The Spring is full of hope!
Spring is indeed full of hope. A majority of the locals from our congregation have received both vaccinations and we hope, that with good common sense and careful observation of safety rules, we can slowly return to having coffee socials and holding other events.
We also get hope from the hard working and quite capable Ettanen couple, who have returned into our midst. Sami will begin to carry some pastoral responsibilities in the Spring and Summer, and we are currently waiting for all necessary permissions from the synod bishop. One step toward better times.
On the last day of February, we held the last council meeting under the direction of Pertti Pietarinen. Work within the council the last three years, during Pertti’s term has been effective and produced results. Pertti has made sure that we work according to the congregation rules and has kept the meetings from wandering off track by keeping the conversations from getting out of control. The spirit of the council has been good. There has been room for a variety of different opinions, and the mutual respect of any members has not been lost during heated discussion. A warm thank you to Pertti from the congregation, especially from myself and council members for his hard work and professional matter in which he has handled his presidential duties!
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Light, joy and freedom through God,
Pastor Mia
P.S. Click on the link below to find wonderful memories from a year ago.
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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
MARCH 7, 2021
MARK YOUR CALENDAR'S!
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HOPE FOR WOMEN -Sansa : Mission on Air
Sansa (Media Mission the Messengers), together with its partners, spreads the Gospel through electronic media to people for whom it is otherwise difficult to hear about Jesus Christ.
At St Andrew’s our Mission project Toivoa Naisille is a part of international TWR Women of Hope project that brings hope in Jesus to women around the world and across generations. We long for women to see themselves as being valuable in God’s eyes – his precious daughters. We support the production of Christian programs for women, girls and families in odijan language. https://www.twrwomenofhope.org/prayer . Please, join our mission by praying according to the prayer calendar and join the other 100 000 praying with us.
Everywhere in the world people listen to the radio, watch television, use the internet and smart phones. These are amazing tools for sharing the Gospel in countries closed to Christianity.
Sansa works in partnership with the Lutheran World Federation (media training and radio project), TWR (Trans World Radio: radio mission in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East), FEBC International (Far East Broadcasting Company: radio, internet, mobile apps, training in Asia) and the SAT-7. They produce programs for media.
Unfortunately, our traditional coffee hour arranged by Toivoa naisille / Women of Hope is cancelled this year.
You can support the mission project by donating to the church with a
reference "Hope for Women"
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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 bless you and your gift!
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GREETING TO THE CONGREGATION FROM FINLAND |
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Mauri Vihko, Director of Ministry for Finns Abroad sends his greeting to the congregation from Finland in a video found under the link below. The greeting is made for our annual congregation meeting, but as we know many of you can't be with us in person, so you may watch it here. (The English portion starts at the 3 min. 40 sec. mark.) We are waiting for Mauri to visit Florida in late Fall, if the corona situation allows it. A warm thank you to Mauri and the church administration in Finland for their exceptional work with us and of course their support!
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Time for change
The annual meeting of the congregation is traditionally in early March, this year it is on March 7, 2021, after our bilingual worship. Welcome! Unfortunately, the pandemic now limits attendance at the meeting, especially for snowbirds. The goal is for at least 10% of our members (20 people) to attend the meeting. This is the minimum number required by the rules. The meeting will provide participants with an opportunity to review last year’s summary reports of activities, financial reports, and the current year’s budget. The meeting will also elect new Board members to replace the resigning ones.
I presented an overview of our financial situation in last month’s bulletin and will not return to it again. Detailed financial figures are available to our members at the annual meeting.
In addition to previous tasks, the new council will play an even more active role in organizing operational matters when our pastor Mia returns to Finland in May and we will rely on visiting pastors. The continuation of the pandemic far into the future poses its own challenges for action planning. Hopefully in the fall we will be able to return to normal parish life without major restrictions, so that even snowbirds can participate on the spot to liven up parish life.
So, we are living in a time of great change. The new council will start. Pastor Mia returns to Finland. Fortunately, we received more operational force now when Sami Ettanen was able to come to Florida in February and can take spiritual and functional responsibility to bear. Welcome!
My role as chairman and member of the council now ends. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve our congregation in these roles. I would like to thank everyone for your valuable support. Let us continue together as sisters and brothers in Christ also in the future.
Many thanks to Pastor Mia for good cooperation and tireless hard work for our congregation. Our church has developed a lot thanks to your work. You have brought fresh ideas and launched new activities to enrich our church life.
I would also like to thank the current Council for its pleasant cooperation, even though we have had to carry out last year's tasks largely remotely. I wish the new Council and the new President all the best in your challenging roles.
I would like to thank all the members and especially our staff and volunteers. Your work has been and will be invaluable. Volunteering is essential to our operations and even our survival.
Blessings for the new church year!
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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
(2 Corinthians 5:17-18, NIV)
Pertti Pietarinen
Council President
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We are moving three hundred years forward from Joseph's death, but remain in Egypt. The Israelites had many descendants and became numerous and strong. The new king declared them a threat to Egypt and forced them into cruel slavery. (Ex. 1-3)
1. When even this did not seem to lessen the the growth of the Israeli population, the king then ordered mid-wives to kill all newborn males right after birth / all newborn males be thrown into the Nile / newborn males be seperated from their families and be given to the Egyptians.
2. At what age was Moses put into the river to be swept away? Right after birth/ At the age of three months / about 3 years old.
3. Who noticed Moses in the reeds? Moses' sister / Pharaoh's daughter / Pharaoh's daughter's servant.
4. Moses was immediately taken to the Pharaoh's palace and the servants took care of him / Moses was brought to his own home to be nursed by his mother / Moses' sister was brought to the palace to care for him.
5. When Moses had grown up, he left Egypt because Pharaoh sent him to Canaan to aquire more servants / he killed an Egyptian and the king tried to have him killed/ Moses did not like Egypt and wanted to return to the land of his ancestor's.
6. Where did Moses go? Land of Midian / Sinai / Philistia
7. Moses received a wife who was- the shepherd's daughter / the priest's daughter/ Moses did not have a wife.
8. What was Moses doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire? He was on the mountain making a sacrifice to God/ tending sheep / getting water from the well.
9. When God spoke to Moses from a burning bush, he
immediately obeyed God/ was scared and unable to speak / he doubted and asked God questions.
10. What did God do to Moses' walking stick? Turned it into a snake/ burned it to a cinder / used it to get water from a rock.
CORRECT ANSWERS AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER. 😊
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February did not go exactly as planned. We had fun with our shadows on Groundhog Day, made hearts and exchanged valentines, painted coconuts, ate Key Lime Pie and continued our Florida studies. Then, for the first time since we reopened in June, we had to close for a week because of a positive case of Covid-19. One of our teachers tested positive. She is feeling fine and is quarantining at home until the second week of March. Thankfully the other teachers tested negative and we were able to return for the last week of February. |
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March will begin with the Healthy Habits unit that we were supposed to do in February. We will talk about taking care of our teeth, washing hands, wearing masks and eating healthy. Learning about fruits and vegetables will lead us into our new unit- Plants. The children will plant their own bean seeds, water and care for them and measure them daily as they grow. We will also continue taking care of the school garden and will harvest and eat vegetables as they mature. |
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Later in March, we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the beginning of spring. The last week of the month will be devoted to Easter. We will learn about the true meaning of the holiday, decorate eggs and have fun with the Easter Bunny. We are practicing our Easter songs and hope to video tape a presentation for you to watch. |
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God Bless,
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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Erkki Helenius, veteran of two wars, and a retired flight director, celebrated his 95th birthday on February 8. Here is a photo of the Erkki with his wife Anna-Leena. Congratulations once again and loving greetings to the whole family!
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On Sunday the 21st of February, we drank coffee at Annan-Maja, honoring Siiri Kovalainen's receiving the Cross of Merit from the war veterans. The congregation congratulated Siiri with a card and roses, which were handed to her by Peter Mäkilä.
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The organizing of any music events during this extraordinary time has been different to say the least. Attending a concert or service online is not as good as being there in person, but it is a great way to be part of the festivities. We really appreciate how people have embraced our Facebook broadcasts, and it is great to see how many are watching and from many locations. This is something that has really developed into the norm living socially distanced from one another, our audience is much broader than it ever has been in the past.
Reaching a wider audience to spread God’s word is really what it’s all about. Even now God has given us a new direction, and a new way to get his message out. Getting this message out through music is powerful and can easily be understood by everyone. Making worship comfortable, having the freedom to do it in a personal way, and reaching out to people wherever they are, has brought about a new way of spreading the gospel.
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We are tremendously grateful and thankful for everyone who has shared their time with us by watching, or physically coming and sitting in the pew at church. The church lives because of its congregation. Everyone plays their own important part; God has a place just for you.
Please keep our church and worship team in your prayers, we need them, and we need all of you. Keep an eye on our Facebook posts and our church website for all services and concerts – Everyone is welcome!
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Let us come before him with thanksgiving and exalt him with
music and song. (Ps. 95:2)
Have a blessed March,
Michael
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FROM VIIPURI TO FLORIDA - PAAVO KUKKARO'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE MEMORIES |
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Paavo Kukkaro and his white accordion are a familiar sight to us all at St. Andrew’s Church. During the past years we have heard him almost weekly, sometimes, in a joyous manner, at other times longing and touching playing during our worship services, coffee socials, and congregation picnics and other events. Some of the long time Finnish residents have known this talented musician-brick mason for about fifty years, when Paavo and his family moved to Florida.
Everything began in Jyväskylä, where Paavo and his twin brother were born on the family’s first evacuation trip in January of 1940. When Finland was able to get back Karelian territories during the Continuation War, the Kukkaro family returned to their home in Ylivesi, south of Viipuri.
Stationary peace during this wartime did not last many years at their homestead. Paavo was only four years old when his family had to evacuate once again. This time there was only a few hours warning and there was no time to take anything but the barest of essentials with them. Even bread baking in the oven had to be left behind, Paavo remembers his parents telling him.
After this second evacuation, there was no returning to their home, as Karelian was left on the other side of the border when peacetime came. Later in life, Paavo and his brother made a trip to the old family home to remember the past. The old home, which was right on the fighting front of the war, was in ruins and the area was filled with trenches dug by Finns and Russians. (In the photos below are Paavo and his twin brother Seppo, as well as the sauna where the boys were born.)
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The second evacuation trip brought Anton and Saima Kukkaro’s family, first to Hällinmäki- Pieksamäki, where they stayed and waited for a more permanent place to call home. The family settled in Joukikunta, Vihti, where they were parceled out a plot of land big enough for a home. The municipality helped the family to clear the trees, so that they could build a house and have a land to farm. This is where Paavo grew up and attended school along with his sister Kaija, and three brothers, Valde, Aimo, and Seppo.
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Paavo remembers how his mother would host home meetings in their "pirtti" in Vihti. Sometimes half the village was there. It was at these occasions, at the age of 11, when Paavo gave his life to Jesus.
Paavo’s music hobby was put into motion in his early teen years, when a traveling preacher, Taimi Ahvenainen, saw it in her heart to bring Paavo a guitar. Paavo practiced enthusiastically with a music book and within a year, with the help of this book, became an in demand accompanist at the sing alongs in his village. The instrument changed at the age of fifteen, when an accordion playing relative brought Paavo a brand new red accordion. The guitar fell by the wayside, as within six months the accordion had completely taken over. He learned to read music and toured youth meetings and congregations playing his accordion. Paavo gives his mother the thanks for his musical talents, whose beautiful singing voice was still strong and clear at an older age.
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At the age of twenty, Paavo moved to Helsinki to work as a pipe fitter. In 1962, he left Finland for America. His brother Aimo had previously, through Canada, moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where he was able to convince Paavo to follow. Not to far behind, his twin brother Seppo also followed. The three brothers worked together in a contracting business established by Aimo, where Paavo worked as a fireplace mason for thirteen years. During these years Paavo met his wife Eija, who had been living in California. Two children were born into the family, Säde and Jari. Although busy at work, Paavo never left the accordion sit idle. He played and accompanied music at the local Finnish congregation, and also later at an English speaking one as well.
Paavo’s wife, Eija’s sister lived in Florida and the Kukkaro family often went there in the winters as it was too cold for mason’s work in Minnesota. The decision to move away from cold winters was made in 1975. His brother Aimo was not too happy about losing his best fireplace mason to the tropics. When the decision was made, within two weeks the moving truck was on its way south.
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Within a few days, a lot was found in Lake Worth, and Paavo began building a house. At this time there was not a plethora of mason work in Florida, so Paavo had a lot of time on his hands to build his own home. He built everything from the floors to the roof. When the works situation improved over the next few years, there was no more worry about finding jobs. Paavo did brickwork, made fireplaces, and also worked as job supervisor.
Paavo became involved in Kotikirkko on A street, and his accordion rang out at their congregation for thirty years.
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Paavo remembers, already as a small child asking his Heavenly Father, how he could serve. God quickly took this small boy and put him to use. In addition to Paavo’s sensitive playing fingers, he also has sensitive ears to hear the voice of God. He made a promise decades ago to only play music that brings glory to God. The music of the world could be left behind, having played Metsäkukkia and Säkkijärven polkka hundreds of times.
Accordion playing is such a big part of Paavo that he cannot imagine a life without it. Paavo’s heart beats to the rhythm and songs which come directly from the heavens, where sheet music is not needed. God also uses Paavo to bless people and to pray on their behalf. If you need prayer or special blessing, then know that Paavo is ready to serve.
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“We need inner love, and we cannot live without God’s blessing. And you cannot hold this blessing inside, but it is meant to be shared with everyone,” says Paavo, as he continues:
“God continuously fills us with joy”.
That joy shines from Paavo through his friendliness, service and faith in God. A warm and beautiful thank you to Paavo for all past and future music performed at our congregation!
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PIRJO-LEENA KOSKISEN'S COLUMN |
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‘Spring has sprung’...one way to translate the Finnish saying about the coming of springtime. Spring is coming also to Florida, even if we seem to have an eternal summer. However, anyone who has lived in the area for long enough can tell the difference and the changes in the nature and the length of the day. Blooming mango trees make all allergic people sneeze! This winter has been different, when the ‘snowbirds’ from Finland have not been around. We have missed our friends dearly. But days are brighter, no matter what! The number of people affected with decease is getting smaller and opportunities to get vaccinated are increasing in our area. Also the residents and the staff at the Rest Home have been vaccinated. Only a few residents are still hesitant about the immunization. The preliminary research shows that the vaccination will also prevent some asymptomatic spread of the virus. It really is encouraging news!
For the first time in more than a year I was allowed to go inside the Rest Home and read to the residents. Vaccinated and tested negative I was given permission to do it. If you want to visit some Rest Home residents, Annan Maja is still used for that purpose and of course by appointment. We need to be careful still. Being grateful, I’m sighing of relief that maybe we are now getting closer to normal life.
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Easter, the biggest celebration in Christianity is approaching, the reason for happiness and joy. The light conquers darkness, Jesus Christ conquers death. What a great reason to be thankful for! I wish you all a Happy and
blessed Easter!
Pirjo-Leena
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RAIJA SIPINEN'S GREETINGS TO THE CONGREGATION, PART II (-III) |
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Every year when we knew of our plans to go to Florida, this began an exciting and busy time at our bakery. We would prepare as many good treats as possible to be served there, that would fit into our suitcases. Many coffee socials and Raija’s name day delicacies have been prepared from baked goods made in our kitchen in Palokka, and the reception has always been warm. I would like to thank a few friends by name: Anja Laurila, Elina Aarnio, Elli Saari, Hely Rantala, Raija Reittamo, Kaarina Sorakari, Matti and Raili, Taisto, Ahti, my cousin Tapani, our friends Korvet and Luukkaslammet, Malvialat, Alli Vehkakangas, Pirkko Venetjoki, the churches former secretary Hanna as well as her mother Marja, my cousin Irja...
There are so many of our loved friends whose names will not be mentioned right now, because there truly are so many. Please accept my gratitude for your enormous help. We have enjoyed many wonderful occasions in Florida with a wonderful big group of people. I would also like to mention a few small but important moments, Anja Laurila’s daughter’s family, friends Kaarina Langeland as well as the playful “sister and her brother”. They know who I mean😊. With us from Finland and Sweden have been Seppo’s sister Ritva and her husband Antti, another sister Onerva, my own sister Hilkka and her husband Jouko, my Godson Jari, as well as our friends Marjatta and Mauri, Kalevi, our employees Mirja, Kaarina, and Tuula. Tuula was a great helper with our work at church many times.
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The renovation of the church kitchen was a tremendous source of thanks for me, and of course our Heavenly Father, and everyone who was involved in many different ways, as well as those who donated to the project. Together we were able to see that big kitchen job to the end! Many moments come to mind, where I saw people at some sort of event, and spontaneously asked for donations to build the church a new kitchen. Thank you to everyone as well as anonymous donors for your trust.
I would also like to thank for the much loved plaque which was given to me by Honorary Consul Peter Mäkilä along with a few church council members. It was a touching thanks for me. Mäkilä and his wife have visited us at our home in Finland on a couple of occasions and we have had some very nice moments together.
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A favorite occasion and time has always been baking of donuts for charity events. I have had many friends who have helped, but the biggest donut bakers’ assistants have been irreplaceable Anne, who in addition donated the baking pans and oil. I am very happy about all of these occasions and people but would like to give a special thanks for my 75th birthday celebration. But more about this in the next issue. 😊
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1. The king gave the Israeli mid-wives an order to check the sex of newborn babies and kill all males right after birth.
2. Moses was three month's old when he was lowered into the river's current.
3. Pharaoh's daughter noticed Moses in the basket amongst the reeds and asked her servant retrieve it.
4. Moses' sister had observed her brother's basket from the shore, and when she saw what happened, she asked Pharaoh's daughter if she wanted a Hebrew woman to nurse this child. And so, Moses ended up in his own home, nursed by his mother, before he was brought to Pharaoh's daughter at the palace.
5. When Moses had grown up, he left Egypt, because he killed an Egyptian man and the king wanted him dead.
6. Moses fled to the land of Midian.
7. Moses got himself a wife who was a pastor's daughter.
8. Moses was tending his sheep, when he saw a burning bush.
9. When God spoke to Moses from a burning bush, he doubted and questioined God.
10. God turned Moses' walking stick into a snake.
JOYFUL BIBLE READING MOMENTS TO EVERYONE!
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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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