News archive

The windows that left for the restoration workshop only a week ago are already back—and more beautiful than before! They now fit more snugly as well, so less of the cold autumn and winter wind will find its way into the church. Our heartfelt thanks to the Margus Liiv restoration studio for their excellent work!…

“We have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.” (John 4:42) In today’s Gospel story (John 4:39–42), we see how faith in Christ united people who, in worldly terms, were otherwise very different: men and women, Jews and Samaritans, citizens of bad reputation and of good standing.…

Today we celebrate the great Feast of the Holy Trinity, or Trinity Sunday. The Church thereby invites us to contemplate not so much a difficult doctrine as the wondrous God who has revealed himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in one God in three persons—the Father, the Son and the…

On Saturday, 30 May, a first-aid course was held in the confirmation hall of St Elizabeth’s Church for staff and volunteers from parishes in Pärnu and the surrounding area. The instructor was Jana Ristimets, chair of the supervisory board of Pärnu Hospital Foundation. She gave participants a thorough introduction to essential first-aid techniques and responding…

🌿 PERISHABLE AND IMPERISHABLE TREASURES 🌿 Jesus says: “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15) We spend much of our lives accumulating—knowledge, experience, possessions and achievements. Today, however, Jesus reminds us that everything earthly will pass away and…

🍃 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Today we are confronted with a contrast between two kingdoms. On the one hand, it is the day on which we remember the June deportation and the horrors committed by an ungodly regime. On the…

🔥 Youth Alpha is starting! 🍕✨ Have you ever wondered: If any of these questions speaks to you, even just a little, you are warmly invited to the Youth Alpha course, beginning: 📅 Saturday, 13 June🕓 at 16:00📍 in the fireplace room on the third floor of the parish house beside St Elizabeth’s Church in Pärnu What is…

On 7 June, Veijo and Anna-Maija Olli were solemnly commissioned at St Elizabeth’s Church as missionaries serving the parishes of Pärnu and Sindi. The Revd Esa Luukkala, director of the Mission Centre of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, assisted at the festive Mass and preached the sermon. The missionaries were commissioned by the Revd Toomas…

Pärnu St Elizabeth’s Parish is continuing the restoration of the church windows. In June, with support from Pärnu City Government and private donors, the windows of the confirmation hall were restored both inside and out. On Saturday, 27 June, restoration began on the outer window in the east wall of the chancel. This is the…

From 17 to 20 August 2026, everyone interested is invited to take part in the next stage of developing the Holy Cross pilgrimage walking route. This time the journey will lead from the Holy Cross Chapel at Vanamõisa to the ruins of Rõngu vassal castle. The purpose of developing the Holy Cross pilgrimage route is…

🌿 IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD 🌿 Today the Church year brings us to the Sunday of the Apostles, whose theme is “In the Service of the Lord”. The verse of the day leads us to the heart of this theme: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens…

🌿 THE COMMANDMENT OF LOVE 🌿 Today the Church year brings us to the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, whose theme is “The Commandment of Love”. The verse of the day leads us to the heart of this theme: “Thus says the Lord, he who created you: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I…

Jesus said, “All things can be done for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23) The Second Sunday in Lent reminds us that every Christian has a responsibility consciously to direct their mind towards what is better—to become a better person, however clichéd the phrase may sound. “Be good” need not be an empty slogan unless…

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35) It is God’s nature to love, to give himself, to bestow and to share. When he calls himself the true bread in the Gospel, the comparison is therefore…

At the request of listeners, we are publishing selected excerpts from the audio recording of today’s Mass (15 April—the Fourth Sunday in Lent). Our thanks to Elsa Virta, Kaaleb Humal, and Teele, Marie and Osvald Nigola, who joined our organist Aaro in supporting today’s worship with music. The Revd Toomas Nigola preached.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luke 13:34) It is the Fifth Sunday in Lent, the beginning of Passiontide. While the…

So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes may have eternal life in him. (John 3:14b–15) Palm Sunday is not only the feast of Jesus’ arrival. It is also the feast of his humility. Today we stand on the threshold of Holy Week and, with the benefit of hindsight, see clearly…

On Good Friday, together with Christians from several congregations in Pärnu, we walked the Lord’s Way of the Cross (Latin: Via Crucis), meditating on the Passion of Jesus Christ from his condemnation to his crucifixion and burial. In Estonia and throughout the world, this devotion holds a particularly important place during Lent and on Good…

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:26) A week has passed since the holy day of the Lord’s Resurrection, yet the newness and significance of that event have not diminished in the slightest. If anything, as time passes we learn to recognise its meaning ever more deeply—as we…

The parish pastor, the Revd Toomas Nigola, will be on spring leave from 15 to 18 April. During his absence, the assistant pastor, the Revd Joel Pulk (tel. 5647 6417, email joel.pulk@eelk.ee), can assist with pastoral matters. For other enquiries, please contact the parish office (Monday to Thursday, 10:00–14:00; tel. 5666 4626).

On 11 April, a Bible mini-retreat for young people was held at Pärnu St Elizabeth’s Church. Its central theme was sacrifice and redemption in the Old and New Testaments. In the light of Easter, the retreat offered young people an opportunity to explore what Christian redemption means and what Christ sets humanity free from. About…

The name Jubilate (“rejoice”), taken from the antiphon of today’s psalm (Psalm 66:1), expresses the character of the Easter season. With joy, the Church celebrates the Lord’s Resurrection and his victory over death, and turns its gaze towards the new life in heaven, where Jesus has gone to prepare a dwelling place for his own.…

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things. (Psalm 98:1) “Sing to the Lord a new song!”—this is the call of today, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, inviting us to join in the joy of the Resurrection. Cantate Sunday reminds us that Christian life is more than the grey…

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Our Sunday-school children made symbolic rabbits to hold Easter eggs. The Easter Bunny is an ancient symbol of fertility and new life, originating in Germanic culture and associated with spring and the awakening of nature. Because rabbits reproduce quickly and abundantly, they symbolise the victory of life over…