On Sunday, 30 March, District Apostle Thomas Deubel visited the congregation of Denia. The congregations of Valencia and Vallada were also invited to this special occasion.
The District Apostle was accompanied by Apostle Rolf Camenzind, Bishop Victor Alganza and the administration brothers of the district.
Upon arriving at the congregation, the children greeted the District Apostle and presented him an envelope with a message. The children had prepared this message with a Bible passage from Matthew 5: 8, which is the District Apostle's favourite. Little did the children know that this would be the word with which the District Apostle would serve the congregations present. It was a very special experience for him.
The District Apostle used this very word:
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ Matthew 5:8.
The Apostle Peter went to raise a woman from the dead and asked the people to leave the house, then he prayed and thus sanctified himself for his task.
According to the District Apostle, we should also sanctify ourselves for the divine service, because we can entrust everything to God, He will take care of us, and the divine service will be like heaven, and we will be blessed to experience heaven on earth and also be a heaven for our neighbour. In this way, we will have a pure heart.
The characteristics of a pure heart are as follows:
It is full of love. God has given us the seed and we must nurture it.
Two brothers brought an offering to God. One brought a sheep, the other brought fruit of the field, but which offering is better for God depends on the attitude of the heart. This is the story of Cain and Abel.
King David asked the people to donate material for the building of the temple, and they gave it to God wholeheartedly and joyfully. In the same way, we work in the congregation with a joyful heart.
We resist sin. Joseph was seduced by Potiphar's wife, but he resisted sin, he could not do such an evil thing to God.
The heart is not always pure, but God helps us to get a pure heart so that we can experience God and be blessed. We can experience him here on earth.
Simeon was in the temple. Mary and Joseph came with Jesus, who was still a baby. Simeon took him in his arms and was not interested in the past. We welcome our neighbour, regardless of his past. People are imperfect, God's gifts are perfect. Let us accept them in order to experience the love of Jesus on earth.
Bishop Victor Alganza also served at the altar. He reinforced the District Apostle's sermon.
The joy increased when eleven of the faithful could receive Holy Sealing.
After Holy Communion for the departed, we received a gift: a deacon and a deaconess were ordained for the Valencia congregation.
With the musical contribution of the choir from Denia and Valencia, the children's choir, the men's choir and the newly founded orchestra of the Levante district, the joy of the divine service was heightened, and brought together 180 believers and 20 guests.
Here are the pictures: