Easter celebrations under Lockdown

We will be celebrating the second season of Holy Week and Easter under Lockdown protocol, as we still deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year the restriction came upon us as a sudden surprise. We responded in a responsible way, adapting to virtual meetings and celebrations. Social media was a tool we used for communication and keeping in touch. But then it became the only way to connect and celebrate.
Who would have thought that a year later things would still be similar?
It is disruptive and unsettling. But there is one constant that remains. Jesus Christ, crucified and risen Lord, is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He walks with us, talks to us and empowers us for life. His word is a life-giving word.
Good Friday and Easter go hand in hand. So does disappointment and hope. In the light of Easter, let us not just mourn the losses for being church that have occurred due to the pandemic, but let us also celebrate the opportunities that arise in being church anew and afresh. Easter follows Good Friday. New life is given, also to the church. Let us be church with and for each other to His glory in midst of these challenging times.

Synod 2021

Synod will take place from 13-15 August 2021 at St Martini Lutheran Church, 240 Long Street, Cape Town. In its planning, Church Council is considering different options which include a virtual synod meeting. It is important that congregations and church committees discern and discuss the topics of syn- od. Please keep the synod preparations and the delegates in your prayers

Congregations and Pastors

ELC Strand Street
Pastor Walter Schwaer has decided to go on early pension. The congregation will be vacant from 1.4.2021.
We thank Pastor Schwaer for the many years of service in different congregations. May the well-deserved years as pensioner be enjoyable and filled with joy and peace.

Pastor Schalk Treurnicht from the Church of the Cross, Bellville will serve as locum tenens.
May the Lord give wisdom as the Church Committee discerns on the way forward and searches for a pastor to serve with them.

St Crucis
Pastor Frank Schütte was inducted as pastor on 7.3.2021. It was a wonderful celebration with numbers limited due to Covid protocol. The service had to take place in the hall due to fire damage in the church building. We wish him and the congregation a fruitful journey of living and serving to the glory of God.

Bloemfontein
Dr Gideon van der Watt, was inducted as pastor on 7.3.2021 by Pastor em Nils Rohwer. We wish them a fruitful journey of living and serving to the glory of God.