New Apostolic Church Cape

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Seniors of two areas meet

The senior members of the Langa Congregation attended a divine service in Magnolia Congregation on Sunday 14 September 2008. Accompanied by their rector, this group made their way to the Paarl East District in response to an invitation that was extended to them by District Elder J Brockman. The visitors were received warmly by the seniors of Paarl East and the activities that ensued on this Sunday all served to the blessing of both visitors and hosts. The divine service was followed by a fellowship, which later saw the visitors taking to the stage to render some Xhosa traditional pieces to the delight of the hosts who joined in the song and dance. All the seniors had a great time and the desire to do this again grew in their hearts.

 

 

 

Let’s just . . . say goodbye

On Sunday 23 July 2008, Apostle J Stephens served in Silvertown congregation. To this service the apostle had invited District Elder J O’Connor of the Kraaifontein district who will be moving to New Zealand early next month. The district elder and his family received well wishes from the apostle on their relocation.

 

 

 

Worth waiting for

District Apostle N Barnes served the congregation of Knole Park on the evening of Wednesday 30 July 2008. Much excitement was visible amongst the members as they awaited the very first visit by the District Apostle to their congregation. Those who had gathered were served with a text word taken out of Colossians 1: 18. Approximately 400 members and 4 visitors stood as witnesses as two local priests received the community evangelist ministry. This served as an assurance that the Lord’s work will be in capable hands as this area is awaiting the retirements of 5 local priests in the near future. Following this divine service, District Apostle Barnes took time to pose for photographs with the five soon-to-retire priests.

 

 

 

 

 

Teaching for teachers in Silvertown

On the afternoon of Sunday 13 July 2008, Silvertown district had a training session for the Sunday school teachers. Two teachers from Hanover Park district gave a presentation to a total of 30 teachers who had gathered for this session. The teachers participated in group activities and this assisted in reaching the aim of growing and developing their skills for the task at hand.

 

 

 

 

 

For the divine service of . . .

. . . Sunday 20 July 2008, the congregation of Silvertown was served by District Apostle N Barnes. The whole of Athlone district along with Rylands congregation attended this service and approximately 1600 were in attendance. The congregation was served with the text word out of Acts 9:3-6 and in his serving the district apostle was assisted by Apostle J Stephens and Bishop A Witten. During this service Shepherd G Davids who had served in the ministry for 42 years was retired. Just before his retirement he had served in the Rylands congregation. The retirement could have been a sad occasion, but it proved not to be so as two community evangelists and three shepherds were ordained by the district apostle. The music director of the Church’s administration, Peter Lambert, now serves as a community evangelist.

 

 

 

Confirmands week-end at Dennekraal

For the week-end of Friday 27 – 29 June 2008 some 83 confirmands of Hanover Park and Kleinvlei districts gathered at the Dennekraal Recreation Center for some intense education. On Saturday morning this group was up early and the programs started with some interactive lessons regarding their faith. Thereafter points on testifying about their faith as well as some skills on natural and spiritual leadership were presented. These youngsters gave their full attention as they participated in the programs presented to them throughout the weekend

 

 

 

 

From one thing to another

In celebrating the month of Pentecost, the Bishop A Witten had his work cut out for him in the Hanover Park District as he had to grace more than one event with his presence on Sunday 18 May 2008. On that Sunday morning the bishop conducted a divine service at the Newfields congregation and following the divine service he helped the Sunday school children to plant a lemon tree in the church yard. Thereafter he spent some time with the confirmands of 2009 with whom he could discuss what was expected of them in the time of preparation before them making their vow before the Lord. A little later Bishop Witten sat in on the rector’s presentation on the progress made in respect of the Pursuit of Excellence initiative borne out the apostles and bishops four day conference last year. Subsequently, the members enjoyed some moments of fellowship while they sat and listened to some entertaining musical rendition presented in a choral hour specially prepared to celebrate the month of Pentecost.

 

 

 

Warming up for winter school

To launch the winter school 2008 programme, Bishop A Witten invited all school teachers in the bishop area to a divine service in the Silvertown congregation on Sunday 25 May 2008. A total of 63 teachers accepted the invitation and were also part of the presentation that focused on the content of the winter school classes for this year. The presentation was held in the basement of the Silvertown church. The event generated much excited discussions among all participants. Teachers were enthusiastic about volunteering their time to facilitate at the various winter schools in their districts. This initiative was subsequently also introduced to the rectors and district ministries. The objectives of the winter school were explained to all ministers and teachers.

 

 

 

In pursuit of excellence

Ministers and members alike prepared with much excitement for the visit of Apostle J Stephens to the Surrey Estate congregation on Wednesday 21 May 2008. This visit also gave the apostle the opportunity of viewing a presentation of a plan devised by the rector and ministers of the congregation in respect of the “In pursuit of excellence” initiative. This initiative had been born out of the apostles and bishops workshop last year, and they then introduced the concept to the ministers in their areas. So, after the divine service the rector, Shepherd Leiderman, assisted by his helpers gave a presentation to the apostle on their strategy for growth and development in their congregation. In conjunction with the presentation, fellowship had been arranged with the retired ministers and their wives. To the delight of all gathered, the apostle joined them for this activity.

 

 

 

 

 

Come rain or sunshine

The damp evening of Wednesday 28 May 2008 saw the congregation of Langa in the Silvertown Bishop area making their way through to church for a divine service to be conducted by District Apostle N Barnes. Assisted by the Bishops G James and N Nene, the district apostle based this divine service on a text word taken out of Acts 3: a portion of verse 6. When this visit of the District Apostle had been programmed the bishop of the area, Bishop Witten, called upon the congregants to each invite one visitor to this service. From that point onwards the members set about visiting family and friends to tell them of the forthcoming visit. While it rained heavily that evening, this did not keep the members and guests at bay – through wet streets they made their way to the church for this long awaited service. This congregation made up of approximately 500, consisting of 315 members, 54 children and 137 guests witnessed the ordination of 1 shepherd, 2 community evangelists and 1 priest. As the District Apostle greeted the members in the front the choir started singing traditional songs and the traditional dancing became the rhythm of the night. This the congregation did to express their joy for this blessed visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hazendal’s “Save-a-Tree-for-me” launch

On Saturday 10 May 2008 the Sunday school children of Hazendal congregation gathered in the church yard at 10:00. Their gathering echoed with the sounds of their Save-a-Tree-for-me theme song, which was very enthusiastic and full of life. The morning was fulfilled with fun as they coloured in the pictures of trees that had been given to them. But the best part came when they had to dig into the soil to plant their baby trees. Washing their hands afterwards turned into even more fun. This was followed by the serving of boerewors rolls and a cool drink to all present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silvertown bishop area does it together

Following a call from Bishop A Witten to have a uniform launch for the Save-a-Tree-for-me project in all the congregations that make up the Silvertown bishop area, the scene was set for a collective effort. The Bishop visited some of the congregations on Saturday 10 May 2008 where he found Sunday school children toughing out the cold weather of the day and seeing to it that the project got under way. At the visited congregations he also found some dedicated ministers, parents and teachers supporting the young ones with the planting of the saplings. Various activities were carried out in different congregations to make sure that the children had as much fun as possible. In all instances the event was sealed with some fellowship between those gathered. The bishop expressed his warm hearted satisfaction for the unity that was forged in this project and the blessed preparation for Thanksgiving 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last words . . . of Jesus

The youth and ministers of the Athlone district hosted a meeting which looked thoroughly into the last words of Jesus as He was hanging on the cross. Invited to this discussion evening was the youth and ministers of the Heideveld district and the group gathered at the Athlone Church Hall. Guided by clippings of the famous movie, “The Passion of the Christ”, the youth were provided with insight into the last words Jesus spoke before He died. This was accompanied by thoughts of how it affects individuals of our time and what our reaction would be if we were to find ourselves in a similar situation. District Elder D Alfred shared a few thoughts with those who had gathered after the presentation. He once again stressed the fact that youth activities are driven “By the youth for youth” and then coined the additional phrase that these activities should be “The Passion of the Youth”.

 

 

 

 

Learning more about greening the country

As part of the Save-a-Tree-for-me project the Sunday school children of the Lansdowne congregation visited the MTN Science Center on Monday 28 April 2008. On this particular day the center hosted a germination workshop where children were taught how seeds develop into something unusual and most beautiful. The children then got their hands dirty by making faces using sand and stockings. In the sand a seed was planted and in the course of time this seed will give hair to the face – green grass. This they were given to take home with them and they undertook to care for the faces by watering them until the hair grows.

 

 

 

 

Heideveld launches ‘Save-a-Tree-for-me’

In the cold and wet weather of Saturday 10 May 2008, the Sunday school children from Heideveld congregation launched the “Save-a-Tree-for-me” project in preparation for Thanksgiving 2008. The little ones were more than excited and enthusiastic about this event. The afternoon was characterised by the reading of a few stories and this created a warm feeling like sitting all cuddled up next to a fire. The children also sang and enacted the song “This is the way I plant a tree” and even got the bystanders involved. Later each child received a sapling that they would need to plant and nurture.

 

 

 

 

Apostle Muyendekwa serves Lansdowne

District Apostle N Barnes’s cross booking schedule saw the congregation of Lansdowne have a divine service conducted by Apostle A Muyendekwa of the Caprivi on Wednesday evening 23 April 2008. Apostle Muyendekwa based this service on a text word out of Joshua 1:9. The after text hymn sung by a male choir was in Lozi – the apostle’s home language. The apostle commented that he had thought he had come to strengthen the congregation, but in fact the congregation in this instance had strengthened him. Following the divine service the apostle enjoyed fellowship with all the priestly ministers and their wives.

 

 

 

 

Servants in the Lord’s work served

On the afternoon of Sunday 4 May 2008, Bishop A. Witten conducted a divine service for Sunday school teachers, Rectors and District Ministries at Lotus River West Congregation in the Parkwood District. One could clearly see the excitement and anticipation amongst the congregants as they arrived at the church. This divine service not only served as a motivation to those present but also laid a foundation for the launch of the “Save-a-Tree-for-Me” project which took place on Saturday 10 May 2008 in this bishop area. This event was followed by the serving of refreshments for all present, which gave rise to further thoughts on the topic being shared as small groups clustered in earnest conversation.

 

 

 

 

Sealing and ordination in Hanover Park

During the Sunday morning divine service in Hanover Park congregation on 6 April 2008, the congregants experienced a festive occasion. Not only did they reap much blessing from the sermon, but Apostle J Stephens also sealed 18 new members and ordained 4 Priests and 2 Deacons.

 

 

 

Hanover Park’s young duo set for England

An initiative by the British Council has led to the selection of 24 learners from the Greater Cape Town area to visit England for a “Connecting Classrooms” program. Two of these 24 learners are the 12 year old members of the Hanover Park Congregation, Triston Heneke and Ryan Southgate. These two youngsters, who will soon be making their way to the United Kingdom, got to meet with Apostle JG Stephens during the apostle’s recent visit to Hanover Park. After the Apostle had asked them to tell him the details of the program he wished them well for their educational trip overseas. In Cape Town, learners from three schools were selected for this program and this group will be studying in foreign classrooms for the week starting on Monday 21 April to Friday 25 April 2008. This project aims to break down cultural barriers that may exist between learners and teachers, firstly at local level, but also at an international level.

 

 

 

Festive moments in Crawford

On the afternoon of Sunday 6 April 2008, the Apostle JG Stephens visited the congregation of Crawford in the Silvertown bishop area. During the proceedings of this divine service the apostle sealed three souls, bestowed a silver wedding anniversary blessing on Priest Brown and his wife and placed the Sub Deacon Sydney Braaf into retirement.

 

 

 

The much awaited visit fulfilled

The classroom in Siyazingisa Primary school in Gugulethu was filled to capacity when Apostle JG Stephens visited this congregation on the evening of Thursday 3 April 2008. Approximately 70 members and guests sat awaiting the sermon of the Apostle who based his teachings on the text word recorded in the book of Proverbs 23:19. During this service he also sealed two members who will be attending the congregation of Gugulethu North. After the divine service the Apostle spend some time chatting and interacting with the members, which resulted in them leaving their gathering place with hearts filled with much joy.

 

 

 

R5 000 donation; music to my ears

At the beginning of the month of March, Bishop A. Witten was contacted by the Principal of Turfhall Primary School in Lansdowne and asked whether he would pronounce a blessing on the occasion of the school’s 30th year in existence and the dedication of the new school hall. The bishop consented and then approached District Apostle Barnes with the request that a donation be made to the school. The District Apostle subsequently agreed to donate R5 000 and 50 recorders for the school’s music department. On the day, Bishop Witten addressed those present at the event with a thought provoking message and then rounded his address off in prayer. Thereafter, he presented the donations from the district apostle. The spontaneous applause from crowd proved their delight at receiving these gifts. The principal expressed his gratitude and informed the audience that the money will be used to purchase uniforms for their school choir.

 

 

 

Not one but two for the Gugulethu congregations

For the first Sunday school service of 2008, Gugulethu Central and North’s Sunday school children waited patiently for Apostle J Stephens who was to conduct the service for them. A more blessed surprise was experienced by all present when not only one but two apostles came to serve this congregation. The sermon was based on the life of David the shepherd boy, and the Apostles M Diedricks and J Stephens emphasised David’s trust in God and how God delivered him from harm and danger. This service was further enhanced by a Powerpoint presentation on some of the major events in David’s life; this assisted the young ones to get a better understanding of what had happened. The future of the Lord’s work was further revealed in this congregation as a young brother sporting a black bow tie, neatly turned out in black and white, taking the children’s choir. Great joy was experienced by all present.