Newsletter March April 2016

Transcription

1 Newsletter March April 2016 Watchword 2016 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 From the Pastor s Desk This will be a very special Easter for my family again. Our 6 th grandson Luis Carlos Winterle will be baptized a week before Easter. Last year I got two stents in my hearth and a new life just on Maundy Thursday. And two years ago I baptized our 5 th grandchild, Júlia, just on Easter Sunday. Why do I mention it? Because Baptism is closely related to Easter and Easter to Baptism as a New Life. Each Baptism shall remind us of our Baptism and the grace of God bestowed on us when we were baptized. The Apostle Paul Wrote to the Romans 6:3,4: all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. And Luther explains in the Small Catechism: What does such baptizing indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. 1

2 Every day when we pray the Lord s Prayer, And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, we are going back to our baptismal alliance with our gracious God, when we were forgiven for the very first time. It s like as we are celebrating Easter every day. Jesus died for us; we were buried with Him. Jesus rose from the dead for us; we live a new life with Him. Happy Easter! Pastor Walter Congregational News New baby: Michael Gianfranco Eggers was born on 12 th February at 3pm, 4.23kg, 55cm. Mom and baby doing fine. We congratulate Louie and Robbi Eggers and wish them God s blessings. Pastor Walter on leave: Pastor Walter and Lídia are going to Germany for two weeks of presentations on Mozambique and for the AGM of the Mission of the Lutheran Churches MLC (LKM Bleckmar). After this he will take two weeks of leave with his children, when the Christening of their 6 th grandchild will happen on 19 th March: Luis Carlos Winterle. They will be away from 6 th March (afternoon) to 1 st April. 2

3 Pastor Chris and his wife Edeltraud Johannes are coming to Cape Town during Pastor Walter absence. He is a FELSISA retired pastor, and the couple will stay at the parsonage. All the Services will be led by Pastor Chris Johannes; therefore, no Reading Service will be necessary during this time. He will be available for counselling and visits when necessary. Contact him by the parsonage landline: from the 10 th March. Welcome Pastor Chris and Edeltraud. (See his message to St. Thomas in this issue.) Ladies Guild under the leadership of Margrit has planned the monthly dishes and the teams to prepare them, as she did last year. Book in your agenda the dates and don t cook at home that Sunday! This is part of the Ladies Guild fundraising efforts to refurbish the kitchen. Date and Meal 28th February Chicken Salad with Pasta, Rice Risoni 3rd April West Indian Curry Chicken 1st May Chicken a la King 5th June Lasagne 3rd July Vetkoek Team Leanne, Brigitte, Yvonne and Natalie Michelle, Jackie, Elke and Erika Maike, Taryn, Lynette and Christy Faith, Juanita, Naomi and Ingrid Margrit 3

4 Congolese Mission: Deon, Margrit and Pastor Walter went on 27th February, Saturday afternoon, to Joe Slovo to share the donations we received from Sarmie Mommies through Cindy Burns for the Congolese Mission. We thank Cindy for sharing with St. Thomas the donations her Ladies Group collected. 10 families came together under the leadership of Pastor Inock. We gave them much food and water; plus a big box with toys to the children, and a big box with clothes to the families. Pastor Walter held a devotion about Lent and Easter for the people, and they sang hymns of praises to God in thanksgiving for the gifts. The AGM took place on 28 th February and 29 people attended the AGM. David Cairncross was elected as new Elder. He will be inducted in April. 4

5 The Financial Report for 2015 and Budget for 2016 will be reconsidered at a special general meeting in April or May. Pastoral and Elders report, Ladies Guild and Sunday School reports were accepted. Church offerings ended with a shortfall of R 25, as to what has been budgeted for. All contributions are valued, but members are encouraged to increase their contributions in relation to their income ,00 Church Offerings , , , , ,00 Actuals Budget 0,00 During the year we had 2,321 adults and 344 children attending Sunday services thus a total of 2,665 church members in attendance over 2015 with 58 services held during the year. Church offerings for the full year amounted to R204, thus the average church offering per adult amount to R The AGM also took the following decisions, according to the proposals presented: Proposal 1: To refurbish the kitchen Approved; Proposal 2: To buy 4 more benches for the courtyard Approved; Proposal 3: To redo the Wall of Remembrance Approved; Proposal 4: New Paving (asphalting) further quotes needed; Proposal 5: Plans and goals for Approved. As soon as the minutes are ready, they will be shared with all. 5

6 20 March, 9:30am Palm Sunday Service + Brunch Bring something to share 24 March, 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service 25 March, 9:30am Good Friday Service 27 March, 9:30am Easter Sunday Service We are happy to announce the wedding of Axel Pape and Ingrid Rewitzky on 30th April at 4:00pm at St. Thomas. All are invited to the ceremony at the church. We wish Axel and Ingrid God s richest blessings! PASTOR CHRIS JOHANNES INTRODUCES HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY Dear friends down in Cape Town, After Pastor Winterle asked me to put somewhat of an introduction on paper, for him to publish in the newsletter before our arrival, I once again found out that I am not good at writing things about myself, least of all when I know that it will be published in some public newsletter. But, I will try, and, if anybody would like to know more, you may go and ask either August and Michelle, or Lionel and Naomi and any of their children. Over and above, there are still 6

7 other members at St. Thomas, who would also be able to tell you about our whereabouts. I was born in October 1949 and I grew up in the northern region of the KZN Province. Edeltraut saw the light of the sun in February 1957 in the so- called Natal Midlands, i.e. the region of Pietermaritzburg. We both became school teachers and got married in January 1977 in Wartburg. At the end of the year 2000, I had finally run out of excuses for declining God's call into the ministry. So, I resigned from teaching and, under the mentorship of Pastor Siegfried Köhne, I took up a correspondence course from the LCMS, Concordia Seminary in Missouri. After two years, when I had completed the Major Subjects, I was placed as a vicar in the St. Peter's Congregation in Greytown, where there was an "unfillable" vacancy, because Pastor Dr Dieter Reinstorf was sent down to serve at St. Thomas, here in Cape Town. My course continued, until, at its completion, I was examined by our Churches examination commission and thereafter I was ordained in Greytown in June I continued serving in Greytown, with its "two" congregations, where I gladly held an English service, as well a German service on most of the Sundays and festivals, throughout the year. We have been blessed by God with three children, and, up to now four grandchildren. Roland, our oldest, became a Pastor himself and is serving the Our Saviour's English congregation here in Wartburg. He is married and has two children, a boy and a girl. Brigitte became a physiotherapist and is married to Pastor Karl Böhmer, whom most of you would know, because he also came here to serve you over Easter a year or two ago. They have two daughters. Rainer, our youngest did become a medical doctor. He is still unattached, but there is still hope for some more grandchildren. Then, as a result of the fact that the time is moving on, I finally did turn 65 in October, With two vicars, having completed their training and waiting to be called, there was no reason for me to stay on in a permanent post any longer. So, I went on pension and we then moved back to live in our old hometown, Wartburg. Edeltraut, a music teacher, quickly got a private music school going in our "new" house, whilst I, among mowing the huge patch of grass around our house, and doing 7

8 other chores in the garden, am enjoying being asked every now and then to come and help out, when Pastors go on leave or, as in this case, are called to do duty elsewhere. In this way, we are seeing it as a real privilege to come down to St. Thomas to serve you all with God's Word and the Holy Sacraments, with music and with good old Christian fellowship! Yours in Christ Chris and Edeltraut Johannes N.B.: Pastor Chris will serve St. Thomas from 10th to 28 th March during Pastor Walter s trip to Germany. We thank him and Edeltraut for shepherding St. Thomas for a while. FELSISA Agenda The Pastor s Convention 2016 is to take place from 8-10 May (arrival the Sunday afternoon/evening 8 May; departure on Thursday morning 11 May). Hans- Heinrich and Margot Gerken (from Panbult) congregation have made their Safari lodge near Pongola available to us free of charge. So far Michael Ahlers is on the agenda on the topic of Conscientious objection to TOP. Roland Johannes will also be presenting on our Order of Service with possible alternatives Last year I treaded very carefully on the topic of Church customs and rites, in particular with regard to Holy Communion. But it seems this topic has not come to rest as people in Synod are continuing express their concerns about the confusion arising from the different practices exercised amongst us pastors in recent years. I have also been asked to address the question of how to deal with dissent, if unhappy members in a congregation seek affirmation from neighbouring pastors. Those are topics than can and need to be addressed, but they 8

9 shouldn t constitute the core of our agenda as the FELSISA tries to reach out into its communities with the Gospel of Christ entrusted to it. Dieter H. Reinstorf Bishop, FELSISA GENERAL SYNODICAL CONVENTION 2016 In our Lord Jesus Christ dear sisters and brothers, The General Synodical Convention 2016 is hereby convened. If it is the Lord's will and we will live it is going to take place on 8-10 September. The convention is to commence on Thursday evening with a divine service at 7pm and conclude around lunch time on Saturday also with a divine service, with Holy Communion. We thank the Christ Church Kirchdorf, in Wartburg, for the invitation to host the convention. The topic of the convention is Liberation through Commemoration (in German: Erinnerung als Befreiung ). In the light of the past history of our country and especially in view of the present increased tension between races, we believe it is our calling as children of God to reflect on the past in order to become more aware of God s grace that liberates us to become a voice of comfort and hope for the future. Talks and reflections at this point will not attempt to deal with national issues, but focus more on church and individual relationships with people of all races. Prof. Dr. Werner Klän (Germany) and Dr. Karl Böhmer have accepted the invitation to make presentations, which are to be followed by group discussions. I ask for your prayers for a blessed synodical convention and greet you cordially. For the Synodical Council Dieter H. Reinstorf Bishop, FELSISA 9

10 A Parable for our days A well- worn Two Hundred Rand (R200) note and a similarly distressed Ten Rand (R 10.00) arrived at the Central Bank of South Africa to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burnet, they struck up a conversation. The Two Hundred Rand note reminisced about its travels all over the country. I ve had a pretty good life the Two Hundred Rand note proclaimed. Why I ve been to Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and many other cities, the finest places and restaurants, performances at the Gran West Casino, several times to Kruger National Park, and even hottest night clubs all over the country. Wow! said the Ten Rand note. You ve really had an exciting life!. So tell me, says the Two hundred Rand note, where have you been throughout your lifetime? The Ten Rand note replies, Oh, I ve been to the Methodist Church, Salem Full Gospel, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Pentecostal, and even to the Lutheran Church At this point the Two Hundred Rand note interrupts, What s a church? PLEASE PEOPLE, CAN WE HELP THE TWO HUNDRED RAND NOTE ALSO GO TO CHURCH? (John Gakang a, Kenya adapted) 10

11 BIRTHDAYS MARCH 01 Caleb Potgieter Ana Carolina Winterle 02 Axel Pape 08 Martin Skibbe 11 Shane Swiegers 12 Ernest Banda 13 Erica du Toit 15 Rashele Kabiraba Musabika 16 Anton Potgieter 17 Errin Johnston, Teneal Karshagen Lynette Wilson 19 Nahan Natal Nunes 21 Quinton Aubrey, Brigitte Glass Talana Sandmann 22 Lea Sophia Winterle 26 Júlia Winterle von Muehlen 29 Rolf Hillermann, Dickson von Muehlen 30 Juanita Peyper, Kayla Vincent, Leo Josef Dini APRIL 01 Wesley Karshagen 03 Caroline Natal 08 Fanie du Toit 09 Gillian Skibbe 12 Bryan Ravenscroft Margrit Deetlefs 13 Nala Ndebele 16 Shane Marriott- Watson 17 Taryn Köhne 24 Jürgen Hohls 30 Gabriella Glass BAPTISM ANNIVERSARIES MARCH 09 Brigitte Boehmer 10 Louie Eggers 13 Faith Dini 17 Luke Eerik Dini 19 Talana Sandmann 26 Mangaliso Ndebele 28 Taryn Koehne APRIL 01 Aileene I. Avenant 07 Craig Martin 10 David Cairncross 15 Rolf Hillermann 20 Teneal Karshagen 22 Margrit Deetlefs WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES MARCH Fanie and Erica Du Toit Hans and Gitta Schreiber Julie and Willem Avenant APRIL Carl and Anzel Runds Dumisani and Tilana Ndebele David and Myrna Skibbe 11

12 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 Pastor Ps. Carlos Walter Winterle Church Councillors Shawn Johnston Heindry Peyper Ingrid Rewitzky Shane Swiegers Women s Guild Chairlady Margrit Deetlefs Sunday School Brigitte Böhmer Banking Details ABSA (Parow ) Account Name: St Thomas Account Number: thomas.org.za PURPOSE STATEMENT To promote felloship 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. Loving others. 12