Distress has many faces. Whether it takes the form of external pressure or inner turmoil, God is our refuge, as the Chief Apostle promises in this divine service. 

You have grappled with understanding the message and discerning the needs of the congregation. You have given thought to the goal of the sermon. Now it is time to construct the main body of the sermon.  

“Whether we like it or not, we live in a climate of fear,” said the Chief Apostle. And he knows the only sensible remedy for this. Here is the divine service based on our annual motto. 

God creates new things, including new insights. For some, however, this is more of a problem than a pleasure. The Chief Apostle opens our eyes to beauty. “It is not a question of whether that was right or wrong. All we need to ask ourselves is: Does this new knowledge bring me closer to Jesus Christ?

Concentrating on the true faith … Perhaps this is more easily said than done. Nevertheless, the Chief Apostle has a plan for how to put this into practice: here is the last video excerpt from the divine service marking the start of the year 2026. 

As Creator, Father, and Saviour, God creates out of nothing and renews humankind through His word. How does this work? The Chief Apostle sheds light on this. 

Just believe? But in what, exactly? This is what really makes the difference. The compass that will keep us on course no matter what the storms of life may bring: here is the fourth instalment of our series of excerpts from the divine service conducted by the Chief Apostle at the start of the year.

The phrase “I’m a Christian” easily slips off the tongue. But what does it truly mean? And what are the implications for our daily lives—for our thinking and our actions? The Sunday services in February will take a closer look at these questions and what it means to live as a Christian.

Water that gives eternal life? And all this for free? Where can we find something like that?  Jesus Christ has it. And all we have to do is draw the water.

There are times when fear takes the helm. It is then that things really start to become stormy. Let’s look at the obstacles that can arise and what Jesus has to say about them. Here is part three of the Chief Apostle’s New Year’s opening service.  

Casting nets to catch human beings? That sounds more like the final judgement than the gospel. But a closer look at the words of Jesus shows that this is a call that saves lives.

This specific door changed everything. A good fifty years ago, it was the New Apostolic Church’s gateway to Panama, the country that the Chief Apostle is now visiting again. 

A simple yes is not enough. Those who wish to draw closer to Jesus must set out on a journey, step by step. Here is the road map from a divine service with the Chief Apostle.

“Just believe” is the other half of our 2026 motto. After all, there is a rock to which we can cling in the storms of life and of this time. Here is part two of the Chief Apostle’s New Year’s opening service. 

The Saviour of the world made an appearance, and hardly anyone noticed. All the guests wondered about was why the wine suddenly tasted so good. An event full of significance.

When members leave after a divine service, what is it that they take home with them? Is the sermon already forgotten when they exit the gate? Or was there a clear goal or purpose shaping the sermon?

It is not possessions that matter, but relationships. It is precisely the poor, in a certain sense, who are important to God. This is what Jesus makes clear in one of the Beatitudes.

“Don’t be afraid” is the first part of our 2026 motto. However, there are more than enough reasons to be concerned, and there is only one reasonable response. Here is the first part of the Chief Apostle’s New Year’s opening service.