Nice to see so many young players joining the brass band of the Church
Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. (Psa 66:8-9 NIV) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Eph 1:12 KJV)
Today Lutheran Churches celebrated the mission of the triune God in the Aula of the University of Pretoria. Here is an overview of the program: 2014 Mission Festival Invitation with some pictures of the highlights of this wonderful day plus the order of the Service as it was followed this morning: Mission Festival Hymn Sheet 2014 and the sermon too:
All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. (Psa 38:9 NIV) and St. James writes: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” (Jam 5:13 NIV)
Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil… As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. (1Sa 12:20.23 NIV) Every high priest is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. (Heb 5:2 NIV)
Travelling all the way up to Shingwedzi, Phunda Maria and even Pafuri you might just get lucky and see the little kings of Kruger: Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), Steenbokkie (Raphicerus campestris), Sharpes Grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei), the Suni (Neotragus moschatus) and off course the Duikers – Grey (Sylvicapra grimmia) and Red (Cephalophus natalensis). Now to get that straight right away – we didn’t go all the way and we did not see all of these either. However we did see the Tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus) and the Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), Eland (Taurotragus oryx), Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), Nyala (Tragelaphus angasi), Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and plenty (!) Impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus). The best sighting was probably the Klipspringer right on the outset – up in the rocks of Shikumbu, but the group of three in front of the Boabab near to Shimuvini was special too. The bushbuck at Sunset Dam was lucky – and true to that places name. The Reedbuck were quite unfazed by the passing lions and the impala were going crazy as it was the start of the rutting season. Its very nice to see the ox peckers proliferate like that. To think that just a few years ago they were hardly around due to the toxic cattle sprays and dips. Well, I’m so glad that has changed. Look here at some of our sightings of antelope in KNP:
The Lutheran Order of Service for the 4th Sunday after Easter is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the Revelation of St. John in the fifteenth chapter the verses 2-4 written in isiZulu (wz1429140518 Kantate) and seTswana (wt1429140518 Kantate) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).
The readings for this Sunday are:
Old Testament: Prophet Isaiah 12:1-6
The Epistle: Colossians 3:12-17
The Gospel: St. Matthew 11:25-30
The liturgical colour is white.
May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this week: Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. (Psa 98:1 NIV)
Collect for the 4th Sunday after Easter (Cantate): O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)
We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psa 51:12 NIV) Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. (Jud 1:2 NIV)
The last two visits to KNP came with great buffalo sightings. First with Matz in the Northern plains and around Olifants. Huge mulling herds obviously at rest and going about their business of chewing the cud, tending their young and brushing up the underwood. With Angelika we first came across them on Muntshe loop. There was an old cow resting in the shade quite close to the road. She was severely limping. Even tried to bump our car as she was obviously aggravated and feeling threatened. Around her there were literally hundreds of resting colossus. A marvelous sight! Ox peckers were having a holiday and still the buffalo seemed mostly preoccupied with flicking their eyes and swishing their tails to get rid of those pesty flies. Driving there the next morning in the hope that the lions had paid that lone cow a visit, we found empty plains. The buffalo had moved on. A couple, who seemed to know about the bush just commented: “They (the buffalo) take care of each other!” Just goes to show how tough these big beasts are. Lovely and very African!
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. (Pro 19:17 NIV) and the next day the Samaritan took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ (Luk 10:35 NIV)
Seeing your favorite bird three times in one day is ok, if its the fish eagle or the sand grouse or even the blacksmith plower, but if its one of those really birds – well, then you know KNP is special and it makes these wonderful sightings possible. This visit we got to see a number of storks: Marabou, Saddle- and Yellow-billed, Black- and White-. The African Spoonbill as well as a number of Ibis, Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, Cormorants were sighted. Probably because we cruised along the Crocodile, Letaba and Olifants rivers for quite a while. At Sunsetlake I was watching Waxbills, Firefinches and other delightful twitters, when the Spookvoel really got me exited. Through the open window his eerie whistle was loud and clear. He surely couldn’t be far away. Moving to the opposite side of the road we parked next to a umKuhlu (Natal Mahogony – Trichilia emetica): “This large tree is striking even from afar because its dense, deep green, glossy foilage shows virtually no visible branching from the outside” (Sappi 1997 Pg 196). From this impenetrable tree the grey headed bush shrike (Malaconotus blanchoti) was continuing its lament – but it was probably as inquisitive as we were. It was not hiding under the leaves, but rather had a peek from under them – and we could make him out nice and clearly. (See picture below)
Waking up early in Lower Sabi I heard Spotted Eagle Owls (Bubo africanus) calling in the mist. They didn’t stop calling “their mellow 2- or 3- syllable hoots hu whooooooooo or whooo are you, rising and falling in pitch, sometimes in duet.” (Roberts KNP pg 55). Travelling in the lovely afternoon a few cars were crammed next next to some thorns trees along the sluggish Crocodile river. They were watching a resting African Wood-Owl (Strix woodfordii). The conditions for taking pictures was terrible – like so often, but we got a few passable shots – mainly because the predator was so restful and didn’t budge one bit. Chasing lions and other glamorous stars of the bush, we ventured to far south and got carried away too far from camp. That’s why it was turning dark before we got home. On the way we got to see two more owls – a Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubu africanus) with its pointy ears and a very proud Verreaux’s Eagle Owl (Bubu lacteus). Both had come out for another hard day’s night – and are nicely silhouetted against the pale evening sky.
We didn’t get to see a Kori Bustard this time – and only a few smaller black breasted ones. Eagles – plenty, just as bee eaters, kingfishers and rollers, swallows and swifts, doves and ducks, geese, coucals and frankolins. But see for yourself.
Wilhelm's space 