Michaelmas is the festival of angels and children

 

In the Bible, angels are described as God’s messengers who protect and guide people. They are spirits created by God. The gospel read on Michaelmas shows children as a model for faith and says that their angels can look upon the Heavenly Father’s face each moment in heaven. This message of angels is also meant for adults.

“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:2-3)

 Angels in the Bible

The central character of Michaelmas is the Archangel Michael mentioned in the Bible. He reminds us with this festival that God has also created a world that we do not see. Respecting and celebrating Archangel Michael began already in the 5^th century. The day set for this celebration has been September 29^th already since then. The Finnish Lutheran church celebrates Michaelmas on the Sunday following September 29^th. Michaelmas is also the name day of Mikael, Mikko, Miikka and Mikaela. Angels appear in dozens of hymns and in Christian art. In Christian tradition, Raphael and Gabriel are also archangels. In the Lutheran church, one of the only angels remembered by name is Archangel Michael.

Angel

The word ‘angel’ comes from the Latin angelus and Greek angelos. These words mean a messenger. Angels are spirits created by God. In the Nicene Creed, we say that God is the creator of things visible and invisible. Angels belong to the invisible reality, but they can appear to people as messengers, such as Archangel Gabriel did to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1).

Mission2022 events in Rovaniemi

Wednesday, 5 October, 6 PM Gospel Junior mass in the church

Thursday, 6 October, 6 PM Ecumenical blessing of autumn rains in the church. Guest speaker Jukka Jämsén.

We found it – Mission2022 main event weekend

Friday, 7 October

6 PM Youth evening in the church. Programme by Joel Reinaru, youth gospel group Spring of Joy and parish youths.

Saturday, 8 October

10-11 AM Belonging to something bigger, teaching by Jukka Jämsén in the church

12-3 PM Programme for all ages in the church yard

12-2 PM Free soup lunch

Sausages by scouts

Events and things to do at the congregation home for children and families

2 PM Children’s musical play: “Laukku on pakattu” (Bags are packed) in the upper hall of the congregation home (Rauhankatu 70 F). Afterwards pancakes are served.

12 PM Climate panel in the church. The panel will be hosted by the congregation’s climate head Joona Saraste.

2 PM Ritva Uhingi’s lecture in the parish centre’s hall: Confession breaks the chains of the past. Pastoral care and confession available in the church’s crypt.

4 PM Mission feast in the church: We found it! Including Pekka Simojoki, Joel Reinaru and Sami Asp. Speeches and prayers from local congregations.

Sunday, 9 October

10 AM Mission mass in the church. Soup is served after the mass.

1 PM Word and song in the church with the theme “What I have found.” With Harriet Urponen, Jukka Jämsén and Kauko Simonen.

3 PM OMA mass in the parish centre.

Also coming up:

Wednesday, 26 October 6 PM Youth mass in the parish centre.

Premiere of the “Liekit” (Flames) musical in the church on Friday, 18 November at 7 PM. Other shows also in the church on Tuesday, 22 November at 7 PM, Thursday 24 November at 7 PM and Friday 25 November at 7 PM.