UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA MIDDELBURG CONGREGATION NEWS LETTER OLD CHURCH BUILDING AND NEW CHURCH BUILDING 18 OCTOBER 2016 Rev Perceverance Percival Molehe and Mrs. Qhikizana Violet Molehe URCSA Middelburg Congregation The Presiding Minister and First Lady 1
History: This Church Before 1994 Was Called Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk In Africa Middelburg Gemeente. The Dutch Reformed Church (Afrikaans: Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk, abbreviated NGK) is a Reformed Christian denomination in South Africa. It also has a presence in neighboring countries, such as Namibia, Swaziland, and parts of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.[1] It claims 1.1 million members and 1,602 ordained ministers in 1,158 congregations.[2]. The Nederduits in the denomination's Afrikaans name refers to the old nomenclature for the Dutch language, not to be confused with the literal translation Low German, which is a dialect in the north of Germany. It is therefore correctly referred to as the "Dutch Reformed Church" in South Africa. Originating in the 17th century from the Dutch Reformed Church of the Netherlands, the NGK is the largest denomination within South Africa's Dutch Reformed tradition. Along with the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NHK) and the Reformed Churches in South Africa, it is considered one of the three sister churches of South Africa. First Church Building Of NG Kerk In Africa-Middelburg Congregation in 1910-1947 2
History: This Church After 1994 Was Called Uniting Reformed Church In Southern Africa Middelburg Congregation. The Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika) was formed by the union of the black and colored Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk mission churches. In 1652 the Dutch formed a halfway station at the Cape (approximately halfway between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies and introduced slavery by whites. Various foreign mission organizations started working in South Africa, which led to the formation of a number of denominations amongst those people who otherwise would have been excluded from the main churches, largely over issues of race. This process motivated the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) in South Africa to start its own independent mission work. In 1857 the NGK synod decided to have separate services for colored members. A separate church, the Dutch Reformed Mission Church (DRMC) was formed in 1881. For blacks, the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (DRCA) was formed in 1951. In 1974 the synod of the DRCA decided in favour of church unity. In 1978 the DRMC decided likewise. In 1986 the Belhar Confession with its strong emphasis on unity, reconciliation and justice was formulated and adopted by the DRMC. In 1994 the DRMC and the DRCA united to form the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA). Second Building Of NG Kerk In Africa Middelburg Congregation From 1948 Till 1994 When They Became URCSA Middelburg Congregation 3
URCSA MIDDELBURG CONGREGATION MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT 4
OLD CHURCH BUILDING THAT WAS BUILT IN 1948 NEW CHURCH BUILDING THAT WAS BUILT IN 2016 UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF REV PP MOLEHE AND THE CHURCH COUNCIL 5
New and Old Church Building On The Side 6
MAIN ENTRANCE OF URCSA MIDDELBURG CONGREGATION 7
Old Church Inside 2013 New Church Inside 2016 8
Old Church Inside 2013 New Church Inside 2016 9
OLD CHURCH KITCHEN 2011-2015 NEW CHURCH KITCHEN 2016 10
Old Church Building Inside in 2013 New Church Building Inside 2016 11
Old Church Gallery 2013 New Church Gallery 2016 12
Thank You Letter and Appreciation Letter To All Our Sponsors and Donors The Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa Middelburg Congregation would like to Thank You, Acknowledge and Appreciate the All Donations That You Contributed For Our Church Building Project in 2016 and The Donation Benefited 100% Black Community of URCSA Middelburg Congregation in Mpumalanga Province. We do appreciate a lot your help and contribution. You really help us by the Grace of God and We Hope and Trust that our Partnership and Relationship will continue and we are going to work together and help us to complete the House of God. As the church of Christ, from the bottom of our hearts, we would like to Thank You for your support and contribution for our Church Building Extension Project. Blessed is the hand that gives with love. URCSA Middelburg Congregation is a dynamic church that offers both Inspirational and Practical Biblical Teaching with motivation for people of all ages, races and walks of life. We are a Christ-Centred Church that preaches the truth about Jesus in a fresh, illustrative and creative way. Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do well and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NCV) Honour the Lord with your wealth and the first fruits from all your crops. Then your barns will be full, and your wine barrels will overflow with new wine. May the Good Lord bless you and be with you. Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord blesses you and keeps you; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. 13
Yours in Christ Rev PP Molehe The Presiding Minister Mr. VG Mahlangu The Church Treasurer Tel: 013 242 2891 Tel: 013 2820523/9595 Cell: 073 938 9259 Cell: 0728204400 E-mail: moleheseun@yahoo.com E-mail: vusi@stha.co.za For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God. II Corinthians 9:12 ---------------------------------------------------------- Vision: A Committed and United Church in Service of Unity, Reconciliation and Justice To All People Through Christ. 14