Evangelical Lutheran Church participates in the World Village Festival: Young People Bring the Voices of Hope and Peace

The Evangelical Lutheran Parishes of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area will participate in the The World Village Festival with a worship service and with our own stand in the festival area.

Our Festival stand will be partly hosted by a group of young people from our different multilingual parishes - as peace and the future are of course strongly intertwined. When the young were asked what brings peace to them, they said things like spending quality time with loved ones and the well-being of their loved ones, and their own faith or helping other young people. (See video below.) Come to our stand OF 701 on Saturday to talk to our young people about peace!

All are welcome – join us in Suvilahti!

‍The parishes are organising a multilingual and multicultural Global Church Festival Worship Service in the Speaker’s Stage at Tiivistämö on Sunday 25th of May at 11.15 AM. The worship service will contain a prayer for peace, as praying together is part of working for peace. The service is suitable for all ages and is available in Finnish and in English. It is also livestreamed on the World Village Festival website and can be followed online ↗.

After the service, the street art area will host performances by the Peace Choir of the Chinese-speaking Parish and the Children's Light Choir. They will perform songs about peace and hope.

On the Evagelical Lutheran Churches' Stand you have an opportunity to leave a prayer for a cause you care about. You can spin the wheel of fortune. You can also hang a prayer on the Tree of Hope or tell what brings you peace.

You can also find out about the multicultural and multilingual activities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In addition to activities in Finnish and Swedish, the parishes in Espoo, Helsinki and Vantaa have weekly activities for all ages in Arabic, English, Chinese, Estonian and Russian.

Free admission.

For more information:

Global Church Worship Service - Maailma kylässä -festivaali ↗

Watch online:

Online Archives - Maailma kylässä -festivaali ↗

Guided by the example of Jesus

‍The example of Jesus guides Christians to strive for peace. For example, when Jesus was imprisoned (Matthew 26:50-52), He said to a resisting follower: "Sheathe your sword. Whoever takes up the sword will fall by the sword."

– Here lies a psychological truth. One must be cautious with aggression — whether physical or verbal. If you give in to it, you may find yourself trapped in a cycle of violence. Jesus clearly does not advocate resorting to aggression among people. Christians are called to follow the example set by Jesus. At various times and in different societies, nonviolent but steadfast resistance has been the way to do this, says Pastor Sirpa Tolppanen from the Vantaa Parishes.

- It is all based on the fact that human beings are created in the image of God and thus everyone has equal value: even if there are great differences of opinion, no one has the right to consider another segment of the population superior or more justified or to interfere with another individual or community, she continues.

The Double Love Commandment (Love God above all things and your neighbour as yourself) serves as a universal guideline for the Christian life.

The Evangelical Lutheran Parishes of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa are Christian communities that are open for everyone. Our common values are faith, hope and love - and equality: everyone is valuable and loved just as they are.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV) John 14:27