We are still well on our way through hurricane season and although we have particularly good guidelines for preparing for storms, they always seem to surprise us when they arrive. Just as in Finland, where winter always surprises motorists, and the backlog of crashes is sorted out in newspaper columns. Experience makes us well equipped for when the storms of life roll over us, and yet they still surprise us, like winter surprises Finns. And first, it takes time to get ourselves out of the ditch before we can continue our journey.
That is what has happened to me. I have spent the summer getting out of the ditch. After a car crash in May, there have been all kinds of grief and trouble. The whole vacation was spent ramping up physical therapy and recovering from three small operations. I didn't succeed in golfing or traveling, and I have to admit that my patience has been tested.
The Bible gives us Christians excellent advice, instructions, and warnings for facing spiritual storms. And yet I admit that unfortunately they often come as a surprise. And then it is just as annoying as the driver who heard meteorologist Pekka Pouta warn of an icy road surface in the evening and then finds himself in the ditch. I am sometimes amazed at how easy it is to give others good advice and teach Bible wisdom, but then forget it. Such is human life. A good example of this came to mind on a Sunday a little while ago, when we were playing golf. On one fairway, the opening drive was over a water barrier, and I advised my friend not to hit with power, but with a calm stroke and then I went to hit, and the ball dived into the water hazard because of my power punt. I didn't stick to my advice for even two minutes in my head.
For Christians, the Bible is a mirror, when we read it, we mirror our own lives to its message, and we try take something from it for our own lives. God wants to be our help; we just need to let Him come to our aid. God does not look at our ability, but at our willingness, for God never violates our free will.
Blessed Fall!
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Our Sister Church turns 45 this month! |
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St. Andrew's Sister Church in Jyvaskyla, Finland- Palokas Church celebrates an anniversary this year, as well. It was established in 1978 and will celebrate with a special service on September 17. Our beloved member, Raija Sipinen will address the congregation during the service regarding "caring for God". Marianne will be singing during the service. If you would like to watch, just go to the Palokas Church, YouTube channel (Palokankirkko), or find more information on their website at www.jyvaskylanseurakunta.fi
We will be sure to send them warm wishes from
St. Andrew's!
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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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Congratulations Students! |
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St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Scholarship Committee awarded 2 scholarships in July of $1,500 each to two students. Because there were not more applicants, the committee was able to distribute these ample sums. The recipients are Jacob Scholnicoff, the grandson of parishioner, Debbie Grotke and Cate Jensen, the grandaughter of parish member, Armi Sturges. Jacob will be attending the Universal Technical Institute studying to become an automotive technician and Cate attends Indiana University, where she is majoring in multiple fields of study in preparation to attend law school to become an attorney.
St. Andrew's heartily congratulates these students and commends their efforts thus far. The congregation will pray for your well-being and continued success!
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PIRJO-LEENA KOSKISEN'S COLUMN
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Schools have opened their doors and most of the summer vacation season is over – it’s autumn! I hope that the summer season has been good to all of you and that you've been able to travel as you planned and now you feel relaxed and rested. We stayed here this year; didn’t travel to Finland like many of us do. We don’t have a second home in Finland anymore, not for many years now, so while travelling we have to rely on friends and relatives, or to rent. At first, it felt like something was missing, but then we noticed that we actually had quite a nice and relaxing summer. This summer, we didn’t even travel locally, as planned; we have seen so much of our home state of Florida that we decided to take it easy. What a nice experience it was! When we started working again in August it felt so good to start doing something regular again. I had visited the Rest Home every Saturday during the summer season – except on one thunderstorm Saturday. Now that we have returned to a normal routine again, I think it is useful to remind ourselves that life is full of things we should be grateful for, like those things we think are given, or granted. These are the things that we don’t always notice. Now, at the beginning of a new season, I try to remind myself to thank God more often. There are so many reasons to be thankful in our daily lives, more than we think!
Have a great autumn season and
blessings for all!
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Summertime started at the end of May. Most of our members had left for Finland and other vacation destinations in the north, lunches ended and things started to slow down, but then those of us left in Florida still wanted to celebrate Midsummer. Our St. John's celebration was a success! We had at least 150 people come to the Annan Maja at the Finnish American Rest Home. Together we watched the bonfire, ate some hot dogs, socialized with old and new friends and bought some of Tarja's delicious donuts and cakes in support of St. Andrew's. The Midnight Sun Festival folks, Tiina Rogers and Jutta Seeberg, were also there selling Finnish long drinks and candies. |
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Summertime in Florida is hot and slow. Our church was even closed for one month in July, as our Pastor and his wife took a much deserved vactation. But the English congregation held services run by laypersons and the office remained open. In August, Pastor Sami returned and Finnish services resumed, along with coffee socials. Many thanks to all our parish volunteers for preparing our sweet socials! Here are some photos of our members, eagerly waiting for friends to return from their summer vacations. |
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ST. ANDREW'S 70th ANNIVERSARY |
A RICH HISTORY THANKS TO OUR MATRIARCHS |
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2023 - A PLATINUM JUBILEE YEAR |
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We are moving closer to our December 27, 70th anniversary. Our Jubilee Anniversary Committee made up of Armi Sturges, Raija Reittamo, Kristen Karvonen and Kaija Kalervo preparing for the big events. While our Historical Committee has retrieved original documents and photos chronicling church life through the years. The members of the Church Historical Society are Meija Sillanpaa, Pirjo Sillanpaa, Deborah Grotke, Naomi Fox, Hanna Kiuru and
Susanna Mackey-Morgan.
During the next few months, the newsletters will include articles that take us on trips down memory lane. Our first articles are by Historical Society members: Susanna Mackey- Morgan and Hanna Kiuru.
If you would like to help with an article, please let Pastor Sami know.
You must also have some wonderful ideas for our celebration.
Please share them with the Committee!
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Many thanks to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church for another great year of service to the church. I have now resigned from the part-time position of secretary, as planned, so that I can return to my studies in alternative healthcare. I will be in Canada for the next few months. I will see you all in December to celebrate Christmas!
With faith, love and friendship,
Hanna M. Kiuru
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CLICK HERE TO GET TO OUR FINNISH
PARTNERS WEBSITES:
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WISHING YOU A BLESSED SUMMER! |
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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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