It’s a new year and time for new resolutions. I would like to wish everyone a brilliant and blissful New Year!
It is time once again, to check and revise plans made in the Fall. That is when we realize how challenging it is to predict the future! No doubt, one should always have a back-up plan waiting in the wings. In the coming year, we pray to have and use such back-up plans.
Another and still larger challenge to fulfilling one’s own plans is fulfilling the plans God has set forth before his congregation and individual believers. God is a master of surprises. No matter how we pray for guidance and understanding, we cannot figure out what his will is for us. As we know, when God works, he often works in mysterious ways and His plan is a surprise. God does share his glory with anyone.
Nonetheless, God does want us to plan as a congregation. He wants us to complete what we should and prepare events. He merely will be sure to have the last word in making things happen. When it comes to working with God, it can sometimes feel like arm twisting- even though we are certain of the God winning every argument, it can still feel like unnecessary arm twisting to get us to join his plan. This was revealed to Jacob long ago when he decided to begin wrestling.
Our congregation’s largest concern and prayer is to hire an organist. At this time, our disconcerting situation has yet to be resolved.
Usually, I am terrible at making any sort of New Year’s resolutions, but for this year, I have already publicly announced that I will read the Bible more than last year. Instead of some sort of numerical promise, I challenge all of you to also add reading the Bible to your list of promises for the new year.
Our congregation implemented many changes and fulfilled many different kinds of plans in 2022. Heartfelt thanks to all volunteers for carrying out these plans and thanks to participants for coming together at all our events.
It is a great joy and honor to be your shepherd.
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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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Sometimes our birthday lists are not up to date. If you notice someone's name missing, or would like your name removed from the list, please notify us. THANK YOU! |
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NEW PROGRAMS: Language School |
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In 2000, the Language School Inc. was established. It continues to function in Lake Worth to this day with the intention of giving members the chance to learn American English and about American culture.
Please tell your Finnish speaking friends about this wonderful opportunity to practice speaking English with others from the area in a friendly and fun environment that will prepare them for all sorts of local situations.
Spring semester begins on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of St. Andrew´s Lutheran Church. The semester will end on March 30, 2023. Interested students can join the course for the entire semester, or for just a few classes.
For more information, please contact me. I am the teacher of the course and my name is Armi Kunnas Sturges. I can be reached at armisturges1@gmail.com or (305) 394-0804.
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Wishing you a Happy New Year,
Armi
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The Women's Group meets in the church sacristy every other week.
Here is a great Christmas photo of its members from their last meeting in January.
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PIRJO-LEENA KOSKISEN'S COLUMN |
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How hard creative work can be sometimes! I experienced that last week when trying to figure out a subject to write about. It’s a new year and the beginning of January… Of course I want to wish you all a Very Happy and Blessed New Year 2023. But what else can I write about?
News on television is mostly negative: snow storms, frost and cold weather also here in Florida. Actually the cool weather was very welcome, especially when it happened at Christmas time; it felt more like Christmas. I may never get used to the Florida Christmas; fortunately it doesn’t change the message of Christmas, no matter what the weather.
We had that wonderful Finnish Christmas feeling thanks to Finnish Christmas food, which we mostly got from the church kitchen. Thank you so much! All of you busy bakers and cooks prepared these traditional items that really made me happy!
I didn’t feel much like cooking at all because of my ailment. When medication takes away my appetite as well as making my stomach churn, I start to brood. So today to set aside brooding, I started baking bread. While kneading the bread, it occurred to me that the best medicine for my – or anybody’s - mind is doing all kinds of daily chores, anything that gets my mind off my not so pleasant feelings. That’s the way I have always survived hardship. I know that I’m not the only person going through different treatments and feeling down and out right now. Rest assured I pray also for you and your loved ones for their recovery. Worrying doesn’t add anything to our lives, not even a day. The Lord has given all of us, healthy or sick, only one day at a time. Let’s use that time meaningfully doing the work we were given to do!
Lots of blessings to all of you!
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Here are some photos December's Sunday coffee socials. December was a time for family and friends. We enjoyed having Terhi Miikki and her family visit, as well as spending time with our own family and old friends.
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We continued to enjoy delicious lunches through December, including salmon soup. Thank you to all the volunteers who make our lunches!
The rest home residents and staff have attended many of our lunches and in December, we welcomed the new Home Healthcare Program director and staff. We hope our older members will make use of this helpful program that allows them to stay home, but also receive assistance.
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December 6th was Finland's Independence Day. The Finnish War Veterans of Florida arranged the program, which included greetings from the President of Finland, read by Honorary Consul, Peter Makila, greetings from Finland's defense forces stationed in Tampa Bay and the awarding of honorary metals for service to Timo Vainionpaa and Tom Rissanen. |
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A Cozy Christmas Concert was a big hit! Our music director, Terhi planned a marvelous show for us with narrators, touching storylines, soloists, the Christmas choir, the Florida Male Singers and sing-alongs with the audience.
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The Most Beautiful Finnish Christmas Songs was held on a Sunday afternoon to a church full of many tourists and parishioners.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas season!
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CLICK HERE TO GET TO OUR FINNISH
PARTNERS WEBSITES:
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Celebrate January
and the New Year!
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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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