Letter (24.8.1998) from District Apostle Wagner To Our Brothers &
Sisters in Canada, the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom.

National Organization of the
New Apostolic Church of North America
Erwin Wagner

August 24th, 1998

To Our Brothers & Sisters in Canada, the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom

My Dear Brothers & Sisters:

In thinking about our forthcoming Church Thanksgiving Day on Sunday, October
4th, 1998, a variety of feelings come up because of situations and conditions
which sometimes prevail in our lives, and may not be according to our liking but
perhaps even filled with great concern and anxiety. Oft times we think as human
beings and not enough as servants and children of our Heavenly Father. The gifts
and powers which are in our hands are sometimes not utilized to the fullest so
consequently we ourselves are the victims, not of circumstance, but of neglect.

To this very day the statement of the Lord Jesus is as valid and important as it
was at that time, when He said in Matthew 21:22, "And all things, whatso ever ye
shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive". Do we really pray in a believing
way?. A believing heart is childlike in nature, but above all else, humble, thank-
ful, and trusting. In view of the circumstances that often surround us, it is up
to us to do this praying in our family and congregational circle, steadfastly and
regularly. From time to time, we pray over the phone with our Chief Apostle; we
pray together with the Apostles almost every work day, and we also pray with our
family every day. There is no lack of prayer on our part, but my dear fellow
servants, Brothers and Sisters, this prayer life in its sincerity and suppli-
cation must also be done by each one over the situations we face. Thereby we give
our Heavenly Father the justification of righteousness, so that He in turn can
release the powers from which our help, beyond any circumstance and situation,
will come to us, according to Psalm 13:6, "I will sing unto the Lord, because He
hath dealt bountifully with me".

We read of Moses in Exodus 17, verses 8 to 13. They were involved in a battle and
struggle, and Moses, the man of God, became tired and could no longer hold his
hands up. The men around him saw this and Aaron and Hur immediately lifted up
his hands, whereby those in the forefront of the battle could experience how the
tide of victory ran in their favour rather than in the favour of their enemies.
None of this has changed to this day, but one factor is outstanding and that is
the men around Moses were of his mind, spirit and dedication, but also those who
were in the battle with Joshua. If all of this would not have been sincere and
genuine, it would not have justified God's help. This is also asked of us! When
it is lacking, regardless of our ministry or calling, we unfortunately have to
experience the effect of catastrophe. Here again, it doesn't have to be this way
because when oneness prevails, our Heavenly Father acknowledges himself.

Coming to our Thanksgiving Day, we read in Psalm 116, verses 17 and 18, "I will
offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the
Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people".
Thank offerings are a vital factor of New Apostolic life. Where true thankfulness
is not prompted and sacrifices are neglected or belittled, consequences follow.
No father or mother wants to see their children suffer consequences, but only
receive benefits. The benefit of the blessing of our Heavenly Father over our
country, its leadership, its well-being and peace, the security of God's work,
and the natural and spiritual welfare of God's children and our families is
hinged to this. Thank offering draws the blessings which emanate out of God's
pleasure upon us. Each one gives the best from what they have, and in turn can
also look for the best in the gifts of our Heavenly Father upon the situations
and conditions we live in. These three factors: prayer life, oneness and thank
offering, are an inseparable combination, and comprise the trinity and support
of our welfare and well-being.

May the Thanksgiving Day truly express our thanks, that our love and desire to be
faithful to our Heavenly Father and His servants, to the leadership of our Chief
Apostle, through the Holy Spirit, will not diminish but increase. If this is done
we can experience and look for the help that is so vital and necessary for us all.

Sincerest love from the Chief Apostle, all the Apostles and myself,

Sincerely yours,

(signed) E. Wagner

EW/bmp

P.S. Sunday, September 20th
Chief Apostle's Transmission Service from Hamburg, Germany for Administration
Brothers and Wives at 12:00 noon EDT.
No local Services in any congregations on Sunday.
Saturday, September 19th - local Services at 5:00p.m.

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