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                   Watchword  2017  

“The  righteous  will  live  by  faith..”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Romans  1:17    

   

2017  is  a  historical  year    

The   Christian   Church   is   celebrating  the   500th   Anniversary   of   the  Reformation.   Yes,   it   is   intentionally  that  I  wrote  “The  Christian  Church”,  and  not  just  “The  Lutheran  Church”.  In   spite   that   we   bear   the   name  “Lutheran”,  from  Dr.  Martin  Luther,  all   other   Protestants   acknowledge  that   the   role   of   Luther   was  fundamental  for  the  Reformation  of  the   Church.   And   even   the   Roman  Catholic   Church   acknowledges   that  Luther  was  not   totally  wrong  and  a  heretic,   as   he   was   judged   by   the  

church   in   Rome   in   his   time,   but  what  he  did  was  necessary  even   to  the   Roman   Catholic   Church   to  rethink  several  of  her  positions.            Not  only  is  the  church  remembering  the   work   that   Luther   did,   but   the  State   (Germany  and  several  others)  honours  Luther   for  the  work  he  did  in   the   Education   and   Social   areas,  for   the   Freedom   of   Expression   he  advocated,   and   especially   for   his  translation   of   the   Bible   to  German,  

Newsletter  February  –  March  2017  

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who   gave   a   unity   to   the   German  language.      The   reason   for   this   500th  Anniversary   Celebration   is   not   just  to   take   a   look   at   the   past,   but   to  bring  Luther’s  movement  to  the  21st  Century,  doing  an  evaluation  of  our  Doctrine   and   Practices   as   Lutheran  Church.   Are   we   still   faithful   to   the  main   principles   Luther   stated?   The  Reformation   was   built   up   on   three  pillars:   SOLA   SCRIPTURA   –   only   the  Bible   is   the   source   of   believe   and  faith;  SOLA  GRATIA  –  only  by  God’s  grace  we  are  saved,  and  not  by  our  own  deeds;  and  SOLA  FIDE  –  only  by  faith   in   Jesus   we   are   forgiven   and  justified  before  God.      Unfortunately,  many  churches,  even  Lutheran   Churches,   have   gone  

astray   from   these   principles.   They  don’t   respect   the   authority   of   the  Bible   any   more,   but   their   reason  and  arguments  decide  what   is   right  or  wrong;  or,  worst:  nothing  is  right  or   wrong;   it   just   depends   on   the  situation  you  are  facing.      St  Thomas  Calendar  Cover   for  2017  says:  REFORMATION  2017  –  It’s  still  all  about  JESUS!  Dr.  Martin  Luther  is  not   a   Lutheran   saint;   he   doesn’t  save   us.   But   he   pointed   straight   to  Jesus   as   the   only   Saviour,   and   he  brought  the  church  back  to  the  true  roots   of   the   Christian   faith:   The  Bible.   Let   us   be   faithful   to   our  Lutheran   heritage   and   share   the  good   news   in   the   21st   Century   as  Luther  shared  it  in  the  XVI  Century.      Pastor  Carlos  Walter  Winterle  

 

Rev. Dr Carlos Walter Winterle 021 930 3734; 081 482 1018 cwwinterle@yahoo.com.br Parsonage: 10 Van Gogh Street, Panorama 7500

Church: 27 Settlers Drive cnr Bains Way. Edgemead GPS Directions: S 33q 52.824’ E 18q 32.096 PO Box 12255 N1 City 7463 www.st-thomas.org.za Services: Sundays 9:30. Welcome!

Watchword 2017:

“The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17

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 CONGREGATIONAL  NEWS  

 

 FELSISA  CHURCH  COUNCILLORS  MEETING:        Heindry  Peyper  represented    St  Thomas  and  the  Elders  at  the  Councilors  Meeting  held  on  4-­‐5/November  at  FELS  Retreat  Center.  It  is  always  a  good  experience  sharing  and  learning  from  the  other  sister  churches.  This  meeting  happens  once  a  year.      LUNCH:   Ian  and  Elke  Crouch   invited  the  congregation  for  a   fundraising   lunch  at  their  home  in  Somerset  West  on  October  30th.        

   It  was  an  enjoyable  afternoon  and  a  very  good  food!  Thank  you.  Sorry  that  not  many   people   could   go.  More   families   are   welcome   to   take   the   initiative   to  have  community  fundraising  lunch  at  their  homes.        THANKSGIVING  SUNDAY:    St.  Thomas  celebrated  Thanksgiving  Sunday   on   20th   November.   The  donations   of   fresh   fruits   and  vegetables  were   given   to   Pr.   Inock,  together   with   the   other   monthly  donations.   God   has   given   us  another   blessed   year,   and   it   didn't  lack  bread  on  our  table.    

 

   

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 MEMORIAL  WALL:  The  renewal  of  the  Memorial  Wall  was  finished  and  it  was  rededicated  on  27  November  after  the  Service.  Some  families  of  those  ashes  buried  in  St.  Thomas  Memorial  Wall  attended  the  rededication,  as  well  as  the  whole   congregation.  We   thank  God   for   this   completed  project,   and  we   that  again  our  brother  in  UK  Graham  Lear  for  his  donation.      

   

 CHRISTMAS  PLAY:  “The  Christmas  Story  according  to  Matthew  2  –  Following  the  Star”  was   the   theme  of  our  Christmas  Play  on  4th  December.  The  pastor  preached  and  the  children  performed  during  the  preaching.      

   The  children  received  a  Bible  Story  Book,  that  will  serve  as  curriculum  for  the  Sunday   School   this   year;   and   also   some   sweets.     It  was   also   the   farewell   of  Brigitte  Boehmer,  Kyle  and  Stephan,  who  moved  to  UK.    

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After   the   Service,   the   Senior’s   Party   took   place   and   all   enjoyed   a   nice  fellowship.    

   .    CONFIRMATION:   Teneal   Karshagen,   Aimee   Johnston   and   Mari   Johnston  confirmed  their  Christian  faith  publicly  and  were  admitted  for  the  first  time  to  the  Holy  Communion  on  11th  December.  Family,  friends  and  visitors  attended  the  Service  together  with  the  congregation.      

   It  was  also  the  farewell  to  Zenka  Deetlefs,  who  moved  to  Austria  for  a  year.  

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BAPTISM  OF  ROURKE   JASON  VAN  DIJK:   Son   to   Jason  and  Lisa,  born  on  16th  November,  Rourke  was  baptized  on  18th  December,  being  received  into  God’s  Kingdom  “by  the  washing  of  rebirth  and  renewal  by  the  Holy  Spirit.”    (Titus  3:5).      

     

   

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 CONGOLESE   CHILDREN   CHRISTMAS:   We   didn’t   have   a   special   service   this  year,  as  we  did  the  other  years  with  the  Congolese  mission   in  Joe  Slovo.  But  Deon  took  the  Shoe  Box  gifts  to  them  after  the  service  on  18th  December,  and  Pr.   Inock   delivered   a   message   to   all   who   attended.   Thank   you   for   your  donations  for  these  needy  people.      CHRISTMAS  EVE  CANDELIGHT  SERVICE  AND  CHRISTMAS  DAY  SERVICES  were  well   attended,   with   visitors   from   other   FELSISA   congregations   visiting   Cape  Town  during  the  holidays.    Pastor  Walter  and  Lídia  went  on  leave  to  Germany  after  the  Christmas  Service.      PARSONAGE   SECURITY:   Due   to   the   burglary   at   the   parsonage   last   October,  specially  burglar  bars  were  installed  on  all  windows  and  doors  in  December.      BRIGITTE,  KYLE  AND  STEPHAN:  They  are  well  settled  in  UK,  and  we  wish  them  God’s  blessings  for  this  new  stage  in  their  family  life.    

     Brigitte  wrote  us:    “Dear  Pastor  Walter  and  St  Thomas  members,    I  am  happy  to  let  you  know  that  we  are  settling  in  well  here  in  Buckingham.  Our  flat  is  very  nice  and  with  the  help  of  my  cousin,  Norman  Meyer,  who  took  us  on  a  shopping  spree  shortly  after  arriving,  we  have  everything  we  need  to  live  comfortably  until  our  container  arrives  with  the  rest  of  our  things.    Stephan  started  school  at  George  Grennville  Academy  and  he  is  very  happy  there.  It  is  a  small  school  with  only  160  children,  which  is  really  nice  for  him.  Kyle  started  at  the  Buckingham  School  a  week  after  Stephan.  He  is  lucky  to  have  his  friend  from  Cape  Town  with  him  and  is  also  very  happy  there.  He  is  

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writing  his  first  French  test  today!  A  lot  of  different  and  new  subjects,  but  he  is  enjoying  it.  I  have  registered  with  2  recruitment  agencies  and  hope  to  find  a  position  soon,  but  for  now  am  still  enjoying  the  time  off.  We  bought  a  car  last  week,  so  getting  around  is  a  lot  easier  now.  We  drove  to  the  St  Paul's  Congregation  in  Borehamwood  (about  an  hour's  drive)  and  attended  the  service.  Everybody  was  very  welcoming  and  friendly  and  send  their  regards  to  Ronel.    Buckingham  is  a  really  nice,  small  village  town  and  i  think  we  will  be  very  happy  living  here!  Even  the  weather  isn't  as  bad  as  I  expected  and  we  experienced  our  first  snow  about  a  week  ago,  which  was  very  exciting.    We  miss  you  all  and  hope  everybody  is  well.  

Lots  of  love,  Brigitte,  Kyle  and  Stephan    

 LASAGNE   EVENING:  On   17th   February,   Friday,   from   7:00pm   to   8:30pm   (no  Bible  Study  that  week).  Pastor  Walter  will  present  a  slide-­‐show  from  his  trip  to  America   (Brazil   and   the   USA)   last   September/October,   highlighting   the  churches,  Lutheran  Universities,  and  Church  Facilities  he  and  Lídia  visited.  This  will   help   us   to   have   a   broader   vision   of   the   Lutheran   Church,   as   Andreas  Albers   wrote   in   the   FELSISA   Witness   (September   2016)   about   his   international  experience  as   theology   student:   “It   is   encouraging   to   know   that  we  have   so  many  Lutheran  brothers  and  sisters  around   the  world  who  confess   the   same  faith   and   practice   the   same   Word   and   Sacrament   centered   Divine   Service  every  Sunday,  albeit  in  a  different  language  and  setting.”  Let  us  know  (send  an  e-­‐mail  to  Pr.  Walter)  if  you  are  planning  to  come,  to  know  how  much  lasagne  we  need  to  prepare.  Please  bring  your  own  beverage.    HISTORY  OF  THE  FELSISA:  Bishop  Dieter  wrote:  “President  (em)  Peter  Ahler’s  “History  of   the  FELSISA”   published   in   the  FELSISA  Newsletter   in   recent  years  has  been  printed  in  a  booklet.    These  books  are  presently  with  Michael  Ahlers.  If  your  congregation(s)  can  please  place  an  order  for  these  books  with  Michael  at  R50,00  each  and  pay  the  sum  for  your  order  into  the  Account  of  the  FELSISA,  with  the  reference  “Ahlers  Book”  (on  placing  your  order  with  Michael,  please  confirm  that  payment  has  been  made  -­‐  no  individual  orders  please).    There  are  300  English  and  400  German  copies  available.”  –  Let  Pr.  Walter  know  (send  an  e-­‐mail)  if  you  want  to  buy  the  book  and  we  can  order  them.      

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LADIES  GUILD:  Margrit  accepted   to  continue  as  chair  of   the  Ladies  Guild   for  this  year.  She  received  the  support  of  all  who  met  at  the  annual  meeting  on  22nd  January  after  the  Service.      FOOD   FAIR/BAZAAR:   The   Ladies   Guild   proposed   and   the   Elders   supported  that   we   have   a   Food   Fair/Bazaar   on   1st   April,   Saturday,   from   10:00am   to  1:00pm   at   the   church.   Coffee   and   cake,   burger   and   sausage   braai   will   be  offered,  plus  some  other  items.  Help  to  organize  and  to  advertise  among  your  relatives  and  friends.      FELSISA  DATES:  Bishop  Dieter  shared  with  all  the  congregations  the  FELSISA  dates  and  activities  for  this  year,  as  follows:      18  February     Youth  leadership  meeting  (Vryheid)                                                                1  March     Beginning  of  the  Passion  Season                                                                                                            17-­‐20  March     Youth  camp  for  older  youth  members  19-­‐22  March     Women’s  Retreat                                                                                                                                                              12-­‐21  May     International  Lutheran  Education  Conference  and  

Windband  Tour                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    28  May  to  2  June     FELSISA  Pastors  Convention  in  Hoedspruit                                                      1  July     Youth  Day  in  Wittenberg                                                                                                                                                        2  July     Brass  Band  Festival  in  Wittenberg  (internal  Reformation  

celebration)                                                                                                                                                                                                                            11-­‐14  July     Synodical  English  Youth  Camp      6  August      

Song  and  Mission  Festival  for  English  congregations  in  KZN                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

12-­‐13  August       Student  Reformation  Conference  in  Pretoria  18-­‐20  August,  or:  25-­‐27  August,  or:    27  August  

All  Lutheran  Reformation  Celebration  -­‐  Musical  Concert  in  September  (?)    Combined  Pastors  conference  with  LCSA                                                                                                                                

8  October     Choir  Festival  of  the  FELSISA  in  Pretoria  to  combined  with  its  125th  Jubilee  Celebrations  (50th  LCSA  anniversary)  

3-­‐4  November     Synodical  Church  Councilors  meeting                                                                                12-­‐17  December     Youth,  Teenager  and  children's  camp        

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AGM  2017   is  booked   for   the  19th  February  after   the  Service.  The  Elders  and  the  pastor  are  working  hard  to  have  all  the  documents  ready  to  share  with  the  members   next   week.   Use   your   right   to   nominate   a   candidate,   because  Shawn’s  second  term  expires.  Nomination  Forms  are  available  at  the  church.  Don’t   be   a   “tourist”   in   your   church,   just   sitting   and   watching;   be   a  “fisherman”,   involved   in   all   the   work   of   your   church   (sermon   on   Matthew  8:18-­‐23,  preached  on  29th  January).    LENT/EASTER  SCHEDULE:  Lent  begins  on  1st  March,  Ash  Wednesday.  We  have  Service   with   Holy   Communion   at   7:00pm.   Lent   Services   will   be   celebrated  every  Sunday.    9th  April  is  Palm  Sunday,  our  traditional  service  with  a  brunch.    During  Holy  Week:    Maundy  Thursday,  13th  April,  Service  at  7:00pm;    Good  Friday,  Service  at  9:30am;  and    Easter  Sunday,  Service  at  9:30am.    

 WIND  SYMPHONY:  The  Orchestra  of  Concordia  University  Chicago  –  CUC  –  is  coming  to  South  Africa  in  May.  They  will  perform  in  Stellenbosch  University  on  Saturday,   13th   May,   evening;   and   in   Cape   Town,   New   Apostolic   Church,  Athlon,   on   Sunday   (Mother’s   Day)   evening.   Tickets   will   be   available   at  Computicket.   On   Sunday   morning,   some   musicians   will   play   at   our   Service.  They   are   coming   as   part   of   the   500   Anniversary   of   the   Reformation  celebrations.  Save  the  dates.  More  details  will  follow.    GARDENING  AT  THE  CHURCH:    A   good   team   worked   hard   on  Saturday   morning,   4th   February,  pulling   out   the   thorn   weed   on   the  plot   around   the   church.   Also,   the  trees   in   front   of   the   church   were  pruned.   Thank   you,  Wesley,   for   the  initiative.      

   

   

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BIRTHDAYS    FEBRUARY  03 – David Cairncross 05 – Lionel Hillermann, Naomi Hillermann 07 – Hans Schreiber 12 – Michael Gianfranco Eggers 16 - Louie Eggers 19 - Jackie Karshagen 23 – Matthew Glass 24 – Oscar Horstmann 25 - Brigitte Böhmer 28 – Aileene Isabella Avenant MARCH  01 - Caleb Potgieter, Ana Carolina Winterle 02 – Axel Pape 04 – Everd Koch 08 - Martin Skibbe 11 - Shane Swiegers

12 – Ernest Banda 13 - Erica du Toit 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 31 – Ronell Koch  

 

 BAPTISM  ANNIVERSARY  FEBRUARY  01 – Kyle Boehmer 13 – Lisa van Dijk 16 – Lionel Hillermann 19 – Lynton H. Kaiser 20 – Elke Crouch 21 – Naomi Hillermann

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           MARCH  09 – Brigitte Boehmer 10 - Louie Eggers 13 – Faith Dini 17 – Luke Eerik Dini 19 – Talana Sandmann 21 – Everd Koch

WEDDING  ANNIVERSAY:  February  05.02.2005 – Shane & Erika Marriott-Watson 12.02.1966 – Fred & Minnie Halm 13.02.2010 – Eckard & Taryn Kohne 24.02.1996 – Heindry & Juanita Peyper 28.02.2009 – Jason & Lisa van Dijk  March  06.03.2010 - Fanie & Erica Du Toit 26.03.1959 – Hans & Gitta Schreiber 31.03.2009 – Julie & Wilem Avenant

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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 Pastor Ps. Carlos Walter Winterle

☎ 021-9303734 081 482 1018 E-Mail: cwwinterle@yahoo.com.br

Church Councillors David Cairncross 083 3337630 Shawn Johnston 021 5591069 083 3259965 Axel Pape 082 8099610 Ingrid Pape 082 5809577 Heindry Peyper 081 0394013 021 4243949 Women’s Guild Chairlady Margrit Deetlefs 081 2824777 021 9133529 Sunday School Brigitte Böhmer 082 3222356 Banking Details ABSA (Parow 502 110) Account Name: St Thomas Account 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.  Loving  others.