine Lunow 6 Page 6

7 Evangelical Church (Lutheran Confession) St. Thomas Congregation Church 27 Settlers Drive, Edgemead Parsonage: 10 Van Gogh Street Panorama 7500 Street Address or P.O. Box N1-City 7463 Divine Service Every Sunday at 9.30am Sunday School Holy Communion Church Councillors Eckard Köhne Marja Wybrow Shawn Johnston Paul Böhmer Shane Swiegers Women s Guild Chairlady Michelle Hohls Pastor Ps. Carlos Walter Winterle cwwinterle@yahoo.com.br Treasurer Paul Böhmer Sunday School Brigitte Böhmer Banking Details ABSA (Parow ) Account Name: St Thomas Acc Number: PURPOSE STATEMENT To promote fellowship in a friendly environment, where God s love in Christ is proclaimed (proclamation) love for one another is exercised (care) loving others is practised (outreach) Loved by God. 7 Loving others. Page 8

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