One Voice, One Saviour

“Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” Ps.133:1

These living words from Psalm 133 echoed through our hearts this year as St John’s joined seven of our fellow Wynberg churches for a united Christmas service at Maynardville.

For the first time, Battswood Baptist Church, Bethel Assemblies of God, Calvary Sanctuary, Central African Presbyterian Church, Emmanuel Anglican Church, Ubukho Bakhe, and the Uniting Reformed Church gathered on Sunday evening for a glorious Christmas celebration in the park. Rev Delmaine Petersen of Emmanuel Church warmly opened the service as MC, welcoming a joyful combined congregation ready to worship the King of Kings.

The talented Minah Koela led the vibrant multi-church worship team in true African style, and Ps Brian Koela of Ubukho Bakhe preached the evening’s message. His sermon emphasised that while Christmas is indeed a time of great celebration, it is also a moment to remember those for whom there is “no room in the inn.” Christmas can be deeply lonely for those missing far-away family or grieving loved ones, and painfully difficult for those who experience trauma during the festive season. In the midst of the jubilation, we received a clear call to be ready, attentive, and prayerful.

This call found an immediate response as more than R3500 was generously collected for U-turn, a local organisation serving the homeless in Wynberg. The service concluded in joyful song before it was time to pack away.

Filled afresh with timeless carols and the living word of God, we continue to hear the call to “Fall on our knees” this “Holy night,” “Harkening the herald angels sing.” And we rejoice in the truth that “Avulekile amasango ezulu” (The gates of heaven have been opened), and that “Hy is die Raadsman, Hy is die sterke God, Hy is die Ewige Vader, Hy is die Vredevors” (He is our Counsellor, our strength, our everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace).

By faith, may we enter more fully into Christmas 2025: united, prayerful, full of love and light, and ready to proclaim, in small ways or great, the good news of the birth of our beloved Saviour and King, Jesus Christ.

A huge thank you from St John’s to all who took part!