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The year 2021 in review: divine services with the Chief Apostle

In good years, the Chief Apostle travels to congregations all over the world. On account of the coronavirus pandemic, however, this was not possible in 2021. Most divine services therefore took place in Europe. Here is a chronology.

December 27, 2021

America annual motto

+9

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• history 
• New Year
• Pentecost
• society

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Celebrating Christmas!

Christmas is a feast of joy and love even if numerous things can cloud this joy. For Christians, however, there is always a reason to celebrate: namely the birth of Jesus.

December 23, 2021

Chief Apostle

+5

• Christmas
• congregation
• divine service
• history 
• Music

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His mission: to protect and keep

He led the New Apostolic Church out of a crisis and brought it forward. Chief Apostle Walter Schmidt would have celebrated his 130th birthday today. Lest we forget, here is a look once more at how he managed to deal with the situation.

December 21, 2021

acts of blessing

+8

• Africa
• America
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• ministry

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Thoughts and links for the fourth Sunday of Advent

Traditionally, we can be certain that the fourth candle on the Advent wreath is always lit after the third one. And just as certain are the YouTube services being offered by the various districts. Here are the links for this Sunday.

December 17, 2021

Advent

+4

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• Music

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Love, regardless of vaccination status

Should one get vaccinated or not? There will be no official statement from the New Apostolic Church on this. Just as little as on eating meat or not, or driving combustion vehicles. The Chief Apostle explains why in his weekly circular.

December 16, 2021

apostolate

+2

• Chief Apostle
• doctrine 

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Opening up wide with Christ

God’s blessing, grace, and glory are so magnificent that humans have difficulty grasping it all. Thus for anyone who is willing to receive Christ, the following principle applies: “Widen your heart, widen your mind and your frame of mind.”

December 15, 2021

Africa apostolate

+4

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 

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Christmas anticipation

Christmas is coming. The joy of anticipation is rising, but so are coronavirus cases in many countries. Some do not want to join the Advent services in their local congregation despite hygiene measures.

December 10, 2021

Advent

+5

• Chief Apostle
• Christmas
• congregation
• divine service
• Music

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The sacraments (47): Conveying the Spirit

It happened in 1840/41: the apostle unity fell apart and so did the masterplan. The charismatic movement had to reinvent itself as a church. Here is the background to sealing in the Catholic Apostolic Church.

December 9, 2021

apostolate

+8

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• history 
• Holy Sealing
• ministry
• sacraments

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Tribute to a trailblazing pioneer

He was born in Wetzlar, Germany, and died in Riverleigh, Australia. A widely travelled and very interesting man would have celebrated his 150th birthday these days. As one of the pioneering Apostles of the New Apostolic Church in Australia, Jakob Dietz had a great impact.

December 9, 2021

Australia / Pacific

+8

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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Believe, love, and remain focused

What exactly is the mission of the Apostles? Not only did the District Apostle Meeting discuss this question, but the Chief Apostle devoted an entire service to it. For in the answer lies the principal commission given to all believers.

December 7, 2021

acts of blessing

+9

• apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• sacraments

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Spotlight 19/2021: Double future, double hope

Future can mean the next minute, the next year, or even eternity. This is also true for the future in Christ. District Apostle Peter Schulte from Australia points out similarities and differences.

December 6, 2021

annual motto

+4

• Australia / Pacific
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• sacraments

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Worship during the pandemic

In-person or online services? In many places the pandemic decides for us. Those joining online services can decide for themselves which service to join. Important is that, where possible, we should not forgo the in-person services offered in our congregation.

December 3, 2021

Chief Apostle

+3

• congregation
• divine service
• Music

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The kingdom of peace explained

Recently, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider engaged as a “futurologist” and brought the kingdom of peace “down from its pedestal”, as one of the assisting ministers put it, and “back into our reality”.

December 1, 2021

Chief Apostle

+4

• concept of salvation for the departed
• divine service
• doctrine 
• sacraments

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Pastoral care (18): Personal responsibility and its many misconceptions

Human beings can choose what to do and what not to do. We are not free to decide, however, whether we sin by our decision and thus incur a debt before God. Personal responsibility also means being willing to bear the consequences of our actions.

November 30, 2021

Chief Apostle

+5

• congregation
• doctrine 
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• society

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Worldwide online services

As Covid-19 cases rise, especially in Western Europe, people are beginning to stay home more again. However, a small trip around the world is possible even from home these days, and even during church services.

November 26, 2021

Chief Apostle

+5

• congregation
• divine service
• Europe
• Good Friday
• Music

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God does not sleep!

Lifting up our eyes to the Lord is the best thing we can do when it comes to the deliverance and salvation of our soul. This does not put an end to earthly suffering, but it does bring us salvation for eternity, the Chief Apostle confirmed.

November 24, 2021

America

+5

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• Youth

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NAK-Humanitas can count on its donors

The plight of others is not forgotten even in times of a coronavirus pandemic. This is shown in the 2020 annual report of the aid organisation NAK- Humanitas. Even in this difficult period, its donors did not let the charity down.

November 23, 2021

charity work congregation

+1

• District Apostle

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“We are doing things at our own pace”

The fall session of the District Apostle Meeting has ended. Prominent topics were our concept of ministry, biblical authorship issues, and a new Guide for Ministers.

November 22, 2021

apostolate

+12

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• investiture
• ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• sacraments
• society

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First news item on day one

Zero tolerance. This is the stance taken by the New Apostolic Church towards sexual abuse and assault. And this is what Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider made clear at the conference of the District Apostles in Zurich, Switzerland.

November 18, 2021

Africa

+9

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• investiture
• ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• society

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The “unknown God”

Paul told the people in Athens about the unknown God. And this is still true: every human being was created in His image and is destined for fellowship with Him. When God calls, man can find Him. For He is always very close to us.

November 17, 2021

Chief Apostle

+2

• divine service
• Europe

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The 2022 New Year’s message is in the can

The French wine connoisseur comes to Germany and all he gets there is water. Even so the words flow fluently from his lips—and in three languages. Here is a look behind the scenes at the recording of the New Year’s message for 2022.

November 15, 2021

annual motto

+3

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• New Year

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The weekly update

Changing YouTube channels and upcoming services on Sunday … here is this week’s update on the central video services offered by the New Apostolic Church.

November 12, 2021

Chief Apostle congregation

+5

• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• sacraments

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A spirit of optimism in the Church

In many parts of the world, the third Covid wave still has a firm grip on society, but it cannot keep believers from building on their mutual bonds in the congregations. Here is some good news from congregations around the world.

November 11, 2021

Africa

+4

• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• Thanksgiving Day

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Weak humans do powerful works!

Let’s not always look at the numbers, admonishes Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider. What is matter of course for modern humans is unsuitable for spreading the gospel. God will complete His church through imperfect human beings.

November 10, 2021

Chief Apostle

+7

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• history 
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

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There’s a place for you here too

Since 2015, members of the New Apostolic Church have been smiling at passers-by from display cases outside our churches. Starting next year, sisters and brothers will still be shown, but only as silhouettes. The project manager explains the idea behind this.

November 9, 2021

annual motto

+6

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• Europe
• Event
• Youth

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Webcasts around the clock

Divine services in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Anyone who wishes to join a service can do so practically any time thanks to the many time zones. Here is this week’s overview .

November 5, 2021

Chief Apostle

+2

• divine service
• Music

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don't miss

“A decision with long-term goals in mind”

The New Apostolic Church in Angola is growing. It was time to take another step. Since last Sunday, the country has its own District Apostle Helper: João Uanuque Misselo.

February 25, 2015

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+6

• apostolate
• doctrine 
• congregation
• Pastoral care
• Organisation
• Africa

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“The Lord is risen indeed!”

The Passiontide, with the death of the Lord on Good Friday, ends magnificently in the resurrection of the Lord. This is the fundamental belief of all Christians. But why is this day of the resurrection so important for us?

April 4, 2015

Good Friday Chief Apostle

+9

• apostolate
• doctrine 
• sacraments
• Baptism 
• Holy Sealing
• Holy Communion
• divine service
• congregation
• confessions

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“And God saw the light, that it was good”

Light is life—and truth—and goodness in general: no other physical phenomenon shines so deeply into the human soul. How a simple image can shed light on the divine—illuminated for us on the international Day of Light this 16th day of May.

May 16, 2023

Pentecost

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