On Saturday, June 26, 2021, parishioners from Harlu Lutheran Church of Läskelä and the Lutheran Church of Pitkyaranta in Karelia traveled to Lahdenpohja, a trip they’d been looking forward to for a long time! They visited the nonfunctioning Lutheran church building in Lumivaara, the conserved ruins of the Lutheran church of Jaakkima in Lahdenpohja … [Read more...]
Children & Youth Meetup at Harlu Church
On June 19, 2021, Harlu Lutheran Church of Läskelä, Karelia, hosted a children & youth meetup commemorating St. John the Baptist. Together with Rev. Oleg Menaker, the young people discussed what God wants us to do: to be obedient and upright? or to believe in Him and therefore live as His children? His children have eternal life! Original … [Read more...]
Congregations in Finland and Russia Meet Online
How do sister congregations communicate during the pandemic? The Lutheran Congregation of Kangasniemi, Finland, has a group called “Friends of Koltushi and Harlu” (Koltushi and Harlu are ELCIR Lutheran congregations in Russia). On Saturday, April 17, 2021, they held a live-streamed meeting where brothers and sisters in Christ on both sides of … [Read more...]
Youth Meetup at Church of Läskelä
On April 10, 2021, Harlu Lutheran Congregation of Läskelä, Karelia, hosted a teenagers' & young adults' meetup on the topic "We are Together!" for youth from Läskelä, Pitkyaranta, and Hiidenselkä. Original post in Russian & photos … [Read more...]
Rev. Menaker Meets with Young Children and Teenagers
On September 11, 2020, Rev. Oleg Menaker, the pastor of Harlu Church in Läskelä, Karelia, met with young children and teenagers. Rev. Menaker: "We talked about happiness and God, the wedding feast and patience, judgment and mercy. Happiness may not necessarily be where you're looking for it, but it will always be where God is. Look for your … [Read more...]