New Apostolic Church
160 Margaret Avenue N2H 4J2 Kitchener, ON, Canada

Please join us for our "in person" Christmas Day service in Margaret Avenue at 10:30 am. This will be the last in person Divine service for the duration of the lockdown starting December 26th. We are encouraged to connect to the eChurch Divine services that are available on Sundays at 10:30 am and Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. ... You can connect at www.naccanada.org or on YouTube by searching New Apostolic Church Canada. Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas.

For our Seniors... drum roll please.... Sister Lynne Steckly is the lucky winner of the Christmas raffle gift basket.

The Divine service on Sunday December 20th with our DA Woll for the retirement of our Apostle Sobottka has been moved to Cambridge. Due to limited space MA members are asked to remain in our home congregation, where we will receive a transmission of this service. Transmission will begin at 10:35 with service starting at 11:00 am.

Thank you to all who participated and made this possible.

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Deacon George Bauder of Dundas, the father of Sister Susanne Storer. He is resting at the Dennis Toll Funeral Home in Brantford. There is no visitation. A Memorial service for immediate family will be conducted by Bishop Trautman on Friday, December 18th at 7pm at the funeral home. This service will be live streamed through the Funeral Home’s website. www.dennistoll.ca In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Apostolic Church - Foreign Extension Fund.

Just a reminder that the live-streamed service from Cambridge today with our District Apostle starts at 11 am (transmission begins at 10:35 am).

We are collecting needed items for the homeless in Waterloo Region. The following items are especially requested..... : toilet paper : sugar : peanut butter : paper towel... : hand sanitizer : floor & surface cleaner Monetary donations will be used to buy fresh fruit. Contact Sabrina Windatt if you have any questions: [email protected] Boxes will be placed at entrances to the church for all donations. THANK YOU!!

It's not too late to practice and record this song. Please..... Make the Time Use your Gift Share some Joy

A reminder for our Seniors.... TOMORROW @ 10 am is the Drive-Thru at Margaret Ave with hot chocolate, coffee, cider & cookies. What a wonderful treat on a cold day.

Sing along from home this year!

- Tomorrow is our Children's Christmas Program following divine service at 10:30 am. Many have worked very hard to make this spectacular so please join us. - Also, our special Christmas messages previously recorded by the members will be played before service so arrive early!

From our Chief Apostle Schneider.

From our service this morning

ATTN: Families, Individuals, Couples.... The Christmas Greeting Backdrop will be set up tomorrow in the lower Narthex by the three front doors. You are welcome to video your messages starting at 10:00 am and again following service. THIS IS NOT JUST FOR FAMILIES WITH SS / RI CHILDREN!! We are hoping for a video from all the members.

A Timely Message; Our Chief Apostle recently conducted a divine service in Luxembourg and touched on a topic that is very timely: Today, we are literally inund...ated with information of all kinds. On social media, the most insane theories are put on the same level as proven truths. The most odious allegations stand side by side with noble ideas. Let us know how to separate the good from the bad! We do not have to listen to everything we hear, repeat everything we read, or above all, adhere to everything we are told. Let us always ask ourselves the question: will this thought bring me closer to Christ or away from Him? Social media is a wonderful way to stay connected with family and friends, especially during COVID when face to face interaction is limited. But let us be mindful that the devil also seeks to use any opportunity to create division and sow seeds of mistrust and discord. When considering what to read, believe or post, our Chief Apostle gave us a perfect guideline: will this thought bring me closer to Christ or away from Him?

Welcome home! It was with great joy that I could be in New Apostolic Church - Margaret Ave and could broadcast to those who can not yet attend the Divine Servic...e. In the time of COVID, we’ve learned that many of the things we thought were normal (and took for granted) were just grace. For example, coming into the divine service, singing, saying the Lord’s Prayer together, having a choir. This realization made Thanksgiving all the more special this year. I took the Bible text from Genesis 2: 15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. God created and provided everything for our natural and spiritual life. Every good gift comes from Him. Therefore, out of gratitude, we work with and preserve what God gave us. God placed us in the garden or field in order to work and protect it. He placed us in 3 fields the natural earth, our salvation, and His church/congregation. We need to work in and protect all 3 of these fields. It was also wonderful that the congregation could experience the joy of 2 baptisms and 6 sealings on this day of Thanksgiving. The beautifully decorated altar, made all the more beautiful by those that surrounded it, is truly a testament to the work of the congregation. Below is a summary of the main points of the Thanksgiving Service: God is the author of this beautiful earth. In it, He provided everything we need. Especially in difficult times, we give thanks for our daily bread. We show our thanks by working for and preserving the creation. God created access to salvation through the sacrifice of His Son. He provides everything we need for our salvation through word and sacraments. Even in difficult times, we give salvation our priority. God created His church as a vehicle for salvation. It is here where He provides everything for our eternal life. We give thanks to God for His church and the congregation. We do this by working in and preserving the congregation.

ATTENTION: Margaret Ave Seniors..... If interested, please meet Ev and Sis Lindner in the church basement (children's altar side) following service tomorrow if you would like to record a Christmas message for our Senior's member video.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we approach our Thanksgiving Day on October 4, 2020, we may have some mixed emotions after experiencing a very different and perha...ps difficult time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have experienced loss loss of a loved one, of health, of time, of income, of opportunities, of confidence, and perhaps of a little patience. Thankfulness under such varying circumstances does not always come easy. Thankfulness requires us to meditate or deeply consider all things. The psalmist did such and concluded as expressed in Psalm 104: 24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions. In a divine service, the Chief Apostle spoke of the concept of ‘work’. There is the notion that because of sin, humankind was cursed and now must work hard. However, God has created man to be in the image of God and God is the Creator who ‘works’. The triune God is our example. God works, Christ works, and so does the Holy Spirit. To be thankful also is work and to work also shows our thankfulness. With thankfulness comes offering and sacrifice as an expression that we recognize and appreciate what God has given us freely through His grace. We are given gifts and talents. We work to cultivate, care for, manage, and preserve that which God has given us in life and the creation. To sow is work and even to reap the benefits of the harvest is also work. We individually and collectively are responsible for our well-being, our neighbour’s well-being, and the well-being of the earth with its treasures! We cannot abdicate the responsibility to God, no, He entrusted this to us. God also gave us salvation, through Christ’s sacrifice and the sending of the Holy Spirit. He gives us everything we need to enter His kingdom. What grace!! How great are His works. We can not deserve it or earn it; God’s love makes it possible. Our thankfulness prompts us to work, to exert ourselves for our salvation. We dig deep into the word and diligently apply it into our lives. We work to take on the nature of Jesus Christ so we may be able to exercise the love of Christ towards our neighbour. We work to preserve our salvation by taking responsibility for our decisions so that our faith, joy, and peace are not damaged. We work to build our relationships with God, our ministers, and brothers and sisters in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Dear brothers and sisters, let us take the time to contemplate the great manifold works of God. God gives us the creation, salvation, and the Church. God has given us gifts, talents, and blessed us in uncountable ways. Let us recognize this grace and make use of it. May it inspire our thankfulness and lead us to take up our responsibility to work, preserve, and secure the future for both ourselves and our neighbour. Together with our Apostles, and Bishops in the Canada district, we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving and extend our love and greetings to you and your loved ones.

Dear members and friends of the Margaret Avenue congregation, In order to keep everyone safe, please do not bring Christmas cards into the church building as in previous years. We need to avoid any potential sources of contamination entering our church building during this COVID-19 pandemic period. Sorry for any inconvenience this creates.

THANKSGIVING ALTAR UPDATE..... 1. TO DROP OFF ITEMS FOR THE ALTAR - Saturday, Oct. 3rd ONLY in the parking lot between 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. 2. FOOD BANK DONATIONS - Boxes will be set up outside in the parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. for non-perishable food donations. Alternatively you can also make a cash / cheque donation and give to Angie Lindner.... For decorations and / or donations sign up, please refer to the previous post with links to the Google Doc. Thank You!

ADVENT: HOPE AND PEACE An article by District Elder Roy Sokolowsky The word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word adventus, which means coming or arrival. We ...look back with thankfulness at the arrival of Jesus Christ many years ago, but we are also awaiting His second coming. He will return in all glory and might, not as a baby in a manger! Advent is the period that begins four Sundays before Christmas. It also marks the start of the liturgical year. In many countries, Advent is celebrated by lighting candles. The flame symbolizes and commemorates the Christmas light that brought hope and peace with the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. John wrote the following referring to His birth: John 1: 9 (NIV) The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the foundation of our salvation. As written in Hebrews 12: 2: looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus gives His disciples peace. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14: 27; NIV). Indeed, this Advent season and Christmas will be very different for most of us due to the pandemic. With the restrictions imposed on us, we will not have as many gatherings of family and friends as in the past years. In some areas, there may be none at all. This will be difficult for all of us, especially for those who live alone. Nevertheless, let us remember Christ’s promise: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28: 20 - NKJV). This year more than ever, may our faith in Christ light our spiritual candle, and may the flame of hope and peace burn brightly within us and around us! As we prepare for Christmas in this time of Advent, let us make sure that we continuously prepare for the return of Christ, the bridegroom of our souls. That is the most important event. As our Chief Apostle stated Despite the cancellations of many events due to COVID-19, the first resurrection is not cancelled and the return of Christ is not delayed. That is our comfort!

Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will celebrate his birthday on 18 September. We congratulate him! Congratulations and God's blessing, dear Chief Apostle!

Attention SS and RI Families..... https://drive.google.com//1lhVk9Zjp_hoXuojFtNkesvhcB/view

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, In 2 weeks time we will again celebrate our special Thanksgiving Divine Service with our District Apostle Woll. The COVID 19 pandemic cannot diminish the spirit of thankfulness, however this year brings some unique requirements as it pertains to the decoration of our altar.... Current restrictions prohibit us from donating the fresh produce to the House of Friendship, so the altar decoration will focus on items that are more robust and longer lasting. Please limit your contributions to the items listed on the link below. Simply click on the link and fill in the blanks for the items you are willing to bring. Whatever you enter into the document is automatically saved. Just close the tab when you are done. **PLEASE NOTE: Drop off for donations will be on Saturday Oct. 3rd between 8 - 11 a.m. in the church parking lot.** Thanksgiving Altar Donations https://docs.google.com//1LVUJUM-wBk-2fQbpvzFMLuKVUql/edit If you would like to assist in the altar decoration effort please click the link below to see the tasks where we need help. Again simply click on the link(s) and fill in the blanks that are of interest to you. Whatever you enter into the document is automatically saved. Just close the tab once you have signed up. Thanksgiving Task List https://docs.google.com//18SjI4KcCJluy0MU2-GJOUEFc27/edit If you prefer you can contact Angie Lindner directly via email, text or phone. Cell (519) 589-7715 Email [email protected]

Some new information.....

An update regarding altar decorations for Thanksgiving and some thoughts on preparing for Thanksgiving with Bishop J. Sturm and District Evangelist A. Martig.

Apostle (ir) & Sister Kreutner’s 50th Anniversary Blessing And he said to them, ‘Do not hinder me, since the Lord has prospered my way; send me away so that I... may go to my master’. Genesis 24: 56 Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, spoke these words that the Lord has prospered his way. He was not referring to monetary gain, but that he was able, with God’s help, to fulfil the will of his master. We consider it the greatest success in life when, with God’s help, we are able to fulfill His will. Congratulations to our Apostle & Sister Kreutner who celebrated their 50th anniversary in April and received their Golden Anniversary Blessing in August.