Panevezys Church

Pastor Walla                                                                                                                                                                     Pastor Jelena

 

I greet all of you in the name of Jesus Christ.

"The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want everyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins. (2 Peter 3:9)

Our Lord want that all will say "yes" to him and be saved for the eternal life. Our Lord are so beautiful that he has time to wait for more people.

Our Lord are also very good for us here in Panevezys. He has given us grace and love. We can give thanks to him and praise him for every day we wake up and when we come together and worship him.

I am very happy for my congregation in Panevezys - they are working in the light of Jesus Christ. They are not afraid to stand up on the square and proclaim that they believe in Jesus Christ and are saved.

Worship services: In the Panevezys congregation we celebrate worship services every Sunday. When I am not in Lithuania, one Sunday in month Jelena P. is serving. Other Sundays Daiva, Regina J. and Regina Z. are helping, They are all lay preachers. In Panevezys we have two lay preachers and two are learning. I am very thankful for all their work.

Baptism: During 2010 two children were baptized Laimis and Lukas. It is so good that parents want to bring the children in front to our Lord. May our Lord bless the children so that they one day can confess their faith.

New members: One Sunday we had the happiness to welcome two new members in our congregation. Vale and Vidas said yes to belong to our congregation and work for the Lord through our congregation.

Evangelisation: Also during the summer 2010 we had the bus from Evangelisch-Metohodistische Kirche in Germany to help to come out with the message. We were standing at the square and invited people children, youth and adult to have a cup of coffee and have a talk. Many, many people were coming and sat down and had a conversation with someone from the congregation. They made it so good. This is a very good idea to learn to know people and to show ways to come to believe. We also saw and heard that many people have questions about Methodism.

Camp: Our children and leaders where invited to go to the camp which was organized by the UMC of Lithuania. They had good days and good program there.

We also had a camp in Sventoji. We had very good days together with friends from Sweden. We had talks, hand crafts, swimming in the see, painted an old bus. Children and adults were together in love and peace. Our members made a wonderful job. We could have this camp because we got money from Sweden. To go to camp is a good way to learn for the life and for the future and also take Jesus in heart.

Methodist women: Our women are working to help children and mother in the Family house. Sharing charity for people who are in need. Visiting people. They also participated in a conference for women for all Lithuania in Sventoji. This conference was led by women from America. Some of the speakers were from Lithuania. Our women also help families in the countryside.

Prison: In Panevezys there is a prison for women. There are about 320 women and all of them have got gifts. The prison also got 2 washing machines, bedclothes, pillows and clothes. We also have visited the mothers with children in the prison. Daiva, Rgina and Egidijus have had concerts. We have had good times together with the women and workers.

Latvian - Lithuanien initiative meeting in America: Daiva an me were invited to go to the Latvian - Lithuanian initiative meeting in Lancaster, Ohio. We were very happy to talk about our congregation and what is going on. We also visited schools and worship services in our partner church. Daiva was playing violin many times. We are very thankful for these days in America.

Partner church: We are very thankful for our partner church in Lancaster, Ohio. They are helping us in a good way. They think and pray for us and sponsor us and we pray for them.

We also have many friends in Sweden and we are also thankful for all gifts and charity we got from Sweden.

Concert: Before Christmas we had a wonderful Christmas concert in the Galleria. Daivas and Reginas students were singing and playing and I had the opportunity to give all the word from God. Many, many people were coming and listen to the songs and the music parents, sisters and brothers, people from street and so on. Everyone got a Christmas gift to take home. This is also a good idea to meet people who never we meet only inside in our church space.

Car: Many times our congregation has been praying for a car so we can take the families from the countryside to worship services. And we got a big car with 7 places from Wilfried Bolay`s friends in Germany. Our Lord is great.

Thanks: I want to thank our Lord for all of you.

I want to thank you all in the congregation for your wonderful love.

I want to thank you that you are so open and want to learn more.

I want to thank Jelena P. my wonderful colleague who is helping in Panevezys. She makes a good and trustful work for our Lord.

I want to thank Daiva, Regina J and Regina Z for their help to have worship services.

I want to thank Egidijus for he is always playing so good to the hymns.

I want to thank Violeta and Vidas for that they want to be lay preachers.

I want to thank you for what you are doing in pray and by hand.

In the name of Jesus Christ we are one. I love you so much in the name of Jesus Christ.

To the end: Many more things have been happen during the year and our Lord knows everything. We give our thanks to him and continue.

The Lord has promise "I am always with you until the days of the end"

 With thanks and love,

 Walla Carlsson

Pastor in UMC in Panevezys