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
Working, deciding, and blessing together
In nac.today, the Church owned platform, the appointment of the new District Apostle Helper Jürg Zbinden through our Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider has been published: Click here to see the video
Interview with the new District Elder
Dear Julio, some months ago you received the ministry of a District Elder. We wish you all the best from the bottom of our hearts, a lot of strength and the help of our Heavenly Father!
1. How will your relationship towards the congregation of Denia change with your new ministry?
Being the District Elder of the Levante region and of the congregation of Denia makes me more humble. It makes me love even more all the brothers and sisters and gives me more responsibility in the decision making process of the region.
As I continue working as normal I have to seek more time for the Lords work and try to create quality time with my family.
2. What kind of an image do you have of the congregation of Denia due to the experiences which you had so far?
I always saw Denia as a multicultural congregation because it is located in a tourist region and we have many visits from brothers and sisters of other countries. It is also very beautiful when brothers and sisters come from the other side of the world and that without understanding one another through a conversation because of the language we can feel that the same Holy Spirit units us and the love of Christ.
3. What could we still improve in your opinion?
We always should “grow”, this is the desire of all congregations and in this aspect also the whole congregation of Denia should be one heart and one soul. Everybody should ask himself what can I do personally that everything even works better in my congregation? Surely if we all intent and pray to our Beloved Father everything can even be improved more.
4. What kind of ideas would you like to put into action in your new ministry? What should be developed in your new area of responsibilities?
My goal in the function of a District Elder with the help of all the other ministries is to find peace for each heart and unite all the brothers and sisters. In my new area of responsibilities I pray to God that he helps me to have wisdom from above, strength and joy to carry out the ministry he entrusted me with. I want to work with the Gospel, the love and peace that Jesus gave us.
Thank you very much! We wish you a lot of blessing in your new ministry!
Chief Apostle: three-point plan for 2017
In nac.today, the Church owned platform, the Chief Apostle´s New Years message has been published together with the three tasks for New Apostolic Christians in the coming year
Isn´t it strange…
Dear readers,
First of all I would like to wish all of you a happy New Year 2017! Those of our wishes which are good for us shall come true and the other ones not.
Some weeks ago I received a very long compilation which I would like to express partially and slightly adapted:
-Isn`t it strange how long a couple of hours at church are, but how short these hours are when© you are watching a movie.
-Isn`t it strange that it is so exciting when a football match goes into extra time
whereas we look at our watches sighingly if the divine service lasts a bit longer than usually.
– Isn`t it strange how difficult it is to read a chapter of the Holy Bible but how easy it is to swallow up a hundred pages of a best-seller.
– Isn`t it strange that an offering of 100 Euros seems a lot but it seems so little when you go shopping.
– Isn`t it strange how difficult it is to pass on the Gospel of Jesus to other people but how simple it is to spread the latest rumours.
– Isn`t it strange you worry more what people think about you than what Jesus thinks about you.
Sometimes it is worth rethinking habits and things we are used to in our lives and put things in a different, but better position. Why leave things in the wrong position? Why not change it at the beginning of a new year?
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube
Christmas in Denia
Christmas Celebration: Like in the past years we celebrated our Christmas Celebration on Saturday, 24th of December 2016. More than 40 participants registered and enjoyed an entertaining program. The Christmas Story was read out loud in Spanish and German and poems and other stories were presented. And of course we sang typical Christmas Carols. In between coffee and cake was served and everybody enjoyed a joyful but also on the other hand reverent afternoon.
Click here to see all the photos
Christmas Divine Service: On Sunday 25th of December 2016 our Christmas Divine Service took place which was held by our Evangelist Laube serving with a word out of Luke 1, verse 37 and 38: “Nothing is impossible with God!” At the beginning of the Divine Service there was a Bible lecture which was read in Spanish by Evelyne, translated simultaneously by Tevo and read out loud by Alison in German. Our Rector talked about the fact that for us as humans some things are regarded as being impossible but that we constantly should be reminded that “nothing is impossible with God!” This can also be applied to our spiritual future, to the coming again of Jesus Christ.
The Divine Service was musically adorned by Professor Giner at the organ and also with beautiful contributions of the choir and a solo piece. After the Service coffee and cakes as well as mulled wine were offered. Although during the Christmas time many brothers and sisters are travelling and thus not in Denia, 65 people participated in this year’s Christmas Divine Service amongst them 9 friends and guests.
The fourth of Advent plus a wedding!
On December 16th, 2016, the fourth Sunday of Advent we lived an exceptional divine service of Advent namely with a wedding! Our sister Mercy and our brother Johann got their wedding blessings. Our Rector served with a word of John 12, verse 13: “Hosanna! Blessed is the one that comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel!” He explained how this “other king” also rules, not with human force though, his style of leading is “guiding and giving advice with love”. He “administers the law”, but he bestows grace upon us. He “legislates”, but he gives grace freely. He enacts laws and guidelines but all of the them are under the highest law, which is love. He cares about his people, not only here on earth but beyond the time span of this life.
After the celebration of Holy Communion we experienced the wedding held in English, but translated into German at the altar and simultaneously into Spanish. Our Evangelist had pleaded for a special word for the bridal couple from our heavenly father. He opened the Holy Bible twice and received the same word of Psalm 91: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” He continued explaining the difference he had found between the German and the English translation; in the English it says “the secret place” but which is not a secret to Mercy and Johann as they have experienced the help of our heavenly father many times.
After the Divine Service Mercy and Johann invited the whole congregation to some tapas and drinks and nearly all the congregation members stayed to celebrate this wonderful day together with them.
Why do they not only sing French songs in France?
An interesting article appeared in nac.today the Church owned platform, about the hymn book which is used in France. Brothers and Sisters over there do not only sing in French! This reminds us a little bit of our situation in Denia.
Going out and letting in!
An interesting article about the District Apostle of South Africa who is going into retirement in some weeks appears in nac.today, a platform that belongs to the New Apostolic Church.
International Advent Concerts 2016!
This year an international Advent and Christmas program awaited its visitors both with traditional and more modern interpretations. These were the musicians: the well-known “Professor of the Organ” Vicente Giner, the mixed choir of the Denia congregation and various soloists and interprets. After the break a “premiere” took place: a folkloristic Christmas Medley in Spanish, English, German and Swiss German composed by Vicente Giner. After the concert grilled sausages, beer and mulled wine, etc. were offered.
Almost all members of the congregation actively took part in making these Christmas Concerts a success, be it in the choir, but also in the kitchen or at the barbecue, etc.
For the first time the Concerts were transmitted via Internet to all sick brothers and sisters and to those ones who because of
the distance could not take part.
Here are some comments of those present or who watched the concert via Internet:
“On Saturday evening I was very close to the wellness congregation of Denia via Live Stream. I listened and very much enjoyed the musical presentation as well as the introductory words about the “Law of Ohm”.
“…the concert was simply wonderful, we felt very close to you and enjoyed it very much to be in Denia…”
“…You gave us a huge portion of Christmas joy. Although we were 1600 km away from you we could experience a heart moving concert together…”
“Thank you very much for the great concert. It also was a pleasure watching it Livestream.”
“…it was phenomenal what you presented! All together – from the organ up to the large choir! We felt like being in the midst of you! Thank you very, very much…”
“…you were just great! Thanks to everybody – also to those quietly working behind the scenes, thank you to the soloists and the choir, thank you to the organ player. I can only say it was first class – wonderful – an enormous joy…”
“… Simply a big thank you for the beautiful Advent evening… I watched the concert on my laptop and the musical contributions touched me and brought me into the mood for Sunday morning!”
“A heartfelt thank you to all of you! It was wonderful!”