Come on Out

Hello everyone,

So Liisa and myself are now staying at Miika and Marja's house for the next six weeks, which is really nice. It's nice to have a place to ourselves that's bigger than the size of a single small room.

So the plan this Friday is that we're meeting up here at Miika and Marja's. It's Samuel's second last weekend with us so come on out and let's spend some time together and enjoy spending some time together. If you don't know the address or how to get here give Liisa and I a call at 778-223-4490 and we'll give you directions. Hope to see you guys here and look forward to seeing you all.

Also this Sunday is a celebration of the Tedder family in a joint service at 11:00am at Bethel Church. We'll be sending them off as a congregation and thanking them for all the great work they've done in our church. There will also be coffee and food after the service. So it would be great to see you guys all there as well. Take care and be blessed.

Liisa and Jarno

Mars Hill Church - Mark Driscoll

Hey guys,

It was great seeing everyone last night! It's so refreshing to be back in Vancouver and amongst friends. I'm really excited about this summer, interning at the church, and spending time with all you guys this summer. Liisa and I really want to plan some fun days, great times spent together, and together growing in Christ. It would be great to start impacting the community in Vancouver and reaching out to people with the love of Jesus Christ.

I mentioned last night as we were leaving about Mark Driscoll who has his church in Seattle and going to visit there. Check out some of his sermons at
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/sermons?author=driscoll&direction=desc&order_by=date
and also take a look at the rest of the church site. This guy is one of my favorite preachers, he's really to the point and real... I love listening to him. I liked the series he did on "Jesus and Demons", but take a look at what interests you. So have a listen and let us know if you guys would be up for taking a trip to Seattle, spending the day in the city, and attending one of the Mars Hill meetings. Who knows maybe we could even make a camping trip out of this. =)

But again it's great to be back, we've really missed all of you guys! See you soon and stay in touch. God bless.

Jarno & Liisa

Coming up + some thoughts

Hello everyone. Hope you are doing better than me. I've been sick in the last 3 weeks more than ever. Went to emergency yesterday due to very high fever. I am on antibiotics now and really hope and pray this cycle of sickness would be over.

Here are some thoughts that have been going on in my head at this time:

Life does not go according to our own script. It's better to live life in dependence on God and trusting Him even when we are a little 'lost' about things going on. It's good to live life humbly before God recognizing that He is in control, not me. Our times of weakness are helpful reminders of this reality. Also this Bible verse has been echoing in my head:

But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (2.Cor12:9-10)

There is something radical in that statement that contradicts the way power is understood in our culture. Our culture wants us to believe that we have the power, we are in control, we make our lives etc. But that is an illusion. Failure to recognize our dependence on God is the worst mistake we can do. I gladly place all my trust in God and lean on His strength rather than mine!

This Friday is at Jenny's and Daniel's house 7.30-10pm

Hopefully we have the privilege to see Liisa & Jarno and Nico!

Bring some snacks with you to make it a little celebration.

Sunday English Worship Service 11-1pm

Pentecost: The Spirit of Mission

Coming Up:

4th of June end of Spring, welcome, farewell, graduation etc. party at Natalie's place!!!

Hope to see you all,

samuel

Come pray!

What is our role in the world as Christians?

We participate in God's work in this world in various ways, but the two things we need to be engaged in that are highlighted in the Scriptures are prayer and witness. This Friday we'll focus on the first...

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people,

even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time. (1Tim2:1-5)

This Friday Youth Group @ Kotikirkko

(Yes, at the legendary white big church building).

we'll focus on prayer first 7.30-8.45pm (meet in the sanctuary...)

then head out to Tim Horton's in Richmond (the usual place)

to hang out and fellowship from 9-?pm

Sunday English Service 11-1pm

Understanding the Church as Body...

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Coming up:

Our friends from Finland are returning. Jenni and Daniel will be here any day. Liisa and Jarno are coming on the 17th. Nico will be back soon too! We are planning things to welcome them and celebrate our time together.

Mark down already one special event:

SUNDAY 23rd of May a BBQ party around 5pm at Rautava's (Kim and Tony).

Liisa and Jarno's welcome party and 'initiation' to join the ministry team (Jarno is officially doing an internship with the church for 3months:).

This is an open invitation to all who consider themselves as part of Bethel Church's English ministry (all the youth included).

We will have our own youth end of Spring party too to welcome our friends and say good buys to others and recognize our girls graduations!!! Keep following the blog to catch the date...

prayerfully,

samuel

Welcome!

Thank you everyone who came last Friday to church to celebrate Vappu and my graduation!

This Friday you are welcomed to visit us. My little sister from Finland arrived just too...

This Friday Youth Group at Tedder's place 7.00-10pm

we can watch some Canucks game, play our own games (bring some with you), enjoy fellowship and food and have some time of prayer ...

Sunday English Service 11-1pm

begins with a mothers' day coffee time!

come a bit earlier to help out with the set up

Coming up:

17th of May Lisa and Jarno are coming to Canada and doing an internship with the Church:)

21-23rd of May is the History Maker. We have not planned to attend, but if some people really want we could do one day tickets for Saturday...

Welcome,

samuel