The biblical readings appointed for the Second Sunday of Christmas (1 Samuel 3:1–10, Romans 12:1–5 and John 10:22–30) remind us that God desires a relationship with us and speaks to us even when heaven sometimes seems silent. God speaks to Samuel at a time when the night around him appeared dark and “the word of…

On Saturday, 25 October, the outer windows on the Kuninga Street side of our church that had been replaced by plastic sheeting in recent weeks returned from the restoration workshop. If you have a moment while walking through town, look up—aren’t they beautiful! The next windows will soon have their turn, so we hope to…

The celebration of Christmas concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Yes, on 2 February we will return once more to the stories of the Lord’s childhood. Yet, as the green liturgical colour that will replace the present white next Sunday indicates, today brings the joyful Christmas season to an end. The…

In today’s Gospel, the Samaritan woman said to Jesus: “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” (John 4:5–26) Thirst matters. Often a person does not come to God because every point of doctrine is already clear, but because they have grown…

A hybrid confirmation course begins on Thursday, 12 February and concludes with Confirmation at Pentecost on 24 May. Most classes will be held as online lectures using Zoom. During the course, candidates must nevertheless attend at least five Sunday Masses, either at Pärnu St Elizabeth’s Parish or another parish of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.…

The official said to Jesus, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. (John 4:49–50) The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost is dedicated in the Church year to the struggle of faith.…

Bishop Anti Toplaan of Saare-Lääne concluded his episcopal visitation to the local authorities of Pärnu County with a meeting at St Elizabeth’s Church, where he also met the Mayor of Pärnu, Kristel Voltenberg. The hosts were the Revd Toomas Nigola, pastor of St Elizabeth’s Parish and dean of Pärnu Deanery, and Andres Riivits, chair of…

It is the penultimate Sunday before the beginning of Lent. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work” (John 4:34). The Letter to the Hebrews, quoting the Old Testament Psalter, says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15)…

Jesus says: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:31–32 When…

“Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in Jesus. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.” (John 12:42–43) In today’s Gospel reading (John 12:37–43), it is said of…