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Photo: nacworld

Hamburg/Zurich. As of this Pentecost Sunday 2013, the New Apostolic Church has a new spiritual leader: Jean-Luc Schneider is the new Chief Apostle and successor in ministry to Wilhelm Leber, who retired from ministry on this occasion. It was a special highlight when the new Chief Apostle discharged the previous Chief Apostle from his ministry with the words: “In our hearts you will remain our Chief Apostle!”

Hamburg/Zurich. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, international Church leader since 2005, conducted his last divine service in Hamburg-Borgfelde this Pentecost Sunday (we reported). Several million people around the world shared in this sermon live via satellite and internet transmission. He called upon the believers to engage and exhibit the power of the Holy Spirit in their everyday surroundings.

Hamburg/Zurich. Retiring Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber opened the European Apostle Meeting in Hamburg the Saturday before Pentecost with warm thanks to all the Apostles for their work and support, all their prayers, and all their willingness to contribute and help along in the various developments. With emotion he went on to add: “I would also like to thank my predecessor in ministry, Chief Apostle Fehr. I would like to thank him in particular because he made the transition so easy for me. His attitude left its mark upon me and I have always been able to relate to it. It has been my endeavour to continue his work.”

Zurich/Herford. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, the international leader of the New Apostolic Church, chose the New Year’s Day divine service in his native city of Herford, Germany to officially usher in the 150-year anniversary of the Church: “The year 2013 is to be a year of profession!” In connection with this he referred to the great accomplishments of previous generations, without which the Church, as it stands today, would be inconceivable.

Zurich/Herzliya. The first print of the New Apostolic Catechism is in the hands of Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber: the international Church leader was only too happy to pick up a copy of the extensive work. This brings a year of intensive work to a close, as at least the German-language version of the Catechism is to be published by mid-December. The work is also scheduled for publication in a number of other languages in January of next year.

Cologne/Zurich. It was a high point of the church year for New Apostolic Christians around the world: Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber conducted the Pentecost divine service in Cologne on 27 May 2012. The spiritual leader of all New Apostolic Christians called out to the believers with a special Pentecost message: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” The sermon revolved around the question as to how children of God are to lead their lives in our time. What is important is to keep faith, always be willing to make peace, subordinate our will to God’s will, and draw strength for daily life from the resurrection of Christ.

Zurich/Cologne. After many years, the New Apostolic Church once again has a Chief Apostle Helper. In the Pentecost service on 27 May 2012 in Cologne Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber appointed the French District Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider with this new commission. He will in future provide support to the Chief Apostle and also take on some of his travels. “The transition is to proceed in as continuous a manner as possible,” said the Chief Apostle. He himself is already looking toward his own retirement, he explained, and is working early to address the matter of his succession.

Zurich/Chicago. The Rosemont Theatre near Chicago’s metropolis of millions was fully occupied for this special event, the Pentecost service 2009. The service was transmitted to North and South America via satellite. For the first time, it was also available through live audio-video streaming over the internet.

Chicago. It is Pentecost Sunday 2009, and Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber finds himself in Rosemount, near Chicago. This is where the Pentecost service is scheduled to take place at 11:00 AM. From here it will be transmitted to North and South America via satellite. For the first time, the divine service will also be available through live audio-video streaming over the internet. This year’s message of greeting from Chief Apostle Leber to the New Apostolic congregations around the world is: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

Zurich. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber chose this year’s Pentecost greeting from 1 Corinthians 15: 57: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” In a letter addressed to all congregations of the New Apostolic Church around the world, the Church leader writes: “Christ attained the greatest victory of all on Golgotha, namely the victory over death. Those who belong to Christ can share in this victory.”

Berlin. With the exception of two Apostles, all European District Apostles and Apostles were able to take part in this year’s Apostle Meeting in Berlin. In his hour-long address, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber focused on the beatitudes recorded in the fifth chapter of Matthew in the Holy Scriptures.

Hamburg. The festive concert in the Hamburg Congress Centre celebrating the visit of Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber and all European Apostles on the Saturday before Pentecost offered a very interesting musical program. The performers were the symphony orchestra of the New Apostolic Church Hamburg and the project choir of the New Apostolic Church of Northern Germany, under the direction of Jörg Michael Paul and Björn Leber, respectively.

Zürich/Hamburg. "I would like to wish each and every one of you a blessed feast of Pentecost. May the fullness of God's blessing flow today, and may everyone particularly experience God's love and kindness." It was with these words that Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber began the Pentecost service 2007 in the Hamburg Congress Centre. His Pentecost message for all New Apostolic congregations around the world was taken from the gospel of John 14: 1: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”

Zurich/Hamburg. Pentecost 2007 is already in the past, but the Pentecost divine service in Hamburg, which was transmitted by satellite to some 8,000 New Apostolic congregations in over 70 countries throughout the world, is to have a lasting echo.

Cape Town. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber conducted this year’s Pentecost service in Cape Town, South Africa. He preached about being filled with the Holy Spirit: “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”