Come, share the gifts of God with us,

and serve the world together,

at

OUR SAVIOUR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH,

10 Farrand Street (at River),

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

807.344.1926 osimm@tbaytel.net

Our congregation is located on the traditional territory of the Ojibwa of Anemki Wajiw (the Fort William First Nation), a signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850.

Welcome!

We invite you to be part of our community of grace and faith, active in Thunder Bay for the past 118 years. We seek to continue to be a place where people can grow in their understanding of God's forgiving love revealed through Jesus. Gathered in to worship, God's Spirit calls us out to share in word and action what it means to be people of God.

OUR VISION:

"Come share the gifts of God - serve the world"

Our Facebook page is 'Our Saviour's Thunder Bay'

Our YouTube channel is Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay.

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Recorded Services:

Each Sunday we record the service, and post the video to our YouTube channel:

New - September 7 - Time after Pentecost (Holy Communion)

https://youtu.be/TYXWSkhjuI4

August 31 - Time after Pentecost (Service of the Word)

https://youtu.be/0CHop5i3VkA

August 24 - Time after Pentecost (Service of the Word)

https://youtu.be/Cs9sSqSRpoo

August 17 - Time after Pentecost (Service of the Word)

https://youtu.be/GJQGqSHCl5A

Newsletter:

To receive a copy of the monthly 'Ambassador' by email, please send a request to osimm@tbaytel.net.

The text version of our September 2025 Newsletter is on the page 'Our Newsletter'.

Deadline for October 2025 'Ambassador' articles: September 29.

What's Happening this Week, September 8-14

Monday

Newletter articles, please!

9:00 - 2:30 LINC English classes (Mon-Fri)

6:00 p.m. Beavers

6:30 p.m. Cubs

8:30 p.m. Friendly A.A. Group

Tuesday

4:45 p.m. TOPS

5:00 p.m. Council meeting

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. Singers' rehearsal

Thursday

8:00 p.m. A.A. meeting

Friday

Saturday

Sunday - Time after Pentecost

10:30 a.m. Worship with the Band

11:15 a.m. Fellowship Hour

Fall Supper

Join us for our annual gathering of food, fellowship, and music, Saturday, October 4, at 5:00 p.m. Sign up on the board in the front hall to offer to bring a main dish, or what else is needed; and to help with set-up and clean-up, and with other needs.

For each supper Council designates the proceeds from the freewill offering to help a local and/or church-related cause. This year, it has decided that 75% of the funds will be directed to the ‘Friends of Creation challenge of Canadian Lutheran World Relief. This helps to restore the land and people around Lake Chad in Africa (see newsletter page). 25% will help to support the local ministry ‘I Was Thirsty’:

"I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink" Mt 25:35 This is an outreach mission through St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Volunteers deliver safe, fresh water to the homeless and vulnerable—free of charge. There are no administrative fees. www.iwasthirsty.ca

Worship

We gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., celebrating Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month and festivals: September 7 and 21.

Sunday, September 14, will be Service of the Word.

Worship with the Band returns on Sun. Sept. 28.

As we meet, we record the services. They are uploaded later on Sunday to our YouTube channel, ‘Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’.

Closed captions are available on the video – corrections and song lyrics are added as time allows.

Texts of the bulletin and sermon are also mailed out on Saturday: sign up for our enews: osimm@tbaytel.net. They are posted on our website on Saturday: www.oursaviourstbay.org .

Holy Communion at Our Saviour's

At the time of the sharing of Communion, all are invited to come up the centre aisle to the foot of the chancel steps to receive the bread and the wine/grape juice. Gluten-free wafers are available. After taking a glass, please go off to the side and drink. There is a receptacle for the used glasses as we go back to our seats via the side aisles.

If you are unable to come to the front, please tell the usher and the elements will be brought to you.

Those who do not receive Communion are welcome to come forward for a blessing.

If watching online, when the presiding minister says, ‘The body and blood of Christ given and shed for you’, we welcome all to take and eat a piece of bread, and then to take a glass of wine or other beverage, remembering and giving thanks for the promises of grace, forgiveness, love, new life, and community given us in Christ Jesus.

The Health Unit continues to recommend the wearing of masks in public areas when exposed to the corona virus or immunocompromised.

The Congregational Council endorses this for those who wish to wear masks, and continues to make masks and hand sanitizer available in the front hall and Immanuel Hall.

“Finding Jesus Under the Sea”

No, this isn’t a trick question in a Bible Trivia quiz! It’s the theme of our Sunday School sessions this fall.

Each 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, beginning Sept. 21, children in JK-Gr. 6 will gather at 10:30 a.m. in Immanuel Hall for stories, crafts, and more. At the end of their session they will join worship to share in the Holy Communion.

So if Jesus ISN’T under the sea (that would Jonah), what does this theme mean? The sea contains many wondrous sights created by God. When we take a closer look at the them, by connecting them to a Bible story we see that the sea has much to teach us about God. Here’s one:

Crabs – With their hard exoskeleton and their sharp claws, crabs have a reputation for being a bit, well “crabby.” Children will learn that even on our crabbiest day, God can come along to turn it around. Jonah 1 & 2, Jonah Flees From God.

To help with the classes, or for more info, see Karen Bishop.

More Children’s Ministry

Activity sheets for each Sunday are in the front hall and also are emailed Thurs. osimm@tbaytel.net .

Adventure activity bags are under the mailboxes inside the sanctuary, for children to enjoy during worship.

When there is no Sunday School class, there will be a children’s message during worship for children present (federal law prevents it from being included on our recording.)

Copies of the next seasonal Activity packet, for Thanksgiving/Fall, will be available in October.

Food Collection

Food donations received in the wicker basket in the front hall are being given to the Gathering Table’s food bank and to those in need. Thank you!

On Thanksgiving Sunday, Oct. 12, your gifts of canned goods or other dry food help decorate our sanctuary. All will be given to Gathering Table.

Our annual Blessing of the Animals will take place on Sun. Oct. 5, at 4:00 p.m. Bring your pets, and memories of animal companions now gone, for this short service of thanksgiving, memories, prayers, and blessing. Invite friends and neighbours, and those you see out for a walk with a pet! The service will last about 20 minutes – outside if the weather cooperates, inside the front hall if not.

ELCJHL Appeal

This supports the ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). Our church's relationship with the ELCJHL is an expression of our shared faith and commitment to justice and peace. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to support work that embodies faith, resilience and hope in a just peace.

The people in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem have been suffering under devastating violence, a deepening humanitarian crisis and uncertainty.

The ELCJHL remains steadfast in its mission. Congregations gather in prayer and fellowship. ELCJHL schools have begun their academic year. Diaconal ministry is providing food, rent assistance, medical care and tuition support across the West Bank. Gender Justice and environmental ministries work towards a just and sustainable future.

To date we have raised half our goal.

To donate: mark the amount for ‘ELCJHL Appeal’ on your envelope or donate online: www.elcic.ca.

Season of Creation

Every year from September 1 through to October 4, Christians around the world lift up the Season of Creation.

The ELCIC invites members and congregations to join with those from various traditions in celebrating and honouring the month-long initiative. You are invited consider how you might engage in worship that deepens your ties and connections to creation with a focus on renewing commitments to climate justice.

This year’s theme is Peace With Creation, stemming from Isaiah 32:14-18, which speaks of the transformation from wilderness to fruitful land through the work of the Holy Spirit. Alongside the theme comes the call to action: “To hope is to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, metanoia and solidarity.”

“While the spirit of this theme has been reflected in previous years, I think it is a key message for these times as people are seeing, hearing, experiencing the cries of humanity and the Earth impacted by prolonged conflict and climate change,” said Beth Lorimer, who works for KAIROS Canada as the ecological justice program coordinator.

“The theme invites us into prayer, reflection, and action for just peace for all God’s creation. I think the Season of Creation is an important and sacred time for us to deepen our prayer, reflection and action in care of creation and to strengthen our understanding of the interconnectedness of all creation.”

“The ELCIC and global Lutheran community recognize that care of creation is a matter of faith, so it is important to honour this sacred time as a responsibility and living commitment to their faith,” Lorimer concluded.

World Council of Churches: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle

The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us through every region of the world over the course of a year. Praying for each place on earth and its people at least once a year, we affirm our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts. Pray with us!

Prayer is at the very heart of the ecumenical movement. Jesus prayed that we – his followers – may all be one. When we pray with and for one another, we can feel God’s gift of unity. Prayer sustains us on our way towards a unity that all can see, “so that the world may believe”. (John 17:21)

The suggested prayer texts are based on the publication "Pilgrim Prayer – an Ecumenical Prayer Cycle". The book and the website offer valuable aids for intercessory prayers, prayer on behalf of and in solidarity with others.

Ghana, Nigeria

14 - 20 September 2025

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/ghana-nigeria

Benin, Ivory Coast, Togo

07 - 13 September 2025

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/benin-ivory-coast-togo

OFFERINGS

Thank you for your offerings, sharing the gifts of God so that together we might serve the world!

During our worship, you are able to share your donations during the passing of the plates at the Offering.

Envelopes for your 2025 offerings are available. If you wish to receive a supply, please contact the office, 344-1926, osimm@tbaytel.net.

At other times, and for those unable to attend worship, here are options:

1. Mail envelopes to the church

Mailing address: 10 Farrand St. Thunder Bay P7A 3H5

2. Drop envelopes off at church

You can drop off envelopes in the mailbox beside the parking lot doors. Calling to let us know, 344-1926, is appreciated, so that the offering can be brought inside as soon as possible.

3. E-Transfer online banking

a. If you use online banking, log into your account

b. Add Our Saviour’s as a recipient using our office email address:

osimm.office@tbaytel.net

c. Enter the desired amount and click ‘send’.

4. Sign up for Pre-Authorized Withdrawal (PAR)

You are able to have your monthly offerings directly deposited from your financial institution to that of the church. You can designate it 1-3 ways: Weekly, Building, Forward in Mission. You also can receive undated envelopes for other offerings. To sign up, call the office. If you desire to make any changes at any time of the year, or if you have updates on your address or financial institution, please call the church office, 344-1926.

5. Canada Helps

Our regional synod office has set up Canada Helps button link, you can use to donate to congregations. The charitiable donation receipt will be issued by Canada Helps directly. (It is important to note that there is a cost to using Canada Helps as our donation service. Please considering adding 4% to your donation to cover these costs.)

http://mnosynod.org/donate/

Again, we are so thankful for your faithful generosity.

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