A trip around the world—the divine services of 2024
Basel, Lima, Singapore, Port Moresby, Dar es Salaam, and San Francisco—with the sole exception of Antarctica, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider visited every continent to conduct divine services. Here is an overview of a year rich in blessing.
Beginning in Basel
The New Year’s Day divine service in Basel, Switzerland revolved around the motto for the year: “Prayer works”. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider began by explaining what the doctrine of the Trinity has to do with prayer, and then went on to explore the elements of prayer in greater detail.
Learning about love in Lima
In the month of February, it was the love of God that was the focus of the divine service in Lima, Peru. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. The sermon illustrated in detail how this love can already be felt today and how it will contribute to the salvation of believers in the future.
A treasure store in Singapore
In March 2024, it was all about precious treasures. In the divine service in the city-state of Singapore the believers learned about the treasures they had received from God: the gospel of Jesus Christ, the apostolate, the sacraments, and the fellowship of the believers. They also learned that it is important to protect all of these precious divine gifts, and that the Holy Spirit can help them to do so.
Counsel for clergy in Constitución
From time to time, the Chief Apostle conducts services especially intended for ministers. In these services, he expresses his special gratitude for the commitment of the ministers, and addresses topics of particular interest in the area of pastoral care. In Constitución, Argentina he introduced the ministers to Peter and John, two role models in faith with their own particular strengths and weaknesses, who can also serve as examples to members who do not bear a ministry.
Live in Lucerne
“Let us focus on the fundamental elements of our faith.” Such was the appeal of the Chief Apostle on Pentecost 2024 in Lucerne, Switzerland. In the divine service, the international Church leader explained the concept of our “most holy faith”. He went on to say that we should focus more on this faith and build our lives upon it.
Practice tips in Port Moresby
The Chief Apostle was welcomed with great joy during his visit to Port Moresby, Papua-New Guinea in June. In this divine service, the Chief Apostle gave seven practical tips on how to become humble, always referring to Jesus Christ as the example in everything.
Visit to Vanadzor
In July, Chief Apostle Schneider looked to the future with his fellow believers in Vanadzor, Armenia. That Jesus Christ will return is not merely a pleasant story, but a promise that the Son of God will fulfil. And the fulfilment of this promise has nothing to do with the state of the Church or the world. This is something we must simply believe and attest with our “yes” to Christ.
Divine bread in Dar es Salaam
Bread plays an important role in the Bible. Sometimes it appears as manna, the food that God gives in the natural world, and sometimes Jesus refers to Himself as the “bread of life”. And in Holy Communion it is Jesus Himself who breaks the bread. What all of this means for our life of faith was explained by Chief Apostle Schneider in August in a divine service in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Initiatives in Inongo
The brothers and sisters in Inongo, Democratic Republic of Congo had several reasons to rejoice in September. For one thing, it was in their new church building that they welcomed the Church leader for the divine service. In addition, the Chief Apostle spoke to them about the return of Jesus Christ and what initiatives would be the best way to make use of their time of waiting time until then.
Spreading salvation in San Francisco
In October, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider brought a message filled with comfort and hope to San Francisco, USA. And to ensure that the message would be spread as widely as possible, congregations throughout Canada and the USA were connected via live stream. “God loves all human beings unconditionally,” said the Chief Apostle during the service, among other things. He also explained why gratitude towards God plays a key role.
Pastoral promotion in Phnom Penh
Chief Apostle Schneider celebrated the divine service for the departed in November with believers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In this service, he spoke of the sheep who follow their good shepherd. The latter saves all those who listen to Him. The international Church president made use of the sermon to explain this image in greater detail.
Reducing in Retreat East
On the second Sunday of Advent, Chief Apostle Schneider found himself in Retreat East, South Africa, where he spoke about John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ. In order to do this, he himself had to step into the background and allow Jesus to become the centre of attention. The Chief Apostle related this relationship to our life of faith today.
Photo: Grant Pitcher