On Sunday, 30 March, District Apostle Thomas Deubel visited the congregation of Denia. The congregations of Valencia and Vallada were also invited to this special occasion.
The District Apostle was accompanied by Apostle Rolf Camenzind, Bishop Victor Alganza and the administration brothers of the district.
Upon arriving at the congregation, the children greeted the District Apostle and presented him an envelope with a message. The children had prepared this message with a Bible passage from Matthew 5: 8, which is the District Apostle's favourite. Little did the children know that this would be the word with which the District Apostle would serve the congregations present. It was a very special experience for him.
The District Apostle used this very word:
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ Matthew 5:8.
The Apostle Peter went to raise a woman from the dead and asked the people to leave the house, then he prayed and thus sanctified himself for his task.
According to the District Apostle, we should also sanctify ourselves for the divine service, because we can entrust everything to God, He will take care of us, and the divine service will be like heaven, and we will be blessed to experience heaven on earth and also be a heaven for our neighbour. In this way, we will have a pure heart.
The characteristics of a pure heart are as follows:
It is full of love. God has given us the seed and we must nurture it.
Two brothers brought an offering to God. One brought a sheep, the other brought fruit of the field, but which offering is better for God depends on the attitude of the heart. This is the story of Cain and Abel.
King David asked the people to donate material for the building of the temple, and they gave it to God wholeheartedly and joyfully. In the same way, we work in the congregation with a joyful heart.
We resist sin. Joseph was seduced by Potiphar's wife, but he resisted sin, he could not do such an evil thing to God.
The heart is not always pure, but God helps us to get a pure heart so that we can experience God and be blessed. We can experience him here on earth.
Simeon was in the temple. Mary and Joseph came with Jesus, who was still a baby. Simeon took him in his arms and was not interested in the past. We welcome our neighbour, regardless of his past. People are imperfect, God's gifts are perfect. Let us accept them in order to experience the love of Jesus on earth.
Bishop Victor Alganza also served at the altar. He reinforced the District Apostle's sermon.
The joy increased when eleven of the faithful could receive Holy Sealing.
After Holy Communion for the departed, we received a gift: a deacon and a deaconess were ordained for the Valencia congregation.
With the musical contribution of the choir from Denia and Valencia, the children's choir, the men's choir and the newly founded orchestra of the Levante district, the joy of the divine service was heightened, and brought together 180 believers and 20 guests.
Here are the pictures:
Christmas 2024 in Denia!
On 25 December 2024, we celebrated our Christmas service this year. It was characterised by the thought ‘God is with us’. Our rector held the service with the word from Matthew 1, verse 23: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
It is interesting, said the rector, that this word is already mentioned in Isaiah, again a prophecy that was made many years earlier and was fulfilled. The angel appeared to Joseph who was about to leave his fiancée Mary. However, he did not do so because of the angel's words to him.
“Immanuel", which means “God with us”, still applies today:
- God loves you, regardless of whether you are weak at the moment, even if you reproach yourself when you haven't done everything right!
- God helps you just as he helped Jesus!
- God is also with your neighbour!
- God is with the church!
- God is in us!
Our evangelist Engels and our deaconess also gave valuable indications and touched us deeply with their words and prepared us for Holy Communion.
During the service we enjoyed wonderful musical contributions from the mixed choir, Vicente Giner playing the organ and our own soloists. A short concert was offered after the service. Everyone stayed. And it was worth it!
As usual, there was coffee and cake after the service and most of the service participants, including 19 friends and guests, stayed for a while and enjoyed the time together.
Click here for the pictures
Our choir visited the hospital ‘La Pedrera’
As every year our choir visited ‘La Pedrera’ hospital shortly before Christmas to sing a few Advent and Christmas carols to the patients there. This year it was last Sunday, 22 December 2024 when the choir sang a few carols on all floors to the great delight of the audience. It was touching to see some of them being pushed out of their rooms in wheelchairs to see the choir and listen to these carols. Some even dressed up and wore a red Santa hat. The hospital management had announced the choir in advance on a poster so that everyone was informed.
Here are the pictures
German-language music service on Sunday, 22 December 2024!
Our rector held this special divine service and served with the word from Isaiah 42, verse 9: "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
We heard that prophetic promises have been made before which were subsequently fulfilled: The people of Israel were promised that they would come to a land flowing with milk and honey. Later, the Jews were promised that they would return to Jerusalem from their exile. Everything was fulfilled.
Now, according to the second part of the Bible text, it was about ‘new things’: Jesus Christ showed a previously unknown perspective and attitude. It was not about political issues. It was about Jesus bringing a new legal order for "his kingdom", which was characterised by love and grace. For many people, this was incomprehensible. They expected something different from him. That's why they later shouted "Crucify him!”.
Our Evangelist Achim Engels gave a contribution and beautifully rounded off what we had heard.
In addition to our community choir, other soloists took part and embellished the service. At the end of the service, we formed ‘the largest choir in Denia’ and sang the song ‘O, You Joyful’, o, you blessed` together. The Spanish-speaking members of the congregation experienced a separate service in the small hall at the same time.
Here to the pictures
Insights into our Advent concerts
By popular request, we have created a link to some recordings of our Advent concerts. These are not professional videos. They were recorded with a camera that we normally use for broadcasts. Nevertheless, we hope you enjoy them!
Here is the link
Spanish-language Music Service on 15.12.2024!
On Sunday, 15 December 2024, we experienced an extraordinary Divine Service: the congregation of Valencia was our guest! Together we experienced a Divine Service held in Spanish by our District Rector Julio Lujan. He preached with the word from Matthew 9, verse 27: "And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us."
We learnt that Jesus' help naturally consisted of healing natural blindness. But this help should also be understood in a figurative sense: The people's eyes should be opened to understand Jesus, the promised Messiah, better and better. Jesus healed them because they believed in Him! So even today, an opening of the eyes, a healing in the figurative sense, can take place if we recognise our need, if we call on Jesus and if we believe in Him.
The two Rectors of Valencia and Denia, as well as two other Priests from Valencia, contributed words and expanded on the thoughts of our District Rector.
After a break of half an hour, we were treated to a spectacular concert in which, just as in the church service, the choirs from Valencia and Denia performed, as well as other soloists and instrumentalists. A total of 143 people attended the service, including 22 friends and guests.
Plenty of food was provided and we had a wonderful day that we would like to repeat.
Here are the pictures
International Music Service on 8.12.2024
Last Sunday we had an interesting service. Our Rector preached with the word from Luke 1, verses 52 and 53: ‘He casts down the mighty from their thrones and lifts up the lowly. He fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty.’
We heard how Mary sang a song of praise after her encounter with Elizabeth because Elizabeth had confirmed the promise that the angel had made to her. She described Jesus in this song of praise. His task will not be to overthrow the authorities, but rather to defeat Satan and free people from his rule. The mighty will be overthrown, but the humble will be exalted and the hungry who think they need ‘spiritual food’ will be satisfied, but those who think they don't need this food because they have everything will go away empty-handed, said the Rector. Our Deaconess rounded off the sermon with beautiful thoughts.
The service was embellished by our congregational choir, duets and solos in various languages. A truly international service! In addition to the congregation, 25 friends and guests were also present.
After the service there was coffee, mulled wine and delicious cake. Many of those attending the service stayed on for a while, enjoyed the company and had great conversations.
Here are the pictures:
Christmas 2024
12/2024
Dear Readers,
There are people who confuse Christmas with a shopping frenzy. The hunt is on. The hunt for the ultimate gift! For Christians, Advent and Christmas are a time of remembrance and expectation:
- A Christian remembers the Saviour Jesus Christ, who came into the world as a man to rise again.
- A Christian expects the coming Christ, the bridegroom, who wants to return to His church and transform it.
God never makes empty promises. He keeps what He promises. Many hundreds of years before the birth, the Son of God was announced. Who was waiting for Him? How many were there?
Humanity is incorrigible. God's promises are not honoured by many people: For this Son of God promised to come again. Who is waiting for Him? How many are there?
God's promise back then has materialised, so will the next one.
In the Advent and Christmas season, let us become aware of this promise again and celebrate Christmas as those who remember very well and gratefully what was, but also await with a living faith what is to come!
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube
Apostle Service in Denia!
On Friday, 25 October 2024, our Apostle Rolf Camenzind conducted a divine service in Denia. He served with the word from Ephesians 1, verses 3 and 4: ‘Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heaven through Christ. For in Him he chose us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.’
The Apostle began by asking: ‘Who is God? Who is our Father?’ Of course, he said, everyone says that they know who God is. But everyone describes him in their own way. Our heavenly Father...
- is almighty
- has chosen us
- never leaves us
- never says ‘I can't do it anymore!’
- loves us
The text speaks of blessings. Which ones are meant? We are not chosen by people, but by God! We are therefore no better than other people. He has chosen us for a task. Some might ask themselves, says the Apostle, what kind of blessing is that? I have no money, I am ill, I am in a bad way. Has God abandoned me? That is not the case!
Verse 4 of the same chapter tells us what He expects of us. It says that we should go our way holy and blameless. In other words: ‘I am waiting for you! - But I will also give you everything you need!’
Bishop Victor Alganza was called on to give a contribution and asked us whether we felt God wanting to draw near to us again and again. ‘This is a constant in our lives!’ he called out to us. God has given us much through the sacraments, through the apostolate, through the sisters and brothers next to us.
After the celebration of Holy Communion, Bettiana Beltrán was ordained to the office of Deacon to the joy of all. The Apostle said to her: ‘A Deaconess is chosen by God!’ He gave her the authority to proclaim the word of God and to give the final blessing, and twice he said to her: ‘God will be with you!’
The service featured the mixed choir, the women's ensemble and a soloist. A total of 94 people attended the service, including 16 friends and guests.
Tapas were served after the service and many of those who attended stayed for a while. Here are the pictures.
Donation of the NAK HUMANITAS to the Red Cross of Denia
The Swiss foundation HUMANITAS, a foundation of the New Apostolic Church, donated EUR 5,000.00 to the Red Cross in Denia on the occasion of an open air service of the Denia congregation. The money will be used to support needy families in Denia. The picture shows our Rector of the Denia congregation handing over a symbolic cheque to two representatives of the Denia Red Cross.
Devotion in the cave!
On Saturday, 3.11.18 a devotion took place in the cave in Benidoleigh, where we had our open air service in the year 2018, to commemorate the deceased and to prepare for the divine service on 4.11.18.
Our rector based the devotion on a word from 1 Kings 19:11 when Elijah was in a cave and the Lord said to him: "Go out and go up on the mountain before the Lord!" - Our rector first turned to the song of the mixed choir. They sang "Praying hands need our time!" He asked: "Why does our time need praying hands? - Because it has too few! At first you always think of yourself and pray for yourself. But in a beautiful song it says "... I want to sink myself into the sea of love instead of thinking of myself"! And, according to the rector, that is our task when we think of the souls that have gone before us into eternity. He went on to say that Elijah was in this "lamentation cave" because he wanted to give up, because he was not successful, because he was disappointed. That's how it sometimes goes for us and that's how it goes for many people who died. But then comes the cry "Go out and step on the mountain before the Lord!" If one follows this call, one experiences God.
Our Bettiana and our Wiebke read the beautiful poem "Of good powers" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the middle of the devotion, which was translated into Spanish especially for the devotion.
The devotion was accompanied by the mixed choir and other soloists. A total of 43 people took part, including 16 friends and guests. It was an extraordinarily holy and beautiful atmosphere in this cave and we were touched by it.
Here to the pictures
On the side something else: In the middle of the devotion an extraordinary guest came and joined us. Here a short video, in which you can see the special guest in front right...
The paradox of our time
Dear readers,
I've been reading an essay these days by Dr. Bob Moosehead, the theologian from the USA. Below are parts of his essay.
He writes: "The paradox of our time is: We have high buildings, but low tolerance, wide highways, but narrow views...We have more comfort, but less time...We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values... We have added years to life, but not life to years. We come to the moon, but no longer to the door of the neighbor. We have conquered space, but not the space within us... We have purified the air, but polluted the souls. We can split atoms, but not our prejudices.
Remember to give more time to those you love because they will not always be with you. Say a good word to those who now look at you with enthusiasm from below, because these little creatures will soon grow up and will no longer be with you..... Go hand in hand and appreciate the moments when you are together, for one day this man will no longer be beside you...".
I must say, some sentences have made me think. It is like this, one loves the here and now, but thinks less about the valuable and perhaps even less about tomorrow. Of course you can change that. It costs energy. You may also have to go new ways. But it is worth it. Please think about it! In Divine services one often gets a different way of thinking, but also the strength to change the way
Kind regards
Wolfram Laube
Choir course in Denia
Our community started again on 20.10.18 with a course suitable for new singers to learn singing in order to have fun singing in a mixed choir. The course was held in Spanish and German, with simultaneous translation into English.
The participants learned the staff and scales and how to sing canons. In order to get concentrated to a certain level right at the beginning, a 1-day workshop was offered at the beginning. Afterwards the further teaching units always take place on Sundays from 11.30 o'clock to 12.30 o'clock. At the very end there is the opportunity to rehearse new songs in another workshop together with the church choir and to participate in our Advent concerts.
This time there were also participants from our congregations in Alicante and Murcia. More than 30 participants, more than half of them friends and guests, were warmly welcomed by our conductor and introduced to the "world of music". One day later, on Sunday, 21.10.18, the "new ones" practiced the song "Holy, holy, holy", were then integrated into our choir and sang this song together.
Here to the pictures
Excursion of our Spanish speakers to Vallada!
On Sunday, 14.10.18 almost all of our growing Spanish speaking "department" travelled to Vallada. They first participated in the divine service that the Priest Pepe Giner held there. During the service our trio performed and our singers supported the mixed choir of Vallada. After the service they were all invited by Pr. Giner to the paella dinner. All in all 13 Spanish-speaking members and friends from Denia went on this trip. One participant wrote as a comment to the Whats App group "¡Viva INA! Muchas gracias por los momentos de mucha alegría de estar todos reunidos fue maravilloso todo!
Here to the pictures
Apple festival for seniors!
On Friday, 12.10.18 our seniors got to the bottom of the apple! There were different apple cakes, sweet apple surprises, apple snaps apple liqueur... Our senior representative Wiebke had prepared everything super, with the support of Ruth and some others from the congregation, who contributed to the celebration with their cake. Wiebke also told us some interesting things about apples, such as the fact that there are over 20,000 apple varieties worldwide and therefore an immense variety of flavours. Apples are very healthy because of their many valuable ingredients. They contain a lot of pectin, a type of dietary fibre that promotes digestion and lowers cholesterol. Altogether over 40 persons took part in the apple celebration.
Here to the pictures:
Bishop Olmedo in Denia
On Thursday, February 24th 2017 our Bishop held a divine service in our community. Our District Elder could not participate for professional reasons. The Bishop served with a word from Hebrew 10, verse 23: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” With this word our Chief Apostle had held a divine service in Chad a few days ago. At the beginning the choir sang the Spanish song “Talk, Lord, to my soul”.
First of all the Bishop turned to this hymn and thanked the choir for they were singing what we all should feel inside namely the desire and the longing to hear the sweet, tender voice of the Lord. He also talked about people who can achieve much by talking. The same words uttered in a certain manner can cause fear and an unpleasant feeling, uttered differently, in a sweet and tender voice, the same words can cause peace, enthusiasm and hope. This is the way of the Lord`s voice that wants to touch our souls.
The Bishop also talked about the opening hymn “God is faithful” which had been chosen weeks ago already and the one who chose the song, so the Bishop said, couldn’t possibly know which word he would serve with this evening. This word was processed by the Chief Apostle in a divine service only a few days ago and he only picked it recently for tonight`s service. Opening hymn and text went together very well, “…faithful is the one who has promised something…” faithful is our Heavenly Father, God keeps all his promises.
Our Bishop added we shall hold on to the confession that was given to us by Jesus Christ even if there is not much reason for hope in our days. But our hope lies not on human promises but on what Jesus said: “I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” This is our hope!
The Bishop then talked about a boat lying ashore. If waves were coming it would be carried away, it would as it is said in the text, “waver”, but as it is tied up it stays without floating away. The ones that hope for the Lord, those who believe in God and live according to their faith do not waver!
Our Rector was asked to serve along with a few words. He explained, that a boat which was tied up with a long rope would move in spite of that. Most likely it wouldn’t completely vanish into the sea but it would start “wavering” rather strongly. That means it is important not just to be connected “somehow”, but being “close to the shore”, being tightly connected with the altar of the Lord, with the word of God so you do not get carried away by some underwater drift or by some superficial waves.
What kind of lighthouse are you?
Dear Readers,
the function of a lighthouse is shining and showing ships the way, also to provide orientation for navigation. It has to shine! If it does not do that it is useless! More than that, it is not only useless, it is even dangerous! Mostly a lighthouse is positioned on a rather low level. Thus, if it doesn’t’ t shine this spot and the lighthouse itself are a danger for shipping.
As Christians we are often told to shine. What are we supposed to radiate? The answer: What Jesus, the founder of Christendom demonstrated us, the way he lived, what he did. If we do not radiate this light, if we remain on a spiritual very low level we are even dangerous.
What did the founder of Christendom radiate? Just a short and incomplete listing:
– Goodwill towards your neighbour instead of working against him.
– Being tolerant instead of being against things you do not like.
– Readiness to forgive instead of looking at old deficiencies again and again.
– Giving human attention to your next one instead of concentrating on your own advantages only.
– Empathy instead of regardlessness.
What kind of lighthouse are you? Without light? Or lights on?
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube
A new chance: Masakhe gets children off the street
Love your neighbour as yourself! Gladly. But how do you do that in a place that is ruled by drugs and violence? A project in our Leiden Central church in South Africa shows how. It not only offers children a safe haven but also helps them with their education. The platform nac.today reports: Click here to read the article
Little Christmas Package for Sindelfingen!
As you all know the community of Sindelfingen is our twin community since an action that was called “community in a shoebox”. Last year they surprised us with a fantastic package for Easter containing typical Easter goodies. Of course we wanted to return the favor! Our ambassador Bettiana made typical pastry and arranged a package with a tourist guide an a Christmas card signed by all the members of the community that were present. The parcel started its journey to Germany and arrived on time before Christmas and Patricia, the ambassador there put it in the sacristy as a surprise. Here the picture that she sent us:
How would Jesus act?
Dear readers,
there is a beggar who gets one Euro a day from a kind man for a long time. From a certain day on he only gets fifty cent. So one day the beggar asks the man: “Earlier you always gave me a Euro a day and now you only give me half of it!”
The man answered: “Sorry about that, but my son goes to university now and so I need more money.” – And the beggar mumbles to himself: “Unbelievable when I think about it. He lets his son study on my expense.”
One and the same thing can be judged very differently! Depending on the point of view you get a completely different sight. Who is right?
Especially in difficulties with one another it is important to ask oneself the question: “Who is right? “or “Why do I think I am right?”. A valuable clue we often get in the divine services is the question: “How would Jesus react or behave in this situation?” I guarantee by approaching the matter like this you will always get the right answer! Please try!
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube