faith.today

The sacraments (24): From Last Supper to Holy Communion

Breaking of bread, Eucharist, altar sacrament: these are not merely three designations for Holy Communion. These terms also outline the path which the celebration took in its early days: away from the familiar evening meal and toward its place in church service.

December 10, 2020

congregation divine service

+3

• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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At home worldwide: learning, giving, rethinking

Things never stay the same for long. This applies to many areas of life, also when it comes to church. Here are three stories on learning, giving, and rethinking.

December 9, 2020

Africa

+11

• Chief Apostle
• Christmas
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Event
• ministry
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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Equally created in the image of God, and equal in commission too

Both in terms of organisation and content, the most recent District Apostle Meeting was dominated by the coronavirus crisis. Yet not even the pandemic was able to stop the work that needed to be done on the future-oriented topics on the agenda of this conference.

December 2, 2020

America

+10

• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• sacraments

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A man who said yes and stayed true

A faithful servant of the Church, that sounds like the perfect caption for the life of Johann Rissik Kitching, who was responsible for the fate of the New Apostolic Church in Southern Africa for many years. Who was this man? Let us take a look back in honour of his 100th birthday.

November 30, 2020

Africa

+14

• apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• grieving
• investiture
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• Profile
• retirement
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

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The sacraments (23): The Lord’s bountiful table

The New Testament says little about how, but all the more about why and what for. So how does the Bible interpret Holy Communion? Here is a look at the words of the one who instituted it, Jesus Christ.

November 26, 2020

congregation

+4

• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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At home worldwide: Sharing joy and sorrow

Life is varied. Misery and elation alternate, and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is making it difficult not to feel overwhelmed. But there are always hopeful little stories that encourage and point to a better future. Here is a small glimpse.

November 25, 2020

Australia / Pacific Christmas

+10

• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Easter
• history 
• investiture
• ministry
• Music
• Pastoral care

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Jesus dries our tears

The sermon was about weeping, but the situation was anything but sad! On the contrary, those who weep are to be consoled. This was the message of the Chief Apostle during a divine service in Strasbourg (France) on 15 November 2020.

November 24, 2020

America

+6

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• Easter
• grieving
• Pastoral care

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Pastoral care (08): a big heart for little children

Who cares for the children? Their parents, of course, but also the teachers, the whole congregation, and naturally also the ministers. But how can they help? And what are the special challenges of pastoral care for children?

November 17, 2020

Children

+5

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Pastoral care
• Social commitment

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Stages on our way to perfect freedom

God wants to take every believer out of prison and lead him to perfect freedom. The Chief Apostle highlights important stages along the way and what is so wonderful about them.

November 12, 2020

Chief Apostle

+7

• divine service
• doctrine 
• history 
• Holy Sealing
• ministry
• sacraments
• society

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Fight against sexual abuse

Prevention, education, processing—these are the pillars in the fight against violence and sexual misconduct. In its fight, the New Apostolic Church also supports campaigns outside its own ranks, as was recently demonstrated by the District Church Southern Germany.

November 11, 2020

Africa

+6

• charity work
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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The sacraments (22): Soft or solid, just a question of time

Was the Last Supper of Jesus a Passover meal? This question helped ignite one of the greatest divisions the church has ever seen. And to this day, it is this question that determines how we celebrate the sacrament. The underlying problem: the Bible contradicts itself.

November 10, 2020

doctrine 

+3

• Holy Communion
• sacraments
• society

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Pastoral care (7): one student, many teachers

Who cares about the children? Who is responsible for their religious upbringing? Many, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider says. A look at love, responsibility, and the structures of the Church.

November 3, 2020

acts of blessing

+9

• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• sacraments

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Divine service for the departed: Jesus is Lord

Christians feel a need to intercede for the dead. This coming Sunday, New Apostolic Christians will celebrate the divine service for the departed. The services will be broadcast around the world.

October 30, 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

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

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Giving thanks? Now is precisely the time!

Giving thanks to God? In difficult times this may not come to us so easily. Yet it is part of the battle against the crisis, says the Chief Apostle. He also explains how to manage this and what we get out of it ourselves: a divine service in two groups of five thoughts.

October 28, 2020

Chief Apostle

+9

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• grieving
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• sacraments
• society
• Thanksgiving Day

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The sacraments (21): At the table with Jesus and the disciples

A farewell dinner among friends—with some far-reaching implications: for 2,000 years, Christians of all denominations have been celebrating this festive meal over and over again. Here is what the New Testament has to tell us about the last supper of Jesus Christ.

October 26, 2020

confessions

+4

• doctrine 
• history 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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Bringing people together again in church

From “lockdown since March” to “divine services almost everywhere” it’s all there. This is how differently Covid-19 is affecting the church life of New Apostolic Christians around the globe. And the solutions are just as varied.

October 22, 2020

Africa

+11

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Buildings
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• sacraments
• Youth

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The sacraments (20): Too comprehensive for a single word

Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist: these are some of the most familiar designations for this sacrament. Yet these terms never appear in the Bible in this sense—other words are used instead. This article is all about the wealth of the various designations for the sacrament—and what they mean.

October 15, 2020

divine service doctrine 

+2

• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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Trapped inside his own body

“The only thing that lives on in me is my heart, my soul, and my eyes,” Philippe says, who has suffered from locked-in syndrome for 34 years. He gives us a glimpse of his faith, his freedoms, and his very personal bonus programme.

October 12, 2020

Chief Apostle

+8

• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• sacraments
• Youth

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Mountain climbers, tourists, and believers — welcome to Montreux

The English were not only the first to conquer Swiss mountain peaks, but also built churches in the Alpine region on their trips abroad. One of these is today in the possession of the New Apostolic congregation in Montreux.

October 8, 2020

Buildings

+8

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• Europe
• history 
• Music
• Pastoral care

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Prayer needs to be learned

Actually, the Chief Apostle wanted to be in the United States for a divine service on 13 September 2020, but had to cancel his plans on account of the pandemic. Instead, he held a divine service in the congregation of Thann in France. A small group of 26 people were overjoyed when Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider walked to the altar.

October 7, 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• congregation
• divine service
• grieving
• Pastoral care

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Spotlight 18/2020: As masters of our destiny, we continue to strive

At the beginning of the year, no one could have imagined what the year would hold in store. The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly changed things, but it has not affected our striving for the kingdom of God, says District Apostle Helper John Sobottka from Canada.

October 6, 2020

annual motto

+7

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

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Praise and love more

The goal is still the same: the return of Christ. However, the Church is developing. This is what the Chief Apostle made clear in a doctrinal paper that was recently published. He looks back on the way we have covered so far and looks ahead to what still needs to be done.

October 5, 2020

apostolate Chief Apostle

+6

• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• sacraments

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Divine service guaranteed!

Who knows what will happen the day after tomorrow? Making plans these days seems impossible. But one thing is guaranteed: our Sunday service.

October 2, 2020

Buildings

+6

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

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The sacraments (19): Eat and drink!

So far in our series on the sacraments in the church of Christ we have explored Holy Baptism. Now we are moving on to take a closer look at Holy Communion. What is the position of the New Apostolic Church?

September 29, 2020

Baptism 

+6

• confessions
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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… And preach the gospel!

Proclaiming the gospel—that is where Christians enthusiastically do their part. After all, they have been commissioned to do so! Everyone is to know that God is near to all people and that He loves them! This can be preached, explained, and lived in practice.

September 25, 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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Explaining the Bible to children

Anyone who has grown up with Bible stories will likely still remember very specific images. These may have been beautiful pictures from a lovingly illustrated children’s Bible, or perhaps some especially unsettling pictures that you wanted to look at again and again in fascination as a child. This clearly shows us that telling the stories is not the only important thing.

September 24, 2020

Bible study

+2

• Children
• congregation

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don't miss

“Always speak the language of love”

Enrique Eduardo Minio is at work as the “architect of the future” in the southern regions of South America. That is how the Chief Apostle referred to him at his ordination. What does this mean in practice? Following is an interview with both the former District Apostle and the new District Apostle.

July 27, 2016

ministry investiture

+9

• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• divine service
• congregation
• Youth
• Europe
• America
• Event

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“Do you still remember why I had to suffer?”

Lent and Passiontide… It can feel like pain and sorrow. Compassion is what is called for! At the same time, however, it becomes clear that Christians must never forget why their Saviour Jesus Christ had to suffer: it was for them!

March 1, 2021

Palm Sunday Easter

+8

• doctrine 
• sacraments
• Holy Communion
• concept of salvation for the departed
• divine service
• Pastoral care
• grieving
• history 

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“Felix Austria”: lucky Austria makes music

The stalls, the boxes, the lower and upper galleries … the Vienna Concert Hall was filled to the last seat. “We invite you to have an encounter with Jesus through music,” Franz Jochum, the musical director and conductor, said to the audience at the beginning of the concert.

June 3, 2017

Pentecost congregation

+3

• Youth
• Music
• New Year

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