Who we are

Saint Thomas is a small, but friendly congregation. Expect to be greeted by a friendly person who will provide you with a hymnal/songbook and an Order of Service. In principal services follow a “traditional” format. The pastor is dressed in a robe as one called by God to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The “Traditional Order of Service” (for more information on Our Way of Service please click here) seeks to communicate the continuity of worship throughout the ages. The reading/singing of Psalms, the speaking of the Apostle’s or Nicene Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and celebration of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) form part of each service. The sermon (the proclamation and application of God’s word) is the main focus of each service.

In an effort to promote more personal involvement and to reach out to especially the young people of today, occasionally “informal” services are held, characterised by Gospel songs and the use of more modern music instruments, like the guitar.

We are all in this together

Dress Code

Saint Thomas has no dress code. People dress both formal and casual, according to their personal preference. The emphasis is on attendance and the proclamation of God’s love to all people.

Children

Families with small children are especially welcome at Saint Thomas. To the right of the foyer (as you enter the church building) is a “Parent Room” for parents with small children that need special care during the service. With the exception of some Sundays during the school holidays, Children’s Church is held every Sunday in the class rooms adjacent to the inner courtyard, attended by children between the ages 3 and 12. Sunday school lessons start just before the hymn preceding the sermon. Children, who wish to come forward, are dismissed by the pastor with a short prayer.

Tea and Coffee

After each service everybody is invited to enjoy a refreshing cup of tea and coffee and the friendly fellowship that characterises Saint Thomas.

Close up photo of a hymn with music

Faith statement

God’s Word

We believe that God’s will is revealed and expressed in Holy Scripture. As a result our thoughts, decisions and actions are to be informed and guided by God’s Word alone.

The promises of God’s Word calls for “trust” worked by God’s Spirit in and through his Word.  In all actions and decision-making we are therefore committed to trust God’s Word alone.

Cross of Christ

We believe that central to the message of salvation is the “Cross of Christ.”  In Christ God enters this world, dies on the cross for our sins and reconciles us with himself again.  God thereby overcomes the power of sin and the devil not through mighty acts of glory or eloquent speech, but in weakness and helplessness, epitomised by the cross of Calvary.

Means of Grace

We believe that although the Law of God is necessary to reveal our sins and to heighten our dependency on God, it is only God’s grace that makes us acceptable to Him and effects change in our lives.

For this purpose God has entrusted to us his “means of grace”, i.e. the Gospel, in which God announces to us his grace in Jesus Christ. He also entrusted us with the gift of baptism, i.e. to make out of sinners, children of God. Lastly but not least, he entrusted us with the Lord’s Supper, which Jesus himself instituted, to have fellowship with his disciples of all times.

We administer this means of Grace in a responsible way, always motivated by the grace which we ourselves have experienced in Christ.

Welcoming all people

We believe that God is the creator of all people and that all people are valuable to him and loved by him equally.  Likewise we believe that Christ died on the cross for all people and that every believer forms part of the “one body” of Christ.

This motivates us to be inclusive and to welcome all people joyfully into our fellowship, irrespective of their social class, cultural and ethnic background.

United in Christ and in love for one another we also seek to create the necessary freedom for cultural expression without judgement or domination, each regarding the other more important than himself.

Equipping God’s people

We believe that Christ did not only call people into a relationship with God, but also called them to be disciples who grow to maturity and are able to disciple others. All children of God therefore need to be equipped for the ministry. 

This we do diligently through the teaching of God’s Word always with the purpose to reach out and to share the Gospel of Christ with others.

Caring for the world

We believe that the message of God’s eternal grace leads to acts of mercy for the needy in this world; Christ himself being the prime example of caring for those in need. Acts of mercy are seen to be the “fruit of faith” of all those who have become aware of God gracious dealings in their own lives. Having experienced God’s grace in a world largely devoid of love, we heartily care for others.

Our Way of Worship

Short history of St. Thomas

Evangelical Church, Saint Thomas was founded on Thursday, 5th August 1993 by a group of members who desired to establish a Confessional Lutheran Church in Cape Town. Out of this reason Saint Thomas joined the Free Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (FELSISA), who is committed to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to uphold the Lutheran Confessions as the true explanation of God’s Word.

The first Sunday service with the Lord’s Supper and Sunday school was held on August 8th at 56 Pleasant Place, Pinelands. Twenty seven members attended this service, including members of FELSISA who had relocated to the Western Cape. There was a spirit of immense fellowship and huge expectation. The congregation grew rapidly over the following weeks and it became clear that a suitable church site needed to be found.

With the financial support from congregations within the FELSISA and in particular the FELS–Trust the land on which the church is built was bought. A great team spirit prevailed as members enthusiastically raised funds to buy furnishings and vestments for the new church. The church building was dedicated to the glory, honour and worship of God on 6th November 1994.

Since then God has provided the congregation with many faithfull pastors and members, who continued the good work of the Lord. Currently there are 103 members at St. Thomas and it is our prayer, that God will continue to bless this congregation.

The church is named after Thomas, the disciple of Jesus who had many questions to ask when in doubt. This is expressed in the St Thomas logo by the boat which is a question mark lying on its side. The “cross” reminds us of Jesus the “Crucified”, who rose on Easter Sunday three days after being crucified. It was this very resurrection which Thomas called into question, stating “unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” On that particular day Jesus approached his struggling disciple with great love and compassion leading him to new faith, indicated by the “sails” of the boat. As Thomas, trusting Jesus, St Thomas Congregation is alive and sailing into the future believing, although we may not always see.