FROM THE PASTOR S DESK And now?

Watchword 2012 Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you (Mark 5:19) August & September 2012 Inside this issue: From the Pastor 1 The Sandmann family Mission in Mozambique Care Groups 2 Care Groups 5 Bible Readings 6 Synodical Convention 7 3 5 FROM THE PASTOR S DESK And now? W e have worked on our Watchword from January to July. And now, what about? Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you. (Mark :19) It is not just a nice word to talk about, but it is a Watchword to be put into practice. Did you make a list of relatives and friends who could become Christians and/or members of St. Thomas? Did you make a list of people for whom you are praying for? Did you talk or invite some of the members of your family or of your friends and colleagues circle to come to the church? It's time to put our Watchword into practice. God so loved the world... we confess in John 3:16. This means that He loves your beloved as well. He doesn't want that anyone should perish, but that all receive forgiveness and 1 life through repentance and faith in Jesus. I know that some of our people are resistant. Jesus' family were resistant as well (John 7:5), as we hear some Sundays ago in the sermon. Monica, St. Augustine's mother, prayed for her son more than 17 years until he was converted to Christianity. Ora et Labora = Pray and Work, is an old Christian proverb. If you think that pastor can come to your house for a chat and a devotion with your family and/or friends, let me know. If they have doubts about the church and the Christian faith, pastor can help. Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you. (Mark :19) Pastor Walter 27 Settlers Drive, Edgemead Parsonage : (021) 930-3734 www.st-thomas.org.za

The Sandmann family : joy and sorrow Mike and Carol Sandmann were married in court on 6 July l973. They received God's blessing in the church during the service of 8 July 2012. Their children, grandchildren and relatives came to join them in this special day. May God continuously bless them. Our brother in Christ, Mike Sandmann, passed away on Sunday, 5 th August. He suffered a heart attack. Mike was always a happy man, but he was specially happy this year: He had joined St. Thomas as member officially on 22 April; he and Carol asked for and received a Wedding Blessing in the Service on 8 th July, after having been married in the court according to the Law for 39 years (06.07.l973); and he and Carol had moved into a new house some months ago, while their son David and family moved to their house. It seems that he was putting everything in order before God called him to His eternal life. Mike was a faithful participant of the Bible Study Group and of the Services. His smiling face was always shinning his happiness to be reconciled with God through the grace of Jesus. The Memorial Service will be held on Friday, 10 August, at 11am, at St. Thomas Church. To our sister Carol, children, grandchildren and relatives, we give our love and our hope in the resurrected Christ! 2 Mike Sandmann 22.10.1949 05.08.2012 Revelation 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the LORD from now on. Yes, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. Page 2

Mission in Mozambique T he mission in Mozambique is growing! Pastor Horst Kuchenbecker, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brazil (IELB), was there in July to give one more class of the Theological Education by Extension course TEE. One of the eight students couldn't come to the classes because he had suffered a car accident some weeks before and was still recovering. At the week end, pastor Horst celebrate services in five churches of the mission and offered Communion to the Christians. The mission is without pastor since September last year, because pastor Alfazema, the founder of the mission, is in Canada doing treatment for his cancer and his diabetes. The eights students are responsible for the churches and are celebrating services every Sunday, but they are not Ordained to celebrate the Lord's Supper and to baptize. Pastor Horst baptized 283 children and 91 adults! Praise the Lord! - The IELB is looking for a missionary to be sent to Mozambique for two to five years to prepare the students. The IELB is looking for partners and funds to cover the project as well. Let's pray for this blessed mission in Mozambique. Anglican Catholic Church says goodbye The Anglican Catholic Church, who have used our premises for their services for more than 10 years, have moved to other facilities. Bishop Alan was invited to our Councillors Meeting on 9July for an official Goodbye. Dear Pastor and Elders, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. I wish to take this opportunity of informing you that it has been decided that the abovementioned parish will amalgamate with St Mary & St Martha congregation, Summergreens. Our last service at St. Thomas will be on the 1st July 20l2. Arrangements will be made to remove our possessions gradually over the coming month as the opportunity presents. We would like to express our appreciation to the congregation of St. Thomas for their gracious hospitality over the last eleven years. We shall miss the use of a proper church facility, but will enjoy the increased size of our congregation. We wish all your members increased growth in their personal spiritual journey in the years that lie ahead. Yours in Christ s service, The Rt. Revd. Alan Kenyon-Hoare Bishop Ordinary 3 Page 3

Can you find 30 books of the Bible? In our previous newsletter we asked whether you could find 30 books of the Bible in this article. Nobody sent in any solutions, so here are the answers for those of us that gave up! This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Keeping him occupied for hours! He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to his friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this for a while, fishing from his johnboat, another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly column. Another friend judges the job solving this puzzle so involving she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are easy to spot. That s a fact. Some people however will find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fundraising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, the Chronicle survey, over 200 patrons, who reported on this puzzle, was that it was the most difficult they have ever seen. As Daniela Humana humbly puts it the books all right there in plain view hidden from sight. Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books Like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. For one who is bright and normal a chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answer. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there are really 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in the paragraph waiting to be found. - Sent in by Fred Halm Our church was painted and several items were restored. The parsonage was painted outside after being painted inside when Pastor Walter moved in in January 2011. The fence around the parsonage has beencompleted, thanks to a special grant received from our sister church in Kirchdorf. It's good to see everything well cared for! - Thank you, Dennis, for managing this and other issues on behalf of the Elders. 4 Page 4

Care Groups The Elders are assistants of the pastor in the care of the congregation, and for this reason, the congregation has been divided into groups, each in the care of a specific Elder. It has been some years since this list was revised, and due to the growth in the congregation, the Elders have updated the list. You are welcome to call the Elder of your group to share ideas, concerns, proposals, and even for counselling. The Elder can also call you just to say Hello or assist you when necessary. Please remember that the pastor will always be available. The names with (*) are not officially members, but visitors. We are praying for them as well as for all the members. Eckard Kohne Avenant, Julie/ (William*) and Aileene Böhmer, Paul/ Brigitte/ Kyle, Stephan Clifton, Konrad Dini, Jason/Faith Eggers, Louie / (Robbi*) Hillermann, Rolf/(Sarah*) Hohls, Jürgen Marriott-Watson, Shane/Erika//Storm/ Taylor Meyer, Kevin* (Schroeder, Enzo/ Clare/Rachael*) (Schulz, Raymond*) Van Dijk, Jason/Lisa/ Tyson Weinert, Hans and Heike Paul Bohmer Hohls, August/Michelle Köhne, Eckard/Taryn Meier, Günther/(Lydia*) Peyper, Heindry/Juanita Skibbe, David/Myrna//Martin/(Gillian*) Runds, Carl/Annzel Schreiber, Hans/Gitta Halm, Fred/Minnie Johnston, Shawn/Christy//Errin/ Aimee/Mari Wybrow,Marja/(Michael*) Shane Swiegers Aubrey, Quinton Mandy//Sheldon (Burns Cindy/ Sammy Nunes + Marco/Keenan/Gabriella & Tiago*) Deetlefs, Deon/Margrit//Zenka Glass, Brigitte/(Mathew*) Hellyer. Leslie/Mavis Galant Laspe, Bob/Lee Melck, Charles Ravenscroft, Brian Sandmann, Mike and Carol Stirling, Robert Shawn Johnson Crouch, Ian/Elke//Matthew/Karl Du Toit, Fanie/Erica Hanekom, Buks/ Karen, Ryan/Dené*) Karshagen, Wesley/Jackie//Keegan/ Teneal Lear, Graham (Lucas, Peter/Marilyn/Braydon/ Samantha*) Lünow, Keith/(Lorraine*) Ndebele, Dumisani/Tilana// Nala/Mangaliso Potgieter, (Anton*)/Dalene//Caleb Rewitzky, Dennis/Jenny Swiegers, Shane/Leanne//Lauren Marja Wybrow Brooks, Maxine (Andre*) Louw, Vivian Wilson, Lynette Hillermann, Yvonne Rewitzky, Ingrid (Zuccarini, Karin*) Kontsidis, Denise Willis, Anita/(Dennis*) 5 Page 5

BIRTHDAYS Bible Study The Bible Study Group meets every Wednesday from 19H00 20H00 at the parsonage for a time of fellowship, praise and prayer, including tea afterwards. The daily Bible Reading Plan below is part of an Eight Years Series and helps you to go through the Bible slowly day-by-day. God bless His word in your heart! 01-Aug Mark 6,53-56 02-Aug Mark 7,1-15 03-Aug Mark 7,17-23 04-Aug Mark 7,24-30 05-Aug Mark 7,31-37 06-Aug Psalms 134 07-Aug Mark 8,1-10 08-Aug Mark 8,11-13 09-Aug Mark 8,14-21 10-Aug Mark 8,22-26 11-Aug Mark 8,27-33 12-Aug Mark 8,34-9,1 13-Aug Psalms 53 14-Aug Mark 9,2-10 15-Aug Mark 9,11-13 16-Aug Mark 9,14-29 17-Aug Mark 9,30-37 18-Aug Mark 9,38-41 19-Aug Mark 9,42-50 20-Aug Psalms 141 21-Aug Mark 10,1-12 22-Aug Mark 10,13-16 23-Aug Mark 10,17-27 24-Aug Mark 10,28-31 25-Aug Mark 10,32-45 26-Aug Mark 10,46-52 27-Aug Psalms 142 28-Aug Jeremiah 1,1-10 29-Aug Jeremiah 1,11-19 30-Aug Jeremiah 2,1-13 31-Aug Jeremiah 3,1-10 01-Sep Jeremiah 3,19-4,4 02-Sep Jeremiah 5,9-21 03-Sep Psalms 94 04-Sep Jeremiah 7,1-15 05-Sep Jeremiah 7,21-28 06-Sep Jeremiah 9,22-23 07-Sep Jeremiah 14,1-16 08-Sep Jeremiah 15,10.15-21 09-Sep Jeremiah 18,1-12 10-Sep Psalms 147 11-Sep Jeremiah 19,1-13 12-Sep Jeremiah 20,7-18 13-Sep Jeremiah 21,1-14 14-Sep Jeremiah 23,1-8 15-Sep Jeremiah 25,1-14 16-Sep Jeremiah 25,15-31 17-Sep Psalms 129 18-Sep Jeremiah 26,1-19 19-Sep Jeremiah 28,1-17 20-Sep Jeremiah 29,1-14 21-Sep Jeremiah 30,1-3;31,1-14 22-Sep Jeremiah 31,18-20.31-37 23-Sep Jeremiah 38,1-32 24-Sep Psalms 146 25-Sep Jeremiah 37,1-21 26-Sep Jeremiah 38,1-13 27-Sep Jeremiah 38,14-28 28-Sep Jeremiah 39,1-14 29-Sep Jeremiah 40,7-18 30-Sep Jeremiah 41,1-18 AUGUST SEPTEMBER 20 - Heindry Peyper 22 Leslie Hellyer 24 - Carol Sandmann 25 - Maggi Reinstorf 27 - Fred Halm 29 - Minnie Halm 30 Anzeel Runds 31 Hans Weinert 6 01 - Mangaliso Ndebele 04 Anneke Piennar 05 Loraine Lünow 06 - Eckard Köhne 06 - Robert Stirling 07 - Jason Dini 15 Tyson Jent van Dick 21 Talana Sandmann 23 - Dalene Potgieter 27 Hartwig Hillermann Page 6

From the Treasurer Church offerings are looking positive which we are thankful for, we are about R 10,000 ahead of budget, but would still want to encourage members of the congregation to increase their contributions according to their income. The main reason why we ask this is that we had about R 200,000 expenses on maintenance on both the parsonage and also the church, which included painting of both buildings and also the new fence around the parsonage. We have also received a donation from Kirchdorf to the value of R 70,000 which was also used for this project. Thank you Paul Bohmer, Treasurer Statistics 2011 2012 July 2011 13 children 68 adults = 81 Total Transfers out 01 Baptisms 02 Confirmations 01 Transfers in 04 New Members 05 July 2012 14 children, 77 adults 91 total The Elders prepared a Five Years Plan, which was approved by the AGM. With God's blessing and with your good witness, the congregation shall grow from 6 to 10 new members every year. Synodical Convention Shane Swiegers and Pastor Walter & Lídia took part in the FELSISA 58 th FELSISA Synodical Convention, held on 3 & 4 August in Greytown. It was a blessed Convention, with mature decisions and a very good atmosphere among the participants. Bishop Dieter s report was well accepted. Greytown Congregation hosted us in a very organized and lovely way. The invitation that St. Thomas had sent to host the next Convention 2014 was accepted unanimously, and all are excited to come to Cape Town! Let s begin our preparations now! 7 Page 7

St. Thomas FELSISA 2012 Convention Report S t. Thomas is welcoming you in 2014! We hope the proposal to hold the Convention 2014 in Cape Town is accepted! The Elders and the members are excited to host the Convention! It is by God's grace that we received the call to St. Thomas and arrived safely there at the beginning of 2011. My wife and I were warmly welcome by the congregation. God has been blessing our work, regardless our lack of better English. Love speaks by itself. We love what we do and they love us. We have now been one year and seven months in Cape Town, and we are well settled. Cape Town is our home for now and St. Thomas is our family. We follow the Ordinary Order of Service and use the Lutheran Worship as hymnal. On the Festive Sundays and in Festive Seasons of the Church we use Power Point Presentations and follow special Order of Services for the occasion. Sunday School is well organized, and we have weekly Bible Studies at the parsonage. St. Thomas has received eight (8) new members this year, and 11 last year. We have now 89 members. The average attendance of the services is around 50 people. The Elders prepared a Five-Year Independence Plan. This means: growth in membership and in offerings. May God help us to reach this goal. Several improvements have been done in the properties: The church was painted recently and the parsonage as well (this time outside). Several items were repaired. A fence was built around the parsonage, thanks to a special grant received from Kirchdorf. Thank you so much! 8 Outreach is always a challenge. How to do it the best way? It changes from place to place and from time to time. Our Watchword for this year is: Go home to your family and tell them how much the LORD has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you (Mark 5:19). The challenge is to reach the family and friends first (as I said in the sermon). An opportunity that we cannot miss is the visitors. If someone comes to my house and nobody talks with him, he will feel that he is not welcome and he will never come back. But if he is welcome, embraced, a cup of tea is offered to him, he will be my friend and will come back. We don't even need to go out; God sends the visitors inside our church! Let's use this opportunity well! Besides the ministry in Cape Town, I am in charge of a Theological Course by Extension TEE, offered by our Concordia Seminary in Brazil to the Portuguese speaking countries. One TEE course is ongoing in Angola. A new one began three years ago in Mozambique. A refugee from the time of the war, Joseph Alfazema, became Lutheran in Tanzania, studied as Evangelist in Kenya, and studied as pastor in Canada. His congregation in Canada sent him back as missionary to his own village in Sena in 2006. He has six congregations in different villages in the bush, almost 1000 baptized members, and eight leaders whom he began to prepare and who are now TEE students. It is an amazing experience to train these leaders! Welcome to Cape Town and to St. Thomas. We are waiting for you! Pastor Carlos Walter Winterle July 2012

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 12255 N1-City 7463 Divine Service Every Sunday at 9.30am Sunday School Holy Communion Church Councillors Eckard Köhne 021-4331116 074 159 5538 Marja Wybrow 021-5571328 082 6255 629 Shawn Johnston 021-5591069 083 325 9965 Paul Böhmer 086 5028872 082 3807590 Shane Swiegers 082 4603605 021-9390486 Women s Guild Chairlady Jackie Karshagen 021-5587759 082-8266412 Pastor Ps. Carlos Walter Winterle 021-9303734 081 482 1018 E-Mail: cwwinterle@yahoo.com.br Treasurer Paul Böhmer Sunday School Christy Johnston 021-5591069 073 246 4398 Banking Details ABSA (Parow 502 110) Account Name: St Thomas Acc Number: 404 1515 600 www.st-thomas.org.za 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. 9 Loving others. Page 8

SUNDAY CHURCH Brigitte Bohmer Reading Ser- ST. THOMAS CONGREGATION (Lutheran Confession) DUTY ROSTER: August & September 2012- Service Times: Every Sunday at 09.30 (with Holy Communion) / (U) = Usher. DATE 05 August 12 August 19 August 26 August 10 th Sunday after 11 th Sunday after 12 th Sunday after 13 th Sunday after 02 Sept 14 th Sunday after 09 Sept 15 th Sunday after 16 Sept 16 th Sunday after 23 Sept 17 th Sunday after 30 Sept 18 th Sunday after COUNCILLOR S. Johnston (U) E. Köhne P. Bohmer (U) S. Swiegers S. Swiegers M. Wybrow (U) E. Köhne (U) S. Johnston P. Bohmer M. Wybrow (U) S. Johnston (U) E. Köhne S. Swiegers P. Bohmer (U) M. Wybrow (U) E. Köhne S. Johnston P. Bohmer (U) READER + READINGS L. Eggers: Exodus 16:2-15; Ephesians 4:1-16 (Psalm 145:10-21; Gospel: John 6:22-35) I. Rewitzky: 1 Kings 19:1-8; Ephesians 4:17-5:2 (Psalm 34:1-8; Gospel: John 6:35-51) E. Johnston: Proverbs 9:1-10; Ephesians 5:6--21 (Psalm 34:12-22; Gospel: John 6:51-69) M. Wybrow: Isaiah 29:11-19: Ephesians 5:22-33 (Psalm 14; Gospel: Mark 7:1-13) H. Peyper: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9: Ephesians 6:10-20 (Psalm 119:129-136; Gospel: Mark 7:14-23) C. Sandmann: Isaiah 35:4-7a: James 2:1-10,14-18 (Psalm 146; Gospel; Mark 7:(24-30)31-37) C. Melck: Isaiah 50:4-10; James 3:1-12 (Psalm 116:1-9; Gospel:Mark 9:14-29) E. Köhne: Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:13-4:10 (Psalm 54; Gospel: Mark 9:30-37) R. Schulz: Num 11:4-6,10-16,24-29; James 5:1-20 (Psalm 104:27-35; Gospel: Mark 9:38-50) SUNDAY SCHOOL Tarryn Köhne & Heike Weinert Elke Crouch & Zenke Deetlefts ALTAR DUTY & SERVING THE LORD'S SUP- PER FLOWERS TEA DUTY Flower Duty: The person on duty is requested to make a flower arrangement to be placed either on or next to the altar (the flowers are to be taken home afterwards). Altar Duty: The person on duty is requested to fill the communion vessels and wafer plate and place them on the altar (and wash the vessels after the service). The Elders/ Assistant in altar duty assists the pastor with serving the Lord's Supper. Tea Duty: The person on duty is requested prepare the cups and sauces before the service, switch on the urn, serve coffee and tea after the service (provide milk), and wash the dishes. NB: If a person on duty is unable to fulfil his/her duty, please make alternate arrangements with the Team. vice A. Willis E. Köhne E. du Toit S. Swiegers Christy Johnston C.Sandmann S. Johnston Jackie Karshagen J & I Rewitzky P. Bohmer Brigitte Bohmer M. Halm H. Peyper Tarryn Köhne & Heike Weinert J. Peyper G. Meyer Christy Johnston M. Skibbe E. Köhne Jackie Karshagen A. Willis H. Peyper B. Bohmer B.Bohmer M.Hohls F. Dini M. Wybrow F. Dini L. Wilson L. Wilson M. Deetlefs C. Johnston J. Karshagen E. Marriot- Watson C. Johnston L. Swiegers J.Karshagen L. Winterle M. Hohls E. Crouch T. Köhne T. Köhne C.Johnston M. Deetlefts M Deetlefts L. Swiegers E. Crouch E. Crouch B.Bohmer 10