New year and new paths. With a familiar welcome, I would like to wish everyone a great and blessing-rich New Year!
Now is the time to take out the plans you made last fall, for the coming year. Time to sharpen and edit them. It is quite challenging to predict, especially during this completely new reality that the Corona pandemic has brought into the picture. There has to be a back-up plan for every situation. Let’s pray that the coming year brings some relief to this disease.
Another, and more challenging plan is God and His big plans for our congregation as well as for us on a personal level. God is the master of surprises. As much as we pray for guidance and understanding, we cannot outline his will. So because of this, it is often a surprise to us the way God works. God does not share his glory with anyone else.
This does not mean that God does not want us to plan our congregation’s future or events. He just wants the last word in how things happen. Sometimes it feels like you are unnecessarily arguing with God, even though we know that we cannot win this kind of hustle, even before we begin. This was realized already during Jacob’s time, as he began to wrestle.
Usually, I am very bad at making any new year’s promises, but now I already publicly can announce that I will read the Bible more this year than last. I also challenge you to do the same, without any numerical threshold. I received a chronological Bible for Christmas, and my goal is to read through it this year. Through this I will get a new perspective on the amazing world of the Bible.
Our congregation arranged or participated in over 70 events during the month of December! A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who made them a reality and to everyone who was with us, It is a great joy and honor to be your shepherd.
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Have a blessed new year!
Pastori Sami
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December was full of events. The yearly Independence Day celebration takes us to both Finn halls, as well as St. Andrew’s church, where there is a festive feeling. This year we had Colonel Petteri Seppälä give the honorary speech. His words were full of information and interesting facts for the listeners. More snowbirds are arriving every week and it is great to see them as they have not been able to travel here for almost two years. Many have their own homes in Florida and many friends.
To help out Pastor Sami, the Church of Finland has sent Pastor Anne Huoponen to carry some of the load. Her husband Kari has played trumpet at many events in addition to music by our music director Michael. Michael has had a busy month, much the same as our pastors and volunteers. We thank them. The church has had many events leading up to Christmas, and there has been a good turnout at all of them. Tarja has been in charge of the coffee service along with any volunteers. Thank you to these people. These same volunteers were involved with baking Karelian pies, and they are tasty and have sold well.
Sami and I received the Bishop’s assistant, Khader El-Yateemin, as a guest at church and were able to have some very fruitful conversations with him.
The Christmas concert and worship services have brought many listeners, but not quite as many as before the Corona virus. Many have not yet traveled here from Canada or Finland, and at this writing, Corona is once again spreading quickly.
Declaration of Christmas peace at Bryant Park also drew a smaller crowd than in previous years. The performers were Pastor Anne and her husband Kari, who beautifully played silverhorns on trumpet at the beginning and A Mighty Fortress is Our God at the end- the audience sang along. I received the honor of reading the peace declaration. There are many homeless people living in the park nowadays, and it is time to look for a new site for this event in the future.
On behalf of the council and myself, I would like to thank our many volunteers, you are irreplacable and we are very thankful of you. Heavenly Father’s blessings to the whole congregation.
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Have a blessed new year in 2022 and stay healthy!
Peter and family
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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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The first month in Lake Worth has flown by! The congregation warmly welcomed me, and it has been wonderful to meet many people at church. It has also been warm outside, but it is an odd feeling to put more clothes on when you go inside.
People here are admirably connected to the congregation and its events, and many volunteers do an incredible amount of work for the good of the congregation. Together in the church kitchen we have made Karelian pies, already at two different occasions- and they have sold well!
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I have slowly settled in to the work schedule here, even though many things here are quite different from the way the Church of Finland works. But doing is the best way to learn. Because we arrived just before Independence Day, we were immediately able to participate in independence day events, but also the busy Christmas events that were planned at the congregation. Kari was also needed to play trumpet at the Independence Day celebration, the Christmas concert, and the Christmas Day declaration. |
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Settling in to our new home, and work atmosphere has been easy, and it was nice that almost everything was ready for us when we arrived – even a Christmas tree along with decorations. The only thing we have had to get used to is the coffee, which we have gotten used to drinking stronger and dark roast. |
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I have especially liked the many sided worship services and the abundant music at theses services, thank you to music director Michael and many volunteers! It is so wonderful to sing along with the many familiar hymns- many new ones as well- in both Finnish and English. During Christmas we also enjoyed the enthusiastic preschool kids performance at church, this will be in my memories for quite awhile.
I wish everyone a happy new year in 2022 through the following poem:
The new year saves that,
which you love.
Bring with it,
what you crave.
Take away,
what worries you.
Have a blessed new year!
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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 Christmas. During December we had a wonderful time singing, learning about baby Jesus, making gingerbread men and tree ornaments. Our students sang in church during the combined service. We think they did a great job and we hope everyone enjoyed the performance. |
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For the past several months our students and teachers gathered seeds and seedlings from our own native plant garden. They made seed packets, planted seeds, watered and nurtured the little plants. This was a great hands on way of learning about the life cycle and physiology of plants. They also decorated and painted clay pots. We received a fund raising grant from Thrivent (Lutheran Financial Services) to help buy potting soil and pots, etc. In December we had our Native Plant Sale and ended up earning about $700.00. The proceeds will be used to help pay for school repairs. |
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After a two week break, we return to school on Monday, January 3rd.
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We begin the New Year learning about Calendars, Months, Days, Clocks and Time. We’ll make our own “clocks” and create “2022” art.
In January, we will continue tending our school vegetable and flower garden. We will soon be ready to harvest (and eat!) some tomatoes and before long hope to have peas and beans, lettuce, cucumbers, a variety of herbs and some pretty flowers.
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The final theme of January is Polar Animals. We will learn about the polar bears, seals and whales of the Arctic and about all the different penguins of the Antarctic. We will create “Polar Animal” collages, do some penguin dancing and have fun playing with “snow”. COOL stuff!
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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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Happy New Year 2022 to everyone! The past year, especially the end was quite the blur; busy, busy. I am very thankful for our congregation, our Pastor’s and all of the volunteers that make our events possible. Our winter congregation has slowly begun to arrive in Florida and our church was somewhat full for the Christmas season. Our Christmas concert, carols sing-along, and events at the rest home all contributed to the Christmas feeling and gave glory to God with their song and word.
I am very happy to have welcomed our new tourist Pastore Anne Huoponen and her husband Kari to Florida for three months. Pastor Anne is a wonderful singer and Kari is a trumpet player and we are happy to have them at our services, what a great addition.
I am looking forward to all of the great things we have planned this new year. One of these great things is on Friday, January 14th at 5 pm. We will be having a sing along hymn night at church. Please join us for this and bring your singing voice. If this turns out well, we will definitely have some more evenings like this.
Thank you everyone for your continued support and prayers for our music and ministry team. We are all doing our part to build God’s kingdom. I look forward to seeing you all at church as soon as possible.
Praise the LORD.Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. (Ps. 150:1-5)
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Siunattua uutta vuotta!
Mika
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PIRJO-LEENA KOSKISEN COLUMN |
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In the beginning of a New Year it has been custom to make New Year’s resolutions. Quite often they are about improving a person’s physical wellbeing or losing weight…That’s where we easily notice the need for improvement. I have made many New Year’s resolutions concerning these issues in the past and already in a few months they were ruined. I was so eager in the beginning and then something happened that made me fail. What happened? Did I start too eagerly, with expectations too high or too ambitious? These have been the reasons for my own failure. A good excuse is often the family, small children or lack of time, excuses are many. Making a schedule too demanding is a sure way to ruin the effort. Failing and giving up caused sadness, even depression.
But there are no perfect people, they don’t exist but there’s always room for improvement, physically and mentally. We just have to take small steps, small improvements to the right direction. Same is true with our spiritual self: every day we have an opportunity to be a little better as persons. We can read the Bible more often, call our friends more often and listen to them, offer our help, listen to their worries or just be there for them. The Grace is new every day, and if we have not exactly reached our goal today, tomorrow is a new opportunity. How comforting is that!
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We had a wonderful warm spirited combined service on December 12 that saw a church full of people and our prechool kids giving a great and enthusiastic performance! |
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On December 15 was our annual Christmas concert! We had a group of talented performers giving their talents to the glory of God. Thank you everyone for supporting our music ministry!
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We had our annual Finnish language Christmas carols sing along on December 19 with a nice turmout of loyal singers.
We also enjoyed Christmas glog and tarts afterwards. What a treat!
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On December 23rd took our Christmas carols sing along to the rest home. It was a small turnout, but the residents really enjoyed the glog and ginger bread cookies, along with the singing of course! What a blessing it is to do these events! |
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Our annual Christmas eve candlelight service did not dissapoint! Jesus was present on this warm, touching occassion. This is always such a nice way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! |
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On December 26th, our new tourist pastor, Anne, led both services to the delight of the congregation. We warmly welcome her to our congregation for the next few months. |
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The year ended with our annual picnic at John Prince Park. This joint effort with Kotikirkko was a big success drawing about 100 people. There was great food, singing and nice felllowship with everyone there. What a great event! |
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Greetings to everyone and a very happy new year!
What a nice feeling it is to return here to Florida’s warm sun from the gloomy Turku winter.
Almost two years has passed since I was last here and my return was the same as coming home. It almost feels as if it were only a few weeks that had passed since my last visit.
I am thankful from the bottom of my heart to our Heavenly Father and to you all, for the welcome that we have received and to all those who helped with the logistical side here in Florida.
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At first, we were a little tense about how the long trip would affect our young lady, but apparently that 5 months of life experience had brought her enough confidence that during the flight, she sat quietly and enjoyed the experience like an old pro. She didn’t even want to sleep. Our worries were for nothing.
Our small family has settled in quite nicely and this second week has been spent enjoying the nice weather and events. My spouse has not even been hit by culture shock, who is here in the U.S. for the first time.
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But lets keep this a short, beautiful hymn, in otherwards, no more news for now, more in the next issue, which you can read in both electronic and printed formats, as well as in its new form on our website: www.standrewsfl.com.
It is worth following our webpage for all the latest info and new content and great stuff.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
Greetings and blessings to you all!
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Teppo Honkanen
Congregation webpage administrator
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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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