Worship in Espoo - Holy Mass

Sunday is a special day for Christians as it reminds us of the resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, a Worship Service is held every Sunday and on Christian holidays in all Espoo churches. Everyone is welcome to attend these services.

Most of the services in Espoo are Masses. The Holy Mass is a service with Holy Communion (the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper) and forms the heart of parish life. In the Mass, we experience what is often 'only spoken about' elsewhere – salvation and the forgiveness of sins. The word 'Mass' actually means going forth or being sent out in the peace of the Lord. A service that does not include Holy Communion is called a 'Service of the Word'.

Worship services are also held on weekdays and in many of the chapels. You can easily find a worship community near you! The Event Calendar  gives the times and places of our services and additional information on the special character or target group of the service and the pastors and church musicians serving.

In addition to regular services, we offer various special services, including children and family services and youth services. Some differ from traditional services in their format and music. Festive services are held during Advent, Christmas, and Easter, filling the pews year after year.

The four stages of the Mass – like a traditional visit

The Mass contains four main stages: the Gathering, the Liturgy of the Word, the Holy Communion, and the Conclusion.

You can compare The Mass to a visit to friends. When visiting, people greet each other in the hallway, and an initial exchange often sets the tone for the evening. In the same way, the Mass begins with the congregation and the liturgist (the pastor leading the service) greeting one another. Most importantly, this is where people and God meet and greet one another.

Next, guests are invited into the living room, where they catch up and discuss what's happening in their lives. Similarly, during the Liturgy of the Word, the Holy Scriptures are read and a sermon is given discussing the meaning of the Bible readings.

At some point during the visit, the host typically offers something to eat, and everyone gathers around the dining table. In the same way, Christians gather in the Mass for a shared meal – the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, or Eucharist.

At the end of the visit, guests thank the host in the hallway and wish each other a safe journey home. At the conclusion of the Mass, a hymn of praise is sung, and the congregation receives the Lord's blessing before being sent out to 'serve the Lord with joy'.