Blog Archives
Confirmation 2012
Congratulations to all confirmants 2012
We had a wonderful year together and a blessed confirmation service. We’re proud that our confirmants took active part in the service. Siyanda opened the service, Ntokozo sang the liturgy, Anele, Aphiwe and Nqobile read the scriptures and Siyanda anounced our hymns. We’re proud of you! Continue to shine and we hope that confirmation is the beginning to an active church membership.
Following confirmants were confirmed: Anele Dlamini, Nkanyiso Mfeka, Aphiwe Maphanga, Thobeka Ntuli, Andile Mbokazi, Zama Hlabangane, Siyanda Ngema, Nqobile Mkhize, Siyanda Khuzwayo, Ntokozo Khanyile, Wonke Khathi, Thabiso Dube! Halala.
Confirmation Camp 2012
Confirmation Camp was a too much fun. And all participants: confirmants, youth, parents and pastors agreed: next year we will meet again in eNdlovini!
13 youth from Richards Bay, 29 youth from eNdlovini, 2 adults from Richards Bay, one from Enkanyisweni, a pastor and four angels in the kitchen made this confirmation a success. Through out the four days we discussed the 10 commandments, and the two sacraments; baptism and the Holy Communion. We praised God, prayed, learned, discussed faith and we had a lot of fun!!
Our thanks goes out to eNdlovini congregation who hosted us, to the four Mama (angels) in the kitchen, to Z.Dlamini, L.Xaba and R. Phakathi who took time of to join the youth in the confirmation camp.
A special thank you goes to out to the older youth who planned, helped out where they could and made this camp a huge success.
We found new talents amongst us. Gifted singers like Darky, amazing baseball players and of course our new acting talent: Spoqo!!
Check out the fotos below and enjoy. To God be the glory!!
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- Spoqo’s Group
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- Baseball!!
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- Tug-of-war
Bye bye, see you (may be) in Germany!
The end of my internship is not far off and therefore it´s time to thank you and to say good bye. I had a wonderful time here in your congregation in Richards Bay. For me, it was a great experience getting to know the work of Pastor Gensicke and taking part at your lively congregational life. I´m really impressed by the joy and energy, I feel in your services, in your songs, in your choruses and in your hearts. It was wonderful to see the way, you practice your faith while praying and holding together at any time.
Even though, I´m not yet a full pastor, you gave me the chance, to test myself by doing some blessings, a lecture, a little sermon and even the offering of the holy communion.
This internship in South Africa was a great opportunity to expand my focus and to gain new experiences and insights in the wide field of church work.
I am very grateful for your hospitality and the way you accepted me at the different meetings and events. A very special thanks goes to Mrs. Ntuli and to the family of Pastor Gensicke for welcoming me at their houses. It was so nice to meet you!
I wish you all the best! May god bless you and be with all of you!
Of course, you are always welcome to visit me in Germany!
Regards,
Josefine
Trophies Galore!
On the 16th of September our Sunday School kids went to Enkanyisweni to enter the Parish competition for St.Michaels Day. They had practised so hard and the practise really paid of. They won two trophies for best song and drama and they got second place for reciting the watchword. WELL DONE little Richards Bay Lutherans, you have done us very proud!
We also want to thank our teachers who prepared our children so good and diligently. Thank you all who made our children succeed!
Family Day
Thank you to all who helped on our Family Day in church. Though it wasn’t announced often enough in church, members came to renovate our church and Christian School. We were able to remove the building rubble, we painted the outside wall, the veranda surface was redone, a gate was installed and we moved the fence. Other small repairs were also done.
We want to especially thank the members of the building committee, because they planned the event and came out in full force to help. We want to thank our Ladies who cooked and provided lunch for the working men. THANK YOU. The building looks much better!
Click on below pics to see what happened!
Thank you to Steffi Gensicke who entertained our children!
One last comment: John the paint goes on the WALL, not on the face!
Unexpected Blessing
We had a church council meeting in the evening of a Sunday in the beginning of August in our Christian school/Church. We were discussing the usual topics: upcoming events, reports and finances. When an Indian lady and her daughter entered our building. She asked a few questions about our Lutheran church and the new building (our future church) which is being built on site. Then she asked for our banking details and she said that she felt her family should bless our congregation and our ministry. I was quite amazed and maybe even a little bit doubtful. But I gave her the banking details and we continued with our council meeting. Nothing happen for two weeks and we had forgotten all about the promise. But then we received a donation of R 5.000,00 with the message love gift. Wow! God indeed moves in mysterious, but wonderful ways. We surely need money because of our building effort, and it sometimes isn’t easy to stay motivated. But it shows that we are not alone, God provides and uses his faithful disciples in unexpected ways. We the Lutheran Church in Birdswood would like to thank the Lady, whose name sadly didn’t appear on the donation. You are a blessing to us and a testimony that God is moving in our city! Your congregation in Alton is surely preaching the gospel in words and good deeds. God bless you, your family and your congregation. THANK YOU! Yours faithfully Rev. Stephan Gensicke
Family Day on the 1st of September
Hallo Richards Bay Lutheran Family.
Please be reminded that on the 1st of September we’re having a family day at our church. We will have a jumping castle for the kids, food for the hungry and time to socialize and renovate our church. We’re coming together to make our church/crèche shine. We’ve many things to sort out, to make our church premises more inviting and friendly. Please come in droves and join in on our Family day.
Announcements for the coming weeks
Announcements and important dates for the coming weeks:
20.August Prayer Mens League is meeting at T.T. Xulu home 18h00
21.August Prayer Mens League meets at Msane’s home at 18h00
23.August Prayer Women meet at Pat Mthembu’s home at 08h00
23.August Prayer Women meet at 18h00 at Mbhanali home
24.August Confrimation class 17h00
24.August Youth meet at 18h00
24.August Crossnight at Xaba’s home
25.August Sunday School meet
25.August Liturgy Workshop 16h00
26.August Circuit Rally Imbiso Hall
31.August Confrimation class 17h00
01.September Family Day at church
02.September Leader of the women cell groups meet after church
08.September Graduation Party at Xaba’s home
If there are any suggestions please write it down and put it into the suggestion box after church!
Womens Day Celebration in Richards Bay Congregation
Halala, to all women and my God bless you.
The women of Richards Bay Lutheran Congregation were treated to a short but meaningful celebration of Womens Day. After the service the Women and everybody who stayed on were welcomed by Mrs. Ngema and our MC M.Biyela. A short speech by Mr. Mkhize was followed by a present to all women of Richards Bay congregation. They were presented with an engraved Mirror as an appreciation for what women do in our congregation and in our lives. Every woman (including the younger women 🙂 was given a coffee mug as a small but thoughtful token of our gratitude by the men of Richards Bay Lutheran Church. After this well received gift, all were blessed by two speakers, Mr. Ntsele and Mrs. Simelane, who reminded us of the importance of the women’s role in society and church. The youth of the congregation with the Pastor on his guitar celebrated the women by singing a couple of songs. Mrs. Maphanga gave a word of thanks and all was sealed with the blessing of our Pastor Gensicke. After the celebration all stayed for refreshments. Thank you to all who made this function a success and thank you to all women because you are so important to us and our lives. THANK YOU!
Below you can see photos from the function; click to enlarge!
Richards Bay Lutheran Church 