FINNISH LUTHERAN CHURCH

K i r k k o p u l l e t i i n i OF FINNISH LUTHERAN CHURCH January - February 2017 Lahjalipas Vuoden vaihtuessa on monissa lehdissä ajankohtainen pilapiirros. Joskus siinä vanha, koukkuselkäinen ukko astelee syrjään keppi kädessään ja suu väärällään. Häntä vastaan konttaa vaippaikäinen taapero tutti suussa, mistään mitään tietämättä. - Tässä kuvassa esitetään vanhan vuoden katoaminen ukkona, joka on ehtinyt elää jo täyden elämän. Uuden vuoden alkaminen esitetään vauvana, jolla elämä on vielä edessä. Yleensä kuvan vanhus ja taapero eivät edes katso toisiaan - vanha väistyy tervehtimättä uutta ja uusi on liian pieni ja ymmärtämätön sanomaan tai kysymään vanhalta mitään. Mutta miksi se ukonrähjä ei anna vauvalle, tulevaisuuden edustajalle, mitään lahjaa, neuvoa, ohjetta tai evästä? Kun me astumme uuteen, kuljetamme aina jotakin menneestä mukanamme. Jos päiväkirjan lehti onkin aivan puhdas, siihen kirjoittava käsi on vanha. Aina me astumme uuteen vanhan kautta, vanhan läpi kulkeneena. Siksi kuvaan ukosta ja vauvasta sopisi hyvin lisäys, missä vanhus antaisi lapselle lahjaksi lippaan. Se ei sisällä kultaa, suitsuketta ja mirhamia; siihen on kätketty menneisyyden opetukset, viisaudet, siunaukset ja kiroukset. Me emme itse voi aina vaikuttaa siihen, mitä lahjalippaassamme on, mutta sen sisällön kanssa meidän on tultava toimeen. Se on meidän oma historiamme. Lahjalipas seuraa mukanamme kuin varjo. Se voi olla taakka, mutta se voi olla myös tuki. Voimme viisastua ja oppia sen avulla. Voimme välttää ne virheet, joihin ilman sitä kompastuisimme. Millaiselta sinun lippaasi näyttää? Mitä sinne on kertynyt? Mitä taakse jäänyt vuosi on jättänyt sinne? Onko siellä riitaa, rakkautta, onnea, pettymyksiä, menetyksiä, saavutuksia, katkeruutta, iloa ja toivoa? Varmaan useimpia näistä asioista. Lippaamme kanssa me voimme mennä Herramme ja Vapahtajamme luokse. Näyttää hänelle, mitä se kätkee sisälleen. Hän on luvannut kuulla meitä. Psalmin 23 sanoin: Sinun hyvyytesi ja rakkautesi ympäröi minut kaikkina elämäni päivinä ja minä saan asua Herran huoneessa päivieni loppuun asti. Edessämme oleva vuosi on toivon ja armon vuosi. Tulkoon tästä myös kaikille meille onnen ja anteeksiannon vuosi. The Gift Casket When the new year comes, timely cartoons are published in many magazines and papers. Sometimes there is the old hook-backed man walking away with the pole in his hand and a distorted mouth. Crawling towards him is a toddler in baby napkins with the pacifier in the mouth unaware about anything. This illustration shows the disappearance of the old year as the old man, who has already had time to live a full life. The onset of the new year is shown as a baby with the life is still ahead. In general on that image the old man and the toddler don't not even look at each other - the old gives way to the new without salutes and the new is too small and foolish to say anything or ask anything from the old. But why is it that this old wreck does not give anything to the baby, the representative of the future, any gifts, any advice, any help, or any victuals? When we enter into something new we always carry something from the past with us. Only if the journal diary is completely clean, then the hand of the writer is old. We always enter the new from the old, after the old has passed through. Therefore, in the picture of the old man and the baby, an addition would fit well in, where the old man would give the child a "gift casket". It does not contain gold, frankincense and myrrh; but in it, it hides the teachings, the wisdom, the blessings and the curses of the past. We ourselves cannot always influence what is in our gift casket, but we must come to terms with the content. It is our own history. The gift casket comes along with us like a shadow. It can be a burden, but it can also be our support. We can become wiser and learn from it. With it we can avoid the mistakes, upon which we would otherwise stumble. What does your gift casket look like? What has accumulated in it? What has the year gone left in it? Is there strife, love, happiness, disappointment, loss, achievement, resentment, joy and hope? Probably most of these things. With our gift casket we can go on to our Lord and Savior. Show him what it hides in it. He has promised to hear us. With the words of Psalm 23: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." The year ahead of us is a year of hope and of grace. May this also be a year of happiness forgiveness for all of us. Leena Kujala Kajanus, Sairaalapastori - Hospital Pastor, Finland

Christmas Season Marjorie and Ilkka Talvi - performed for us on Christmas Morning! Visiting Pastor Leena Kujala-Kajanus Passing of Aino Ottelin Our Lucia, 'Haley Evelyn Taylor-Manning with Sohvi Borland and Markus and Emma Vaga Aino Ottelin, our dear and faithful friend and church member passed away suddenly after suffering a heart attack. Aino, in the picture, is just like we will remember her, proudly serving at the coffee table that she had prepared with style. Aino, was reliable at the coffee table, volunteering almost monthly, although she had to use 3 buses and it took 2 hours to get to church! Aino's humor and Ostrobotnia Finnish, her lessons in the kitchen, her delightful stories will be greatly missed. A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, January 15 at 11:15 am at the church. Welcome to celebrate the life of Aino and to share your memories. Passing of Lane Ruud Lane Ruud, past president of the church council, passed away in December. Lane was an active member for many years, serving as council president in 2007-2008. We had a candle lighting and silent moment on Dec. 18, 2016 in his memory. Coming Events: January 29, 2017 after the service: ANNUAL MEETING. See agenda posted on the bulletin board February 12, 10 AM through?? PM Virsimaratoni - Marathon of Hymns with Terhi Miikki and Maria Mannisto. "Virsimaratoni" has become popular in Finland. The idea is to sing all psalms in the Finnish hymnal with breaks for coffee and food. We are splitting the task with Vancouver, B.C, San Diego, Dallas and maybe others. Vancouver B.C have their "Virsimaratoni" on Jan. 15. See the bulletin board! April 24: Celebration of Finland's 100th Anniversary with the famous Kantele player Ida Elina from Finland, and with choir and music programs. Coffee service after Church: We want to maintain the coffee service after church. Please help us do that by signing up for taking care of the coffee service!! Wedding, Birthday, Graduation or other events.. Rent a space in the Finnish Lutheran Church, Sanctuary, Maki Hall and kitchen. For more information please contact: Heikki Mannisto ( 206-910-7427) e:mail mannisto.heikki@ekono.com

TAMMIKUU 2017 JANUARY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 New Year s Day, Epiphany, Loppiainen Pastor John-Otto Liljenstolpe Organist : Maria Mannisto 2 Aapeli 3 Elmeri Elmo 4 Ruut 5 Lea Leea 6 Harri 7 Augusti Aku 8 Hilppa Titta, Pastor Bill Moos 9 Veikko Veli 10 Nyyrikki 11 Kari Karri 12 Toini 13 Nuutti 14 Sakari Saku 15 Solja Pastor Kristy Daniels Choir Singing 16 Ilmari Ilmo 17 Toni Anton 18 Laura 19 Heikki Henri 20 Sebastian 21 Aune Oona 22 Visa Pastor Sr Liz Colver Organist: Aaron Otheim 23 Enni Eine 24 Senja 25 Paavo Pauli 26 Joonatan 27 Viljo 28 Kalle Kaarlo 29 Valtteri Pastor Bill Moos Organist: Yvonne Vollan and Kalevala Trio Annual Meeting 30 Irja 31 Aili January Birthdays to celebrate Tossavainen Lea 4 Niemistö Thomas 5 Rudbäck Matias 12 Zieman Randall 17 Lenox Amy 21 Zieman Elli 21 Männistö Heikki 25 Sarkanen Anna-Mari 26 Finnish Lutheran Church Seattle WA 98117Office phone: 206-789 0864 web page http://www.finnishlutheranchurch.org/ FEBRUARY 12, 2017 AT 10 AM VIRSIMARATONI - MARATHON OF HYMNAL SINGING WITH TERHI MIIKKI AS LEADER

HELMIKUU 2017 FEBRUARY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 Riitta 2 Jemina, Lumi 3 Valo 4 Armi, Ronja 5 Runebers s Day Asser Swedish Sermon Pastor John-Otto Liljenstolpe 6 Terhi, Teija 7 Riku, Rikhard 8 Laina 9 Raija, Raisa 10 Elina, Ella 11 Talvikki 12 Elma, Elmi Virsi Marathon Leaders and accompanists Terhi Miikki-Broersma Maria Mannisto 13 Sulo, Sulho 14 Valentin sday Voitto,Valentin 15 Sipi,Sippo 16 Kai. 17 Väinö, Karita, Rita 18 Kaino 19 Eija Pastor Kristy Daniels Pitopöytä 20 Heli, Heljä 21 Keijo 22 Tuulikki, Tuuli 23 Aslak 24 Matti, Matias 25 Tuija, Tuire 26 Nestori Pastor Jukka Joensuu Organist: Yvonne Vollan and Kalevala Trio 27 Torsti 28 Onni February Birthdays to celebrate David Bark 1 Muriel Kouhia 1 Sohvi Borland 2 Rauha Josephson 5 Mark Hillman 6 Katja Kupari 7 Michael Muller 8 Linda Banks 12 Pirjo De Hart 12 Ulla Forsstrom 16 Tuomas Keyes 21 Finnish Lutheran Church Seattle WA 98117 Office phone: 206-789 0864 web page http://www.finnishlutheranchurch.org/ FEBRUARY 12, 2017 AT 10 AM VIRSIMARATONI - MARATHON OF HYMNAL SINGING WITH TERHI MIIKKI AS LEADER

Finnish Lutheran Church Seattle, WA 98117 Phone 206-789 0864 Finnish Lutheran Church is located in Crown Hill, serving all the Finns in the Washington State area and people with any interest in Finnish language or culture. We have services both in English and in Finnish with Finnish Liturgy every Sunday at 10 am, everybody is welcome!!!! Finnish music is presented with our numerous and gifted members and friends. You are welcome to stay for a coffee and refreshments after church and get to know new people! Message from the President of the Republic of Finland to Finnish expatriate communities on 6 December 2016: What does independence mean to you? This is a common question, which many Finns are asked on our Independence Day. And it is a question that we can all take a moment to consider. The uncertainty affecting the world in recent years has shown that peace and stability cannot be taken for granted by everyone. Each and every Finn has the privilege of celebrating and honouring our country's independence. The sixth of December is also a mark of respect for all those who have defended and nurtured our independence. Last year was another in which conflicts around the world and instability intensified. We need to understand that such instability is not a passing phenomenon we will have to live with it for some time to come. Such times require that we step up cooperation within the EU and within the UN. Together with other countries, Finland must contribute to calming the situation. In a continuously changing world, we cannot achieve absolute safety, but through cooperation we can do much to push the cycle in a more peaceful direction. In this task, every initiative tending towards peace is important. In 2017 we will celebrate the centenary of Finland's independence. The theme of our centenary year is Together, as will become evident both in Finland and abroad. As our centenary theme suggests, this celebration is for all Finns and friends of Finland. And rightly so, since we Finns live in many different parts of the world. Many find it easy to move between countries and grow into different environments. However, Finnishness knows no bounds our country and people still need their defenders and advocates, both in Finland and abroad. That is a task that we all share. Finland is among the world s top countries according to a range of international measures. Studies have shown that Finland is among the best performers in the world based on criteria such as honesty, innovation, literacy, success in education and opportunities for girls. We have also been deemed the world's most stable country. This provides a strong starting point for celebrating our independence. You, expatriate Finns, are important ambassadors for Finland, spreading the word about the uniqueness of our country. Our strengths can seem self-evident when viewed from close up, but they deserve to be highlighted in our words and thoughts! I wish you all a wonderful 99th Finnish Independence Day and peaceful days ahead as Christmas approaches. Sauli Niinistö The President of the Republic of Finland