The Last Sunday after Trinity25th October 2026
We seek to be an inclusive church, that all who worship here may know the love of God through Jesus Christ
Hymns — Processional: 723 (Tune 1) · Gradual: 494 · Offertory: 558 · During Communion: 161 and 12 · Recessional: 428 (Tune 2)
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Readings
Collect
Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
First Reading – Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18
A reading from the Book of Leviticus.
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
You shall not render an unjust judgement; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbour. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbour: I am the Lord.
You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbour, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.
Psalm 1
1Blessed are they who have not walked
in the counsel of the wicked, ♦
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the assembly of the scornful.
2Their delight is in the law of the Lord ♦
and they meditate on his law day and night.
3Like a tree planted by streams of water
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither, ♦
whatever they do, it shall prosper.
4As for the wicked, it is not so with them; ♦
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement, ♦
nor the sinner in the congregation of the righteous.
6For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, ♦
but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8
A reading from the First letter of Paul to Thessalonians.
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
Gospel – Matthew 22:34–end
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
“The Lord said to my Lord,‘Sit at my right hand,until I put your enemies under your feet’ ”?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
Post Communion
God of all grace,
your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry
with the bread of his life
and the word of his kingdom:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your true and living bread;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Notices
Commemoration of the Faithful Departed
At our All Saints’ Day service, we commemorate the Faithful Departed. If you would like the names of your loved ones to be read aloud, please add them to the list at the entrance table.
St Nicholas’ Christmas Bazaar
We need a small team of helpers to plan this year’s Bazaar with Sarah.
Other ways that everyone can help with!
- Pledging food for the Bazaar cafe (we ran out of savoury food last year!)
- Donating a gift for the tombola (value 4€ or over) or raffle (prizes or vouchers over €40)
- Ask your employer or local businesses if they can donate a prize
- Donate books for the second hand book stall
- Help us set up on the evening before the Bazaar or on the morning of the event
- Join the happy band of volunteers who tidy up afterwards!
Please let Revd Maria, Sarah or a Council member know what you can pledge as soon as possible. This needs to be a whole community effort with everyone involved in order to make this our best ever Bazaar! Thank you!
Church keys
Mikael Agricola Church key system will change in November/December. This means that Rev Maria needs to know all of St Nicholas’ people who have any keys to the church building. Please inform Rev Maria via email: chaplain.maria@anglican.fi Further information will be given later when and how hand over happens.
Services this Week
Wednesday 28th October – in the Chapel
Midweek Holy Communion at 5pm
Evening Prayer at 6pm
Next Sunday 1st November – All Saints’ Day
At 10am Sung Eucharist. During the service we also commemorate the Faithful Departed.
Dates for the Diary
7th November – Margin Alexander Concert, 7pm
A composer and pianist from New York City.
8th November – Remembrance Sunday
At 10am Sung Eucharist
11th November – Remembrance Day
At 10.45am special Remembrance Day service with the British Embassy
28th November – Christmas Bazaar
At 11am to 2.30pm in the Crypt
29th November – First Advent
At 10am Sung Eucharist
9th December – Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
At 7–8pm, Helsinki Cathedral
13th December – Christingle All Age service
At 10am
24th December – Christmas Eve
At 4pm Family Carols and Crib service
Safeguarding
We are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our community. Please contact the Safeguarding Officer or Chaplain for assistance or advice; we respond promptly to every concern or allegation. You can also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team at europe.safeguarding@churchofengland.org.
Chaplain: The Reverend Maria Obafemi-Onuigbo · Mobile: 0413180892
Email: chaplain.maria@anglican.fi · Office: office@anglican.fi
www.anglican.fi · Facebook: @anglicanfinland · Instagram: @anglican_church_helsinki
CCLI licence 309229