On the Threshold of a New Year
As a new year begins, we are invited to pause, look back, and discern the traces of God’s presence in what has been. Through love, presence, and commitment, we are able to glimpse hope even in a time that holds darkness.
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It is a special feeling to stand on the threshold of a new year—to file away the old year and to look ahead to what is to come.
Often, at the end of each day, I make a review of the day, something that in Ignatian spirituality is called the “exam.” I ask myself: What were the situations that brought me warmth?
How have I been able to see Jesus’ presence—how he has come to meet me—in the events of the day?
Perhaps it is in an encounter with another person, a song, or in something unexpected that happened.
Sometimes it is in my own inability that I have seen his outstretched hand. For me, this has helped me to see his presence right in the midst of life.
We have just been given a new year. But before we rush into the new, why not pause and do a kind of “mega-exam,” a look back over the year?
What were the warm points of the past year, and what might that tell me as I now take on a new year? How have I been able to see Jesus’ presence during the year that has gone by?Sometimes it is only when we look back that it becomes clear to us.
When I look back on my year, it becomes clear that I have often seen his presence in encounters with other people. Perhaps that is not so strange. In 1 John 4:12 it says: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” Could it be that even if we cannot see God with our eyes, we can experience something of God himself in our love for one another?
What, then, does it mean to love?
There is much to say about that, but in the time we live in I think that one of the most precious things we can give another person is our presence and our commitment.
Sometimes it is about giving of our time; sometimes about staying, even when it costs; sometimes about raising our voice when people are violated.
A great deal of love is needed in our time.
Much can feel dark in our world, but love is the strongest force. I heard someone say:
“It can feel hard to influence the big world, but it is impossible not to influence the small world.”
How we live our lives matters.
It begins with each of us.
Did you give the world some love today?
Even though there is much that worries us, we may place our trust in the fact that, despite everything, there is Someone who holds our lives and this world in his hand
The God who has promised never to abandon us and who, for every situation and time, calls to us through the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“Look, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert.”
Carin Dernulf,
Senior Pastor
HQ is up and running!
Last weekend we opened HQ. ✨
A new meeting place for children, youth, and young adults – full of life, laughter, and community
Thank you to everyone who came and made the opening truly special.
Everyone is warmly welcome here!
HQ – weekly schedule:
• Tuesdays 15.30–18.30 | Children 0–9 years old
• Thursdays 15.30–18.30 | Children 10–12 years old
• Wednesdays 15.30–18.30 | Youth 13–19 years old and young adults
• Fridays from 18.30 | FREDA – youth gathering for ages 13 and up
See you at HQ! 💛
Kick-off for 2026!
On Sunday, January 25 at 11:00, the whole congregation is invited to start the new year with a special Kick-off Sunday. The theme of the service is: “Following Him Who Sets People Free
– The Church’s Mission in Our Time.”
We are also delighted to welcome new members and
meet this year’s confirmation students.
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Afterwards, lunch will be served for everyone who had registered (registration required), followed by a large seminar where we will hear from Rissa Seidou, police officer and community chief in Järva. The theme is: ‘The Vulnerability of Children and Youth
in Our Time.’
After the seminar, there will be a discussion on how we as a church can help foster safety, hope, and faith in the future.
A warm welcome to everyone!
Immanuel Church Day – Kick-off Sunday 2026
11:00 – Joint Service
Theme: “Following Him Who Sets People Free – The Church’s Mission in Our Time”
Preacher: Carin Dernulf
Music: Immanuel’s Music Team
Holy Communion
12:30 – Lunch – 60 SEK per adult and 30 SEK per child
(Registration via the link below)
1:30 PM – Large Seminar
“The Vulnerability of Children and Youth in Our Time”
Children’s program available for children ages 4-11
(Registration via the link below)
Registration deadline: Monday, January 19, 2026.
Congregational meeting – February 1
You are warmly welcome to the congregational meeting on Sunday, February 1, following the service at 13.15.
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Toward the end of January, you will find the agenda for the congregational meeting on our website under the ‘Members’ tab. The proposed instructions for the Operational Review Committee will also be posted there at least one week in advance.
Another item on the agenda is an update on the ongoing development of the new process for the 2027–2029 operational plan, along with a report from the International Fellowship.
Welcome!
Motions for the 2026 Annual Meeting
All members of Immanuel Church are welcome to submit motions for the annual meeting. Please submit your motions to the church office or via email at motioner@immanuel.se no later than Sunday, 15 February.
If you are unsure how to write a motion, click here.
The Election Committe has started its work
The Election Committee has begun its work in preparation for the annual meeting. You are welcome to submit comments and suggestions to the Chair of the Election Committee, Sven Mannervik, at mannerviksven@gmail.com or by telephone 070 797 5720, no later than Monday, February 9, 2026.
Bake and pray – for those who are free during the day!
It’s more fun when we do things together!
If you’re free during the day, come join kitchen coordinator Ulrica and Pastor Anna for a fun baking session.
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Once a month, we meet to bake cookies together, which we can then serve in the church’s activities. While working together, there is time to chat about both little and big things, and when we end the day with fika, we also pray together. The group is bilingual (Swedish and English).
Join us this spring on these Mondays, 14:00–16:00:
February 9 | March 9 | April 13 | May 11
We have space for 8 people, so please sign up with the
Pastor Anna Berndes: 08-587 503 02 or anna.berndes@immanuelskyrkan.se
Are you a golfer? Join the Immanuel Open 2026!
Some of us golfers in the congregation would like to bring back an old tradition – a fun golf tournament open to members and their friends.
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If there is interest, we will try to book a golf course in the Stockholm area in early summer 2026, sometime between May 18 and June 17. The tournament will be on a weekday and finish with a shared meal and award ceremony.
The event is independently organized and not funded by the congregation.
This is just to gauge interest and signing up is not binding.
Sign up if interested
If you are a golfer at Immanuel Church and are interested, please send your name and handicap to:
Thure Thorgren
Emailt: thure.thorgren@gmail.com
Do you have friends who might be interested? Invite them and send in their interest too!
Further details coming soon.
With golfing regards
/Thure
Swedish Service at 11.00 in the Sanctuary (upstairs)
10:45 Quiet Music · 11:00 Worship Service
Children’s Church every Sunday. You can also watch the services online on Facebook, our website, and YouTube. Every Sunday, we serve coffee and refreshments after the service in the church foyer. Welcome!
Korean Service at 11.00 in the Waldenström Hall
The services can also be viewed online on our website, Sunday school
in Korean is offered every Sunday. Join us for coffee after the service. Welcome!
International Service 11.00 in Congressen on level K1
All Sunday services can also be viewed online on our website and on YouTube.
Sunday School in English is offered every Sunday for children ages 3-14.
Join us for Fika after the service in Paus on level K1. Welcome!
Birthday Celebrations
Ardith Lynn Baldwin 70 yrs January 20
Margaret Akinyi Obondo 75 yrs January 21
Kaj Ingelman 95 yrs January 27
Nan Hee Jansson 75 yrs February 5
Magdalene Anupi Musumba 65 yrs February 8
Young Um 85 yrs February 10
Ann-Charlotte Österberg 70 yrs February 11
Gone to be with the Lord
Carin Ladufjäll Arvidsson
* January 22, 1956
† December 11, 2025
Kristina Lundgren
* July 11, 1933
† January 2, 2026
Lage Jennervall
* December 20, 1937
† January 3, 2026
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GE DIN GÅVA / GIVE YOUR OFFERING / 헌금안내
Svenska Swishnr: 123 418 32 24
International Swish nr: 123 189 13 08
Korean Swish nr. 123 184 98 43
Tack för alla gåvor i pengar, tid och engagemang.
Thank you for all gifts through money, time and commitment.
모든 헌금에 감사 드립니다.
Copyright © 2026 Immanuelskyrkan, Stockholm, All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you had signed up to receive the Immanuel Church Newsletter.
