Towards the new year with thankfulness!
Behind us is a different, but in many ways, a blessed year, 2020. My hope is that as you take a look back at the past year, that you also can find something to be thankful for on every one of those days. We have all had to give up something during the past year. Maybe you did not have a day without tears, no days without that pressure feeling in your chest. I still dare to hope, that as you rest your head on the pillow at night, that you can find something to be thankful about. Someone once said, if you want to be happy, start by being thankful. I don’t always have enough energy to be happy, but I always have enough to be thankful.
Thankfulness is thankful, in the sense that you can practice it. I practiced it myself by keeping a daily log of thankfulness, for a few years. At the conclusion of each day, I wrote the small things which happened to me throughout the day, that I was thankful for. Gradually, my eyes and heart opened up to realize the constant care that we get from God, and the good that we have in our own lives and of those near us – even during challenging times. My grandmother, who was the prayer warrior in our family, no matter the situation, always gave the same answer when asked how she was feeling – “Thankful, just thankful!”
I wish the same for you in the coming year!
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
(1 Chro. 16:34).
We can begin the new year together, filled with hope and joy.
Thankful for everyone of you,
Pastor Mia
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A WARM THANK YOU to everyone who donated poinsettias to decorate our altar for all December events. We delivered eighteen poinsettias to our senior members and to the rest home, the rest found their way to donors homes. We left a few at church, which were donated just for decorating purposes.
Thank you for making our Christmas beautiful!
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We warmly thank David and Joann Saarnio for their $500 donation to our congregation, in memory of Keijo, Helen and Martti Saarnio. |
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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.
May God blesse you and your gift!
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Back to the future
The past year has been full of surprises. When we left Florida for Finland in the spring, we imagined that we would return to Lake Worth in 2020. Covid-19, however, and associated restrictions ensured that this was not possible, and now it is unclear whether a trip to Florida is possible even in the spring of 2021, and if not, when. At the moment, it seems likely that my own return will not be possible until the fall of 2021. Hopefully by then the situation will normalize sufficiently. Sad but true.
The activities of our congregation have now continued for 9 months, mostly online. Sunday services and daily devotional moments have kept everyone in touch. Special thanks to Pastor Mia and Michael for organizing and coordinating the services. Let us be grateful for the opportunities and virtual connections provided by modern technology. Maybe we can find something good in the corona situation, because it has helped us pause for a moment and put things in a new order of priority.
The future pastor arrangements of our congregation are progressing according to plan. We have agreed with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland that for the period 2021-2022 the Church of Finland will send a seasonal pastor for 5 months for the period November-April and will be responsible for the pastor's expenses. The details and responsibilities of the arrangements have been agreed. The goal is for the name of the seasonal pastor to be known in March-April 2021.
Thank you to all the parishioners and visitors and especially to Pastor Mia, our music director Michael as well as all the volunteers, for the past year. Thanks also to the members of the council for their good cooperation.
Have a blessed 2021 and go towards the new year with a trusting mind!
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For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
(Eccl 3:1-8, ASV)
Pertti Pietarinen
Council President
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CONGREGATION DONATIONS FALL 2020 |
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THANK YOU FOR PARTICAPATING IN SUPPORTING OUR MISSION WORK IN INDIA AND BURUNDI AFRICA, AS WELL AS IN OUR OWN AREA!
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GREETINGS FROM THE CONGREGATION BOOK STORE |
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A book in Finnish about the life of Peter Mäkilä,
"The American Dream"
will soon be available for ($20)
purchase from the church. Part of the proceeds will go to our congregation.
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Here is one comment from a reader: "I read the book in a few days! There is alot of interesting information at the beginning. Then the lifestory begins, which was varied and accomplished, but one thing is for sure, is that Peter's life has been in the hands of a higher power, and probably still is. I highly recommend this book!" |
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We progress from Abraham to his grandson Jacob's sons, of which Joseph's life is one of the most fascinating and exciting stories in the Bible. In November newsletter, Joseph was treated badly by his brothers and thrown to the bottom of a well. Now we move with him to Egypt.
1. Who bought Joseph from a merchant in Egypt, to whom his brothers had sold him? Juda / Potiphar / Pharaoh
2. Who tried to seduce Joseph?
Pharaoh's wife / Potiphar's wife / Potiphar's servant girl
3. Why did Joseph go to prison? He did not bow down in front of Pharaoh/ Potiphar's wife lied / Because he lied to his master.
4. What was Joseph know for in prison? He served others / He told stories/ He interpreted dreams.
5. Why was Joseph freed from prison? He served his term to the end / He helped the Pharaoh's cupbearer while in prison / He helped Pharaoh interpret his dream.
6. After being freed from prison, Joseph became Potiphar's personal servant / Pharaoh's right hand / Pharaoh's new cupbearer
7. What age was Joseph when he was freed from prison?
20 / 30 / 40
8. Why did Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt?
to look for their brother / to buy food / to sell cattle.
9. Which brother could not make the trip?
Dan / Benjamin / Reuben
10. What did Joseph do when he first met his brothers in Egypt? He was happy and asked them to celebrate with him / He put his brothers in prison/ He asked his brothers to leave the country.
CORRECT ANSWERS AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER! 😊
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Happy New Year!
We hope you had a blessed, peaceful and safe Christmas holiday. If you haven’t seen it yet, please watch the video of our children in their “mini- covid19 style” Christmas concert.
We begin the New Year learning about clocks, calendars and time. We’ll make our own clocks, practice counting to 60 and play some “minute” games. We will also celebrate the start of the New Year and create “2021” art.
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The winter season has officially arrived, so we will be studying how winter is different in various parts of the world. In December we learned how Christmas is celebrated in different countries and this is an extension of that theme. After we compare our Florida winter to other places, we will continue our Florida studies. Traveling is rather restricted right now, so why not learn to appreciate the wonders of our own home state? We will talk about the geography, plants, animals and unique features of Florida. We will paint faces on coconuts, make Florida maps and cut and paste Florida collages.
Our school garden is growing and every day the children have garden chores- watering, pulling weeds, etc. Soon we hope to enjoy the flowers and vegetables that we have planted.
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We want to give a special thank you to the many “angels” who have helped us at the school this past year. We want to thank Michael and Pastor Mia for everything they do for us throughout the year. Thanks to the families of current and former students who sent us donations during the time that we were shut down! Thank you to the large group of parents and volunteers who helped us on our backyard work day in February. They moved and spread a truck load of mulch to our playground area, cleaned out our native plant garden and put up a privacy screen. A big thank you to the father of a student who installed our “almost new” donated dishwasher! And a very special thanks to the dad who spent almost 2 days at the school during Thanksgiving break dealing with our electrical issues!
We are truly grateful to our special angels!
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Happy, Healthy New Year to All!
Pirjo Komonen Campitelli
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Sometimes our birhtday lists are not up to date. If you notice someone's name missing, please notify us. THANK YOU! |
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Long-time, well known and loved congregation member Jean Pellinen's ashes were lowered into the ocean on December 19, off the coast of Boynton Beach. In addition to Maija Pellinen those in attendance were her daughters Lea and Laura and their spouses. Due to rough waters the blessing was very simple and short, but very memorable. On the return trip, Michael played a few selections on the bass- Beautiful Savior, a finnish hymn- Oi Herra, jos mä matkamies maan, as well as Jean's favorite - O Danny Boy. Timo Vainionpää was the photographer.
A memorial service for Jean is being planned at the church some time during this year, once the corona situation gets better.
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What can be said about the past year that has not been said already? Yes, the year has been tough, it has been extraordinary; it has been different. Any of these terms provide an adequate description of what has occurred in the year 2020. We, as a congregation have had to adapt to a whole new way of life. While this year has been a set-back in so many ways, it has certainly been a learning experience as well. Learning to live without physical contact with others is definitely a challenge, but technology has filled this gap. Through facebook and other social media platforms, we have learned to communicate via computer or phone screens. While none of this can ever take the place of physical meetings, it has allowed the congregation to stay in touch with church functions, no matter where you are. |
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Music at our services has seen a big change as well. We have made great efforts to not only modernize our sound and setup, but at the same time retain the familiar sounds and makeup of our services that people know and love. We are finally starting to understand all of this new internet and audio technology and I am truly thankful for all the wonderful volunteer musicians/ our music team, who have put their hearts into the Lord’s work. We really could not do it without you! |
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Spreading God’s message through music is a privilege that I embrace. It is my hope that it would touch the people who are on the receiving end, no matter through the internet or in person. This is an opportunity for all of us to be closer to each other and God, and on our own timetable. Our services, music, and prayer moments are available for viewing 24/7- whenever you need to hear God’s message. How great is that? |
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A blessed, music filled
new year to all!
Michael
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OUR CONGREGATIONS' OWN TENOR
LAURI KANERVIKKOAHO
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Lauri Kanervikkoaho is a man who does not like drawing attention to himself, but he has been given a loud, magnificent voice. Lauri’s beautiful tenor voice has been heard in Finnish congregations and at other Finnish organized functions for decades.
Lauri has sung in church choirs, as well as in the Men’s choirs in both Florida and New York, where at the recommendation of the choir director he was asked to sing with “Amerikan Laulajat” in 1964, and he joined them for a tour of FInland.
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Lauri’s enthusiasm for music began at his childhood home in Alajärvi, in Etelä-Pohjanmaa. Lauri’s father was a talented musician, who as a ten year old was taken under the wing of a local, long time music director at Alajärvi congregation named Somervalli. He noticed talent in the boy and taught him to read music and gave him a music book to practice from. There were no musical instruments to be found in the house and the enthusiastic musicians’ career began by drawing piano keys on the edge of a wooden board, and thus, practice could begin. During elementary school, the board changed into a harmonium, and then later into an organ. Lauri’s father also played the trumpet in the Suojelukunta Brass Band, and also served as director and founding member of a mixed chorus.
After moving to New York in 1962, Lauri's father was asked to serve as organist in the Bethany Finnish congregation, at which he remained for almost fifteen years. He also served as organist here at St. Andrew’s for four years before Merja Hulkkonen.
(Below in the picture are Bertta and Erkki Kanevikkoaho as well as an anouncement of installation as an organist in New York.)
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Lauri was 19 years old when he moved to New York with his parents, where he met Tanja. Daughter, Saara was born into the family, before moving to Florida in 1972. The family grew once again with the addition of son Olli, in Florida. Lauri and Tanja had only planned to stay in Florida for about six months, but that six months has turned into fifty years. At the current time, all of Lauri’s living brothers and sisters also live in Florida, with the exception of brother Markku. From a family of 8 siblings, 2 have moved on to their home in heaven – brother Tuomo, and older sister Kaisa. Tuomo and Lauri sang together in New York choirs, as well as in many Finnish celebrations here in the Lake Worth area. All of the siblings are musically talented, but Lauri gives the highest praise to his passed sister: “ without Kaisa’s magnificent soprano, many an Easter Cantada would have not happened”, Lauri remembers warmly of his sister.
(Below in the photo are the Kanevikkoaho siblings from eldest to youngest: Kaisa, Maija, Lauri, Mirja, Tuomo, Markku, Marja-Liisa ja Pirjo)
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Lauri himself was shy to sing any solos for a long time, thinking that he would not be good enough. He got encouragement in the Kotikirkko choir, and there began his solo career, for which we are all tremendously thankful. Without Lauri, the music at our Finnish worship services would not be possible. |
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Lauri has a serving heart and approach to life, as a good Christian should. His strong faith in God shows in everything he does. His faith has its beginnings in his childhood home. Lauri’s grandparents were very active in their congregation. Grandfather served in the church council for over forty years, and Lauri remembers well, how grandma and grandpa always listened to the morning devotionals together on the radio. Lauri refers to his grandmother as “bird of peace”. She made sure that everyone always spoke kindly of others, any unkind words were not spoken within the walls of their home.
“Everything we have is because of God’s grace; it is useless to try to build a ladder to heaven”, admits Lauri. He goes on to add that at those gates, they do not ask which congregation you belonged to, but only if you believed in Jesus. Christian fellowship, acceptance of others and respecting people regardless of their denomination, are hopefully, in addition to Lauri, the mindset of the entire congregation.
Along with all of the singing, Lauri has also served as an elder for over 15 years at the Kotikirkko elders and now in our council as well as in our Building Commitee for many years.
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Next summer, God willing, Lauri and Tanja’s road brings them to Finland for a few months. In addition to enjoying cooler summer there, Lauri has plans to do some singing as well. He has already received invitations to perform from several congregations. Maybe I will be able to hear Lauri’s beautiful voice also in Finland. Until then, I will enjoy listening to it together with our broad congregation at our church here and at the Resthome.
Warm thanks to Lauri and Tanja for all you do!
Pastor Mia & St. Andrew’s congregation
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Greetings from church and the rest home |
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In December, none of the traditional Christmas events were missed at our congregation because of the corona virus. Some of the events were in a slightly different format and others changed venue. The amount of people attending these events was on the low side, but this was also the wish of those planning them due to safety concerns. |
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Finnish independence day celebration began with the traditional flag raising ceremony at the rest home at 8 am. The weather was warmer than previous years, and this allowed the residents to enjoy the pleasant shade in the front yard. |
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The church-celebration was just as festive as in previous years, even though only a fifth of the usual crowd was on hand. Part of the audience followed the live broadcast over the church's Facebook page.
The main speaker was Lt. Col. Timo Hartikainen from Tampa. Hans Nyholm spoke on behalf of the Finnish War Veterans Organization and Peter Mäkilä brought official Finnish goverment greetings. There was music performances by Anna-Lisa Jakobsson, Pirjo Pedersen, and from Hanna & Suvi-Katriina duo.
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We decided to have our Christmas concert online only this year. There were fewer performers than normal, and this left space for some bilingual Christmas hymns and carols. All of the performances were once again at the highest level, and this kept the feeling very warm and welcoming. Magnificence from opera singer Anna-Lisa Jakobsson, as well as from the Agape-choir and our own singers Kristen Karvonen and Suvi-Katriina Manner. Musicians performing were Lilli and Ella Theisen together with Michael, and playing bass Tuomo Karvonen; and Paavo Kukkaro on accordion. |
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On the third Sunday of advent, we got a visit from the little-Lucias, Jemima, Milla, and Layla. It was also nice to hear childrens' voices at church as Saara Saarela-Vening brought her two kids Jakob and Johannes to Sunday church. |
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Due to corona restrictions we decided to move our tradional "Most Beautiful Christmas Carols" to an outside venue, and there was no better place than the lawn outside Annan maja. By doing this we were able to offer the program to the rest home and nursing home residents as well; there were at least a dozen in attendance and singing along. We also got to see our Lucia maidens Jemima, Milla, and Lumi here at Annan maja. We got some singing help for this event from our loved friends Elina and Sauli Stolt. We will plan some more community sing along events at Anna maja- this was lots of fun! |
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The traditioinal Christmas Peace Declaration MC:d by Peter Mäkilä was also moved to the rest home due to restrictions at Bryant Park. On hand was an audience of about twenty, along with many rest home residents in the lobby and front terrace. Beautiful Savior and, yearly favorite, A Mighty Fortress is Our God rang out beautifully here as well. Thanks again to our hymn leaders Hanna and Lauri!
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On Christmas Eve, we had a very heart felt Candlelight Service. The Gospel was read by mother and daughter Jessica Grotke and Layla. Layla's little brother Oliver was the acolite. Kristen Karvonen's very touching rendition of Carola Häggvists "Heaven In My Arms" brought tears to many eyes. Along with Michael, serving as reinforcement, soundman and bassist -Tuomo Karvonen. |
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Finnish Christmas morning mass drew a congregation of about thirty to church and at least another thirty were with us via the internet. Our hymn leaders were once again Hanna and Lauri. Lauri also sang a solo during communion. We aslo got to hear a second soloist - Terhi Tenlen. Readers were Seppo Palokas and Merja Hulkkonen, and playing in addition to Michael was our faithful accordionist Paavo Kukkaro. It was nice to end 2020 on this beautiful occasioin in our church sanctuary. |
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1. Potiphar, one of the Pharao's officers, bought Joseph from the Ishmaelites.(Gen 39:1)
2. Potiphar's wife tried to seduce the handsome Joseph.(Gen. 39:7)
3. Joseph went to prison because Potiphar's wife lied about Joseph trying to seduce her.(Gen. 39:14-15)
4. Joseph was known in prison for his ability to interpret dreams. He was also in favor with the head guard and guarded other prisoners.
5. Joseph was released from prison because he helped the Pharaoh interpret his dream.(Gen. 41:1-39)
6. Upon his release, Joseph became the Pharaoh's right hand. (Gen. 41:40)
7. Joseph was 30 years old when he was released from prison. (Gen. 41:46)
8. Joseph's brothers were sent to Egypt by their father to buy food.(Gen. 42:1-2)
9. Jacob did not allow Benjamin to go along because he feared something would happen to him.(Gen. 42:4)
10.When Joseph first encountered his brothers in Egypt, he put them in prison for three days. (Gen. 42:12-17)
RESULTS
0-2 correct = Time for some quick new years resolutions!
3-5 correst = Good, good. Slow start, but good recovery!
6-8 correct= There are some sermon slots open!
9-10 correct = "Here I am, send me" - off you go!
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CLICK HERE TO GET TO OUR FINNISH PARTNERS WEBSITES: |
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St. Andrew's Lutheran Church | (561) 582-0554 | 928 South E Street, Lake Worth, FL 33460 | www.standrewsfl.com |
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