Valuable to Jesus

These little dolls are going to children who have been abused or are at risk of abuse (as a result of family / social situations) and are filled with meaning. They convey the messages:

You are lovingly handmade by the Almighty God of the Universe (the little dolls are handmade, with love)

There is no-one like you (each doll is unique; not one is the same as another)

You are extremely valuable – no money can pay for you (the dolls are not for sale)

God wants to keep you safe in the palm of His hand (the dolls fit in the palm of your hand)

Sonop Surprise

About 50 children from Sonop gathered excitedly to climb on board a bus to take them to a party organised just for them in Brits. Just look at their beautiful Jesus T-shirts and smiling faces.






They enjoyed food and treats, a jumping castle, stories with magnificent puppets and even horse riding.
They have a "Sunday school" on Friday afternoons in Sonop where they learn about our Saviour Jesus.

Holy Week

What a special and moving season in our church calendar as once again we journeyed together to Gethsemane, Calvary and the empty tomb.
Ladies from the group "Freedom of the heart" presented a powerful dance to the song "Thank You for the cross" by Graham Kendrick.

Other musical items were very deep songs of the death of our Lord Jesus. The Tennebrae service held at the Harties church included hand washing. Candles were extinguished as we heard readings of all the events of Jesus journey to the cross.





After the darkness and pain of Good Friday we waited with bated breath for the sun to rise over the dam to greet the best day of the year - Resurrection Sunday. We celebrated again in church later with powerful music and we filled the church with white and yellow flowers.

LENT

As we journey to Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday, we focus on what Jesus has done for us. We began with a pancake evening at the Hofmeyrs home and shared in an Ash ceremony. Some have given up favorite beverages or treats to be reminded of the sacrifice that our Lord made.
On Palm Sunday(5th April) each person will receive a palm cross to celebrate when Jesus came humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey, but as King of the Jews.
See our Holy Week programme below.

Easter Programme
Music and Mime – Wed 8th April
7.00 pm at Brits
Tenebrae Service – Thursday 9th April
7.00 pm at Harties
Good Friday – Fri 10th April
8 am Harties and 9.30 Brits
Easter Sunrise Service – 6.00 am
Caribbean Beach Club
Resurrection Sunday 12th April
8 am Harties 9.30 am Brits

Sermon Bible Study Series

For the next few weeks Rev Jannie will be leading us in a series based on the theme from the book: "The Jesus I never knew" by Philip Yancey. The sermons and two Fellowship/Bible Study groups will focus on this.

A perfect evening for Carols by candlelight at the waterfront

The glorious sunset itself made the evening perfect as folk had a picnic on the lush green lawns of the Caribbean Beach Club.
As the sun dipped down behind the mountains the violins and guitars tuned up and the special Scripture readings were shared and carols sung as candles flickered happily in the evening air.

Carol singing at Sonop Home

In previous years we have sung carols to those residents of the home able to join us in the hall. This year we decided to visit each ward and room. The corridors rang with carols and the faces lit up as we visited.
A huge box of presents was pushed on a trolley taking something for each person.
Tired feet, fingers and voices we may have had but we will never forget the joy on the faces of these precious people.
We say thanks to Elsje for organising it all.

Christmas party at Sonop Feeding Scheme

So many children and adults gathered in Sonop for a very special party.Colourful flags waved to the music as Anatasia taught the children about lifting up the name of Jesus and then Marianne told them a story. There were a couple of items sung to Meisie as she was thanked for starting the Feeding Scheme. The children lined up in age groups to receive their packet of goodies while guitars and a violin accompanied some Christmas carols.
Later on every enjoyed a boerewors roll.
The miracle of this feeding scheme is that it started as Meisie's dream nad starting with a large pot and her own food parcel it has grown into the feeding of 200 daily with donations coming from all over as hearts are touched.

Plans for Christmas 2008

Sat 6th Dec 11 am Christmas Party at the Sonop Feeding Scheme

Tuesday 9th Dec 10 am - Visiting the rooms at Sonop Old Age Home with gifts and singing carols

Wednesday 10th Dec 6pm Picnic and Carols by Candlelight at Caribbean Beach Club- bring your own picnic, chair/blanket and candle

Thursday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY - Worship at the church at 9.30 am

Concert at Sonop Old Age Home

To our delight and the residents of Sonop Old Age Home, the children from the Sonop school danced and sang. The rain did not deter them and their young, fresh faces brought joy to us all. They received cake and juice and so did the residents. It was a lovely morning where the old could be blessed by the young.

Sonop Feeding Scheme

When some ladies in Sonop decided to try and feed the children and poor people from their meagre and small pensions, Elsje came to their rescue and with donations from our church and Rotary has helped to get this new feeding scheme on its feet.
There are now over 200 children and grown ups being fed daily just in the garden and car port of Meisie's home in Sonop.
Our church is supplying the bread for each day. All donations are welcome and a basket is in the church foyer for any contributions that people would like to make.
On the 6th December there will be a party for these folk and we will be going along to support them and to sing carols.
Watch this space.....

Baptism Font

Brits church has received a baptism font - from our own Rev Jannie's family. After the sad passing of Jannie's father, the furniture was shared between the 3 children. Jannie asked for the baptism font which his mother had bought from her church which had been replaced by a new one. As a keen flower arranger Jannie's mom had used the font for her beautiful arrangements at home.
This font was used at Brits church for the first time when baby Seth Griessel was baptised on the 9th of November.

Rev Jannie- a significant year

Our Rev Jannie studied under Professor Malan and got his honours degree. Jannie was ordained 20 years ago and has been in the ministry 25 years.

Father's day

Quotes for Fathers’ Day

Worship is the way we honour our heavenly Father and thank Him that we are one of His beloved children.
(Stormie Omartian.)

There are only two things we should give our children. One is roots; the other, wings.”
(Hodding Carter)

In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.”
(unknown)

“Many of us have inherited great riches from our parents – the bank account of PERSONAL FAITH and Family PRAYERS. (Nels Ferre)

Each day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. (Charles Swindoll)

“when you teach your son, you teach your son’s son.
(The Talmud)

A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.
(Unknown)

Children seldom misquote you. In fact they repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said. (unknown)

I love to play hide and seek with my child, but some days my goal is to find a hiding place where he can‘t find me until after high school.) (Unknown)

Baby Boom

Recently about 7 babies have been baptised in our little church. Some were happy to be held by Rev Jannie and others not so happy. We pray God's blessing on these little ones and as a church we commit ourselves to help bring them up to know and follow the Lord Jesus. One of the little one's English names was even "Bless"!!

Building up the local church

With the expert help of Professor Malan Nel from Tukkies we have engaged in a process to build up the local church. On the 12th April we spent the day with Prof and he guided us through questionnaires to establish what we saw as our weaknesses and strengths. We formed a sub- committee who has been looking at these and we have put out response forms to the congregation. There have been further meetings with Prof Nel to help inplement these ideas. We are now putting all this together and setting objectives and a mission statement. There is to be further discussion with the congregation.

Palm Sunday

This is a special day when we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a colt and all the people shouting and singing, waving palm branches and putting cloaks on the ground. When Jesus stopped at one stage the Bible says He wept over Jerusalem. We realize that He weeps today over the tragedies in our world. But the good news is that He faced the cross to bring hope and new life.

Holy Week 2008

On Sunday we "launched" into Holy Week with joyful singing and the waving of ferns. We thank the ladies who made us all beautiful palm crosses that we will treasure and perhaps keep in our Bibles for another year.

This is a very meaningful and special week as we remember what Jesus went through for us. On Wedneday at our Harties church we will be celebrating the Passover meal and "Jews for Jesus" are coming to explain the significance of each part of the meal to us and how Christ fulfilled them.

On Thursday we will have the Service of the Shadows at Brits - called the Tennebrae Service and as we read all the events leading up to the cross, candles will be extinguished until we sit in the dark shadows, praying.

On Friday morning we will gather for our Good Friday service as Jesus hung on that cross and then on Sunday we will greet the rising sun over the dam and celebrate that our Saviour rose from the dead. I am sure the service on Sunday will be filled with joy and promise of our risen Saviour's presence.

A Wedding

This is a recent wedding. The church and the bridal party were so beautiful. When the cameraman needed to change a battery - no problem - the choir just sang while he did that!

Beautiful boys

One of our new babies soon to be baptised being proudly held by cousin Amo.

Bright smile and colours

This is Elizabeth Makuwa, a member at Brits- what a advert for our rainbow church. She can always be found helping out around. She has also been on the Emmaus Walk

Together again

It was great to be together again as the two congregations of Brits Methodist and Harties joined for a service, because the Harties venue was not available that Sunday - a good excuse for a reunion!

God's work

Life at Brits Methodist church is good. We praise our Lord for His faithfulness and provision. Services are well attended and our leaders and helpers are doing well. We recently enjoyed a combined service with both the Brits and Harties congregations together. It was like a big, happy family reunion.

The Sunday school is strong and doing well under the leadership of Moira.

We love our new organ - we are so gratefull to Sinoville Methodist in Pretoria for donating it to us. May God bless you for your kindness.

The next Emmaus Walks are soon and we are sending quite a few people to experience this wonderful spiritual journey. We know these folk will be blessed out of their socks.

We have at least 2 new babies and we congratulate these proud families.

The combined Youth group from both the Brits church and Harties church meet each Friday evening for supper (provided by the moms) and a Bible study, some music and a game if there is time. These enthusuatic young folk are also visiting a safe house on a Saturday afternoon once a month to play with the children there.

We started off Lent with our Koeksuster making delicious pancakes.We then had an Ash Service and started the Lent journey to the cross reminded of what Jesus went through. Some of us have given something up or a fasting one day a week to prepare ourselves for Holy Week.

Easter Programme
Passover Supper – Wed 19th March
6.30 pm at Harties
Tennebrae Service – Thursday 20th March
7.00 pm at Brits
Good Friday – Fri 21st March
8.am Harties and 9.30 Brits
Easter Sunrise Service – Time to be advised
Caribbean Beach Club
Resurrection Sunday 23rd March
8am Harties 9.30 am Brits

Christmas Wreath

In the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and on Christmas Day, we light candles to remind us of the advent of Jesus Christ. Members of the congregation take part each Sunday.
The large centre candle is lit on Christmas day and we are reminded that Jesus is the centre of our celebrations.

Christmas Day Dec 2007

We will be holding a Christmas Day service at our Harties Church in Schoemansville at 8 am - cnr Marais and Kyper St at the Diens Sentrum Hartbeeshof,

and at 9.30 am at our Brits Church.

All are welcome. Rev Jannie Hofmeyr will be leading both services and there will be some old and new carols to sing. We have been lighting an advent candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Day, the centre candle is lit and this reminds us all to keep Christ at the centre.

Carols by Candlelight

Wed 12th December 2007.

A perfect evening during a stormy month, a beautiful sunset on the lawn at the waterside of Hartbeespoortdam, Caribbean Beach Club was the setting for our picnic and carol service. The violins and guitars accompanied our carol singing and in between songs various people read the story of Jesus' birth to us.

To get us thinking Rev Jannie asked us where would we address a letter to Jesus?..Bethlehem.......Jerusalem.....? How about our own address? We sing "O now carry me to Bethlehem, to see the Lord appear to men..", but the true meaning of Christmas is that the Lord is born in our hearts and lives at our address, and does not remain the baby in a manger in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.

May we all experience His closeness every day - may every day be Christmas and may we all savour the "moments" with loved ones and friends and also think of those who suffer and grieve more intensely at this time.

Carols at Sonop

Joy to the World - well, to Sonop Old Age Home for a start. On Sat 1st Dec a group from Brits and Harties Methodist played and sang their lungs out bringing the message of Christmas to the old folk at Sonop.

They were treated to a gift each made by the Henna Ladies - a hand painted draw string bag with soap, lotion etc inside. A kind donation paid for a scrumptious lunch too for them. As usual, we were probably even more blessed than they were!

Henna Ladies Group

Hen Party or swans?

Our ladies group - named after a beautiful flower in the Bible met at "Jeannelies" for morning tea for our end of year celebration. We shared about our families and Christmas plans while swans floated nearby on the water. We finalised the details for the visit to the Sonop Old Age Home on the 1st December, where we will be singing carols and serving lunch with help from volunteers from the rest of both congregations.

Youth

Youth Bible Study and Fun
On Friday evenings the Youth from Harties and Brits churches have been meeting together for Bible Study, followed by nice food prepared by the moms and then a fun game. Jan and Angela have been helping us and lately we have been studying the book of Titus and have enjoyed grappling together verse by verse with what God is calling us to do and how to live.










Beetle Drive we discovered is not where we got to drive a Volksie, aah gee, but had to draw beetles with the correct number of legs, eyes and antennae! It was the boys team who seemed to win time and time again. But when it came to a winking game and "killing" our fellow youth, the girls were good!

Leaving the nest

We pray for both churches in this new season of growth and adventure. We are still all ONE in Christ our Saviour and will have lots of fellowship together. It is not good-bye, but God bless.

More pics and article on the harties blog site - http://hartiesmethodist.blogspot.com

Blessed to be a blessing

Our church is fulfilling a big dream - to start another congregation at the Hartbeespoortdam.On Sunday the 28th October, we celebrated our last combined service at Brits - exciting, scary, tearful, momentous, challenging......you can imagine the host of emotions.
The Lord has blessed us at Brits to the extent that we feel the time is right to take this leap of faith.
The Hoffies wrote a new little verse to the song "I'm blessed and I know that I am-
I’m blessed to be a blessing every moment of the day
I’m blessed to be a blessing in All I do and all I say
I’m blessed to be a blessing when I work and when I pray
I’m blessed to be a blessing
I`M BLESSED!
I`M BLESSED!
I`M BLESSED!
At the end of the service we formed 2 circles - the Brits congregation enfolding the ones who were setting out and prayers were offered. The fledgling church is ready to fly.

New members for Brits Methodist

After an enjoyable dinner at the church on 18 September, Jannie officially welcomed our newest members to the congregation during the Sunday service on 23 September.

As followers of Christ we are called to serve and we encourage all members - old and new - to use their gifts and talents in service to God.

We are blessed to have you and hope that you will enjoy being part of this very special family.

Lay Witness Banner team

In order to advertise the Lay Witness GIFT weekend, some very creative congregation members used their talents to design and make the banner, currently on the fence in front of the church.

The banner was designed by Julie Hammond, and our artists - Wilna and Charlene Otto & Amy Ashby - reproduced the design on calico and painted it.

Pic courtesy Charmaine Ashby.

Sunday School

Our young congregation members show their enthusiasm for Sunday School by attending during school holidays as well as term time.
These pics were taken during the July school holidays

Pics courtesy Charmaine Ashby

Growing In Faith Together - 5 - 7 october 2007

We are looking forward to the Faith and Fellowship weekend with great enthusiasm and have finalised the programme for the weekend. For your easy reference, please find the details below.

All members of the congregation, your friends and family are welcome to join in any or all of the events (in fact the more you can participate, the better!!). While RSVP's do assist with catering, replies are not essential and you aer welcome to attend whether you have indicated your intentions or not.

FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER
6.30 pm congregational supper and fellowship at the Church
7.30 pm Worship, team introductions and testimonies followed by tea/coffee


SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER
10.00 am Coffee, tea and coke groups in homes
3.00 pm Coffee, tea and coke groups in homes
6.30 pm Congregational supper at the Church

SUNDAY 7 OCTOBER
9.00 am Worship service at the church followed by fellowship over tea
6-7 pm Celebration and evaluation service at the church

For more information, please contact Rev Jannie Hofmeyr on 012 244 3217 or Priscilla Oosthuizen on 012 252 0493

We hope to see you there!!!

Mia Muller's baptism

On Sunday, 9 September, Brits Methodist Church welcomed little Mia Marvel Muller into our fold.

Rev. Jan Hofmeyr explained that the name Marvel was chosen because her birth was nothing short of a miracle and the French "Marvel" conveys this beautifully.

We also learned that our Minister really does have a way with small children as little Mia was instantly quiet as she lay in Rev Hofmeyr's arms during her baptism.

Congratulations to Mom and Dad (Rina and Dave) on their beautiful daughter!!

Lay Witness weekend - Faith and Fellowship

We, at Brits Methodist Church, are blessed to be hosting a lay witness weekend on 5, 6 and 7 October.

Although the church hosted a Lay Witness Mission a few years ago, there are many members who were not here at that time and who have not experienced such a weekend before. To tell us more about how the weekend works and how each member of the Church can get involved, a coordinator from Lay Witness will be speaking at the service on Sunday 19 August.

From our church, Priscilla Oosthuizen is handling the coordination - a mighty task - and she would appreciate any help from members of our church. Particular areas of need include people for the prayer group, publicity, accommodation, catering, transport, tea and coffee groups, youth, music and flowers. Please contact her on 072 779 9744 if you are able to help in any way.

Fellowship groups our way...

The new Wednesday night bible study / fellowship group has recently completed Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. The group really enjoyed the video course and are all raring to go and ready to do GREAT things for God.

To celebrate the end of the current course, the group enjoyed a braai this Sunday and we were blessed with magnificent weather and fantastic company. Unfortunately Julie and the Konopi family were ill and could not make it, & Dave was overseas on a business trip. We did, however, enjoy the company of the teenagers of both the Ashby and Otto families.

Beginning this Wednesday, we are starting the Prayer of Jabez - a 4 week video course by Bruce Wilkinson which we are all looking forward to. Frieda has also motivated us to start a bit of a sing-a-long to get the evening going so we are really excited about that.

If anyone would like to join, we really would love to have you with us. Simply talk to the Kerrs, Ashbys, Ottos, Konopis or Hammonds for more info.

We really do have a great time!

Helping Hands - our HIV / AIDS programme

The “Helping Hands” programme, aimed at HIV/AIDS patients at the Brits hospital, remains our primary outreach program. The number of patients supported with refreshments, Spiritual counseling, prayers and Bible continues to grow and now averages at around 65 to 70 patients per day (of which 10 are children below the age of 6 years).

In the first six months of this year, more than 300 Bibles have been distributed to patients.

As the program has matured, we have gained the confidence of the hospital care workers, many of whom are HIV patients themselves. We are now receiving requests for spiritual support for all areas of the hospital staff, not just the AIDS area. Each morning we commence with a hymn, a Bible reading, a short devotional talk and close with a prayer.

In conjunction with the Brits branch of the Rotary Club of SA, the hospital was presented with 3 new wheelchairs. Additionally, items such as chairs and benches have also been donated to the hospital for the patients use.

Toys and playground equipment for the children have are being donated on an ongoing basis. This is a huge treat for the children who spend hours at the hospital and your donations are greatly appreciated.

In conjunction with the Brits branch of Hospice, we will start distributing food parcels to AIDS affected families from September 1, 2007. Anyone able to donate food and/or assist in any way should contact Selwyn or Wanita

Pics and article courtesy Selwyn Kerr

Congratulations Jason!!!

Not only did Jason du Plessis win 5 medals for his Irish dancing during the recent school holidays, this talented young man has also been invited to Washington DC to participate in the World Leadership Forum in 2008.

The World Leadership Forum is arranged by People to People International founded by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 with the premise that peace can be achieved through understanding. Jason was nominated by his school as an outstanding student with high academic standing and promising leadership potential.

We are so proud to have this very talented young man in our congregation.

Pic courtesy Charmaine Ashby.

Bibles for All

Toward the end of last year, we started selling Bibles at slightly cheaper rates than available at most book stores. The small profits made on these sales go toward the purchase of Bibles for people who have no other access to the Word

Bibles are sold after Communion services (ie every third Sunday) but are available from Wanita after any service.

More information on the Bible Society is available from their web page (see link on the right hand side of your screen) or from Wanita.

Brits Emmaus Reunion Group

Our monthly reunion meeting for July is being postponed (new date to be advised) as it coincides with the boys Chyrsalis flight and that fact that there are a couple of people away that weekend. We will notify all reunion group members when we have a new date.

Pics of the reunion group's last meeting show that a great time is had by all!!

Pics courtesy Charmaine Ashby.

Chrysalis girls flight - June / July 2007

The Brits Emmaus Reunion group is thrilled to welcome Amy Ashby and Elbé du Preez who recently completed their Chrysalis flight.

The boys, John Ashby and Timothy Coutlakis, are doing their flight on the weekend of 13 July.

Post and pic courtesy Charmaine Ashby

Worship Group

Every Thursday evening the worship group has their practice session. We are so blessed
with the many talents in the group. We boast with the Coutlakis family - Jandy (not present) Timothy, Michael and Amy on violins. The du Preez family - Louize on drums, Moira vocal & Elbe’. The Ashby family - John electric guitar, Amy classic or organ & Charmaine vocal, then Frieda with her angelic voice, Elizabeth tenor & Kelvin. Taking the lead is Rev. Jannie Hofmeyr.

Post and pic courtesy Charmaine Ashby

FIRST ATTEMPT

Well, here is our new blog site. I am still learning how all this works, but please let me know what you think.

If you have any PICTURES, news, stories etc. for our blog please email them to me so that I can add them.

You may like to have a look at the Hilton Methodist blog site (www.hiltonmethodist.blogspot.com) which I think is superb. The pictures make it!!

We can post all our events (before and after) so please let me have as much info as you can.

Blessings,
Wanita