A warm thank you to those who have remembered us with your summer photo greetings! We have paused for a prayer of thanks for every message and picture received. If your photo does not arrive in time for this newsletter, it will be included in next month’s publication.
“
You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
The pastures are clothed with flocks, the valleys blanketed with grain; they cheer and sing for joy.”
(Ps. 65:12-11,14)
Finnish summertime is harvest season. We nostalgically marvel at countless pictures of berry and mushroom forests, cloudberry bogs, and garden scenes. Here we have enjoyed carambola (star fruit), pineapple, and dragon fruit.
Everything in nature has its own time. Everything also has its timeline in the Kingdom of God. Physical social distancing, which began in March, also began a quiet time in the life of our congregation. Nonetheless, we can trust that peaking out from under this frosty ground, life has prepared us for a new kind of growth.
It is good to do inventory during these quiet times. Patiently, with open eyes and heart we can measure our accomplishments and plan the next growing season. We can think about those places that need thinning out, those that need nourishment, and those that need more watering. In any case, it is good to turn the soil before the growing season. Most important thing is that all of this must be done with love and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray:
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
(Ps. 90:14-15,17) Amen.
Blessings and good health,
Pastor Mia
|
|
The most beautiful time of Finnish summer has passed and season for harvest is about to begin. We have been able to enjoy the sweetest strawberries in the world and now healthy and tasty blueberries are waiting their pickers and mushroom pickers are gradually getting into their hobby. These summer highlights have not been disturbed by COVID-19. Once travel restrictions to many countries have been lifted, we are a little afraid to see if Finland's excellent corona situation can hold or are we going to take some steps backwards.
We have followed the development of the corona situation in the US and Florida with concern and are waiting for it to finally take a turn for the better. The return to normal church life in the future is still unknown. However, we can rejoice that, under the leadership of Pastor Mia, the streaming of worship services and daily prayers / devotions has continued and they have succeeded well. Thanks to the pastor and all the volunteers who have been involved in providing these services. In this way, connection with the church has remained alive and we have been able to build and grow on the Word of God, even though we have not been able to partake in sacraments or meet physically. However, Christ is present where two or three are gathered in His name.
Certainly, everyone knows that the financial situation of our congregation is now facing great challenges, even though we received a financial support package from the Federal Government and additional support from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. During this corona crisis, the financial situation of the preschool requires some urgent decisions and corrective actions.
While the dark clouds still overshadow the life of our church, let us remember that God is a good and loving God. We can count on his protection every day.
Health, joy and blessings to your summer!
|
|
|
|
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
(PS 51: 8-12)
Pertti Pietarinen
Council President
|
|
|
|
Fragrant summertime vibes from photos taken by our congregation members from all corners of Finland. Enjoy the Finnish summer, we enjoy these pictures!
|
|
1.
Which of Noah's sons' decendant was Abraham?
Shem / Ham / Japhet
2. Who was Abraham's wife?
Rebecca / Esther / Sarai
3. Which of the following afflicted Abraham's wife?
Blindness/ Infertility/ Haemophilia
4. God asked Abraham to
preach God's message to Canaan / leave his homeland and go to a foreign land / prepare for a seven year famine.
5. Abraham brought his family to Egypt
to escape the Canaanites / to escape Babylonian soldiers/ to escape hunger.
6. Why did Abraham think he would be killed in Egypt?
Egyptians feared that Abraham wanted to be their leader./ Egyptians did not accept Abraham's God./ Egyptian men wanted to take his wife from him.
7. Why did God make Pharaoh's court ill?
Pharaoh had taken Abraham's wife for himself. / Pharaoh did not listen to Abraham's warnings. / Pharaoh tried to kill Abraham.
8
.
Traveling through different teritories, Abraham glorified God
by carving statues to him/ by writing psalms to him/ by building altars to him.
9.
Who was Lot?
Abraham's brother's son/ Abraham's sister's husband / Abraham's brother
10. Why did Abraham and Lot seperate from each other?
Lot's herd slowed down Abraham's travels. / There was not enough living space for both families. / There was a quarrel between the two men.
CORRECT ANSWERS ARE FOUND AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER. 😊
|
|
The preschool has made it safely through another month! We continue taking temperatures, wearing masks, cleaning, disinfecting, and following all safety protocols.
Unfortunately, the situation in our area has not improved- so we cannot increase the number of children coming each day. Consequently, we have made some difficult decisions in the last few weeks. We shortened our hours of operation by one and a half hours each day and raised our daily tuition rate. Teachers have had substantial cuts to their hours and their pay. We will continue to do the best we can for our children and families and pray that conditions improve soon.
In July we celebrated America’s birthday, learned about her many different habitats and “traveled” to beautiful national parks from “sea to shining sea”. We also had fun making “slime”, sand art and shaving cream sculptures.
|
|
August is a very hot month and we will spend time outside with water and bubble play. Under the shade sail the children can paint and create at easels or make drawings with chalk on the pavement. August is also a time for reviewing our letters, numbers and important concepts. Our pre-k students will begin kindergarten this year on August 31
st
(delayed from their original start date of August 10
th
) and then we expect to start some of the new students that have been on our waiting list.
God Bless- Stay Safe!
Pirjo Komonen-Campitelli
|
|
Summer Greetings from our students!
|
|
|
IN MEMORY OF AILI SNELLMAN
|
|
Remembering Aili
Hanna Kiuru
Long-time parishioner and church volunteer, Aili Annikki Snellman (née Pekkanen) passed away last month, on Wednesday, July 8th from COVID-19.
A memorial was held for Aili on July 18th, which was broadcast online (you’ll find a link to the service below the text). Pastor Mia officiated the service with the assistance of our Music Director, Michael and chorists, Lauri Kanervikkoaho and myself. The hymns dedicated to Aili’s memory included
Day by Day, Maan korvessa kulkevi lapsosen tie
and
Täällä Pohjantähden alla.
Words of remembrance were shared by Marjo Arponen, formerly employed at the doctor’s office where Aili worked alongside her husband Dr. Snellman. Many of the church’s former and current members were patients of Dr. Snellman’s and can remember his two clinics in Lake Worth.
I also shared my memories of Aili who was very dear to me. I worked as one of Aili’s private duty aids and remembered her final days at the Finnish American Village. Aili was so very determined to recover from falls and all illnesses, but as a poem I read stated, “God saw her getting tired” and took Aili into his care.
Aili’s daughter, Leena and her daughter-in-law, Rosie, also sent words of remembrance which were read during the service. Their memories were of a mother who celebrated life and enjoyed the creative projects life has to offer.
|
|
Aili always reminded me about the day she became a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, because it was the same day, Pastor Tormala baptized me before the congregation in 1975. I was very eager to welcome Aili back to St. Andrew’s as a seasonal volunteer a few years back when I was the church office secretary.
Before she left for Wisconsin one spring, she gave me a lovely quilted piece with tulips that reminded me of our church garden and her own renown green thumb.
As her Palm Beach Post obituary states: “Aili dearly loved her children and grandchildren, and they loved her beyond measure. Her many quilts will continue to keep her family warm and comforted for years to come.”
Aili leaves behind her son, Jussi and daughter, Leena, along with their spouses, three grandchildren and their beloved pet dog, Pecan. It is with sadness and fond remembrance that we say goodbye to Aili. She was cherished by those who knew her and she cherished life and others in return.
|
|
If there is a name missing from our birthday list please let us know ASAP, THANK YOU!
|
|
I would like to start once again by thanking everyone who has been involved with music at church in the past month. Hopefully we have succeeded in bringing God’s word to our loyal followers through the music and message we have chosen. Having people around you who give from their hearts is such a blessing.
In addition to our usual group of volunteers, we had the privilege of welcoming someone new to our church this month. Pastor Victor Jortack joined us in a bilingual service this month and brought some fresh perspective and sound to the table. While giving an inspiring sermon, Victor is also a talented guitarist who has composed music to go along with his preaching. As you may have seen, he played along with our band on some traditional songs and we also got to hear one of Victor’s own pieces put into our worship mix. Thank you very much Victor for being part of our worship!
|
|
Being thankful during these challenging times is something that is so important. We have God to thank for everything that we have been given and putting our trust in Him now is more important than ever. We are thankful for each and every one of you, even though we cannot be physically together. A few of you have have joined us on a regular basis here at church on Sunday mornings and we have received a few surprise guests as well. These little moments help us remember that we will someday be able to see all of you back here at church.
Bringing that joy and music to our wonderful preschool children has also been a great blessing. They also miss the normal day to day routines which we are all used to, and it brings a smile to my face to see what happiness the music we play and sing together gives them. We must all take examples of this in our own lives and not be bitter of what the world has not given us but be thankful for the many things that we have received. Be thankful for those that are around you, whether it be friends, workmates, or family members and remember to thank God for everything you have each day. We are all blessed to find faith and hope in our lives through Him.
|
|
English language, live mid-day prayer moments are available for viewing on our Fb-page, which you can access through our website(There is a link on the bottom of our newsletter to our website). Move to the bottom portion of our webpage and you will see a picture of our fb-page. Click on our
church name
, this brings you to the site. If you receive a message to sign up for Fb, just click cancel.
Let's be together through prayer!
|
|
GREETINGS FROM TUOMO KARVONEN
|
|
“Then and Now”
I just realized that a few weeks ago, July 2
nd
, was my 45
th
anniversary of living in Florida.
Following that came a realization that I have lived here two thirds of my entire life. Florida had become my home; this is also where my children have grown up and are raising their families.
But I have also realized, like so many other Finns have, that since I left Finland as a young adult, I will always have Finland as my homeland, a place where I grew up, a place where I received my Faith in Christ, my calling to evangelism and to reaching out.
In Finland I also started my education, my training; my stepping out in faith and then taking off from Seutula Airport, heading to America. The year was 1972.
I was trained at Christian Broadcasting Network for a couple of years and then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. There I was blessed to witness the results of a fresh powerful revival in the local Finnish population.
In the picture below is Tuomo with his wife Kristen on a visit to Shoreline-congregation in northwest Florida, where Tuomo's son, Dani Karvonen serves as Church Life Pastor.
|
|
Then in 1975 I arrived in Florida with the same calling and purpose that brought me from Finland. All these years here I have always been an active part of a local church, but mainly American churches (my family needed English fellowship). But all that changed when I was privileged to meet the new pastor at St. Andrews, Pastor Mia. She displayed such vision and hunger for the souls, for healing the Finnish community. Such desire to reach out! She was like a flash-back to my past revivals, youth rallies and street ministries. As a result, this is now my home church. (This is also my wife’s home church, even though she is not Finnish).
|
|
Our community is facing tremendous challenges, but because everybody is looking for answers, we, as a Christian church family, have an opportunity to offer Hope and Peace! We have the most important Truth to share! We have God’s unlimited Love and Grace to share!
God is NOT handicapped or limited by any virus! In Him we can conquer all! We have been given a pastor who knows no small God! We have a group of loyal and strong leaders and board members. We have dedicated staff and volunteers. We also have the assistance of seasoned evangelists and missionaries. God is in the business of changing lives!
I am asking you to become a “God Carrier” by allowing Him to change you from a passive observer into a contributor, a team member!
Teamwork greetings!
Tuomo Karvonen
|
|
We warmly thank all those who have remembered and supported our congregation through their gifts. We are living through economically challenging times, and we need your prayers as well as financial support, so that our work can continue year round.
God tremendously blesses you and your gift!
|
|
Pictures once again showing lakes and sea-scapes from both sides of the ocean.
Photographers Erkki Kylmälä and Tapani Kaskeala.
|
|
1.
Abraham was Noah's son, Shem's decendant.
There was ten generations between them. From Shem were born the Shemin people, to which the Jews also belong. Languages attributed to the Shemin's are Arabic and Hebrew.
2.
Abraham's wife was Sarai or Sara
Abraham's name was originally Abram, but God renamed them both promising them children. At this time Sara was 90 years old and Abraham was 99.
3. Sara could not have children.
But through the promise of God she became pregnant and Isaac was born.
4. "God commanded Abraham to leave his homeland Haran and "go to a land where I will lead you."
Haran (named after Abraham's brother) ancestory came from Babylonia-Urista. Abraham left with his family and his cattle on a 400 mile trek towards the land of Canaan.
5. Abraham escaped Egypt with his family and went to Canaan to avoid drought and famine.
6. Abraham thought that he could be killed in Egypt because of his beautiful wife.
For this reason, Abraham lied and said Sara was his sister. Sara ended up in Pharaoh's harem and Pharaoh treated Abraham very well and gave him plenty of cattle and servants.
7. God made Pharaoh's court ill because Pharaoh had knowingly taken Abraham's wife for himself.
Knowing of his lie, Pharaoh spoke to Abraham sternly and sent his famliy out of the country.
8
.
Traveling through different lands, Abraham glorified God by building sacrifice altars.
It is written in Genesis that Abraham built four altars. The altars were built to show his obedience to serve and worship God. In Abraham's time these altars were used to sacrifice cattle and birds.
9.
Lot was Abraham's dead brothers' Haran's son.
We remember Lot best because of his wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt, because she looked at the burning cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
10. Abraham and Lot parted ways after returning from Egypt, because there was not enough land for both of their herds.
(and for this reason their shepherds began quarelling). Lot took his flock towards the east, the lowlands of the river Jordan, and ended up in Sodom. Abraham remained in Canaan.
YOUR RESULTS
0-2 correct = Wipe the dust from your Bilble, open it and come to Bilble study.
3-5 correct = Not bad, continue reading and come to Bible study.
6-8 correct = Nice job! Dive a little deeper and come to Bible study.
9-10 correct = Come to Bible study and be a teacher!🤩
|
|
Summer greetings from friends near and far
We have received photo greetings from Finland, Canada and here in Florida. The editorial board takes full responsibilty for picture layout. All pictures convey love, greetings, good health and blessings to us all!
|
|
A special greeting of love to all staff and residents at the Resthome. Blessings and good health, you are in our prayers!
|
|
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church | (561) 582-0554 | 928 South E Street, Lake Worth, FL 33460 | www.standrewsfl.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
