seasons.today

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 Confirmation

+6

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

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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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Music to overcome the lockdown blues

One faith, many songs … Anyone who wants to see and hear how alive New Apostolic life is around the globe despite Pandemic restrictions only has to go to YouTube and look for virtual choirs. Join us for a tour of magical melodies.

June 18, 2020

Africa

+10

• America
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Europe
• Event
• Music
• Pentecost
• Youth

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Helping where Covid-19 has fueled hunger and poverty

For many people Covid-19 is just one more emergency they have to cope with. For them it has long been a question of survival! Here is what New Apostolic organisations are doing to alleviate the worst.

June 16, 2020

Africa

+7

• Asia
• Charity work
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Local news
• Seniors

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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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When differences no longer matter

On Pentecost 2020 Chief Apostle Schneider preached about the power of the Holy Spirit, which makes it possible that people from different cultures and traditions can be brought together. A commandment also for Christians in modern times.

June 10, 2020

Chief Apostle Congregation

+3

• Doctrine 
• Pentecost
• Society

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Trinity Sunday: three persons in one and the consequences

What makes a divine service a New Apostolic divine service? One possible answer is that it begins and ends with the invocation of the triune God. Who is this triune God? What are the implications of our belief in this? Reflections on Trinity Sunday.

June 8, 2020

Congregation

+2

• Divine service
• Pentecost

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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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Snapshots (2): The Pentecost service

Hundreds of thousands followed the divine service at home; only a few could actually be in the church. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider celebrated the Pentecost service in our Darmstadt church. Our picture gallery presents some impressions of the sermon, the music, and the congregation.

May 31, 2020

Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Pentecost

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The 2020 Pentecost sermon in sketchnotes

The entire divine service at a glance: where the Spirit of liberty leads us is revealed in the mindmap of the 2020 Pentecost service. Come and rediscover God’s word in artistic visual notes, compact and concrete.

May 31, 2020

Divine service

+1

• Pentecost

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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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Snapshots (1): Pentecost preparations – UPDATE 22.40 hours

Everything is ready for the Pentecost service in our church in Darmstadt (Germany). The seats for the guests and musicians have been reserved and the technical equipment for the worldwide broadcast is in place.

May 30, 2020

Asia

+2

• Divine service
• Pentecost

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Pentecost joy? It’s all up to us!

The workspace of all Christians is the world. It is through believers that the triune God desires to speak and act. And that is precisely how the Son of God set everything up: His gospel needs a church in which it can be preached. Thoughts on the feast of Pentecost 2020.

May 30, 2020

Doctrine 

+2

• History 
• Pentecost

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The link for the Pentecost service

Whether by telephone, television, or Internet … there are a number of possibilities to participate in the divine service which Chief Apostle Schneider will conduct this Sunday. Just click on one of the YouTube links below.

May 29, 2020

Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Pentecost

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A Pentecost sermon for the whole world

It is always quite a lot of work, but it is worthwhile in any event. When the Chief Apostle steps behind the altar on Pentecost Sunday, there will be hundreds of thousands who will see and hear him—despite the corona crisis.

May 26, 2020

Africa

+9

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

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The sacraments (10): Baptism, a fluid rite

It is the fundamental sacrament: baptism makes a human being into a Christian. But how is it to be celebrated? Jesus said next to nothing on that subject. It is not even clear whether He Himself ever baptised anyone. Following is a due and proper search for clues …

May 25, 2020

Baptism 

+4

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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There is work to be done

“What are you standing there staring into space?” That was the question to the sky-gazing disciples, and it could have been taken as a gentle rebuke. It was followed by the exhortation: “Don’t just stand there. Get on with it.” Here is why Ascension is more topical than ever.

May 21, 2020

Ascension Day Congregation

+3

• Grieving
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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God’s word in sketches

The current crisis has not only changed the way divine services are conducted, but also the way we follow and assimilate them. How active listening works and how it can strengthen the congregation is shown by the art of visual notetaking.

May 20, 2020

Concept of salvation for the departed

+7

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Event
• Profile
• Youth

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Close to the real McCoy: the IYC reloaded

This weekend is quasi the International Youth Convention’s (IYC) first birthday. And there is a big gift waiting for all who are interested: for four days, the highlights of the event will be put on the virtual stage.

May 18, 2020

Africa

+8

• Ascension Day
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Event
• Music
• Youth

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Feeling God’s love and guidance

Living, working and believing in Malaysia. This is what Evangelist Loganathan Ramaurty Lawrence (51), the rector of the congregation in Kuala Lumpur, tells us about. And he reveals what gives him strength to dedicate himself the way he does.

May 11, 2020

Baptism 

+13

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Holy Sealing
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments
• Society
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

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A reliable offer: online services

There is a first easing of the lockdown measures. The Church is working on concepts. What is clear now already is that online services will continue until churches can be reopened for worship. Here is a look at the latest developments.

May 8, 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Pentecost
• Society

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God has everything under control

These days many people are worried about their health and their livelihood. “Let us trust God,” the Chief Apostle recommends. Why and how can we experience this first-hand? Here are four pieces of advice and two promises from the Palm Sunday service.

May 7, 2020

Apostolate Chief Apostle

+5

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Palm Sunday
• Sacraments

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Pentecost—local and online

Pentecost … At home with the Chief Apostle or in our own congregation, maybe even with Holy Communion? The first option is open to everyone, the second one only to a few. The Chief Apostle’s recommendation is clear.

May 5, 2020

Africa

+12

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• New Year
• Palm Sunday
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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Where two or three gather in my name

A minister, a technician, a musician—divine services are currently being held in a very small setting and are then followed by thousands online. Here are the links for the streams this coming Sunday.

May 1, 2020

Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Easter

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Church leaders explore the possibility of reopening congregations

Online is not everything. How can we resume divine services and congregational life during the coronavirus crisis? Locally and very slowly and cautiously, is the answer of the European Church leaders.

April 23, 2020

Acts of blessing

+15

• Africa
• America
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Society

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Communion wafers for after the lockdown

The baking machines in Lusaka and Cape Town have come to a standstill, and in Bielefeld the warehouse is being stocked up. Things in the three large wafer bakeries of the New Apostolic Church are anything but normal these days.

April 18, 2020

Africa

+9

• America
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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don't miss

The donkey, that’s me

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He chose His mount to enter Jerusalem. What’s more, He sent signals right up to our own time. Here is a reflection on the theme of Palm Sunday.

March 23, 2024

Palm Sunday Good Friday

+3

• Congregation
• America
• History 

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Ascension means: now it’s your turn

Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church. But like a plant that germinates underground before the first shoots emerge, the origins of the church lie deeper and earlier.

May 28, 2025

Ascension Day Pentecost

+2

• Divine service
• Society

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Lead-up to Pentecost

God reveals Himself as Trinity. The self-revelation of God is concluded in the Pentecost event, the grand finale. The divine services in the month of May revolve around the promise, sending, and efficacy of the Holy Spirit.

May 3, 2024

Pentecost Doctrine 

+2

• Divine service
• History 

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Not your typical Christmas article

Star, stable, shepherds, angels—and a crying baby in the living room. This year, Christmas will not just be explained, but experienced. A Christmas article of a different kind.

December 24, 2025

Christmas Advent

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