New Apostolic Church Cape

Half a century ago…District Apostle Karl. R Gut was ordained

In September 1957, the then Apostle Karl R. Gut received a telephone call from Argentina with the shattering news of the death of District Apostle Abicht. In December 1957 Chief Apostle Bischoff conferred the District Apostle ministry on Apostle Gut and charged him with caring for the Cape apostle district, comprising of the Western Cape and the then South West Africa. On 22 June 1958 this district apostle ministry was confirmed by Chief Apostle Bischoff during a divine service in Pforzheim, Germany. On Sunday, 22 June 2008 Bishop Nathan Warner, accompanied by the district leaders of his working area, conducted a special divine service in Claremont congregation, to which the retired ministers of the bishop area and their wives were invited. It was a moving occasion for young and old, as well as a trip down memory lane, as it was the day that we commemorated the 50th anniversary of District Apostle Gut’s ordination as district apostle. During the divine service, Bishop Warner and those called to serve - District Elders De Stadler, De Wet and De Vries recalled the special highlights in their lives spent with, or influenced by the district apostle. The congregation could also reflect on their own experiences and after the divine service the district apostle was showered with love and well wishes of the congregation. Adding to the occasion, a special choir rendered a heart-warming anthem. This was particularly significant given the district apostle’s love for music and the role he played in establishing a firm foundation for the development of music in our District Church - upon which we continue to build. A couple of decades ago, this great man of God was placed into retirement, but even to this day his presence in the congregations is felt and his prayers are a pillar of support for the many ministers that are still active. Recently he celebrated his 96th birthday!

 

 

 

A special divine service for Grade 11’s & 12’s

On Sunday 13 July 2008, Apostle J Kriel conducted a divine service for the Grade 11’s and 12’s and their parents from the two bishop areas that make up his apostle area. This divine service took place in the Cape Town City Hall. This congregation of approximately 1100 members was served with a text word taken out of 1 Samuel 18:18 and in serving this congregation the apostle was assisted by Bishop G James. In the commission of District Apostle N Barnes, Apostle Kriel served Holy Communion for the souls in the beyond and for this holy act two school teachers – District Elder P Ahgoo and District Evangelist D Heyns – stood on their behalf.

 

 

 

A surprise supper for number one supporters

On the evening of Friday 9 May 2008, the district ministries, bishops and Apostle J Kriel individually asked their wives out. They took them to a surprise venue where supper was prepared and they met all the other ministers and wives. A three course meal was served much to the joy of the surprised wives. But this was not all, these beautiful mothers were further surprised by the choir, which was very well prepared and consisted of their husbands and their children. Where and when this choir gathered for practices is still a mystery to the mothers. A few poems were recited before the evening was rounded off by each mother being presented with a gift by either the children or the husband. This evening was arranged in honour of all mothers as Mother’s Day was to be celebrated in a few days.

 

 

 

Outing to Bloubergstrand

On Saturday 18th October 2008, Wynberg congregation Sunday school children and teachers accompanied by some of the congregation’s ministers spent the morning at Bloubergstrand. Starting at 8am, the outing coincided with a walk on the beach to which all the members of Apostle John Kriel’s area were invited and where the children formed part of the walkers. After many of the other walkers had already left, the group had breakfast on the beach on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day. The children were entertained thereafter with activities which involved everyone and enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

Memorable moments of fellowship in Retreat

For the evening of Friday 31 May 2008 a fellowship with a difference was arranged by the rectors and district leaders of the Retreat District and their wives. The theme for this gathering was Cowboys and Crooks – and an odd Red Indian. The ministers and their wives did their best to dress as such. This contributed to a hugely festive environment where some aspiring Country & Western singers did their best to match their attire. Cowboy food was served to complement the theme. Laughter was the rhythm of the day but the real winner was the fellowship that had brought the leadership and their wives closer to each other. This festive atmosphere was extended to the gathering of the seniors of the district on Saturday. They were entertained by the rectors with some typical cowboy antics, which left some in disbelief that this could be their leaders. Apostle J Kriel joined the group and they all had lunch together, but some doggie bags were required as the food was more than enough. Some meaningful fellowship was engaged in over these two days and all agreed that much more than just fellowship was achieved.

 

 

 

 

 

Heathfield congregation celebrates a pioneer’s birthday

The retired Community Elder John Hendricks celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday 19 April 2008. On this day the elder was visited by District Elder A Hartzenberg, who was accompanied by Shepherd G Martin and a variety of choirs from the Heathfield congregation. On the following day, Sunday 20 April, District Elder Hartzenberg held the divine service in Heathfield congregation and after the service he, as a representative of the congregation, took the opportunity to wish this pioneer of the work much blessing for the future.

A walk on the beach

Before sunrise on Saturday 26 April 2008, the ministers of the Ocean View District and their wives were getting ready for a beach walk with Bishop N Warner. By 07:30 that morning, this group met up at Fish Hoek beach and walked down to Clovelly – a distance of 2km – and back. Later they met for breakfast at the nearby M.O.T.H hall where they had even more time to chat. The fellowship gathering was concluded with the singing of hymn number 275 from the Hymn Collection “When we walk with the Lord”. The greater apostle area under the responsibility of Apostle J Kriel is now planning on taking these walks on a monthly basis, and I am sure we will hear about the success of these events in the near future.

 

 

 

Build for blessing in Red Hill

In the past months naccape.org.za reported on a fire that swept through the Red Hill informal settlement and how the apostle area, under the responsibility of Apostle J Kriel, reached out to this community with donations of food, clothing and even building material. This fire also burnt down a church building which was under construction for the use of the Red Hill mission congregation. In addition to the gesture of goodwill to the residents in the community, Apostle J Kriel then initiated the “Build-for-Blessing” project. This project entailed a contribution by the youth towards the re-building of the proposed church gathering place. The young people rose to the challenge and donated building material and also helped in the rebuilding process. On Saturday 3 May 2008, the ministers and youth of Ocean View district gathered at the site to lay a concrete floor and to replace the poles that were damaged in the fire. A number of the brothers are experienced builders and saw to it that work progressed without a hitch. Congregants from the congregations in the district catered for breakfast, lunch and tea. They did such a good job of this responsibility that they were able to feed all of the neighbours as well! This church gathering place is expected to be dedicated before the end of May and Bishop NJ Warner will officiate.

 

 

 

Retreat confirmands at Cape Point

The confirmands of the Retreat district gathered for their last outing as Sunday school children on the weekend of Friday 7 March to Sunday 9 March 2008. This was the first time that this group of approximately 40 had come together for a fellowship. New friends were made and long lost friends were re-discovered during the two-day period away. The visit to Cape Point was also a first for most of these youngsters. In between meals the confirmands took long walks and shared interesting experiences with each other as they come from many different backgrounds.

Plumstead seniors meet for breakfast

Following the divine service of Sunday 20 April 2008, the seniors of Plumstead congregation were taken for breakfast. A group of 27 seniors walked through to a Spur nearby for a breakfast that had been arranged especially for them. This gathering created much joy as it gave them the opportunity to chat about old times. There was much reminiscing and quite a few jokes were also shared in this blessed fellowship.

 

 

 

Going to church early . . . or rather late

 

Correction: On Saturday 8 March 2008, services were conducted through out the Ocean View district not at Sun Valley congregation as suggested by the report below.

Sunday 9 March 2008 was to be the start of the world’s largest timed cycle race: The Cape Argus cycle tour. This meant that most roads were cordoned off thus making it difficult for the members in the Ocean View district to attend a divine service that morning. This district therefore decided to congregate on the evening of Saturday 8 March 2008 at 18:00 for a divine service that was conducted by District Elder AJ DeStadler in the Sun Valley congregation. This action proved fruitful, also for those members who are cyclists and who were to participate in the cycle tour the following day. After service all present enjoyed a meal of pasta and salad, thus helping the cyclists with their “carbo- loading” for the next day.

Retreat confirmands at Cape Point

The confirmands of the Retreat district gathered for their last outing as Sunday school children on the weekend of Friday 7 March to Sunday 9 March 2008. This was the first time that this group of approximately 40 had come together for a fellowship. New friends were made and long lost friends were re-discovered during the two-day period away. The visit to Cape Point was also a first for most of these youngsters. In between meals the confirmands took long walks and shared interesting experiences with each other as they come from many different backgrounds.

In loving memory

At about 07:30 on the morning of Saturday 1 March 2008 – a day prior to the first service for the departed in 2008 – the ministers, youngsters and Sunday school teachers of the Ocean View congregation embarked on a big walk to turn their thoughts to those who had lost their lives on the roads due to car accidents. This group, led by Shepherd S Sassman, left the church and walked to Soetwater and back via the Ocean View Cemetery. At the cemetery they lit candles sang a few hymns and visited the graves of children. The walk took the group along Kommetjie and Slangkop roads, which are notorious for road accidents that have claimed many souls. This was a fitting preparation that left joy in the hearts of those who participated. Before leaving for home, they cleaned the church and enjoyed some fellowship.