St. Thomas Mass –
A Celebration
The St.Thomas Mass in
Tampere is arranged by 60-70 volunteers, both lay persons and pastors, each
time by a different team of people. It is one of the worships in the Federation
of Evangelical Lutheran Parishes in Tampere. The mass got its name from Apostle Thomas, who seemed to have more
questions than answers. The St. Thomas Mass started in Helsinki 1998 and is now
celebrated in several cities in Finland and in dozens of locations in Europe.
All kinds of people, young
and old, doubtful and faithful, distressed and joyful, believers and
non-believers are welcome to attend St. Thomas Mass as they are. No one is
excluded. People’s burdens are eased through prayer, confidential face-to-face
discussions and private discussions with confessors, who are for you already
one hour before the Mass until the Holy Communion. Moreover, everybody is
invited to serve God and other people in various roles in the forthcoming
masses.
Fresh and touching music is an integral part in the St. Thomas Mass.
There is a lot of singing and playing throughout the Mass. The Thomas Choir and
Orchestra lead our singing. All the music and liturgical texts are shown on
several screens in the church. The music is special!
Order of the Mass
Procession and introduction
St. Thomas Mass starts with a solemn procession and joyful music followed
by some welcome words from the mass team. Then comes usually confession of sins
and absolution. Then God’s forgiveness is praised by singing. This confession section
may sometimes be in another place in the liturgy, which is in the beginning of
the Holy Communion.
Prayer
After the introduction starts the prayer section. You can pray either on
your own, with volunteers and pastors, by singing with others or you may walk around
in the church and pray at the main altar or have some meditation at the prayer
altars. Those are made by lay persons as expressions of prayers. At the altars
you can write down your prayer requests. Some of them will be prayed in the common
prayer in the same mass, others later in prayer groups. At least one of the
prayer assistants may pray with you in English at the main altar.
You may also receive a blessing and anointment with oil.
The Word
Then it is time for Bible
reading. Texts follow the liturgical year, with readings from the Old Testament,
New Testament epistles as well as the daily Gospel reading. The sermon is
followed by the greed (credo). Then the offering is collected while hymns or
songs are sung.
Holy Communion
The culmination of the Mass
is the Holy Communion. It is served at four or five places, so it is easy to
take part in it. You may get non-alcohol wine and gluten-free bread at a certain
distribution place. During the Holy Communion peaceful hymns and songs are
sung.
All baptized Christians are
welcome to take the communion. Children are also given communion if the parent
so requests. Children can also be blessed. If you want to have a blessing you
can make a sign by keeping your right hand on your left shoulder.
The Dismissal
After the Holy Communion God is praised for His goodness by singing and
people get God’s blessing and go in Peace with it. The mass itself ends in the
final song and a procession.
After the Mass tea is served in the Crypt downstairs. Everyone is welcome
to join the fellowship and chat with those present.
Please feel free to join us!
Further information and contact:
tampereentuomasmessu.fi
