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6 Just checking in...

27 Settlers Drive, Edgemead • Parsonage : (021) 930-3734 • www.st-thomas.org.za

As St. Thomas celebrates her 21st anniversary this year, the Watch-word/2014 was chosen related to this event. When we look at YESTERDAY, when St. Thomas was founded 21 years ago, with all the challenges and decisions that had to be tak-en, we acknowledge that without JESUS CHRIST nothing would have happened. St. Thomas survived the up and downs in our history because she is not just an assem-bly of people with good inten-tions, but is rather the church of JESUS CHRIST, who is the same YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER. When we look at TODAY, St. Thomas’ current history, we have to acknowledge that many things have changed. From the very be-ginning at the Skibbe’s home and the services at the Rewitzky’s, St. Thomas now has a nice size prop-erty and our church sometimes becomes too small for the attend-ance. Few of the founders are still active members; many have moved, died or abandoned St.

Thomas. However, many new members are joining our church. Things and people change, but Je-sus never changes: JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER When we look forward, to St. Thomas’ plans and challenges, we become excited with the many op-portunities God is giving us: FEL-SISA’s Convention lies ahead; visi-tors are becoming members; per-haps we need a new building? We don’t know the future, but God knows and His plans are always better than our plans. We have one assureance: JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER. We rely on His grace and on His promises and do the best we can to follow His will and to spread His Gospel to all. May God bless this new year of grace that He has given us, so that we will grow in faith and increase our work in His Kingdom, being faithful to His Word and working according the many talents He be-stows on us. Pastor Walter

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

From the Pastor 1

Congregational News 2

FELSISA Core Values

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Just checking in... 6

Inside this issue:

January - February 2014

Watchword 2014 “Jesus Christ is the same yester-day, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

4 Core Values

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On 1 December 22 children + youth took part in the Christmas Play, presenting the role of the angels in the Christmas story as God’s messengers to proclaim the Good News to all. We are God’s angels - We are God’s messengers to proclaim Good News to people nowadays. - 72 adults attended the Service.

Christmas Play & Senior’s Party

Congregational News

The Choir, 19 singers + the organist, sang several songs and performed well, prais-ing our Lord for the gifts of His Holy Son.

Seniors Party + Brunch: after the Christ-mas Play, our seniors were honoured seated at a special table and being served by the Ladies Guild and youth.

An Advent even-ing was held at the parsonage on 18 December. We enjoyed a pleasant evening of carol singing, eating Christmas treats and enjoy-ing fellowship with one another.

Advent Evening

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Jesus, the Light of the World, was the theme of our Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. The choir and congregation sang many Christmas Carols, high-lighting the Light promised by God and accomplished when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Shawn & Christy Johnston’s extended family came to the Service before their Christmas Supper at the Johnston’s home - about 50 people! We had a total attendance of 94 people—what a blessing!

Congregation News (Contd.)

Christmas Eve

Many visitors came along with St. Thomas members, celebrating the birth of the Saviour. 64 people attended the Service.

Christmas Day

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During this Epiphany Season until the beginning of Lent we will go through FELSISA’s Core Values, Mission and Vision in our weekly ser-mons. It was prepared by the pastors of the Synod in two consecutive Conventions and it was asked to be shared with all the members of the church. A booklet is available to all families at the church. The goal is to strengthen our unity and to open our eyes to the many opportunities we have as church and Synod to walk and to work together on a common ground. The six Core Values are: 1. God’s Word Alone (19 January, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9) 2. Cross of Christ (26 January, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18) 3. Means of Grace (2 February, Hebrews 2:14-18) 4. Welcoming all (9 February, Isaiah 58:3-9) 5. Equipping of God’s people (16 February, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9) 6. Caring for the world (23 February, Matt 5:38-48;Leviticus19:1,2,9-18) 7. Summary + Conclusion (02 March, Exodus 24:8-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21)

FELSISA’s Core Values

New hymnals

St. Thomas ordered

and received 40 addi-

tional hymnals which

brings the total of

new hymnals to 80,

as well as the organ-

ist’s hymnal.

These were blessed

into service by Pastor

Walter on 26 January.

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Notes from the Treasurer Church offerings ended negative with a shortfall of R 6600 for the year. We still val-

ue all contributions, but we want to encourage members to increase contributions

in relation to their income.

Calendar 2014

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A Minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar To see who came to pray. Just then the back door opened, And a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man Hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was torn and shabby, And his coat was worn and frayed, The man knelt down and bowed his head, Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed at precisely noon, The preacher saw this chap, time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, With robbery a main fear, He decided to stop and ask the man, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said he was a factory worker And lunch was half an hour Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. I stay only a moment Because the factory's far away; As I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Lord, How Happy I Have Been, Since We Found Each Other's Friendship And You Took Away My Sin. Don't Know Much Of How To Pray, But I Think About You Every day. So, Jesus, This Is Ben, Just Checking In Today.' The minister feeling foolish, Told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome To pray there anytime. 'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said As he hurried to the door. Then the minister knelt there at the altar, Which he'd never done before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, As he met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed down his cheeks, He repeated old Ben's prayer: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Lord,

How Happy I've Been, Since We Found Each Other's Friendship And You Took Away My Sin. I Don't Know Much Of How To Pray, But I Think About You Every day. So, Jesus, This Is Me, Just Checking In Today.' Past noon one day, the minister noticed That old Ben hadn't come. As more days passed and still no Ben, He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, Learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill. The week that Ben was with them, Brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joy contagious, Changed people were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand Why Ben could be so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up And with a winsome smile; 'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, He's been here all the while.' Every day at noon He comes here, A dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down and takes my hand, Leans over and says to me: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Ben, How Happy I Have Been, Since We Found This Friendship, And I Took Away Your Sin. I Think About You Always And I Love To Hear You Pray, And So Ben, This Is Jesus, Just Checking In Today.'

Sent by Beatrice Akuku, from Nairobi, Kenya

Just Checking in Today...

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1-Jan Psalm 121 2-Jan John 1,19-28 3-Jan John 1,29-34 4-Jan Psalm 138 5-Jan John 1,35-42 6-Jan John 1,43-51 7-Jan John 2,1-12 8-Jan John 2,13-25 9-Jan John 3,1-13 10-Jan John 3,14-21 11-Jan Psalm 96 12-Jan John 3,22-30 13-Jan John 3,31-36 14-Jan Joshua 1,1-18

15-Jan Joshua 2,1-24 16-Jan Joshua 3,1-17 17-Jan Joshua 6,1-23 18-Jan Psalm 44 19-Jan Joshua 7,1-26 20-Jan Joshua 8,1-29 21-Jan Joshua 8,30-35 22-Jan Joshua 9,1-15 23-Jan Joshua 9,16-27 24-Jan Joshua 10,1-15 25-Jan Psalm 92 26-Jan Joshua 11,1-15 27-Jan Joshua 20,1-9 28-Jan Joshua 23,1-16 29-Jan Joshua 24,1-15 30-Jan Joshua 24,16-28 31-Jan Joshua 24,29-33 1-Feb Psalm 99 2-Feb Ephesians 1,1-10 3-Feb Ephesians 1,11-14 4-Feb Ephesians 1,15-23 5-Feb Ephesians 2,1-10 6-Feb Ephesians 2,11-18

7-Feb Ephesians 2,19-22 8-Feb Psalm 51 9-Feb Ephesians 3,1-13 10-Feb Ephesians 3,14-21 11-Feb Ephesians 4,1-6 12-Feb Ephesians 4,7-13 13-Feb Ephesians 4,14-16 14-Feb Ephesians 4,17-24 15-Feb Psalm 57 16-Feb Ephesians 4,25-32 17-Feb Ephesians 5,1-14 18-Feb Ephesians 5,15-20 19-Feb Ephesians 5,21-33 20-Feb Ephesians 6,1-4 21-Feb Ephesians 6,5-9 22-Feb Psalm 31 23-Feb Ephesians 6,10-17 24-Feb Ephesians 6,18-24 25-Feb John 11,1-10 26-Feb John 11,11-19 27-Feb John 11,20-27 28-Feb John 11,28-44

1 – Craig Martin

5 - Anita Willis

7 - Elke Crouch & Jason van Dijk

12 – Mavis Hellyer

13 - Maxine Brooks

15 - Kyle Bohmer

18 - Yvonne Hillerman

21 - Denise Kontsidis

24 – Luke Eerik Dini

25 - Lisa van Dijk

30 - Myrna Skibbe

Baptism Anniversary

29 – Michelle Hohls & Yvonne Hillermann

05 – Lionel Hillermann, Naomi Hillermann

07 – Hans Schreiber

16 - Louie Eggers

19 - Lee Laspe & Jackie Karshagen

24 – Oscar Horstmann

25 - Brigitte Böhmer

28 – Aileene Isabella Avenant

Baptism Anniversary

02 – Kyle Boehmer

13 – Lisa van Dijk

20 – Elke Crouch

22– Margit Deetlef

BIR

TH

DA

YS

JANUARY FEBRUARY

Bible readings...

Wedding Anniversary

04.01.2003 – Ian and Elke Crouch

08.01.1983 – Lionel and Naomi Hilermann

13.01.1973 – Pastor Walter and Lídia Winterle

05.02.2005 – Shane and Erika Marriott-Watson

12.02.1966 – Fred and Minnie Halm 13.02.2010 – Eckard and Taryn Kohne

17.01.2007 – Hand and Heike Weinert 22.02.2009 – Jason and Lisa van Dijk

24.02.1996 – Heindry and Juanita Peyper

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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

Pastor

Ps. Carlos Walter Winterle

☎ 021-9303734

081 482 1018

E-Mail: cwwinterle@yahoo.com.br

Treasurer

Paul Böhmer

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

Michelle Hohls 021-5519820

082-6911568

Sunday School

Christy Johnston 021- 5591069

073 246 4398

Banking Details

ABSA (Parow 502 110)

Account Name: St Thomas

Acc Number: 404 1515 600

Evangelical Church (Lutheran Confession)

St. Thomas Congregation

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. Loving others.