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!”
The four candles
Dear readers,
Recently I was reminded of an old children’s story: Once there was a decorative Advent wrath. The candles on it started to talk. The first candle shighed and said: “My name is peace. My light is shining but people do not keep peace.” Its light became smaller and smaller and finally went out completely. The second candle was flickering and said: “My name is faith. But no one needs me anymore. People do not want to know about God.” A draft went through the room and the second candle went out. In a quiet manner and very sad the third candle started to speak: “My name is love. I have no more energy to burn. People only see themselves and not the others whom they should love.” And after a last flickering this light also went dark. Then a child came into the room. It looked at the candles and said: “But you three candles there, you should be burning and not be without light!” Now the fourth candle started to speak up. It said: “Do not be afraid! As long as I am burning we can also light the other candles again. My name is hope!” The child took a match, lightened it with the still burning candle and also lightened up all the other candles again!
As long as we do not lose hope other values can survive and even be revived again! Sometimes it takes another person who lightens up these values again.
I wish everyone that this happens especially during Christmas time, that new life comes back to values which are perhaps almost dead. The Divine Services offer an opportunity to receive new life and new light. A hearty welcome to everybody!
With these thoughts on my mind I wish you all a beautiful time of Advent and a joyful and peaceful Christmas time!
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube
Divine Service with the District Apostle in Denia
On Thursday 3rd of November 2016 our District Apostle Fehlbaum served in Denia. The textword was a word from our Chief Apostle which he used few days ago in Australia. It is written in Hebrew 6, verses 19 and 20: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
At the beginning of his serving about Bethany he talked about how Mary, Martha and Lazarus were sitting at the feet of Jesus. When Martha wanted to start cleaning the house Jesus asked her to come in, to sit down and to listen. Thus he also wishes that the congregation of Denia may experience a place like “Bethany” now.
Referring to the text word he mentioned that Jesus is our hope, our anchor in our life which gives us stability. An anchor he said is important if there are currents so that we can keep our position of faith. In order to better understand the text word he gave us examples out of the natural life: He said that different kinds of hope do exist. If a somewhat inferior football team had to play against Barcelona maybe perhaps they have a certain hope to win the match but nobody would help them to succeed in that effort. However, Jesus does help us! That means we have a realistic hope to trust him! Many people regard Jesus as a kind of joker similar to a situation in a quiz show on TV if you do not know the answer to something. That would be the same as if we remembered Jesus only in bad situations in our lives.
As Priest Schroers went into retirement in that Divine Service the District Apostle still asked him to serve along. After that our Bishop also served along.
After the forgiveness of sins and the sacrificial prayer eight souls were sealed with the Holy Spirit. At the end of the Divine Service Priest Schroers was retired from his active ministry.
Immediately after the Divine Service the District Apostle put a short report on his facebook site with the title “Experiencing Bethany in Denia!”
Here you can find a link to his post
After the Divine Service almost all brothers and sisters stayed for some more time and enjoyed “Frankfurter sausages and potato salad”. All together 119 persons participated in the Divine Service amongst them 10 friends and guests.
Divine Service with an English speaking Adoption!
On Sunday, October 30th 2016 we experienced a divine service preparing us for the upcoming divine service for the departed. Our Rector served with the word out of Colossians 3, verse 12:
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering”. Our Rector talked about the 5 attributes the elect of God should have not only acting with them towards the living ones but also towards anyone who already passed away and is now in eternity.
At the end of the divine service an adoption of an English speaking sister took place. More than 80 participants attended the divine service, amongst them 8 friends and guests. The divine service was musically adorned by the choir and some soloists.
Click here to see the photos
At the end of the divine service our newly adopted member of the congregation was interviewed.
Here are the questions and her answers:
Mercy, when and how did you get to know our congregation for the first time?
I was visiting the Divine Services in Torrevieja with my husband. It was on my birthday that Evangelist Laube was holding the Divine Service in Torrevieja and noticed that I could not understand anything as I only speak English. He then spoke to me afterwards.
What was your first impression?
I felt so at home, everything was so nice. I could for the first time hear and understand everything.
What motivated you to visit the Divine Services more often?
Because I love God and I now also understand everything that comes from the altar.
What do you like most?
I love everything: the sermon, the music and the people, they are so friendly.
Would you like to see something changed?
No, everything is ok for me.
Prejudice never has helped…
Dear readers,
Imagine the following scene. A woman walks into a coffee shop, orders a cup of coffee, and sits down at a free table. She gets up again to get herself some sugar from the counter. As she turns around to go back to her table she notices that a man is sitting at her table, drinking her coffee. A thousand thoughts shoot into her head in the fraction of a second: he is a thief, a homeless person, who is after her bag and money; that is all they ever want anyway; what has this world come to; honest people are a thing of the past … The woman approaches a waitress and asks for assistance. The waitress points out that the man is not sitting at the woman’s table, but at a neighbouring table. The woman’s cup and bag are still sitting there, untouched. Everything is as she left it. Tables in restaurants simply often look a lot alike. The prejudices were not really very helpful…
On Sunday, 6th of November 2016 New Apostolic Christians all over the world celebrate a Divine Service for the Departed. Inner reflection, emotions and memories are feelings that influence these days.
In the bible we can find several indications how the living can intervene for the departed. Such Divine Services for the departed play an important role in New Apostolic clerical year. It is obvious that you need a lot of faith to believe in something which humans cannot see and what cannot be scientifically examined. Although we have a limited perception the following has its validity for us:Salvation exists for the living and the dead equally.
That Sunday, 6.11.2016 the day we intervene for the departed – is a day of friendly remembrance, helping intercession and of active love for your neighbour. And please without prejudice!
Everybody is heartily welcome to this special Divine Service. The Divine Service will adorned with special musical contributions and very often is a very touching moment in the course of a year.
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube
Divine Services on Thursdays always at 8.30 pm!
Since the first of January, with interruptions during the summer month our divine services on Thursdays always took place at 7.30 PM. After a testing phase again another opinion poll was made which showed that the divine services yet again should begin at 8.30 PM.
This means: From now on with immediate effect our divine services on Thursdays always will start at 8.30 PM.
How do you want to see your neighbour?
Dear readers,
While I was sitting and thinking about the prologue for the month of October 2016, I receive a WhatsApp from a dear friend who sent me the following story:
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning having breakfast the young wife is watching her neighbor hanging up laundry on the washing line. “This laundry does not look especially clean to me” she said. “Does she not know how to properly wash her laundry? Maybe she needs a better washing powder.” Her husband looks outside but remains silent. Each time when the neighbor hangs up her laundry the young wife makes the same remark.
About one month later the woman sees a beautiful clean laundry hanging on the line and with a surprise says to her husband: “Look, she finally learned how to wash properly! I am wondering who told her how to?” The husband replied: “This morning I got up early and cleaned our windows.”
It is like that also in our lives. What we perceive looking at others depends on how clean our windows are through which we have a look at things.
What do you see when you are looking at your fellow human? Are we looking with benevolence through a window that is clean or through one that is clouded and stained by preconceptions and envy which never make our fellow human appear unsoiled?
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube
Interview with the new Bishop
Dear Pedro, some months ago you received the ministry of a Bishop. 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?
Well, two things are about to change: First, now the District Elder Lujan is in charge of the district and second, I will not be able to visit the congregation so often. Other than that my relation towards the congregation will remain the same.
2. What kind of an image do you have of the congregation of Denia due to the experiences which you had so far?
As far as I can tell it is a living congregation with a lot of activities and alternatives and a great support of many who collaborate.
3. What could we still improve in your opinion?
Quite sincerely I believe that fresh wind is needed in the circle of the ministeries.
4. What kind of ideas would you like to put into action in your new ministery? What should be developed in your new area of responsibilities?
I only want to be a tool in the hands of the Lord, a help for all those ones who believe having found a way to salvation, to be one with all ministeries and our Apostles and everything else our dear God will take care of. As for where further developments are concerned two issues are of fundamental importance to me: to show more enthusiasm and joy for our wonderful future!
Thank you very much! We wish you a lot of blessing in your new ministry!
Thanksgiving Divine Service and Annual Congregation Festival 2016
On Sunday, September 18th 2016 again we celebrated this year’s Thanksgiving Day. Our Evangelist served with the text word out of Job 28, verse 24: “For he views everything of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”
The Divine Service started with the song “All life comes from you!” Our Rector referred to it and talked about the relationship of small children to their parents. Small children look up to their parents knowing what they can do the children themselves are not able to. During the course of life this perspective changes for the children start being the masters of their own lives. However, in the relationship toward our Heavenly Father we still are like children who cannot show off with anything. What he can do we will be never able to do! In the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament he proves that he is the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
God created everything and he did that with a precision which still is functioning today. Still today exists the law of sowing and harvesting and still today we can obtain of the earth everything what we need for our life.
The following bible word shows how God watches that and sees to it that the word is fulfilled “As long as the earth exist there shall not cease seed and harvest”.
Still today God acts as a Creator, that is he is the Creator of each soul who starts to come into existence. However, this is not his last act of creation. The Rector talked about a new heaven and earth which will be created by God.
Priest Keller also served along. He told us how at a graduation day in Switzerland a famous representative for the world of economy told the young graduates: “Never forget the law of seed and harvest!” This is also valid for us today he said. We also want to harvest one day which is at the end of our goal of faith. Therefore everyone has to make sure that the proper seed is planted today.
The Divine Service was adorned by the Congregation Choir, a solo part as well as Solos of a trumpet and a silver flute.
It was a very joyful, beautiful Divine Service and almost 100 participants were present amongst them 21 friends and guests.
After the Divine Service the annual Congregation Festival took place and many brothers and sisters contributed nice food and cakes. As usual a lot of food remained in the end.
Another International Musical – Divine Service
On Sunday, 4th of September 2015 another Musical Divine Service took place which was announced in newspapers beforehand as for instance here in the CBN: Newspaper article
Our Rector served with the text word out of the 5th book of Moses, chapter 6, verse 6 and 7: “And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart and thou shalt whet them on thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou art at home in thine house and as thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up”. Referring to this text word the Rector mentioned that it is not sufficient to hear about the will of God and to experience him or to know him. Much more it is important that you internalize the Divine will and take it as a point of reference in your thoughts and actions. The “heart” he said was regarded as the center of human willpower in the Old Testament. The Rector told about his childhood when once a cousin visited them at his house. This cousin talked about his new “love” and again and again he kept on talking about her. He would not stop telling us about her. It was simply too much. We hardly could not stand it any more. But he said it is like that when something is not only on your mind but when it goes much deeper when it is completely filling your heart and the center of your willpower.
The Rector also talked about a pile of papers which he wanted to work through for years but simply never had managed to do so and then he asked anyone of us: “Where does your faith
live or where is it located?” In an unimportant pile of papers which you want to go through one day in the distant future? Or is your faith a kind of “secret file”, classified, and nobody else knows of it?”
Our faith, the commandments we can show them to our fellow people in life. We do not have to be ashamed about it!
Our District Elder also had sent Deacon Perez of Valencia to serve along. He mentioned that he once had a friend called “Marco” and he always wanted to be with him, wherever he went, to the divine service or else where, simply he followed him anywhere. Our Evangelist referred to that we all should be like “Marcos” in order to attract others to come and listen to the word of God thus experiencing the circle of influence of the word of God…
The Divine Service was adorned by the mixed choir and even more beautified by duos and solos in different languages. Deacon Benny Emmerich from Germany who is known as an upcoming star at the organ and piano in Germany helped as well to create a beautiful atmosphere. The great auditorium on the lower floor was completely filled partly due to the visitors on vacation but also because of the guests.
Change of Hours of the Divine Services during Summer Time!
Since the first of January 2016 our Divine Services on Thursday evening always took place at 7.30 PM. Here a link to the Newsletter of January 2016.
During the summer months however, it has proven to be still very hot at 7.30 PM and some participants of the Divine Services suggested to go back to the former time of 8.30 PM during the summer months. Therefore, with immediate effect, Divine Services will take place again at 8.30 PM on Thursdays. We will evaluate the situation again in autumn.
“Between three Countries” – Book Reading and Presentation
On Friday 27th of May 2016 a presentation and book reading out of the book “Between three Countries” took place. Rut Blasko guided us with a lot of enthusiasm and empathy through the life of Pedro Blasko, author of the book “Between three Countries”. Pedro was born under the dictatorship in Spain in 1943 and emigrated in his youth to the former German Democratic Republic. There he was imprisoned again by a dictatorship and furthermore geographically by a wall. In 1968 it was finally possible due to a new law of citizenship to emigrate to the Federal Republic of Germany and to begin a “normal” life. All these ups and downs were presented in an impressive way and underlined by photos and videoclips of that time. Following everyone could enjoy some typical food of Berlin, special hamburgers with potatoes salad, minced meat called “Hackepeter” and bread with lard. The animated conversations carried on long into the evening hours…