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This coming Sunday is know as Passion Sunday. It is quite a vast contrast to previous Sunday which is in Latin know as Laetare “rejoice”. The name is taken from the first word of the introit of that Sunday: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her” (Psalm 66). Where the colours visible in the church might have been rose for last Sunday, this Sunday they are definitely purple or Lent array or even crimson.
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The psalm for this Sunday begins with words “Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences.” (Psalm 51). The psalmist sings of how he has come to realise the need of forgiveness and grace. This is the beginning of the season when we are invited to follow Christ on his journey to Jerusalem, to watch how he is judged, mocked and crucified. It would be easy to turn our faces away, to blame others or reject the whole narrative of Christ’s sufferings. But this season is also a call to examine human nature and to remind us that not only are we capable of doing bad things but that injustice and violence are still very much present in this world. So the message of this Passiontide becomes even more profound and powerful: Christ is there where injustice and violence are visible and suffers with those who suffer. And that even there he stretches out his hands to bless and to love – knowing himself what it means when God seem to be afar: “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?”, Christ cries.
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As we read Psalm 51 further, we come to a turning point: “Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” That should be our prayer as we prepare to welcome the Risen Christ on Easter morning, and every week! As Christ said to his disciples so we are to say to all: Fear not!
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The Chaplaincy has invested some money in order to make online services more accessible and ‘lively’ by having multiple cameras and making it possible for members of congregation to read Bible passages from their homes. Please follow the instructions in this newsletter.
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I am also glad to announce that the Chaplaincy Council has appointed Sarah Tahvanainen as our new Office Manager. Congratulations and blessings, Sarah!
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SUNDAY 21st MARCH - 5th Sunday of Lent
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10.00am Eucharist live on facebook, or click this link to watch on the website: Worship With Us
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THURSDAY 25th MARCH - Evening Prayer
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6.00pm Click here to join us:
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(You do not need to have zoom already installed on your device to join a zoom meeting, simply click the link and follow the instructions! The next Virtual Coffee Morning will be on Palm Sunday at 11am! We will send you a zoom link next week.)
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Sunday School & Youth Group: Last Sunday's session was led by the Youth Group; we had a presentation about the origins of Mothers Day and shared what we appreciate about our mothers. There was also a magic flower craft for children to make for their mothers. We finished with some fun action prayers. It was lovely to see everyone and to sing Happy Birthday to one of our young people who had turned 18!
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Covid Update: Due to the ongoing pandemic service will continue online until further notice.
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We will update you as and when we are able to welcome you back into Church again.
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Do you have some news to share with the congregation? Please email us at office@anglican.fi
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PRAY WITH US
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out of love for the world:
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lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,
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that we may know eternal peace
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through the shedding of our Saviour's blood,
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This coming Sunday we pray for...
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The Church of Sweden: Diocese of Lund, Bishop Johan Tyrberg
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The Church of Ireland: Diocese of Cashel, Ossory and Ferns, Bishop Michael Burrows
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The Church of England: Diocese of Ely, Bishop Stephen Conway, Bishop Dagmar Winter
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