+ All Categories
Home > Documents > December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief...

December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief...

Date post: 12-Oct-2020
Category:
Upload: others
View: 0 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
20
Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 - January 2020 Jahreslosung 2020 “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 Watchword 2020
Transcript
Page 1: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

Impulse

Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 - January 2020

Jahreslosung 2020

“I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

Watchword 2020

Page 2: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

2

Devotion—December 2019

“…Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light,

trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” Isaiah 50,10

What an appropriate watchword for the beginning of the Church Year. At the beginning of December we are all tired and exhausted by the endless problems of the past months. Some doctors are even of the opinion that there is an increase in the death rate of the elderly over this period, since they simply just would not like to continue. The past year has definitely had its own problems. Be it the rising unemployment rate in our country; the repeated drought, which has driven many farmers to despair; our pathetic econ-omy, which will still take years to shake off the shackles of corruption; and so forth. Our watchword for December addresses especially the lonely and abandoned, who are living alone in their apartments. For them life is bleak and without hope. Yes, they live in darkness, especially once Eskom has another, almost regular, power outage. But Isaiah gives us hope. He addresses us when there is no ray of light to brighten our future. In addition we are celebrating the first of Advent, which already focuses our sights onto Christmas. Our kids enjoy their school holidays, bringing new life into our homes. How could they behave differently, since when you drive towards a shop-ping centre everything around us is exciting and brightly lit up. The lights sparkle and entice us to come. As Christians we are allowed to celebrate with everyone and be glad – not only because of the imminent presents, but because of the deeper meaning of Christmas. Jesus Christ, whom we should trust, because we can always depend on Him, was born. His name is holy and should be kept as such by us, upholding our full trust in Him during the coming year. He will ensure that everything goes well with us, provided we believe in Him and his everlasting love.

Ernst-August Uken

Page 3: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

3

Andacht—Januar 2020 Gott ist treu, durch den ihr berufen seid zur Gemeinschaft

seines Sohnes Jesus Christus, unseres Herrn. 1.Korinther 1,9

Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser! Gott ist treu – das ist eine der wichtigsten Aussagen in der Bibel. Es ist ein Ausdruck der absoluten Zuverlässigkeit Gottes. Bevor Paulus in seinem Brief die Spannungen und Konflikte in der Gemeinde anspricht, betont er die Treue Gottes zur Gemeinde und zu jedem einzelnen Gläubigen. In seiner Treue hat Gott die Menschen durch Christus in seine Gemeinschaft berufen – nicht weil sie es verdienen, sondern weil er sie bedingungslos liebt. An diese Zusage Gottes dürfen wir uns im kommenden Jahr 2020 immer wieder erinnern. In der unbekannten Zukunft, die vor uns liegt, steht Gottes Treue zu uns fest. Was immer auf uns zukommen mag - Enttäuschungen oder Freuden, Fehler oder Erfolge – nichts kann uns die Gemeinschaft mit Gott nehmen, die er uns durch Jesus Christus schenkt. Er hält sein Versprechen an uns und bleibt uns treu.

Diese Treue Gottes dürfen wir erfahren, wenn wir in guten und schweren Zeiten zu ihm kommen und im Gebet mit ihm reden. Er hört uns. Er schenkt uns den Mut und die Kraft, die wir brauchen, um weiter machen zu können. Auch hält er uns in seiner Gemeinschaft fest, die wir durch unsere Schwestern und Brüder in der Gemeinde erfahren dürfen. Dort erleben wir, dass wir nicht alleine sind und dass andere da sind, die sich auch auf Gottes Treue verlassen. Da können wir uns gegenseitig ermutigen, unterstützen und zuhören. Diese Gemeinschaft ist zwar nicht immer perfekt und schafft es nicht immer, alle so zu unterstützen, wie sie es brauchen. Doch gerade dadurch wird die Treue Gottes bezeugt, die trotz unserer Fehler zu uns und allen Christen hält.

Möge diese Treue Gottes zu uns das Fundament sein, auf dem wir im neuen Jahr bauen und fest stehen können - egal, was wir erleben werden! In diesem Sinne wünschen wir allen ein gesegnetes neues Jahr, in dem Gottes Treue uns begleitet! Petra und Victor Röhrs

Page 4: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

4

News from the Congregation

We welcome the following new members to our congregation: Peggy and Carol Siyakwazi, as well as Theo Brunkhorst. May you carry on feeling at home in our congregation so that it can be your spiritual home and a place where you are part of the family! Robert and Ronell Wichmann were transferred to the Hill-crest Lutheran congregation. Henriette Ridley has relocated to Jeffreys Bay and will join a local congregation there. May you soon feel at home in your new congregation! On 4 November Elly Harding passed away in the Lutheran Gardens Care Centre. The memorial service was held in the Church of the Cross on 22 November 2019 and her ashes in-terred in our Wall of Memory. May God comfort the bereaved and give them his peace!

*******

A great God - a small Baby

A small boy and his grandmother one day visited the Christmas Eve church service. After the service both went to the front to look at the Christmas tree. Underneath the tree was a

beautiful landscape of the nativity, - the stable, the shepherds with their sheep, the wise men from the East and Joseph and Mary. Suddenly the little boy, on seeing the baby Jesus lying in the manger, exclaimed loudly: “Granny, look how small God is.”

Continued on Page 9…...

Page 5: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

5

Counci l Communication

Starting with this issue we will be publishing the Impulse every two months. We hope that it will continue to provide for pleasant and interesting reading.

In order to improve communication with congregation members we have set up Whats-app groups. Messages can only be sent by the administrators on this group. Please do

not leave this group. If you do not want to receive any communication from the congregation, you should maybe consider your membership.

Please take note of the important dates for 2020. We would really appreciate you considering these dates when you do your personal planning so that we can count on your support for our activities.

A blessed and joyous time of Advent and Christmas to everyone! May you also experience God’s care and protection during 2020.

Please diarise the following important dates for 2020: 1 March 2020 - AGM after Combined Service 3 April 2020 - Easter Sale 17 May 2020 - NELCSA Brass Band Festival, Wartburg 6 June 2019 - Winter Fest 16 August 2020 - Jubilee Confirmation 23 August 2020 - Half-Year General Meeting 20 September 2020 - Harvest Thanksgiving Festival 4 October 2020 - Presentation of Confirmands 18 October 2020 - Confirmation 20 November 2019 - Advent Evening Alternately purchase a congregation calendar with all the dates as well as the birthdays of congregation members from the office!

Page 6: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

6

Profil: Peggy und Carol Siyakwazi

Professorin Peggy Doris Fungai Siyakwazi wurde in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province in Zimbabwe am 13. Juni 1951 geboren und wuchs auch dort auf. Sie heiratete den Professor Ben John Siyakwazi (geboren am 10. März 1936) der aus derselben Gegend stammt. Ihrer Ehe wurden 4 Kinder geschenkt. Bevelyn Siphosenkosi Siyakwazi-Muhwati ist mit Lewis Radzamunda Muhwati verheiratet und sie haben zwei Töchter Lynette und Lisa, die beide ihr Magisterarbeit in Amerika machen. Bessie Siyakwazi die in Zimbabwe lebt, hat einen verstorbenen Sohn Eugene Chenjerai Muzorewa, der in Zimbabwe seine “A level” Examen machte. Carol Siyakwazi lebt und arbeitet hier in Südafrika. Tapiwanashe Ben Siyakwazi verstarb, als er in Kapstadt an der Universität studierte. Ihre Schuljahre begannen in Zimbabwe. In Amerika machte sie ihre Magisterarbeit und bekam ihr PhD an der Zimbabwe Universität. Sie unterrichtete in Schulen, “Teacher’s Colleges” und Universitäten in Zimbabwe und dann im Jhr 2000 an der Universität in Venda. 2005 verschlug es sie zur “Durban University of Technology” als “Professor of Education” und wurde Prinzipalin der “School of Education Indumiso” in Pietermaritzburg. Zur Zeit geniesst sie ihren Ruhestand. Carol Fungai Siyakwazi wurde in Bulawayo, Matabeleland in Zimbabwe am 31. Dezember 1981 geboren. Ihre Schulung began in Zimbabwe und an den Universitäten, Rhodes und KwaZulu Natal erwarb sie ihr Magister. Sie arbeitete an verschiedenen Organisationen und ist jetzt bei der Agribusiness Development Agency als Project Officer.

Page 7: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

7

Profile: Peggy and Carol Siyakwazi

Professor Peggy Doris Fungai Siyakwazi was born and bred in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province in Zimbabwe on 13 June 1951. She is married to Professor Ben John Siyakwazi who was also born and bred in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province in Zimbabwe on 10 March 1936. They were blessed with four (4) children. Mrs Bevelyn Siphosenkosi Siyakwazi-Muhwati who works and lives in Zimbabwe and is married to Mr Lewis Radzamunda Muhwati, they have two daughters Ms Lynette and Ms Lisa Muhwati who are currently doing the Masters studies in the United States of America. Ms Bessie Siyakwazi

who works and lives in Zimbabwe, had a son the Late Mr Eugene Chenjerai Muzorewa who had completed his A level studies in Zimbabwe. Ms Carol Siyakwazi lives and works in South Africa. The Late Mr Tapiwanashe Ben Siyakwazi who was busy doing his undergraduate studies at University of Cape Town. Her education be-gan in Zimbabwe up to Cambridge A Levels. Then she proceeded to do her University studies up to Masters in the United States of Amer-ica. She obtained her PhD from the University of Zimbabwe. She has taught in schools, Teacher's colleges and University of Zimbabwe before moving to University of Venda in 2000. She moved to Durban University of Technology in 2005 as a Professor of Education where she headed the School of Education Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg. She is now retired, but still examines Post Graduate theses and dissertations in some universities in South Africa.

Ms Carol Fungai Siyakwazi was born in Bulawayo, Matabeleland Province in Zimbabwe on 31 December 1981. Her education began in Zimbabwe up to Cambridge A Levels. She proceeded to do her University studies from Undergraduate studies up to Masters at Rhodes University and University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. She has worked at a few organizations and she currently works for Agribusiness Development Agency as a Project Officer.

Page 8: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

8

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” Soon we will be hearing these words again, when the Luke 2 is read at Christmas. I can only imagine the anger that this imperial decree caused all over the Roman empire. Just because Caesar wants to boast about the size of his empire, people must stop all their work, and at their own ex-pense, travel to their ancestral homes. No consideration is shown, not even for people like the highly pregnant Mary. Luke tells us in a fascinating way how God is making use of this powerful emperor to start his salvation drive. The mighty Roman Empire is put into motion to get the Messiah born in Bethlehem! Wonderful! “Go- with purpose!” - this was the theme of our Synod in October. We shared our thoughts, our visions. Many participated in the 10-year challenge. But, just like with Mary and Joseph, things happen that seem to derail us - things beyond our control. The economy battles, resulting in people losing their jobs, or in salaries not growing with inflation. Crime and corruption make us feel helpless, angry, frustrated. A growing number of congregations battle, or even fail, to make ends meet. Reflecting on this gospel, I ask myself: Are we indeed helpless victims of mighty powers, pawns of politicians and powerful bosses? Or can it be that God is actively using these circumstances to lead us to his goals? Jesus had said: I will build my Church, and not even the gates of hell will overcome it. Can it be that the current crises are not derailing us, but rather leading us into directions and destinations that we otherwise would not have chosen? Can it be that He is going - with purpose? For Mary and Joseph, the journey to Bethlehem could not have come at a worse time - but Luke shows: God was at work! This makes me ask with anticipation: Where is the Lord going with us? How is he going to let us grow and move forward, despite - or through? - the political and economic turmoil? May we, in this Christmas period, discover that we are not hapless pawns of mighty people, but that God is at work - in us, through us, with us. All too often we only realise it in hindsight. Christmas reminds us: Our Saviour is at work. Not even Caesar could change that! Glory be to God in the highest!

Bishop´s Post

December 2019 January 2020

Page 9: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

9

On 1 December the Name Change of our Church will become official. ELCSA (N-T) will then be NELCSA - Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa. On 10 November Martin Büttner was inducted as Pastor of the New Germany Congregation. The congregation elected him when his coll-time came to an end. We wish the Büttners and the congregation many blessed years on the road together! On 1 December the Dolphin Coast Lutheran Congregation will celebrate the inauguration of their new place of worship that they are now renting. May it be a place of blessing for many! The next eQuip Retreat is from 1 to 5 January 2020 in Her-mannsburg. It will build on the synod theme. “20/20 vision. Go- with purpose!” The intention is to reflect on how God purpose-fully led people in history, and for us to gain direction and hope for the way forward. More information as well as the registration form is available on www.elcsant.org.za. The web page also contains a lot of other useful information. Go and check it out!

************************* Continued from page 4—A Great God a small baby

We expect great things from God. Something majestic and powerful, but he became small, unthreatening and helpless like a child. God comes really close to us because we humans could never, on our own, reach such heights as coming close to Him. Whoever wants to meet Him, must first become like a child, - believing and unconditionally accepting. Only then can realisation grow in us. It starts small and humbly and then will grow into full faith and acceptance. A new- found belief in Christ is at first like a new born baby. But it will grow and become strong. That is God’s greatness that He became humble and descended into our realm through His great love for us.

News from the Church

Page 10: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

10

Bischofs Post

Dezember 2019 Januar 2020

“Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit, daß ein Gebot von dem Kaiser Augustus ausging, daß alle Welt geschätzt würde.” So beginnt in Lukas 2 das Weihnachtsevangelium, das wir in diesen Tagen wieder lesen werden. Lukas erzählt in wunderbarer Weise, wie die Geschichte sich entwickelt - ein Kaiser in Rom, der im Größenwahn sein Weltreich einschätzen lässt. Ein unterdrücktes Volk, das keine Wahl hat, als dem Befehl zu gehorchen. Ein armes Paar, das auf eigene Kosten die lange Reise nach Bethlehem anpacken muss - und das hochschwanger. “Was für ein Unglück” könnte man meinen. “Was für eine Ungerechtigkeit!” Doch in meisterhafter Weise erzählt Lukas hiermit, wie Gott die Räder der Weltmächte in Bewegung setzt, damit der Messias in Bethlehem geboren werden kann. Einfach faszinierend! “Go - with purpose!” - “Unterwegs, aber Zielgerichtet!” Zu diesem Thema tagte unsere Synode im Oktober. Wir machen uns Gedanken, wie der Weg nach vorn aussehen kann, und planen dementsprechend. Doch dann passieren Dinge um uns herum, die einen Strich durch die Rechnung ziehen: Die Ökonomie ist schlecht, Menschen verlieren ihre Arbeit, manche Gemeinden schaffen es finanziell kaum oder gar nicht. Auf Grund der Weihnachtsgeschichte frage ich mich: Sind wir ausgeliefert, machtlos, Spielball von Politik und Wirtschaft? Oder ist Gott mit uns unterwegs? Hat Christus nicht gesagt: Ich werde meine Kirche bauen, und die Pforten der Hölle werden sie nicht überwinden? Kann es sein, dass unser Herr diese Krisen, diese Unbeständigkeiten nutzt, um die Kirche, meine Gemeinde, mich, auf einen Weg zu bringen, den ich sonst nicht gegangen wäre? Kann es sein, dass er mit uns unterwegs ist, Zielgerichtet? Die Reise nach Bethlehem passte Maria und Joseph überhaupt nicht in den Kram - doch Lukas zeigt: Es war Gottes Weg! Ich bin gespannt, wohin Gott mit uns unterwegs ist. Ich möchte glauben, dass die Krisen, die Korruption, die kaputte Regierung und alle Frustration und das Schwere, das dadurch kommt, uns dennoch helfen, als Christen, Gemeinden, Kirche zu wachsen und unsere Aufgabe neu zu entdecken, auf eine Art, die sonst nicht möglich wäre. Ich wünsche uns allen, dass wir in dieser Weihnachtszeit wieder staunend entdecken, wie Gott in wunderbarer Weise seine Wege zum Heil geht - auch wenn es oft erst im nachhinein zu erkennen ist! Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe!

Page 11: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

11

Advent Evening 2019

Page 12: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

12

Die Hirten waren die ersten, für die es Weihnachten wurde. Wer schon einmal das Weihnachtsoratorium von J.S. Bach angehört hat, kennt das Rezitativ nachdem der Engel den Hirten die Geburt des Heilands angekündigt hat: “Was Gott dem Abraham verheissen, das läßt er nun dem Hirtenchor erfüllt erweisen. Ein Hirt hat alles das zuvor von Gott erfahren müssen: Und nun muss auch ein Hirt die Tat, was Er damals versprochen hat, zuerst erfüllet wissen.” Hirten waren damals nicht sehr beliebt. Man brauchte sie, aber man mochte sie nicht. Sie waren eine Randgruppe der Gesellschaft. Aber gerade auf sie geht Gott zu. Die im Schatten leben müssen, haben das Licht besonders nötig. Jesus hat nun einmal eine Schwäche für die Kleinen und Schwachen. Dabei waren diese Hirten auf dem Feld für Weihnachten gar nicht besonders vorbereitet. Es war Nacht wie jede Nacht. Sie taten ihre Arbeit, sie wachten bei ihren Herden, sie schlugen sich mit wilden Tieren herum, sie gingen den Schafen nach und kämpften mit der Müdigkeit. Das war ihre Weihnachtsvorbereitung, so war ihr Alltag, und da geschah für sie Weihnachten. Weihnachten, oder besser noch das Christfest, ereignet sich nicht, wenn wir in Stimmung sind. Es geschieht allein, wann und wo Gott will. Das kann in den Weihnachtstagen sein, das muss aber nicht sein. Gott beschränkt sich nicht auf zwei oder drei oder acht Tage. Weihnachten kann sich ereignen an so vielen Tagen, wie das Jahr hat, da, wo unser normales Leben abläuft, in unserem Alltag, bei der Ar-beit, im gewohnten Zusammenleben mit der Familie und den Kol-legen, aber auch, wenn es durch Einsamkeit, Alter und Krankheit um uns dunkel wird. Den Hirten erscheint ein Engel, eine starke machtvolle Gestalt, kein kitschiges Engelchen. Was in Bethlehem beginnt, endet auf Golga-tha. Wenn wir den Inhalt dieser Predigt des Engels zusammenfassen, bedeutet das ganz schlicht: “Ich liebe dich Mensch”. Nachdem die Engel wieder gen Himmel gefahren waren, gingen die Hirten sofort nach Bethlehem. Dort fanden sie Maria und Joseph, dazu das Kind in der Krippe liegen.

Die Hirten auf dem Feld

Page 13: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

13

Sie werden ihre bescheidenen Gaben mitgebracht haben: Milch, Käse, vielleicht ein Lamm. Sie knien nieder und erweisen dem Kind ihre Ehrerbietung. Sie lassen sich nicht irremachen, weil alles etwas ärmlich ist. Armut muss nicht arm sein und Reichtum nicht reich. Hinter der Armut Gottes verbirgt sich Reichtum, der bereichert. Das ist die Theologie der Armut Gottes, die uns herausfordert, uns für die Armen dieser Erde zu engagieren. Die Armen sollen nicht immer ärmer werden, die Reichen nicht immer reicher. Ein Ausgleich tut not. Die Hirten kehrten um und gingen wieder ihrer Arbeit nach. Aber sie waren anders geworden. Bisher waren sie Umherschweifende gewesen. Sie breiteten das Wort aus, das sie gehört hatten, sie priesen und lobten Gott. Gott hat ein Stück Paradies auf Erden geschaffen durch das Kind in der Krippe.

(Ein Auszug aus dem Weihnachtsoratorium von J. S. Bach und “Stille im Sturm” Th.Glaser)

Die Hirten auf dem Feld

Page 14: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

14

ICH WÜNSCHE DIR ZEIT

Ich wünsche Dir Zeit! Nicht alle möglichen Gaben.

Ich wünsche Dir nur was die meisten nicht haben.

Ich wünsche dir Zeit,

Dich zu freuen und lachen, und wenn Du sie nutzt,

kannst Du viel draus machen.

Ich wünsche Dir Zeit, nach den Sternen zu greifen,

und Zeit um zu wachsen das heißt um zu reifen.

Ich wünsche Dir Zeit,

neu zu hoffen, zu lieben es hat keinen Sinn

diese Zeit zu verschieben.

Ich wünsche Dir Zeit, zu Dir selber zu finden, jeden Tag, jede Stunde

als Glück zu empfinden.

Ich wünsche Dir Zeit, auch um Schuld zu vergeben

Ich wünsche Dir: Zeit zu haben zum Leben.

E.Nickles

Page 15: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

15

Blessed New Year

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Vaughn

A NEW YEAR IS ON THE WAY AND THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!

God does not call only those who are able, He also enables those He calls. Solly Ozrovech I am convinced that when the Almighty wants me to do something or not to do something, He will find a way to let me know about it. Abraham Lincoln There is nothing wrong with people who possess wealth; it becomes dangerous when wealth takes possession of them. Billy Graham Sir Francis Drake was one of England’s most famous sailors and explorers; he sailed around the world in the Golden Hind and led the outnumbered British Navy to defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588. This prayer was found in his ship’s diary, written on the eve of one of his great adventures:

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wilder seas where storms will show your mastery, where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope and love. This we ask in the name of our Captain, who is Jesus Christ. Amen.

This and that…. / Dies und Das...

Page 16: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

16

Kids Corner

Page 17: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

Green Page/Grüne Seite

Spekboom - (like the one Pastor Victor showed us in the Family Service on 10th November) – also known as elephant’s food or pork bush, is our own indigenous wonder plant. Besides being edible, (and high in Vitamin C), the medium sized shrub found predominantly in the Eastern Cape is resilient and an important ‘weapon’ in the fight against climate change. This carbon sponge can sequester more than 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year per hectare planted, making it more effective than the Amazon rainforest at sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The unassuming looking bush with its round, succulent leaves is especially good at photosynthesis (making plant food from sunlight), which produces a by-product we desperately need: oxygen. Here are some properties of this wonderful plant: It’s easy to grow, ever green, drought resistant and can live up to 200 years. It grows to between 2 - 5m tall and can be planted as a hedge. It’s edible and high in Vitamin C. Spekboom is very resilient and can survive frost, drought and fire. It’s one of the most effective plants at sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it is able to use two of the three types of photosynthesis while most of the other plants use only one. According to the Spekboom Foundation, ‘Spekboom has enormous carbon storing capabilities. Its capacity to offset harmful carbon emission is compared to that of moist, subtropical forests. This remarkable plant is unique in that it stores solar energy to perform photosynthesis at night. This makes a spekboom thicket 10 times more effective per hectare at carbon fixing than any tropical rain forest. Each hectare of Spekboom could capture 4.2 tonnes of carbon yearly. Posted on facebook 20 March 2019

Let’s all plant Spekboom in our gardens in 2020!

Page 18: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

18

THANK YOU / DANKE

Im August hatte ich wieder eine Rückenoperation und habe mich ganz gut erholt. In dieser Zeit, vor und nach der Operation, habe ich so viel Liebe erfahren, Besuche, Anrufe, Kartengrüsse, Blumen u.s.w. und danke allen ganz herzlich dafür! Auch für alle Gebete danke ich, die helfen besonders! Ein besonderer Dank gilt auch Dir, Victor, unserem Pastor, für deine Besuche im Hospital und zu Hause! Auch überreichte Engela Uken mir einen Geburtstagsgruss von der Gemeinde. Auch dafür einen herzlichen Dank! Eure dankbare Irmela Oltmann.

Christmas Blessing

The Lord be ahead of you as the Christmas star showing you the way to the Saviour.

The Lord be next to you, as the angels did, to secure you in his arms.

To guard you against threats from left and right. The Lord be behind you to shelter you when travelling

from fear and anxiety. The Lord be under you to sustain you when you are frail

like Simeon and Hanna. The Lord be in you to comfort you

when you are obedient like Mary and Joseph The Lord be above you to bless you, like he did with

the shepherds on Bethlehem’s fields. Thus blesses you the Triune God:

God the Father, who loves us and the world and gives us his Son,

Jesus Christ, our Saviour, to be found in a manger, And the Holy Spirit, who opens the message of peace

and salvation. Amen.

Page 19: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

19

Brian Henderson 033 344 2742 082 493 6596 Chairperson: [email protected] [email protected] Communication and Employees. Life Groups: Bible Studies and House groups;

Nkosi Macebo 079 553 9147 Deputy Chairperson Life Groups: Youth Work and Young Adults, Relationships: Kenosis and Partnership

Michael Reibeling 072 117 6138 Secretary Support Services: Music Ministries (Organists, Brass Band, Worship Team, Music under the Cross) Vehicles & Transport

Gerald Ortmann 079 625 4889 Treasurer Financial Matters: Finance, Asset Register and stock taking

Ralston Witthöft Property: Cemetery, Wall of Memory, Maintenance General Equipment, Security, Fire equipment.

Darryl Mfeka Property: Cemetery, Wall of Memory, Maintenance General Equipment, Security, Fire equipment,

**************************

Care Areas Make enquiries at the office Fund Raising Events: Functions Committee. Funerals: Councillor in charge of the Area to which the deceased belonged - Care Area is responsible for the refreshments. Weddings: - Councillor in charge of the Area to which member belongs. Support Fund: - Chairman, Vice-chairman, Treasurer, Pastor.

Council & Portfolios

Page 20: December 2019 January 2020 - Church of the Cross … · 2019. 12. 16. · Impulse Gemeindebrief Congregational Newsletter December 2019 -January 2020 ... Our watchword for December

20

Pastor Victor Röhrs 033 396 1953 Cell: 083 287 1264 Pastor Petra Röhrs 033 396 1953 Cell: 083 381 2012 E-mail: [email protected] Life Line: 033 394 4444 AIDS Helpline: 0800 012 322 Office : Maggie Wylie 033 396 5169 (office hours only) Contact Times: Mon,Tues,Wed, Fri: 08:00 -16:00: Thurs: 08:00-13:00 Postal Address: P.O. Box 100074, Scottsville 3209 E-mail: [email protected] Physical Address: 2 Bester Road, Hayfields, Pietermaritzburg

(Registered as a Non-Profit Organisation: No.: 053-095-NPO) Children’s Church: Petra Röhrs 033 396 1953 Youth: Petra Röhrs 033 396 1953 Brass Band: Gert van Rooijen 082 781 1242 Worship Team: Linda Reibeling 072 421 2075 Partnership: Erlo Drews 033 396 2814 Synod Representatives: Edmund Bunge 0848500072 Penny Summersgill 0832599658 Webpage of ELCSA(N-T) : www.elcsant.org.za Local page of our congregation is linked to this webpage under the Southern Circuit Congregations Impulse Newsletter: E-mail contributions: [email protected], or [email protected] or P.O. Box 100074, Scottsville, 3209

Closing Date for the February/March 2020 Impulse: 13 January 2020

Bank Account: Name: Evangelical Lutheran Congregation Bank: First National Bank, Hayfields Branch Branch Code: 22-14-25 Acc. Number: 56 77 111 2848

Quick Reference


Recommended