National Organization of the New Apostolic Church of North America Richard C. Freund November 1, 2001 My very dear Brothers and Sisters, As the year 2001 draws to a close, | should like to share a few thoughts and feelings with you. We have all lived through difficult and perilous situations in the last few months that, perhaps, we never imagined we would have fo experience. However, in the final analysis we can say that the great, almighty God directed us through all of this because He is still the Helmsman. The Lord Jesus is still our Shepherd, and we are His lambs and sheep. May you always take comfort in the words of the poet, who expressed it in these words: “Other refuge have | none, hangs my helpless soul on thee . This great God, Who is our Heavenly Father, will preserve, protect and shelter us in every danger. | cannot and will not attempt to predict the future; however, | know one thing, and again a lyricist said it best: “My Heavenly Father watches over me." | want to give you the assurance that you are loved and cherished and that our Chief Apostle, District Apostle Wagner and I carry you in our hearts and pray for you each and every day. You can enter into the great festival of peace and joy of Advent and the Christmas season, as well as the New Year with great confidence and assurance. Together with your family and loved ones, may you feel and experience what lives in our hearts for you. Ina short time each family, single adult and young person will receive a new Bible. Each Rector will receive sufficient Bibles to distribute to the active as they fit in these categories. As of January 1, we shall be using District Administration Office Incorporated in linois 8753 North Troy Street, Chicago, llinois 60618 United States of America Telephone (773} 539-2652 Telelax (773) 478-6691Page 2 November 1, 2001 the New King James Version of the Bible exclusively in our services. If anyone wonders why, please permit me to explain. The Revised Martin Luther translation of the Bible has been adopted for use in Europe as of January 1, 2001. An updated version in Spanish has been in use for some years, and at a recent District Apostles’ Meeting it was decided that we should make this change in the English-speaking world. The original King James Version requires a highly sophisticated reading level to comprehend its contents; whereas, the New King James Version is much easier for all to grasp, and nothing is lost in translation. This has the blessing of our Chief Apostle and will be used throughout the English-speaking New Apostolic world. Please accept this leather-bound volume of the Bible as a gift for the Christmas holiday. Further, | wish to offer my humble thanks to alll of you for the prayers you offered on behalf of our District Apostle Wagner. His progress towards complete recovery is excellent. This is a living testimony to your prayers and intercessions. Personally, | want to lay my humble thanks into your hearts for this. | asked so many times for your support, and you all gave it without reservation. With loving greetings from our Chief Apostle, District Apostle Wagner, all of our Apostles and Bishops, in which I gladly join, Yours in love, Gretad, © Jisecret Richard C. Freund