The year 2021 in review: a lingering pandemic with no end in sight

Not even the Pentecost divine service could take place as usual! For the Chief Apostle and many millions of our members, this year was yet another difficult period defined by a global pandemic.

December 28, 2021

America Asia

+8

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Europe
• Grieving
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

Listen to it

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

+10

• Annual motto
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• History 
• New Year
• Pentecost
• Society

Listen to it

Christmas 2021: a feast of hope

When we think of Christmas we often imagine a snowy wonderland, white-capped mountains, and frozen lakes. If not from personal experience, then from pop culture. However, given the global mood, this is a never-never land. Behind the façade, Christmas looks different.

December 24, 2021

Africa

+2

• Christmas
• Society

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

A virtual look into another world

Restoring what has been destroyed: this is what the New Apostolic Church is trying to do in the town of Eschwege in Germany. And they are trying to do this with their church building and the turbulent fate that it has been through.

December 22, 2021

Buildings

+4

• Congregation
• Divine service
• History 
• Social commitment

Listen to it

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 Africa

+7

• America
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Ministry

Listen to it

Pastoral care (19): Confidentiality creates trust

The Latin term sub rosa—literally meaning “under the rose”—signifies that any content discussed remains under the seal of secrecy. Often these words are found carved into confessionals. They are intended to convey the idea of confidentiality.

December 20, 2021

Congregation

+2

• Divine service
• Pastoral care

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

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 

Listen to it

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

+5

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 

Listen to it

The trip of a life-time

The sailing trip that Yvonne and Bob Vosse-Huisman from the congregation Sneeck-Sperkhem in the Netherlands embarked on in August 2019 was scheduled to take a year. They had prepared themselves for all kinds of eventualities, but not for the coronavirus pandemic.

December 14, 2021

Congregation

+2

• Divine service
• Europe

Listen to it

Shelter, knowledge, and clean water

The charity human aktiv supports a thrift shop. NACRO and NAK karitativ have made a difference in people’s lives with water pumps. And brothers and sisters wrapped presents for children. Christmas can come.

December 13, 2021

Advent

+4

• Charity work
• Christmas
• Congregation
• Youth

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

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 Australia / Pacific

+3

• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

Determination leads to the goal

What do a widow seeking justice and a mountaineer have in common? Both need determination to reach their goal. Christians too need to be persistent in order to prepare adequately for the return of Christ.

December 2, 2021

Bible study

+1

• Divine service

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

When waiting turns into joy

As parents wait for the birth of their child the excitement builds. It is a time of intensity: the child will change their life completely. It is similar with the weeks leading up to Christmas. It is an intense time of commemorating the birth of the Son of God and of expecting His return.

November 29, 2021

Advent Ascension Day

+4

• Christmas
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

The sacraments (46): The other two-part division

The Catholic practice of confirmation as a sacrament was only accorded a few quiet centuries. But then the reformers came along and sought to anchor the Christian rite of initiation in the act of baptism alone—and nevertheless instituted their own practice of confirmation in the process.

November 25, 2021

Acts of blessing

+7

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments
• Youth

Listen to it

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

Listen to it

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

+2

• Congregation
• District Apostle

Listen to it