Through His servant Moses, God Himselfgave the instruction to His people "....youshall love your neighbour as yourself..."(Leviticus 19:18). The Lord Jesusexplained that this was one of the greatcommandments and Apostle Paul alsoreferred to it as such on several occasions.Apostle James even went so far as toexplain the attitude that must be attached toour helping our fellow man when he wrote:"If you really fulfil the royal law according tothe scripture, "You shall love your neighbouras yourself", you do well; but if you showpartiality, you commit sin...." (James 2:8).This does by no means indicate that weshould help our fellow man because we arecommanded to do so; we do it because wewant to. Therein lies the blessing!

May we always respond to the needs of others;family, friends, brothers and sisters, ourcongregation and strangers alike with compassion and love without the need forrecognition and accolades.

With loving greetings,

Andrew H. Andersen

AUSTRALIA DISTRICTNEWS

The new year has begun with some majornatural disasters impacting a large part of our vast district. Australia experienced devastating cyclonic winds, fires and floodsaffecting huge areas and population centres,New Zealand experienced its first evercyclone to make landfall in their country andTonga was also touched by a cyclone.Thankfully our New Apostolic population inthese areas has been largely spared any illeffects, but many of our fellow citizens havebeen sorely affected. We want to continueto do whatever we can for them to assistand support them both naturally and spiritually.

Disasters of one kind or another arise hereand there during the course of life. When theydo, the long term impact is often determinedby the "first aid" that is provided as well asthe program of continuing support until thedesired end is reached. An example of thisis the awesome reaction of the communityto their fellow man's plight during the recentfloods in the greater Brisbane area. Therewas no waiting for the authorities to react -the community saw the need and respondedto it in a very practical and compassionateway. The media has reported of many whowere in need of instant help having testifiedof their thankfulness for the overwhelmingassistance they received. When asked whocame to their aid they replied: "We have noidea who they were; they just came, didwhat needed to be done and left without useven being able to identify them or thankthem."

The same reaction has been seen throughoutthe many other areas where disaster hasstruck. It is often referred to as "theAustralian way", "the New Zealand way","the Tongan way" etc but in reality it is thecompassionate, human way.

Edition 26/1 - March 2011

Celebration Service Sunday 5 December 2010

This was the first church building of the New Apostolic Church in the Australian state ofVictoria. The occasion drew many members together in a joyful fellowship. For the ServiceDistrict Apostle Andersen used the text from1 Timothy 3:15: ".... I write so that you mayknow how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of theliving God, the pillar and the ground of the truth." The Service commenced with somereminiscing of the work the pioneers had done and the many constraints that they faced inthose years with limited finances, a small voluntary work force and all the other mattersthat needed to be overcome. The attitude of "let us just do it" overcame any thought of "itis too difficult".

Brief History:

The congregation of Braybrook was established to serve the western side of Melbourne.Braybrook has always maintained a regular attendance of between 40 and 90 memberssince 1956. At one time Sunday School attendance, including guests, reached a peak ofabout 25 children.

One could say that Braybrook's birth was when the District Apostle Abicht sent the thenDistrict Elder Eric De Lisen to Melbourne in April 1950 to commence God's work there.Growth was slow and difficult, but soon the membership had doubled to the mid 40's,many of these being immigrants from Europe. In 1956 District Apostle Abicht visitedMelbourne several times and it was not long until the need for our own place of wor-ship was realised.

The faithful and hard working members laboured in their spare time to build a place ofworship at Braybrook (actually Maidstone in the street directories). All the work wasdone by the members and to their great joy the dedication took place on 4 December1960.

Braybrook congregation celebrates 50 years

Some years ago Present day

Cake

District Apostle Andersen

Choir OrchestraCongregation

Early days

Rector receives congratulations

A time cabsule was placed for the future

The history of the Lane Cove congregation began when in 1977 a new mission was started in North Sydney which then becamean independent congregation in 1980. The Lane Cove church building was acquired from the Church of Christ in 1985 and afterrefurbishment by our brothers and sisters the new church was dedicated by District Apostle Rosentreter on 17 November 1985.

Leading up to the 25th anniversary, the members of the congregation had spent many hours in the evenings and on weekends painting the inside of the main auditorium, the vestry and the entry vestibule. They were supported by many willing workersfrom other congregations. Over the years wear and tear had taken its toll on the building which was erected in 1927, and considerable work was required to ensure that the church would serve the members for the foreseeable future.

On Saturday 20th November 2010 a concert was conducted in the Lane Cove church, which featured combined choir, malechoir, orchestra and a number of pieces by the children's choir. The children who sang were mainly from the Lane Cove congregation a good sign for the future of the Lane Cove choir and congregation. To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary on21st November the congregation of Beverly Hills and all rectors and wives of Greater Sydney had also been invited. ApostleWilliams served the festive congregation with the text Matthew 25:34. Among many other highlights of the weekend were thechildren singing 'Here I am Lord' after the text.

Lane Cove congregation celebrates 25 years

Apostle Williams visits the Pacific Islands

From Monday, 1st to Wednesday, 17th November 2010 Apostle Trevor Williams visited Tonga, Fiji and Kiribati. Among the activitiesand experiences in Tonga was the seminar on the new Divine Service liturgy that was conducted for all the ministers. This was verywell received by the group of eager ministers. A memorable moment of the Divine Service held on Thursday evening was the specialhighlight of moving musical presentations by the children.

The next leg of Apostle Williams' visit took him to Fiji where he was met by Bishop John Green upon arrival. They were togetherin Nadi for the weekend of the November Departed Service. The weekend's activities began in our church in Natalau, where ourgroup of dedicated ministers of Viti Levu had assembled for revision of the seminar on the new liturgy. That afternoon a number ofmembers came together at the Natalau cemetery where they dedicated time for the departed with a Bible reading. Choir anthemswere sung and a special prayer was prayed. Service for the Departed was conducted in Natalau on Sunday morning where the congregations of Viti Levu, Fiji's main island, had gathered.

Bishop Green returned to Australia on Monday and Apostle Williams and District Elder Jona Bale travelled to Vanua Levu where Services were conducted in Savusavu and Labasa. Apostle Williams and District Elder Jona Bale then visited our congregations inKiribati. Services were conducted in North Tarawa, Abaiang and Bonriki.

The summary of visit to Tonga, Fiji and Kiribati is as follows:- In Tonga three souls were sealed,- In Fiji twenty three souls were sealed, one Evangelist, two Priests and a Deacon were ordained, and- In Kiribati twenty four souls were sealed.

Fiji ministers in joyful moments The children's choir welcomes ApostleWilliams & Bishop Green in Natalau, Fiji

Ordinations during the DivineService in Natalau, Fiji

Birthday celebrations in Savusavu, Fiji

Brethren in North Tarawa, Kiribati Brethren in Abaiang, KiribatiSome of the youth in Labasa, Fiji

Nuku'alofa (Tonga) children sing and perform

Holy Sealing in Natalau, Fiji

Auckland Concert and District Apostle Service The visit of District Apostle Andersen to New Zealand in November 2010 brought with it many joyful and loving experiences.

A Christmas Concert was held in the beautiful stone St Michael’s Church on Saturday evening where a rendition of various hymns,gospel and traditional Christmas music was performed by the New Apostolic Church Concert Choir as well as an invited choir, theMasque Vocal Ensemble. This choir also included a number of our brethren and the passion and joy touched the hearts of all presentat the Concert. The District Apostle especially thanked all the choristers for the special preparation and sacrifices made to allow thejoyful occasion to be so moving.

On Sunday morning the District Apostle conducted a Divine Service for a combined congregation comprising all congregations in thegreater Auckland area, Paihia and Hamilton. The service was conducted in the St Kentigern College hall, a venue used for the first timefor a Divine Service. The congregation experienced a beautiful rendition of choir singing and orchestral pieces. The Divine Servicewas highlighted by 21 souls receiving Holy Sealing, these being a mixture of adults and children. In the afternoon the District Apostleconducted a Divine Service for Ministers and Wives in the New Lynn church

The North Queensland congregation of Mackay welcomed 28 guests to their 2010 Advent Concert. It was an outstanding success withwonderful participation from all groups within the congregation and even a guest musician joining in the orchestra. The various contributions by the Children's Choir and the Youth Choir were both very much appreciated by the audience.

Apostle Aimol Wasimbai accompanied by Bishop Joseph Yasi travelled throughout the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guineawhere they were able to visit several congregations. One of the congregations has been newly established and the brothers have beenkept busy building an access road and preparing the area for the construction of a new bush material church.

Papua New Guinea

After Divine Service in Pakip with Sh. Buruin Lai area

A newly constructed road to Yalu churchSunday School presentation at Mount Hagen

Members crossing Lai Riverto go to Pakip congregation

Preparation for construction of a new churchAfter a Divine Service in Yalu congregation

Mackay

Sunday School children sing after Service in Ascot Park (SA)

Sunday School

Apostle Lodewick held a Children'sService in Geelong (Vic)

Sunday School breakup in Springvale (Vic)

Q4 Sunday School breakup in Redcliffe (Qld)

Youth & Sunday School children in SouthAustralia had a weekend away

Children sing during a Service conductedby Apostle Williams in Werribee (Vic)

Children gathered in Auckland (NZ) for the annual Big Day Out event

Scoresby (Vic) Sunday School Footy Pie Day

Sunday School breakup in Croyden (Vic)

Apostle Lodewick with SundaySchool children in Braybrook (Vic)

Sunday School children from Seven Hills(NSW) went to the Aquarium

Apostle Lodewick held a Children'sService in Hallam (Vic)

Youth

A Youth Service was held in Box Hill (Vic)

Kingston (Qld) Youth enjoyed ice skating

Youth from V2 (Vic) subdistrictwent bowling after Youth Meeting

Apostle Lodewick with Youth in

Braybrook (Vic) congregation

Youth in South Australia held a fundraising dinner

Youth from North Ipswich(Qld) congregation

South Australian youth performed an item during a concert held in Hahndorf

(SA)

Around the Congregations

After Service on Christmas Day in Darwin (NT)

Members from V2 subdistrict went ChristmasCarol singing in Ballarat (Vic)

Seniors in South Australia enjoyed aMystery Tour

Subdeacon Saul McLeod was placedinto the Deacon ministry in

Ashmore (Qld)

Apostles Lodewick and Schmidt shared a birthday cake after Service

in Scoresby (Vic)

Seniors in Croydon (Vic) held a Melbourne Cup luncheon

Retired Ministers whoattend the North Ipswich

(Qld) congregation

Ordination of Priest KeithRiddle in Box Hill (Vic)

Divine Serviceheld in Silverdale

(NZ)

Around the congregations

Deacon Edward Fredericks was confirmedin his ministry for Bundaberg (Qld)

Paihia (NZ) congregation

Members in Ascot Park (SA) helped DistrictApostle Andersen to celebrate his birthday

Seniors in Gosford (NSW) enjoyed a boat cruise and luncheon together

Seniors from Geelong (Vic) congregation

Ordination of Dcn Van Baalen & Pr NevilleMeyer and confirmation in Ministry of Pr

Patrick O'Connor for Mandurah (WA)

Members in South Australia enjoyeda concert held in Hahndorf (SA)

Braybrook (Vic) congregation enjoyedfellowship with Apostle Lodewick

after ServicePriest John Probst was commissioned asRector of Bundaberg (Qld) congregation

Croydon (Vic) congregation

Celebrations

Pr Graham & Sis Sandra Herbert celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Scoresby (Vic)

Holy Baptism of Sis Amy Julien inNorth Ipswich on 14/11/10

Holy Baptism of Talia Strydom & Ali Khidirin Springvale (Vic) on 19/12/10 Pr Peter & Sis Corliss Wilkinson celebrated

their Silver wedding in Buranda (Qld)Sis Joan Fish celebrated her 75th birthday

in Springvale (Vic) on 19/12/10

Sh Stephen & Sis Cathy Berney celebrated their Silver wedding in

Ascot Park (SA) on 7/11/10

Deacon (ret) Alan De Lisen celebrated his70th birthday in Scoresby (Vic) on 25/07/10

Holy Baptism of Ajay Hermanus inHallam (Vic) on 31/10/10

Sis Edna Dressels of Beckenham (WA) celebrated her 80th birthday on 22/12/10

Holy Baptism of Sis Elaine Johnson & BrMichael Harrison in Dury (NZ) on 31/10/10Holy Sealing of Caleb Strydom of

Rockingham (WA) on 21/11/10

Holy Sealing of Leroy Lutta ofBeckenham (WA) on 21/11/10

Holy Sealing of the Paulse family ofRockingham (WA) on 21/11/10

Holy Sealing of Max Turner ofRockingham (WA) on 21/11/10

Br Peter & Sis Monique Mwale of Braybrook(Vic) celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary

Sis Kate Maree of Seven Hills (NSW) 13 November 2010Br Sidney Philbrooks of Canberra (ACT) 31 December 2010Br Attilio Sinico of Koondoola (WA) 4 December 2010Pr Erhard Sickinger (ir) of Coffs Harbour (NSW) 5 January 2011Br Charles Ludecke of Redcliffe (QLD) 7 February 2011Sis Wilhelmina Gielink of Beckenham (WA) 8 February 2011

Head Office:1A/3 Deakin StreetBrendale, Qld 4500 Australia

Telephone Facsimile Email A.B.N.

(07) 3480 0400(07) 3480 0444 nacho@newapostolic.org.au67 011 031 780

Postal address:New Apostolic ChurchP.O. Box 5903Brendale, BC Qld 4500

Published by the New Apostolic Church - Australia District

Celebrations

Deceased

Holy Baptism & Sealing of Mckayla Grobler of Windsor (Qld) on 25/12/10

Sis Mira Linfoot of Hobart (Tas) celebrated her 90th birthday on 10/01/11

Sis Edeltraut Martens of Box Hill (Vic) celebrated her 80th birthday on 09/01/11

Br Sherwin & Sis Ania Green receivedwedding blessings in Beckenham (WA)

Br Basil Young of Beckenham (WA)celebrated his 90th birthday on 8/10/10 Holy Sealing of Br Gabriel & Joash Staal

of Rockingham (WA) on 21/11/10Sis Silvia Smith of Geelong (Vic)celebrated her 80th birthday on 6/11/10

Pr (ret) Fred Glaser of Ascot Park (SA) celebrated his 70th birthday on 24/10/10

Holy Baptism of Jai Darguschof Windsor (Qld) on 4/1/11

Br Don Page of Croydon (Vic) celebrated his 80th birthday on 26/8/10

Pr (ret) Alf Probst celebrated his 80th birthdayin Toowoomba (Qld) on 25/10/10

Br Russell van der Water & Sis EmilyVaughan of Lane Cove (NSW) received

wedding blessings on 30/12/10