Welcome to the Finnish Lutheran Church of Melbourne
We offer a welcoming meeting place for all Finns in Melbourne, and provide spiritual care and a broad range of activities for all age groups.
On these pages you can find information on our background, services, usual activities, and calendar of activities.
In addition, you will find the latest Pastor's column below the news post hereunder.
On these pages you can find information on our background, services, usual activities, and calendar of activities.
In addition, you will find the latest Pastor's column below the news post hereunder.
NEWS: Changes to upcoming events
Due to the easing of some restrictions in the state of Victoria, we are able to resume worship services with certain restrictions in place to keep everyone safe during the continuing global pandemic. (Latest information will be updated here prior to the next event).
So, it is with great pleasure that we would like to invite you to our next event, which will be organised by the Finnish Society of Melbourne, the KAUNEIMMAT JOULULAULUT - Christmas Carols Event - at the Finnish Hall,
119 Pier St, Altona.
Sunday the 6th of December, 2pm.
This will be followed by a coffee service.
(Covid-safety measures are in place for this and all our events).
Christmas Day service will be going ahead (JOY!)
Friday, 25 December -
Outdoors in the lush gardens of the Swedish Church in Toorak.
10am onwards (to be confirmed).
In the meantime....
In the event you are experiencing a crisis or emergency and seek church counsel, please contact Pastor Ian Vainikka on his mobile on 0422 292 372 or via email at ian.vainikka@gmail.com
***MORE DETAILS TO BE POSTED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND IN THE SUOMI NEWSPAPER***
Pastor Ian's latest post (Column number 30 - 27.11.2020)
As Peter was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" (Luke 9:34-35)
At this point in the transfiguration story, God sits high, but looks low. Peter, James, and John saw the Son of God in all his glory, "glory as of the only Son from the Father," as John later described (John 1:14). When Peter wanted to settle in and enjoy the glory by putting up three tents, his suggestion was ignored. Instead, a voice spoke from heaven. Then Moses and Elijah disappeared.
Then they saw only Jesus, looking as he had before the transfiguration, the glory no longer seen by their eyes but fixed in their memory for the rest of their lives. This Jesus, looking now like anyone else, led the three disciples down from the mountain to the lower places where people were living their daily lives. God sits high, but looks low. That's where Jesus still brings his salvation today, down here, where you and I live; where we are occupied with our daily business; where we sometimes rejoice but just as often where we are troubled and hurt.
That's why God wants to lift your eyes to the cross. It is there you will find the suffering and death that Jesus endured to pay the penalty for your sins and mine.
Some time ago, I was invited to a friend’s place in Southbank, Melbourne. This friend of mine lives in one of the top stories of one of the tallest residential building in Australia. The view of the city was spectacular, but everything on the ground was so small, so insignificant. The MCG, for example, seemed only a centimetre tall from my perspective.
After dinner, down on the street, it was back to real life. Impatient motorists blowing their horns. Businessmen in suits on mobile phones. People everywhere. There was a young homeless man sleeping on the footpath. A beggar holds his hand out. Down here—not up on the Eureka Tower—was real life.
As Jesus left the mountain for the lower regions, today he still comes by his Spirit to meet you where you are. In your situation, whatever it may be, as unimportant as you might think you are, down here where you and I live, the words the Heavenly Father spoke from the cloud on the mountain of transfiguration are as timely as ever: "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!"
Pastor Ian
ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES
If you would like to view services from St Paul's Lutheran Church in Box Hill, please go to their Youtube channel and select the services you would like to view:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxCh_msqE8PDXBFkF1AGPA
Finnish services are broadcast on Yle Areena - to view the programs, follow the link here:
https://areena.yle.fi/1-3757226
You can also get a lot of information, devotionals etc, from Finland's church website, including English translations if needed. Visit:
www.evl.fi
Join the church
You can join the Mikael Agricola Finnish Lutheran Church by completing the attached membership form. Please print out, fill in, sign, and scan the form, and email it to ian.vainikka@gmail.com. You can also post the form to the church manse, 72 The Strand, Point Cook, 3030.
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