|
|
All being well, I shall return to ministry this coming Sunday. Almost the whole family contracted COVID and it has taken quite long to recover. In the Church, we continue to follow the local health authorities advice and current restrictions, paying attention to the Diocese’s COVID guidelines as well. Wearing masks and taking vaccines, if one is able to do these, is a good way to fulfil the command “Love your neighbour”. Masks do give some protection to the person wearing one but masks are especially designed to protect others. Vaccines, though not preventing the virus from spreading, do help in making the pandemic more manageable.
|
I have the opportunity to preach in Finnish after a long time, having been asked by The Revd Kati Pirttimaa to give a sermon in Tuomasmessu this coming Sunday, 23rd January at 18:00. Due to current restrictions it is recommended to attend the service by following it online at tuomasmessu.fi
|
Today, 21st January, the Church of England together with other churches, commemorates Agnes; a child martyr who is believed to have died at the age of thirteen on this day in 304AD as a victim of the last major Roman persecution under the emperor Diocletian. Her feast has been celebrated on this day ever since. I wish to pray today for all children; for their right to grow in a safe environment, surrounded by people who love them; for their right to education; for their hopes and dreams and that those could be fulfilled, for their right to have faith and express it. I wish to remember also those children who live under fear, persecution and violence; that they are brought to safety and peace, and that we would not close our eyes from the injustice in this world.
|
Eternal God, shepherd of your sheep,
|
whose child Agnes was strengthened to bear witness
|
in her living and her dying
|
to the true love of her redeemer:
|
grant us the power to understand, with all your saints,
|
what is the breadth and length and height and depth
|
and to know the love that surpasses knowledge,
|
even Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
|
who is alive and reigns with you,
|
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
|
one God, now and for ever.
|
|
|
|
|
23rd JANUARY 2022 - THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
|
Celebrant & Preacher: Tuomas Mäkipää
|
Click here for Order of Service
|
Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6, 8-10
|
Please note there is a limit of 30 persons at each service and no coffee time until restrictions are lifted mid February.
|
Services in Espoo are suspended until the covid situation improves.
|
|
|
Baptism of Christ, by Daniel Bonnell
|
|
|
|
|
SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH GROUP
|
|
|
See you on Zoom!
Sunday School and Youth Group takes place online this Sunday at 10am and for the remainder of the month. A zoom link will be shared by email with parents.
|
|
Last Sunday we discussed Jesus' first miracle at the Wedding of Cana and what the miracle of turning water into wine can reveal to us about Jesus. We also talked about how miracles are different to magic tricks and what purpose they serve! Below are some salt dough pots!
|
|
|
|
|
If you have a child aged 7 or over who would be interested in taking first Holy Communion classes then please contact Sarah at office@anglican.fi for more information. Classes will begin soon on zoom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, all choral activities for January 2022 are cancelled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy Birthday to our fantastic churchwarden, Arne,
who turned a youthful 70 years of age last week!
Thank you Arne for your unfailing devotion to our community, your energy in serving the mission of the Church, and for bringing a touch of sunny California to our lives!
|
We are blessed to have you at St Nicholas'.
|
|
|
|
|
Remembering Joan Eriksson - on Tuesday 8th March (not February as previously stated)
|
|
|
You are welcome to meet us outside Espoo Cathedral on Tuesday March 8th at 5pm to say prayers at Joan's grave and light candles. March 8th is also Naistenpäivä (Women's Day) so this is a fitting day to pay tribute to a wonderful woman who did so much for our Church, and was a dear friend to many.
|
|
|
|
We had hoped to hold a memorial service at Mikael Agricola to coincide with Joan's anniversary of death this month, but sadly due to the pandemic this has to be postponed.
|
|
|
|
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18-25 January
|
|
|
Please send in any contributions or ideas for the newsletter to office@anglican.fi!
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
|
Evensong at Töölön Kirkko
|
Evensong at Töölön Kirkko
|
Festival of Easter at St Nicholas,
|
An evening of readings, music & hymns
|
7pm in Mikael Agricola Church
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPORTING US
Your continued support is greatly appreciated, please consider donating towards our ongoing costs via our Donate buttons on our website or by means of a bank transfer using the details below:
|
Suomen Anglikaaninen Kirkko (The Anglican Church in Finland)
|
IBAN: FI73 3131 1000 3282 07
|
You can also use Mobile Pay to make a donation, using number 95789.
|
|
|
PRAY WITH US
Please keep in your prayers the people of Tonga, following a devastating volcanic eruption. We also pray for the troubled places of our world, and especially at this time for the situation in Ukraine.
|
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
|
the wonder of your saving presence:
|
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
|
sustain us by your mighty power;
|
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
|
who is alive and reigns with you,
|
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
|
one God, now and for ever.
|
Church of England: Diocese of Birmingham, Bishop David Urquhart, Bishop Anne Hollinghurst
|
Church of Ireland: Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Bishop Paul Colton
|
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark: Diocese of Elsinore, Bishop Peter Birch
|
|
|
|
|
Father Tuomas Mäkipää (050-3099132)
|
|
Sarah Tahvanainen ( Safeguarding Assistant)
|
[Please use the contact emails provided]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|