On this tenth anniversary of the first free and open elections in South Africa, several churches and groups gathered for a celebration of song and praise at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church on the afternoon of May 2, 2004
The joy of freedom in South Africa is tempered by the sorrow which AIDS brings to 5.3 million of her children. The affliction touches 10.3 million South Africans and a recent survery of pregnant women in that country indicates an infection rate of 26.5. Zerf Productions and its partners have made a commitment to help the mothers and children of South Africa with food, medicine and hospices. Under the leadership of Wilhelmina Fredericks, ten of Zerf Productions' team members and friends will challenge Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa (19,340 feet) over a 9 day period in October of 2004. The purpose is to raise $20 million over five years. (You are invited to find out more at: www.kilimanjaro2020.com) This service, then, was not only a celebration, but a call to action and an appeal for support.
| Participating churches and groups: |
|
| Special Thanks go out to: | |
| Wilhelmina Fredericks & Rev. Jan Dijkman (Zerf Productions) | For organizing the service |
| Rev. Martha Nell Thomson (Wesley United Church) | For putting together the order of service |
| Rev. Samuel King-Kabu (St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church) | For offering his church as a location |
| Carol Bernard (River's Edge Community Church) | For her musical contribution |
| The Ted Philips Assemble | For their musical contribution |
Opening Hymn: Spirit of Gentleness
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
Blow thro' the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
Stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
Then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
And over the eons you called to each thing:
Wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings...
Choir Performance by the Ted Philips Assemble:
'Take Those Shakles Off My Feet' &
'I Just Want to Praise You'
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9: The Collection for Christians at Jerusalem
Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, 2for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; 4otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.
6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9As it is written, ‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
(http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm)
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-18:
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10For ‘Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; 11let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ 13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,
(http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm)
Hymn: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
Where there is injury, your healing power,
And where there's doubt, true faith in you...
God Bless Africa (Nkosi Sikelel' i Afrika: Original Lovedale Translation)
This traditional Africn anthem of freedom was composed 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a teacher at a Methodist mission school in Johannesburg. Its words were recited here interactively, by Rev. Samuel King-Kabu, as a communal prayer
Lord, bless Africa; May her horn rise high up; Hear Thou our prayers And bless us.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Bless our chiefs May they remember their Creator. Fear Him and revere Him, That He may bless them.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Bless the public men, Bless also the youth that they may ca land with patience and that Thou mayst bless them.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Bless the wives and also all young women; Lift up all the young girls and bless them.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Bless the ministers of all the churches of this land; Endue them with Thy Spiri t And bless them.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Bless agriculture and stock raising. Banish all famine and d Fill the land with good health And bless it.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Bless our efforts of union and self-uplift, Of education and mutual understanding And bless them.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Lord, bless Africa. Blot out all its wickedness And its transgressions and sins, And bless it.
Descend, 0 Spirit, Descend, 0 Holy Spirit.
Soloist: Carol Bernard:
'His Eyes on the Sparrow' &
'My Redeemer Lives'
Hymn: I Dance in the Morning
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, Dance, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he...
Remarks by Rev. Martha Nell Thomson:
Rev. Martha Nell Thomson spoke of how the work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's, "No Future Without Forgiveness", continues to touch her deeply: "We're not all free until we're all free"
Remarks by Rev. Samuel King-Kabu
Rev. Samuel King-Kabu related the story of a young boy who was out on a beach littered with thousands of starfish which the tide had stranded. He was asked why he was busily throwing them back into the sea, one by one. "Look at all these thousands of starfish on the beach. How can your efforts make any difference?" The boy replied as he threw yet one more starfish back into the sea, "It makes a lot of difference to this starfish!"
Blessing of the Climbers
Gregory Dijkman, son of Rev. Jan Dijkman, who could not be present, introduced those who will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in October and Rev. Samuel King-Kabu conferred the Lord's blessing upon them and their efforts. Several climbers addressed the assembly and described why they were doing this.
| The Climbers |
|---|
| Dr. Sylvie Dufresne |
| Dr. Klaus Holler |
| Dr. Hughes Loemba |
| Dr. Leonard Mbaididje |
| Dr. Jacklin Quinlan |
| Dr. Patrick Scott |
| Martha Cox |
| Wilhelmina Fredericks |
| Sylvia Gervais |
| Sabrina Gervais-Wood |
| Dorothy Francis |
| Elizabeth Jennaway-Eamon |
| Ilka D. Karl |
| Wanjira Njenga |
| Susan Rose |
| Natalie Tanner |
Choir Performance by the Ted Philips Assemble:
'Can't Give Up Now' &
'Hymn to Freedom (Oscar Peterson)'
'Down by the Riverside'
Offertory Hymn: Open My Eyes
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine...
A significant amount of money was collected from the assembly, for the benefit of AIDS victims in South Africa.
Hymn of Thanks and Prayer: Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
Rev. Martha Nell Thomson introduced this hymn, which was sung several times over as people brought to mind their personal petitions to the Lord:
Lord, listen to your children praying,Hymn: One More Step
One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go;
from the old things to the new
keep me traveling along with you:
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you...
Closing Hymn: Siyahamba
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
(the light of God.)
We are marching, (marching, we are marching,)
oo-oo, (marching,)
we are marching in the light of God.
(the light of God.)
We are marching, (marching, we are marching,)
oo-oo, (marching,)
we are marching in the light of God.
Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos',
siyahamb' e ukhanyen' kwenkhos'
siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos',
siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos',
(khanyen' kwenkhos'.) Siyahamba, (hamba siyahamba,)
oo-oo, (hamba,) siyahamb', ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'.
(khanyen' kwenkhos'.) Siyahamba, (hamba siyahamba,)
oo-oo, (hamba,) siyahamb', ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'.
Choir Performance by the Ted Philips Assemble:
'Let There Be Peace on Earth' &
'You Don't Know What the Lord Told Me' (Soloist: Kim Adams)