SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (M) I - HOLY WEEK SERVICES

- PALM SUNDAY – April 5th
A special Service was celebrated on Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Holy Week. The Triumphal Entry of Jesus in Jerusalem was remembered and the church was decorated with Palm Branches.

The Lord Supper was offered to the members and the Bread and the Wine were brought to the altar by the Elders on duty that Sunday, as it is custom at the UHLC.

The UFUNUO CHOIR from the Swahili Service came to sing in the English Service.

UFUNUO means REVELATION.

Four (4) Baptisms were performed on Palm Sunday (see more in the next postage).

The Gospel Reading was from Mark 11:1-11: The Triumphal Entry; and the sermon highlighted the Theme: “THE LORD NEEDS IT…”

Four girls from the Danish Community were present. They have beenn instructed by David V. Winslöw and will confirm their Christian faith on May 24th.

– Pastor greeted all the people at the end of the Service.

The UFUNUO CHOIR sang more outside after the Service. As we have now our hall again (after the building and the dedication of Luther Plaza), it is a good place for our fellowship.

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MAUNDY THURSDAY + GOOD FRIDAY – April 9t and 10th

Bishop Rev. Dr. Walter Obare preached and was the Celebrant on Maundy Thursday, and he preached also at the Good Friday Service. Both were joint Services: English/Swahili.

The Lord Supper was highlighted on Maundy Thursday at 06:00pm Service as Jesus celebrated it for the very first time “on the night He was betrayed” (1 Corinthians 11:23).

On Good Friday (10:00am), we didn’t celebrate the Lord Supper. It was a Service of the Word to remember the Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His victory over the death. – A guest choir from Tanzania – TUMAINI CHOIR - sang several hymns during the two and half hours Service.

The ANGAZA CHOIR and the UFUNUO CHOIR, both from the Cathedral, sang at the Service too.

The TUMANINI CHOIR sang outside after the Service, …

… and people enjoyed listening to them.

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EASTER SUNDAY

We celebrate the RESURRECTION of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, April 12th at 09:00am(English) and at 11:00am (Swahili) and the bell called to worship. Bishop Obare preached at the Swahili Service.

– The youths from Namibia, who are studying at the Nairobi University (across the street from the Cathedral), organized a choir to sing in their own mother tongue: Ochiwambo.

The Lord Supper was offered to the Christian family, as we do every Sunday, and we celebrated a special Easter Season Order of Service, highlighting ABLAZE. Everyone was invited to share his/her faith in the Resurrected Jesus with a friend.

After the Service, as we sang: “Here I am, Lord… I will go, Lord…” , all greeted all in a big circle at the outside hall, wishing Happy Easter.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (M) II - BAPTISMS

– Four children were baptized on Palm Sunday and received the New Life in Christ.

The parents and godparents brought the children to the Holy Baptism and confessed the Christian Faith.

Havilah Nyarabi Kingoina, born on 16th January 2009,

son of Onesmas Kingoina Otiso and Esnas Nyaera. He has a brother Micah (3 years old).

Leon Atieno Odhiambo, born on 28th September 2008

son to Kennedy O. Ajore and his wife Edwina Anyango Odhiambo. He has twins sisters: Nicole Achieng Odhiambo and Pauline Akinyi Odhiambo.

– Breviann Ingmar Makasembo, born on 4th August 2008,

son to Douglas Tom Ndege and Mildred Kerubo Nyaigero. He has a brother Barry Emmanuel Makasembo, (4 years old).

Wesley Wirz, born on 4th September 2008,

– son to Jürg Wirz and Aflyne Akinyi.

The four children with their parents, godparents, siblings and pastors.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (M) III - KIAMBU

On 7th April, Pastor Omodhi, Pastor Carlos and Ev. Sylvester visited the church in Kiambu with the Architect George Nessa and his helper. We went together also to Kiambu Town to get some necessary licenses for the building.

The church in Kiambu is an old wooden building and is falling down. – The attendance average is around 20 people, most of them coming from Uganda to work in the coffee plantation in Kiambu. – The old building is not an attractive sight for new Christians.

Ev. Francis is in charge of that preaching point and Pastor Zedekiah (from Kawangware) goes once a month to preach and to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. (Unfortunately they were not able to come with us this time because of the strike of the matatus that day).

A team of 13 volunteers called ‘BUILDERS FOR CHRIST’ is coming from the USA to help to built a church in Kiambu next June (20-23). We are recruiting Kenyan volunteers to help that building, joint with the local Christians.

The UHLC and the Kiambu congregation are praying every Sunday for God’s blessing upon this plan and the coming of the American volunteers. (In the picture: the neighbor of the right side).

ORAT ET LABORAT is an old Latin proverb, which means: PRAY AND WORK. Let us know how you can help the parish and the volunteers to build this new church.
(In the picture: The neighbor of the left side).

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (M) IV - ELCK NEWS

On March 29th, 13 new pastors were ordained at ELCK North West Diocese, Makutano Cathedral in Kapenguria. (Preparing for the procession).

All were graduands from Kapenguria Bible School - KBS. This was a special ordination course planed by the ELCK to ordain more pastors to meet the growing demand of pastors for the church. (The procession).

Bishop William Lopeta of the North West Diocese leading the ordinands as they were kneeling to receive the blessings of the office of the ministry.

Some of this special ordination pastors were trained as evangelists at both Matongo and KBC and have served as Evangelists many years ago.
(News and pictures sent by ELCK General Secretary Rev. John Halakhe. Thank you!)

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (M) V - DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE?

Mrs. Judith Nyaata and the children: Diana Moraa (14 years old); John Adams (10); Joyce Nyaata (8) and Allan Ndege (6). Her husband Evans is not in the picture. – Judith works at the ELCK Head Office.

Wansilaos Orina Omwenga and his family: Linet Moraa –Wife; Whitney Kemunto – Elder daughter; Wendy Nyanchama – Younger daughter; + Robinson Ombogo – son to their family friend Mr. Kiriago.

Samuel Orutwa and Jane Orutwa. Their children: Hannington Nyabato (eldest); Emmanuel Ongweso (middle); and Benjamin Getuno (last). – Jane is one of the Elders at UHLC.

John Michoro and Rose Michoro. Their children: Ivy Kemunto; Ingrid Moraa; Immanuel Onunda; Ivah-Lynn. – John is the National Treasurer of the ELCK.

Valentin, born 1st April, to Pastor Rune Mjolhus and his wife Janne. He was for the first time in the church on Good Friday and will be baptized on May 10th. His siblings: Seline, Reuben and Silas.

My friend Micah Gisore Kingoina, born 23 March 2006. His brother Havilah was baptized on last 5th April (see the postage # 2 in this BLOG). He tries to sing in the ANGAZA CHOIR with his father and his mother.

– Sandra Aikaeli Mushivochi, born 2nd March 2009, to Mr. Oscar Mushivochi Laban and his wife Juliana Desaria Mushivochi. They were visited by the Pastoral Staff on April 15th, and Sandra will be baptized on May 3rd.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (M) VI – JUST FOR THE EYES AND FOR THE SOUL

In spite of the severe drought, the bougainvilleas are flowering gorgeous in Nairobi. Enjoy the following pictures with the Easter message: