A number of different events took place this Holy Week and here are some reports from some of our members:
Stations of the Cross
Michele Drake writes: “This was a very emotional event. Listening to the story of Jesus’ journey to Golgotha, brought an entirely new meaning to His crucifixion, as one cannot even comrepehend what it must have been like for Jesus, wearing a crown of thorns that pierced the skin on His head, being whipped by the Roman soldiers, ridiculed by the crowds, being pushed and prodded and falling on several occasions. The cross was too heavy to carry and Jesus was weak and tired but the Roman soldiers kicked Him and kept telling Him to get up and keep moving, until a farmer that passed by was made to carry the cross for Jesus. Eventually arriving at Golgotha, He had nails pierced in His hands and feet. He hung on the cross for several hours before dying for our sins.
I cannot thank the Lord enough for what He has done for us. To die on a cross so that we might live and still we remain sinners.”
Passover Dinner
Andrea Schoombie writes: “Last year, a few of us attended a Passover presentation hosted by the Jews for Jesus group, and found it to be most interesting. As a result, it was decided this year to hold a Passover meal at St Andrew’s for the first time!
Bronny [McKane] bravely took on the job of organizing what turned out to be a most interesting, enjoyable success.
We arrived just after 6pm to the most enticing smell of rosemary lamb emanating form the church kitchen. In the hall, the family tables were beautifully laid out, with white and gold settings strewn with deep red rose petals!
Between two candles, a gold plate was set, holding some rather interesting items, along with two bowls of water, one containing salt water and parsley!
I can gladly say that all these strange items had a very important roll to play through out the evening, and were fully explained as the meal played out.
The main doors to the hall were closed, as John led the evening’s events, with help from a few individuals, as well as the read response from all of us. We followed the ceremony in a booklet provided on each table, reading out loud together the “response” areas.
Although the very small print proved to be a challenge for some of us older diners, it also helped keep our concentration focused on the words.
As the story read by John played out, we followed the instructions with regards to the traditions and meanings of the symbols. Followed at each stage by a glass of red wine (or grape juice for those wiser!)
It was very entertaining to watch the faces of the kids, as they tasted the strange combination of food, and learned the meaning for each one.
At a crucial point in the ceremony, just when some of us thought that was all we were going to get for supper, dinner was served!
The delicious lamb we smelled on arrival, accompanied by roast vegetables and a selection of breads, and followed by fruit salad was most welcome!
The ceremony then continued a short while to its final conclusion, ending with one of the children re-opening the main door, so that the mystery guest could join us “In His time”.
In conclusion I feel that as a Christian, taking part in the traditions and life of the Jews as lived by Jesus, brings us closer the a real understanding and relationship with our Christ, and is a must do experience for all of us!
It will also be the only way you will get to find out just what all of those strange items on the table were, and meant!”
Good Friday
Barry Taylor writes: “It was day break on a chilly but crisp and clear Friday the 10th April (Good Friday) that members of various Churches in Germiston, including a contingent from St Andrew’s, met at the Germiston Lake, adjacent to the Victoria Lake Club to celebrate the final service of the fraternal’s Lenten Pilgrimage and to acknowledge the sacrifice that our Lord Jesus had made for us.
Following a service of word, song and reflection, a collection of foodstuffs was taken for the families of the Dukathole informal settlement.
At 09h00 a Good Friday service was held at St Andrew’s, the first in many years and was attended by approximately 50 of our folk. Whilst this was a solemn occasion, it didn’t dampen the spirit of the Congregation and the end to Holy week worship was enhanced by the singing of such well known Hymn as, ‘There is a green hill far away’, ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’ and ‘O Sacred head once wounded’. This being the penultimate service in St Andrews’ Lenten Preaching Series, members would be reminded of and give consideration to the question posed some four weeks previous ‘If God has given us so much, including His Son for our sin, then how do we respond to that as Christians?’
To God be the Glory.”
01 March @ 18h00 Lent 01
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church … Living Under Trial (James 1:2-11)
08 March @ 18h00 Lent 02
St. Mary and St. John’s Anglican Church … Living Under the Word (James 1:19-25)
15 March @ 18h00 Lent 03
Christian Faith Fellowship … Living in Faith (James 2:1-26)
22 March @ 18h00 Lent 04
Germiston Salvation Army … Living in Wisdom (James 3:13-18)
29 March @ 18h00 Lent 05
Elsburg Methodist Church … Living for the Future (James 4:13-5:6)
05 April @ 18h00 Palm Sunday
Evangelical Lutheran Church … Living with Endurance (James 5:7-12)
10 April @ 06h00 Good Friday
Victoria Lake Club … Living Caringly & Prayerfully (James 5:13-20)
Andrea Schoombie writes: “On Saturday morning the 21st of February 2009, we once again treated our men to the annual St Andrew’s Men’s Breakfast!
The menu was a delight of platters, beautifully set out by my helpful team.
Laid out on the main food table, were the cold meats, cheeses, boiled eggs, croissants, cheese muffins; bread; tea …….!
We decided to set the seating table out as a large banquet this year, just to show our men that sometimes they are our “Knights in shining armour”!! This really worked out well, and looked very inviting with jugs of fresh juice separated by colourful fruit platters, yoghurts and fresh flowers! I know this looked good to the taste-buds, because I have never seen so much fruit eaten by men before!
Each guest was also given a silver mug with sweets in, just in case you thought it was all too healthy?
However, before we allowed them to tuck in, at 9am we invited them into the church, where we screened a short inspirational movie called “Rain”. Very recommendable viewing.
After thanking our God for the honour of fellowship and a meal, the gents were invited to eventually “go for it!!
The sound of gentle chatter and laughter that always seems to go hand-in-hand with a St Andrew’s meal was a wonderful compliment to the scrumptious food.
All my thanks goes out to the Gents who joined us for the breakfast as well the ladies “and Barry” who helped put the beautiful platters together! And to everyone who helped clean up afterwards.
All this help allowed me to be home just after 11am in order to start all over again setting up for Derren’s 8th birthday party!
And to all of you men who could not make it?? Sorry for you!! Maybe next year you will allow yourself the opportunity to be SPOILED!!”
