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Online services on all continents

Here is this weekend’s helpline for those who cannot go to church. Video services will again be offered in all countries and in many languages.

August 7, 2020

Chief Apostle Congregation

+5

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (15): The travels of baptism

Naturally baptism belongs inside the church—doesn’t it? Not necessarily: the sacrament has spent a good part of its history just outside the church doors, or in other spaces altogether. This is the story of how baptism made its long journey into the church, only to slip back outside again briefly, and finally end up back inside.

August 4, 2020

Buildings

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

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Christians proclaim Christ

What was the lifeworld of the early Christian congregations like? And how can it be compared to our own today? Acts 2: 42 gives us a good idea. This is where the core values of the gospel are listed in a single sentence. These will be explored in the sermons in the New Apostolic divine services in the month of August.

July 30, 2020

Congregation

+3

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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A treasure that makes truly rich

Last year in late autumn, the Chief Apostle visited New Apostolic congregations in Malaysia and Myanmar. His travel itinerary included two ministers’ meetings, a meeting with the Apostles of South-East Asia, two concerts, and three divine services.

July 29, 2020

Asia

+6

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Music
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (04): first me, then my neighbour

Strength lies in calm—this is something mankind has always known. Every now and then, even ministers need a deliberate rest and an open ear.

July 23, 2020

Doctrine 

+2

• Ministry
• Pastoral care

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Grace leads into the kingdom of God

God grants grace to those who believe in Jesus Christ, trust Him, and love Him. It was with this statement that the Chief Apostle summarised his sermon. And he made it clear what faith and trust really mean.

July 22, 2020

Chief Apostle Congregation

+3

• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (14): Somewhere between immersion and sprinkling

Water is life. And baptism is new life. But how much water does baptism require? And how is one supposed to perform the act anyway? Theologians have arrived at three answers—and archaeologists are offering a fourth. Is there a single right answer?

July 21, 2020

Buildings

+7

• Congregation
• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• Sacraments

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God’s word within our own four walls

Divine services with Holy Communion. This is beginning to be possible in more and more congregations. But because this is still not possible everywhere and not for everyone, online services continue to be streamed. Here are the links for the coming Sunday.

July 17, 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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House services in Las Palmas

It is only a step from the kitchen into the church. For more than 20 years, services of the Las Tricias Congregation on the island of Las Palmas have been taking place in the house of the Huber family. Here is the story of a small and very lively congregation.

July 14, 2020

Congregation

+5

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Europe
• Local news
• Pastoral care

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The sacraments (13): “Let the little children come to Me”?

Some assigned the death penalty to baptism. And others established their very own “thousand-year kingdom of peace”. And it all began with an issue that still divides the denominations today.

July 9, 2020

Denominations

+3

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Sacraments

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Changes in the circle of the Apostles (1/2020)

Chief Apostle Schneider ordained three Apostles in the first half of the year. Two Apostles went into retirement and one died while still active.

July 8, 2020

Africa

+14

• America
• Apostolate
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Retirement

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From the “new light” to the “message”

It is not all that uncommon for a pendulum to swing to the other side. This too is part of the story of Chief Apostle Johann Gottfried Bischoff, who died on 6 July sixty years ago—to the dismay of many brothers and sisters.

July 6, 2020

Chief Apostle

+9

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The word of God remains audible

Preaching comes through the word of God. Believers know this experience and appreciate it. Here is an overview of where the word of God can be heard and seen this coming Sunday.

July 3, 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Adhering to the Bible, but in the right way

Sermons, pastoral care, leadership functions—all of these follow the standard of the Bible. But its precepts are not always clear. What Scripture says and what it does not say: a guide intended not just for ministers…

July 2, 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Organisation
• Pastoral care

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Experiencing God in difficult times

A thirst for God? It certainly sounds a little unusual, almost like an abstract poem. In fact, it is a poem, a psalm, that describes the longing for God’s nearness, His protection, and support. Good thoughts in dreadful days.

June 30, 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (12): The durability and resistance of baptism

Acceptance, cleansing, total renewal: Scripture knows many interpretations of baptism. What the sacrament meant to people in concrete terms has changed in the course of history. Often it was a matter of politics and society.

June 23, 2020

Acts of blessing

+7

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments
• Society

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Changing the form of divine services

Incense, candles, ornate robes? Without Apostle Menkhoff, divine services in the New Apostolic Church would perhaps still look like this today. Here is a tribute on the 125th anniversary of his death.

June 22, 2020

Anniversary Apostolate

+11

• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Profile
• Sacraments

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Welcome to the virtual church

Part of our congregational and church life has moved online because of COVID-19. Here is a look at some of the means used and what online offers are available this coming Sunday in terms of divine services.

June 19, 2020

Acts of blessing

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Good Friday
• Palm Sunday
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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God’s fourfold “Come!”

God calls us into fellowship: with Himself and with other people, for the future and right now, into a fellowship of life and suffering—and it all leads to eternal happiness. This is a mission all believers have in common.

June 17, 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Spotlight 11/2020: Jesus sets our soul free

What does freedom have to do with an eagle? Well, watching such a majestic bird soar higher and higher into the sky with just a few flaps of its wings is a fitting image to describe unlimited freedom, says District Apostle Rainer Storck of Western Germany.

June 15, 2020

Annual motto

+5

• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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Reunion at Holy Communion: “Unforgettable!”

The first in-person services after the lockdown have taken place. And although everything is a little different than before, there was joy all around at being reunited in the congregations and being able to celebrate Holy Communion again. Also the Chief Apostle experienced this.

June 12, 2020

Africa

+17

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Buildings
• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Local news
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Youth

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The sacraments (11): Baptism and its five dimensions

The New Testament is largely silent on how a baptism is supposed to be performed. But the Bible has a lot to say about what the sacrament means. Here is an overview.

June 11, 2020

Baptism  Doctrine 

+1

• Sacraments

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Better safe than sorry: in-person services and online services

In some regions, the first in-person services will resume this Sunday. Central online services on YouTube, television, or telephone will, however, continue to be offered.

June 5, 2020

Asia

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (03): the positive surprises

Pastoral care gives as much as it can. Jesus Christ shows that pastoral care does good, changes people, and can even leave those around us speechless at times.

June 4, 2020

Doctrine 

+3

• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Society

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Triune, holy, apostolic: divine services in the month of June

The post-Pentecost season is here. This year, it brings us a new chapter in the coronavirus diary: in many countries, divine services are becoming possible again in the local congregations, at least gradually. Following is an overview of the Divine Service Guide for the month of June.

June 2, 2020

Buildings

+7

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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The power unfolds in man

The Holy Spirit makes free—free to love and serve. That is the Chief Apostle’s central message on Pentecost 2020. Here is a divine service between bread crumbs and a full-course menu.

May 31, 2020

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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don't miss

Why Jesus continues to make people feel uncomfortable

When a mission becomes a brand and faith becomes a success story, you lose sight of the cross. But Jesus reminds us in an unnerving kind of way that love is not measured by how many people have been exposed to it, but by true discipleship.

November 4, 2025

Good Friday Bible study

+1

• Society

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New creation rather than calling it a day

What will become of me when God makes all things new? The Ninth Article of Faith speaks of a future in which God will dwell among people—and that wounded histories will not simply be erased but healed.

November 17, 2025

Doctrine  Bible study

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Believing passionately

Easter is coming up … and the divine services in March point the way there. There will be talk about mercy and solidarity, fellowship and the rule of God, and examples and precursors. Here is a glimpse at the Passiontide.

February 29, 2024

Palm Sunday Good Friday

+7

• Easter
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Holy Communion
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Divine service
• Congregation

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Is God’s plan good for us?

God is not there to make life difficult for us. On the contrary, He does more good for us than we realise—sometimes even through trials. Are you wondering how this can work? The Chief Apostle recently shed some light on this question.

March 19, 2025

Chief Apostle Divine service

+1

• Africa

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