Our Newsletter
The Ambassador
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
May 2024
10 Farrand Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 3H5
Offices: 344-1926; Immanuel Hall/FAX: 343-4857
E-mail: osimm@tbaytel.net
Facebook: ‘Our Saviour’s Thunder Bay’
YouTube: ‘Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’
Instagram: ‘OSLCTBay’
Pastor: Matthew H. Diegel (Parsonage: 344-6822)
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Bible Studies
Karen Bishop and Pastor Matthew are leading a 4-session Thursday evening Bible study, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The dates are May 9, 16, 23, and 30. Come to all or as many as you are able. Invite your friends!
Written by Canadian Lutheran World Relief, each session has been designed to help us delve deeper into the challenges around the world, to explore related Bible stories, and to discuss how these connect and how God calls us to act together.
Plant, Bake, and Yard Sale
Back by popular demand, our annual sale is happening Saturday, June 8, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. To help, see Linda Sander, Council Lead. Bakers, we sell all the baking that we receive. Start baking, and freezing, now! Please note that drop-off of sale goods can only happen once notice is given, due to storage and usage needs.
‘Joseph’: Sat. June 8, 7:00 p.m.
‘Jubiliation’ is a youth choir from St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Bloomington MN, consisting of 7th through 12th grade students. Each summer they tour a new area of the U.S., Canada, or Europe. This year marks their 36th tour and the choir’s 50th year under the direction of Linda Olson. There is no fee for this 60-70 minute musical, and Our Saviour’s is providing the sanctuary at no charge. There will be a free-will offering at the end of the performance, to be given to the choir to help with its expenses.
We will supply the Sat. supper and Sun. breakfast, as well as having the participants camp out in the church Sat. night. More details to follow!
Due to space limitations, we are first inviting the youth of the Anglican and Lutheran congregations, along with leaders, pastors/priests, to reserve spaces by May 15. On May 15, reservations will open for Our Saviour's. (send order to osimm@tbaytel.net) A general invitation will be issued, as space allows.
Worship
We gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., celebrating Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. May 12 is Service of the Word. Worship with the Band is May 26. Thank you to the Band and singers for your music on Apr. 28. Thanks also to the Quartet+ for beginning worship on Apr. 14. Thank you to the Choir for singing on Apr. 28. It will sing on May 26.
For Holy Communion, all are invited to come up the centre aisle to the foot of the chancel steps to receive the bread (bakers appreciated) and the wine/grape juice. Gluten-free wafers are available. After taking a glass, please go to the side and drink. There is a receptacle for 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.
As we meet we record the services. They are uploaded later to our YouTube channel, ‘Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’. Thank you, John Stadtlander and Brian Phillips!
The bulletin, with links to videos of the songs, and the text of the sermon, are e-mailed Saturday. Sign up: osimm@tbaytel.net. They also are posted on our website each Saturday:
Children’s Ministry
Our in-person Sunday School classes are held twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. Our remaining times together before the summer break are May 5 and 19. The sessions, for children in JK – Gr. 6, begin downstairs in Immanuel Hall at 10:30 a.m. for Bible stories, crafts, and other activities. Then we come up to share Holy Communion. See Karen Bishop, co-ordinator, for more info.
A few copies of the Easter/spring seasonal activity packet remain available for pick-up or drop off. For the latter: osimm@tbaytel.net.
Activity sheets for each Sunday are available in the front hall and are also emailed on Thursday. Sign up: osimm@tbaytel.net .
There are Adventure activity bags under the mailboxes inside the entrance to the sanctuary, for children to enjoy during worship.
Sunday Fellowship
We have Fellowship Hour each Sunday following worship, in Immanuel Hall. Birthdays are celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of the month!
To help with set-up or clean-up, volunteer at the kitchen.
The platform lift is available for those who cannot access the basement via the stairs.
Worship Assistants
For worship we need Greeters and Ushers, Readers, and Communion assistants. Please sign up on the sheet in the front hall. You can check what positions need filling for the coming Sunday in the listing in the bulletin. Pastor Matthew is happy to offer an orientation for all positions. Thanks to those who helped in April.
Readings for Worship
May 5 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
I John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
May 12 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
I John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
May 19 – Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27
John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
May 26 – Holy Trinity
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
June 2 – Time after Pentecost
Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Psalm 8:1-10
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
Mark 2:23-3:6
Council Comments
Council met for its monthly meeting on Apr. 9. In addition to news noted elsewhere,
-Vi Peternelj has been appointed Treasurer until the next Annual Meeting. Linda will continue to be our volunteer bookkeeper. Thank you both!
-Work continues to find options for completing the Northwest Exit project. To help, see Peter Hinz, council lead.
-Thank you to all who participated in the Easter Breakfast. Get ready for the ‘Welcome Summer’ Fellowship Brunch, Sun. June 23, after worship.
-Planning continues on the Memorial Committte’s Landscaping project. Linda Sander is the council lead.
-The Policy and Procedures taskforce, consisting of Kim Koivukoski, Marie Hynna, and Pastor Matthew, is set to resume, interrupted by the pandemic, collating and updating our documents.
-Council’s next monthly meeting is Tues. May 14, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Chair – Linda Sander 622-0604
Vice-Chair – Karen Bishop 344-0052
Secretary – Aritith Francis 345-3617
Treasurer – Vi Peternelj 344-8552
2024 MNO Synod Convention
May 24-26 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Selkirk, MB.
Delegates (Pastor Matthew and Linda Sander) will gather to share ways we have been renewed and transformed. We will attend to motions regarding the ongoing mission and ministry of our synod, and have elections for synod council, 2025 National Convention delegates, and synodical bishop.
FINANCES
Local and Missions
The month following Easter often sees a dip in offerings. April 2024 followed this trend, as our regular weekly offerings (envelope and loose) fell significantly short of our goal. To date, this also means we are about $1,275 behind our 2023 giving level.
Please help us to turn this around during May, before we enter the usually lean summer months. Together, with the Spirit’s guidance, we serve the world with the gifts of God.
April Offerings:
$ 7,375.00
Budgeted Offerings Monthly:
$ 9,666.67
Monthly Offerings 2024:
$ 34,381.00
Budgeted Offerings 2024:
$ 38,666.68
Forward in Mission
Received in 2024: $ 1,250.00
2024 goal: $ 2,500.00
Thank you for your gifts. Including last year’s allocated surplus, we already are halfway to meeting our goal!
One of our designated partners this year is Canadian Lutheran World Relief. Our donations to its General Appeal ($200) enables it to have a reserve on hand to help to respond quickly when emergencies arise around the world and in Canada, and also to have funds to support its daily work.
Cleaning Fund
Received in 2024: $ 1,320.00
Budgeted to date: $ 1,200.00
Thank you for your steady gifts, which are enabling us to employ a part-time custodian to clean our building. Please designate offerings: ‘Cleaning Fund’.
Building Fund
Our donations help us have a dedicated reserve to maintain our property when the ‘unexpected’ happens. When planning indicates a major project is needed, a Congregational Meeting can set a goal for giving to the fund.
Balance, Jan. 1, 2024: $ 5,314.04
Received in 2024: $ 855.00
Expenditures: In Feb. we needed to pay $2,440 for our annual maintenance agreement for our platform lift. Gifts to replenish the fund are appreciated.
Offerings
During worship you are able to share your offerings at the entrance to the sanctuary. Envelopes for Sunday and special offerings are available. For a bundle of envelopes for 2024 see Linda Sander or call the office.
Other ways to send your gift:
1.Mail envelopes to the church
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 is appreciated, so that the offering can be brought inside.
3.E-Transfer to
osimm.office@tbaytel.net
4.Pre-Authorized Withdrawal (PAR)
You are able to have offerings deposited from your financial institution to the church. You can designate it Weekly, Building, and/or Forward in Mission. New: You can desigate part of ‘Weekly’ for ‘Cleaning’. To sign up, or make updates, call the office.
Luther Village
The Luther Village Camp annual brochure for 2024 is available to help you create your family, child, grandchild or individual camping plans for this coming summer! Please pick one up at the church, or go online, www.luthervillage.ca, and see what’s happening during our synod’s 60th year of outdoor ministry on Dogtooth Lake near Kenora. Online registration has openened. Hope to see you at Luther Village this season.
Luther Village WOMEN'S RETREAT
Come join us June 7-9 for a chance to
Relax, Renew and Rediscover
"Created to Be"
Our resource leaders from 2023 will be returning: Mother-Daughter team Candace & Caitlin Kostna. Members of Abundant Life – East St. Paul MB, Candace has participated in Faith Formation leader training and been involved in family and confirmation ministry for many years. Caitlin has been involved in youth group, singing with the music team and as a core team member.
There will be opportunities for rest and relaxation, sessions to engage you, a time for worship, activities such as hiking or canoeing, wine and cheese night and more. All ages are welcome
(14+): come with your mom, bring your daughter or niece, and don't forget to invite Grandma.
COST: $170.00 (plus hst) for the weekend, Friday evening to Sunday afternoon Accommodations, meals and all programing included
Early bird discount by May 15:
$25.00 off
Register at www.luthervillage.ca.
Official start is 8:00-8:30pm, Central Time, on Friday.You are welcome to arrive anytime during the day and enjoy camp, go for a hike, canoe or just sit on the beach.
Details will be provided to participants including a what to bring list.
Will be opportunity to sign up for Massage or Reflexology session (at your own Cost)
'Eternity for Today'
A few copies of our national church’s daily devotional booklets for Apr.-June remain available in the front hall, or call the office to have one dropped off.
Life’s Journeys
Funeral:
-Dolores Charban, Apr. 24
(died Apr. 17)
Pastoral Visits
Pastor Matthew looks forward to making home visits, and going to Long Term Care homes. This includes sharing Holy Communion. Contact him at 807-344-1926, osimm@tbaytel.net.
Pastor Matthew visits at the Regional Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Hospital. As clergy no longer have access to the patient lists, it is vital that you contact him with info about who is a patient who would benefit from such care.
Online Racial Justice Workshop
If you're looking for a way to start conversations on addressing racism in the church and Canadian society, you can join our national church’s online Racial Justice Workshop. Carmen Ramirez, Assistant to the National Bishop for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will hold two workshops. These workshops are intended to be taken together. Session 1 is on May 9th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET) and Session 2 is also on May 9th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET). Registration is free to all ELCIC members. To register for Session 1 and Session 2, visit
https://elcic.ca/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/upcoming-events/
A Prayer Action from Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba KAIROS
Northwestern Ontario Manitoba KAIROS, part of our national inter-church social justice coalition, extends its support to the growing crisis faced by front line services and offers the following prayer opportunity to the faith community. The prayer is a call to action in response to the devastating impacts of lack of housing and resources, staff shortages dealing with homelessness and addictions, and mental health issues. Pastor Matthew is a member of this regional council.
Creator God, source of life, as we reflect on the state of emergency in our communities, with so many suffering from addictions, we acknowledge that our hearts are heavy.
We raise up the struggles of those with lived experience of generational trauma, disability, and mental health challenges, and who struggle with the impacts of poverty, toxic drugs, and lack of mental health support.
We raise the exhaustion and burn out felt by those community helpers who work in difficult and under-resourced services to respond to the crises.
We see the effects of colonization and government policies which seem to work against advancement for Indigenous people and vulnerable populations. We pray we may each do whatever we can to support those in need and those who provide aid.
We see the hardships communities face as they are struggling to coexist with these social challenges and pray that our leaders will respond with effective plans and resources to ensure that all of our community is safe, sheltered and nourished. Amen.
Suggested Actions:
· Donate funds and items requested by service agencies.
· Stop by drop in sites to listen to the stories shared there.
· Approach a coffee shop or restaurant close to where people may be without food, prepay for meals, and ask the restaurant to offer them to those who need them.
· Collect a donation to provide to a service agency for those costs which cannot be covered by existing assistance programs.
· Contact your Councillor, MLA, and MP to express concern and encourage response Remind them of the TRC Calls to action.
Pass Lake 100th Anniversary
Pass Lake is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year with a bigger and better Country Fair than ever! Anyone interested in volunteering, being a vendor, providing entertainment, donating baking, showing animals and agriculture or donating a prize:
Passlakecountryfair@outlook.com .
The fair this year will be on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10-5, with a Country Music After Party throughout the evening, with a Sunday Church Service in the new Salem Lutheran Church, followed by a Traditional Danish Luncheon at the Community Hall.
Lutheran Community Care Street Reach Ministries
Many thanks to you for your generous donations of items and finances. Our center could not operate without your support! If you would like to volunteer, please contact LCC.
Our needs for clients are constantly changing. Currently we are in need of the following items: fruit cups; juice boxes and water; hygiene products (shampoo/body wash/deodorant); toothpaste; outerwear (runners, raincoats, backpacks, duffel bags); Ladies’ underwear (sizes S to L); hairbrushes; razors; and towels.
Donations can be dropped off at:
-Street Reach, 516B Victoria Ave. E.; Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
-LCC, 245B Bay Street, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief
Partnership:
Burundi, Ethiopia and South Sudan
Conflict and climatic events have contributed to an escalating hunger crisis in these countries, where hunger is having a devasting impact on families, and vunerable people are forced into negative coping strategies.
Women and girls have been particularly disadvantaged. Having already faced discrimination and gender-based violence, female-headed households run an even greater risk of food insecurity.
Thanks to your fast and generous reponse, and with the matching fund made possible by our partnership with the Candian Foodgrains Bank, we have already been able to take critical measures to help those most at risk of hunger.
In South Sudan, immediate food assistance is helping protect the most vulnerable from famine.
In Ethiopa, we will be working to help improve farming practices and to encourage climate resilience and sustainability among beneficiaries.
In Burundi, we are supporting Farmer Field Schools and Farmer Cooperatives, contributing to better food security form communities and encouraging sustainable practices to help families.
You can make a donation by marking ‘CLWR’ on a line of your offering envelope, or by visiting www.clwr.org .
Food Basket
Food donations received in the wicker basket in the front hall are given to the Gathering Table’s food bank and to those in need.