Welcome to Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
We're a warm Bible-based family church in Pretoria East, South Africa. We have an emphasis on clear, practical teaching and we worship in a warm contemporary style that brings together the old and the new.
Our Mission Statement is:
We are committed:
to be a family of God's People
learning to follow Jesus every day
and making a difference in our neighbourhood.
KEY INFORMATION
Due to the impact of the Corona Virus and the introduction of an online service, we have reduced our services and activities.
29th March 2024
Hi there! 🤗 You’re warmly invited to our Good Friday Service. I’m pulling together some of the powerful Old Testament images that anticipate and predict what Jesus did on the cross for us. I believe it will be a great inspiration and blessing to you. https://youtu.be/lL-QFNdN4Mk God bless and Love, Theo
28th March 2024
Hi there! 🤗 You are very warmly invited to our special Tenebrae Communion Service which imagines Jesus’ final hours before the cross as a journey of “gathering darkness”. Gather your communion elements and come and be part of this very special journey. https://youtu.be/e-ZL6RMG0pY GodBless and Much Love, Theo
24th March 2024
Hi there! 🤗 You’re warmly invited to our Palm Sunday service in which we continue our journey from Exodus to Easter as we look at the how Jesus Intercedes for us in an incredible way. https://youtu.be/NZJzOJkuCoM God bless and Love, Theo
17th March 2024
Hi There! How do we relate the Golden Calf to Easter? Come and Join us in our worship service to find out. We also present our annual budget for accountability and transparency… Blessings and Love, Theo
10th March 2024
Hi 🤗 *Here’s the big secret:* _Moses was lonely._ You are warmly invited to join us for our worship service where we reflect on the role of COMMUNITY in Exodus and relate that to Easter. There are some useful insights to Moses, Teamwork and Brokenness in Human Relationships. You can join us […]
2nd March 2024
Hi There! You are warmly invited to our Communion Service as we continue our journey from Exodus to Easter. Today we’ll connect Manna and Jesus statement that He is the “Bread of Life.” https://youtu.be/IYD7GAS47Zw God bless and Love, Theo
25th February 2024
Hi there! Did you know 1/8 of Exodus is devoted to the building of the Tabernacle? Is it important? _It sure is!_ You are warmly invited to our worship service to learn how the Pillar of Cloud & Fire, the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant all point to Jesus in […]
18th February 2024
Hi There. One of the OT’s iconic moments is the Crossing of the Red Sea. As it turns out, this is an important theological theme in the NT. You are warmly invited to join us in worship as we explore this important concept. https://youtu.be/h_gowlQC9Og GodBless and Love, Theo
14th February 2024
Hi there. You are very warmly invited to our Ash Wednesday Service. It is an edited and annotated version of the live service we had this morning and we think you will find it very special. Click here: https://youtu.be/DrI04a70DEg GodBless and Much Love, Theo
13th February 2024
Hi there! Here is a short 11 minute Shrove Tuesday Sermon including a lovely song about Christ’s Preparation for the Cross. Please join us for this special devotion. https://youtu.be/aN7GEfe2U1A God bless and Love, Theo
11th February 2024
Hi there Join us for part 2 of our Exodus to Easter Series – Today we look into the role that the Law plays in our faith journey. https://youtu.be/C-Nl6pOzZe4 GodBless and Love, Theo
4th February 2024
Hi there You are warmly invited to our COMMUNION service! We are beginning a series, “From Exodus to Easter”, which will take us all the way to Easter. Today we look at the significance of the Passover. Join us at https://youtu.be/AmvV_mEDtx8 God bless and Love, Theo
28th January 2024
Hi There! You’re warmly invited to be part of our worship service where we will explore part 4 of our Series “Streams in the Desert” as we come to the last of our four words – TRUST. https://youtu.be/GRzTYdtttqM GodBless and Love, Theo
21st January 2024
Hi there. You are warmly invited to part three of our “Streams in the Desert” series. Today we explore the importance of Community. Please join us at • 20240121 Streams In The Desert: 3 Co… for our service of worship. GodBless and Love, Theo
14th January 2024
Hi there. You are warmly invited to our communion service and part 2 of our series: “Streams in the Desert” and we are talking about Creativity… Please join us at • 20240114 Streams In The Desert: 2 Cre… God bless and Love, Theo
7th January 2024
Hi there! You are warmly invited to our first service for the new year. This is Part 1 of our series: “Streams in the Desert” and we are talking about Courage. Please join us at • 20240107 Streams In The Desert #1: Co… God bless and Love, Theo
31st December 2023
Hi there! Here is our year end/beginning reflection. I hope it is helpful! https://youtu.be/DJpHD6D-0N4?si=-etGXNsRcKZpFMx5 Brenda, Caleb and I wish you a very happy new year on behalf of your Emmanuel Church Family. GodBless and Love, Theo PS: The two songs in the video are: Casting Crowns: God of all my Days • Casting Crowns – God of All My Days (… […]
10th December 2023
Hi there You’re warmly invited to be part of our worship service where we will explore part 2 of our Series “Unveiling Christmas” as we “Unwrap the Secrets” and decode the symbols we use at Christmas time. I think you will find it meaningful and special. https://youtu.be/38KmMEMRotk GodBless, Theo
2nd December 2023
Hi there. 🤗 You are warmly invited to our communion service. It is Advent and we are kicking off a series entitled: “Christmas Unveiled: Beyond the Manger, Symbols and Songs”. The first message in the series explores the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles and suggests links and connections. Join us for a special […]
26th November 2023
Hi There! We’re back from our camping trip! We had a lovely time and thank you for the good wishes and love expressed by so many of you. Today’s service is the conclusion of our “Escapades and Exploits (“Gedoentes”) of the Holy Spirit in Acts” series. Today we look at Philip. You […]
You can find more sermons HERE.
2nd March 2022
Hi Everyone Here’s my Lent Letter for 2022. Why not take a moment to read through it thoughtfully tonight? Just click HERE. God bless, Theo
1st March 2022
Good Morning Everyone. Today is Shrove Tuesday and I have put together a chapter-a-day Bible reading challenge for Lent and will be doing email devotions on Tues-Friday each week. You can click on the link below to see the devotion and get the list of chapters. There’s also a link to subscribe […]
10th February 2022
Good Evening Everyone, Thursday was State of the Nation, but it had me thinking of our State of Heart/Soul. Here’s a quick check-in talking about that, but also highlighting some of the great books we have in our library… https://youtu.be/pkhl15CNLK4 Blessings and Love, Theo
21st January 2022
Hi there! I’m a bit out of practice with doing check-ins and I had to contend with wind and aeroplanes, but here’s our first check-in for 2022. It’s a bit of a catch up and a reflection on consecration. You can watch it at https://youtu.be/vRwAFHPisEc . God bless and Love, Theo
31st December 2021
Hi Everyone. I got hold of Jackie and we recorded a chat in which we reflected on the year gone by and the year ahead. We share the verses and thoughts that have sustained us and that will guide us. We hope it will be meaningful to you… We used Zoom to […]
24th December 2021
Christmas Weekend Programme: FRI 24 Carol Service at the Church. Fri 24 Dec 19h00-20h15. Bring: Camping chair💺, picnic blanket, or use church chairs; Tea/Coffee & Mince Pies ☕ ; A praise-filled heart… ❤️🩹🙌. Being outside increases safety, and all C19 protocols will be observed. Please sign-up online as this reduces queues… https://forms.gle/ux14y7r8RqNeLZ2a9 […]
18th December 2021
Hi Everyone. You are warmly invited to our open-air video presentation of Andrew Peterson’s concert: “Behold the Lamb of God”. DETAILS: – Sun 19th Dec – 19h15 for 19h30 – Duration 1 hour BRING: – Warm Jacket – Flask of Coffee – Camping chair You can see a teaser for the concert […]
18th December 2021
Hi Everyone. Here’s a quick check-in with a details of our Christmas programme and especially a very special open-air concert we’ll be showing this Sunday night… Please watch the check-in – it’s only 8 minutes – and please plan to come on Sunday night… I think it’s going to be very special!!! […]
5th December 2021
We got people to count their blessings. Here’s the beautiful result: https://youtu.be/s6UPX_fnZhs God bless, Theo
3rd December 2021
Hi Everyone Here’s a quick check-in with details about our Thanksgiving Service on Sunday where we will also be remembering loved ones we’ve lost in the last two years. You’ll get the details in the check-in, but basically I need two things: 1. One or two things you are grateful for. 2. […]
25th November 2021
Hi Everyone I have a brief message on USA Thanksgiving and us. It’s only a few minutes long and also has a beautiful song which I think could even become an anthem for you in the next few days and weeks. Please join in watching for an important reminder and maybe even […]
12th November 2021
Good Morning Everyone. Hope you’re well and looking forward to the weekend. Here’s a quick check-in…. https://youtu.be/rtJBQEgifDE God bless and much love, Theo
28th October 2021
Hey Everyone. Here’s our weekly check-in along with a beautiful song. Please watch – it’s only 10 minutes and will bring you some important updates and encouragement. Click : https://youtu.be/3t4ugMSgRpg GodBless and Love, Theo
21st October 2021
Hi Everyone. Here’s this week’s check-in… This week I’m asking a very important question… Click the link to see the video. https://youtu.be/XT8OO1_YsrU With lots of love… GodBless, Theo
14th October 2021
Hi Everyone. Here’s the weekly check-in. As promised last week, I’m talking about stress, and I believe and pray that it will helpful to you. It’s just over 15 minutes which is longer than usual, but I think there are some useful insights and tools. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/R3Ao-kg9cLQ With lots of […]
8th October 2021
Hi There It’s been a really long time since I’ve done a weekly check-in. This one is a bit longer than usual, but I’ve been thinking long and hard about where we are at the moment and I think there are some important points to ponder. Please do set aside a bit […]
You can find more events HERE.
Our Vision
We have a dream for our Congregation!
The name Emmanuel means God is with us. This is not just a philosophical concept. The One who carried this name actually walked amongst human beings bringing hope and love and healing with hands, feet and a body of flesh and blood. He truly was (and still is!) God with us.
There is a story of a woman who was very ill, but too afraid to approach Jesus directly. She reached out to touch the hem of His robe as He passed by, because she was convinced that this was enough to bring her into contact with His loving healing goodness. She was right. And she found more healing and love than she could have hoped for.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised that He would live in those who followed Him. But how can people get to see Him and come to know Him? It is up to us who know Him to be examples of His love and to help people get to know Him.
We have a dream of a community - a welcoming family that will help people to come into contact with our God who loves us, is with us, and in us. We dream to be the hem of Jesus’ robe to the world.
Our Doctrinal Position
(This is our own summary of Scriptural Doctrine with regard to the Church)
We believe in the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- that Jesus was (and is) fully human and fully God
- that a personal life-changing relationship with God through Christ is the only way to salvation
- that the Holy Spirit equips us for the work God has prepared for us to do.
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are:
- inspired by God
- reliable in revealing God’s plan and purpose to us
- the key to growth in our relationship with God
We believe that the Church is called to:
- proclaim Christ as Lord and Saviour
- to reach out to the world in a balanced (physical, spiritual, mental, and social) way in God’s love
- to teach the Word of God in a practical and meaningful way
We believe that worship
- must be sincere and truthful
- can take any form, whether “Contemporary” or “Traditional” or other
- must reveal the love and majesty of God
- must be orderly
We believe that:
- bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit is more important than the gifts of the Spirit and that the gifts must be exercised in an orderly manner.
- the Holy Spirit moves in love and unity
- guidance from the Holy Spirit is confirmed by Scripture, Christian counsel, and practical common sense.
We believe that:
- the Church needs to continue Christ’s ministry of reconciliation in all walks of life
- this imperfect world will come to an end when Jesus comes
- God calls all the members of His Church to participate in His work.
- The divisions of culture, gender, and class have been overcome by Christ
- the Church should be ready for Christ’s return
