seasons.today

Between here and there

Joy and sorrow are never far apart. Remembering the departed bridges the gap between this life and the afterlife. News from around the New Apostolic world about premières and farewells.

11 11 2016

Apostolate Asia

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Grieving
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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Black and white squares and a guide to faith

Pokémon GO was yesterday, today it is Pakeiman GO. It means “applying one’s faith” in Indonesian. Following is a report on a Day of the Youth at which modern technology was used to transport a timeless message.

07 11 2016

Acts of blessing

+6

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Youth

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Love, comfort, and new life – the Creator at work

An ancient message, one that is still valid. A Bible text that has been set to music. And a prayer that was answered a long time ago. In a recent service, the Chief Apostle examined the clean heart and the steadfast spirit mentioned in the Psalms.

03 11 2016

Chief Apostle

+5

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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We come in the name of God

On 5 February 1855 two missionaries arrived in Papua, the western part of the island of New Guinea, to preach the gospel to the inhabitants. Even today missionaries are active on this second largest island in the world.

02 11 2016

Asia

+9

• Australia / Pacific
• Charity work
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Easter
• Europe
• Music
• Pastoral care

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Never be without hope!

The last month in the church year has dawned. Soon the Advent season will begin, and with it the new church year. But before that, New Apostolic divine services will focus on the last things. First and foremost, these include our hope for the future and the judgement. A true Christian never needs to be without hope.

01 11 2016

Advent

+3

• Ascension Day
• Divine service
• Doctrine 

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Chief Apostle to visit Blantyre, Malawi’s oldest municipality

Malawi is the cradle of the New Apostolic Church in Central Africa. George Henwood, the later Apostle, was born here in 1901. He was one of the great pioneers of missionary work and instrumental in building up the church in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will celebrate the upcoming service for the departed in Blantyre.

29 10 2016

Africa Charity work

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Ministry
• Retirement

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Hope, an anchor of the soul

The president of the New Apostolic Church flies to Australia regularly. Still, District Apostle Andrew Andersen referred to the Chief Apostle’s recent visit as historic. The reason, all national leaders of the New Apostolic Church had been invited to a conference in Perth.

27 10 2016

Africa

+9

• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• History 
• Music
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Bringing in the sheaves

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. What exactly is this harvest? And who are the workers? The Chief Apostle has two interpretations. Following is the summary of a divine service directed not only at ministers.

26 10 2016

Chief Apostle

+3

• Divine service
• Good Friday
• Pastoral care

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Service for the departed goes public

Making a guest service out of the service for the departed? Across Europe this will be a first and take place on 6 November 2016. But a congregation in Africa is going even further—and will number more participants in the end than all of Europe put together.

25 10 2016

Africa

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe

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Good Hope: several generations under one roof

The New Apostolic Church operates child care facilities in a number of countries. In some areas, the Church even runs retirement homes. The multigenerational project Good Hope in Oberhausen is a combination of the two, and it is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

24 10 2016

Buildings

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There is music in the air

A flashmob in the city, a charity concert in a shopping centre, and a singing contest sponsored by the radio. There is music in the air and New Apostolic Christians are right in the middle of it all when it comes to professing their faith or doing something good.

21 10 2016

Congregation

+5

• Divine service
• Event
• Music
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

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The treasure in our hearts

Christians have a treasure that needs to be protected—and shared. The Chief Apostle examines some of the gems of this treasure and reveals why they are sometimes hard to recognize.

12 10 2016

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Easter
• Europe
• Event
• Youth

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The Chief Apostle in Lausanne

Lausanne is beautifully set on Lake Geneva in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Surrounded by the Jura Mountains, the city enjoys a mild climate—a good destination for Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider, who will be visiting the congregation on Sunday to celebrate a divine service.

08 10 2016

Chief Apostle

+10

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• History 
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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A thankful congregation is a joyful congregation!

Against cholera, for peace and understanding between peoples—the programmes of the congregations around the world are creative, diverse, and fantastic. It is important that we take on responsibility in society, not only spiritually but also in a concrete and material way.

07 10 2016

Charity work

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Society
• Thanksgiving Day

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God’s commandments: orientation for human beings

No other collection of laws has had such a high degree of influence on the cultural history of mankind as the Ten Commandments of God. Here the term ‘commandment’ is a translation of the Hebrew word for “instruction”. The Ten Commandments thus serve as direction and orientation for humanity.

03 10 2016

Concept of salvation for the departed

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• History 
• Sacraments

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Historical meeting in Hilversum

The rapprochement of apostolic denominations is continuing: after declarations of reconciliation in Germany and Switzerland, as well as an initial meeting in South Africa, there has now also been a meeting in the Netherlands—and this one was in a much larger context.

30 09 2016

Africa

+7

• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Easter
• History 
• Society

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Mourning and comforting together

All interested parties are invited: the New Apostolic congregations in the German-speaking regions of the world will be open to the public for a service for the departed on Sunday, 6 November 2016. The preparations are already underway.

27 09 2016

Chief Apostle Concept of salvation for the departed

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Grieving
• Pastoral care

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At home around the world – and travelling

“Go into all the world…”— not least of all on their travels through their home countries and the missionary regions in their care do the District Apostles fulfil their Great Commission. In so doing, they often bring along a gift or two in their luggage for the congregations they visit.

23 09 2016

Africa

+4

• Congregation
• Easter
• Event
• Music

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Music without borders—learning together

Music—this is a matter that is dear to the heart of New Apostolic congregations around the world. But the conditions vary greatly from place to place. Sometimes the only thing that helps is collaboration that transcends borders.

17 09 2016

Africa

+5

• Congregation
• Event
• Music
• Pentecost
• Youth

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At home around the world: young people need special offers

Young people are also a special target group for churches. They are in the blossom of life and are very important for the Church of the future. It is for this reason that special offers and concepts are developed for them. Following are some examples:

16 09 2016

Charity work

+6

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Event
• Good Friday
• Youth

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Patience—managing the monstrous

Being patient with the imperfections of our neighbour, but also with ourselves. Chief Apostle Schneider demonstrates how the Holy Spirit can support us even in very normal situations of daily life.

13 09 2016

Asia

+5

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Easter

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“Being open to all people, to all nations”

He is at home in two countries, works for the Church on three continents, and speaks six languages: Bishop Aramik Fesdjian has been accustomed to internationality right from the cradle. In this interview he talks about his life between the worlds.

12 09 2016

Acts of blessing Asia

+8

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Local news
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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Jaqueline, the seamstress in Mukuru

Creativity and the courage to change things are what distinguish Jaqueline. She has developed a business idea in one of the biggest slums in Kenya and has become an example for many.

31 08 2016

Congregation

+1

• Easter

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Serve with love, don’t rule!

Chief Apostle Schneider did not mince his words when he addressed the ministers and their service to God. A ministry is not a rank. A minister’s task in the congregation is to be vigilant and warn the members of impending danger.

30 08 2016

Chief Apostle

+8

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Society

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No attempts at an explanation, no cheap comfort

Pastoral care is complex and individual. Sometimes it is a single prayer, but often it is a special and close relationship, and continued support. In a meeting of ministers, Chief Apostle Schneider talked about his conception of pastoral care.

27 08 2016

Chief Apostle

+4

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Pastoral care

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Making the invisible visible

Divine salvation is invisible. Christians, however, are to make it visible through their prayers and their faith so that people can recognize salvation. Chief Apostle Schneider invited the congregations to take part in this.

18 08 2016

Chief Apostle

+6

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• 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.

23 03 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.

28 05 2025

Ascension Day Pentecost

+2

• Divine service
• Society

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Silent extras, active seekers 

Not everyone is in the stable, not everyone sings in the angel choir. But the silent figures in the Christmas story are more than mere extras. They show that God speaks to everyone. The question is: who will answer?

25 12 2024

Christmas Advent

+1

• Bible study

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