Racial Justice Workshops 

Our national church is inviting us this week to attend two online workshops on racial justice. Led by Carmen Ramirez (she/her), the ELCIC’s Assistant to the Bishop for Equity, Diversity, and inclusion, these are intended to be taken together. There is no charge:

Workshop #1 – Thurs. Nov. 30, 11:30 – 2:00. Theme: ‘Awareness’ - Common language, self-identity, history of racism and resistance in Canada.

Workshop # 2 – Thurs. Nov. 30, 3:00 – 5:30 Theme: ‘Knowledge’ – Terminology, doctrine of discovery, markers of white supremacy culture.

We are encouraged to sign up early, as registration is limited. Please contact Pastor Matthew for the links: osimm@tbaytel.net .

Christmas Carolling

Come hop on a bus and share the good news of Christmas for some of our shut-in folk! We are leaving the church at 2:00 p.m. on Sun. Dec. 10, and aim to be back by 5:00 p.m., having visited about 7 residences. Hot chocolate will be served once we are done singing! A sign-up sheet is in the front hall. You can also call the office!

Flowers for Christmas

The time has come to order poinsettias! Flowers may be placed in memory/ honour of a loved one. These beautiful flowers will adorn the sanctuary on Christmas Eve/Day. Then you can either take them with you or leave them for the rest of the season. Each plant will cost $15.00. Please fill in the order form found in the front hall or call the office. Note the earlier deadline this year: Monday, December 11. This way we hope to be able to receive the right number of red and white plants from the greenhouse.

Worship

We gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., celebrating Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month and festivals. Other Sundays are Service of the Word. Worship with the Band next happens on Nov. 26.

   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 .

Advent/Christmas Worship

-Sun. Dec. 3: Advent 1, 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion and Sunday School

-Sun. Dec. 10: Advent 2, 10:30 a.m. Service of the Word

-Sun. Dec. 17: Advent 3, 10:30 a.m. Choir Christmas worship with children’s Christmas message; ‘Share your Christmas Baking’ Fellowship Hour (no Holy Communion)

-Sun. Dec. 24: Advent 4, 10:30 a.m. Service of the Word, with a touch of Christmas

-Sun. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve, 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Holy Communion with Carols

-Mon. Dec. 25: Christmas Day, 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion

-Sun. Dec 31: Christmas 1, 10:30 a.m. Service of the Word

Holy Communion at Our Saviour's

Holy Communion is being shared in both kinds. We continue to receive a ‘wafer-in-a-cup’ as we enter the sanctuary. At the time of the Communion we eat the bread while sitting in the pews. (Gluten-free wafers are available – please see the usher. You may also bring your own bread.) Then we are invited to come up the centre aisle to receive the wine/grape juice. Prefilled glasses in trays are on a table at the foot of the chancel stairs. 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 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 social distancing cannot be maintained. 

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.

Learning:

Children:

This fall our in-person sessions are increasing to twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. Our next session is on Dec. 3. On Dec. 17, there will be a special Children’s Christmas message as part of Choir Christmas worship. 

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 those in the class come up to share Holy Communion.

See Karen Bishop, co-ordinator, for more information.

   Activity sheets for each Sunday are available in the front hall and are also emailed on Thursday. To sign up for these: osimm@tbaytel.net . 

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

   The seasonal activity pack for Advent/Christmas will be available shortly for pick-up or drop off. For the latter, email osimm@tbaytel.net.

Confirmation:

This ministry of the church helps youth to continue in the promises made at Baptism. All youth Grade 7 and older are welcome. We will be meeting the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 6:30-7:30 p.m., with the next class Nov. 27.

Classes will be offered mostly in-person but also sometimes online. We hopefully also be gathering from time to time with the Confirmation youth from Hilldale Lutheran Church.

Youth Advent-ure

For people aged 12-19:  4:00-7:00 p.m. Sat. Dec. 16. At St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Rosslyn Village. ‘We are looking to do an Advent video for all of the churches to show or post. Chili or soup will be provided. Bring a Christmas hat and/or games. We will be carolling outside (weather permitting), so bring outside gear.’ For more detail, or to arrange a ride, see Pastor Matthew.

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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!

Mitten Tree

Our annual Mitten Tree in the sanctuary and front hall, until next Sunday, Dec. 3, supports clients of Mission to Seafarers, Lutheran Community Care, and other local organizations. Donations of handmade or purchased socks, mitts, gloves, hats, or scarves are much appreciated!

Thank you for all your donations so far – the portion for Mission to Seafarers has been delivered. It will start delivering its Christmas bags to seafarers on ‘salties,’ ocean-going ships, starting Dec. 1.

Basketeers Campaign

Basketeers is a program started by a group of volunteers in 2000 to support female victims of abuse to re-establish their lives, as they transition from the shelter into their new home. The baskets contain household items, including those for the kitchen, bathroom, and the bedroom.

  Royal LePage Lannon Realty, AMJ Campbell, and Canadian Tire are proud supporters of Basketeers. This season we are hoping to fill at least one basket, coordinated by Corinne Loovere. Please leave your donations in the laundry basket in the front hall by Tues. Dec. 12. Suggestion lists are available.

ELCIC Emergency Appeal for our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

The ELCIC has been monitoring the crisis in the Holy Land, including staying in close contact with our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).

“We grieve deeply with the people of Israel and Gaza whose lives have been horrifically impacted by unspeakable violence,” said National and Synod Bishops in a letter to the church.

ELCJHL Bishop Dr. Sani-Ibrahim Azar, recently shared an update with the ELCIC on the escalating violence in the West Bank and the impact of the war on the church. In his letter he noted: due to the increase in violence, schools have had to close; checkpoints between the West Bank and Jerusalem and between areas such as Ramallah and Bethlehem have been nearly completely closed off preventing many people in these communities from being able to travel to and from work; and there has been a devastating impact on families whose livelihoods are connected to the tourism and hospitality industry.

“The war between Israel and Hamas is greatly affecting our partners in the ELCJHL,” said ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson. “Most of them have relatives in Gaza. As well, the West Bank has been shut down, which is affecting people’s ability to work and move freely. This has huge financial implications for the church.”

In his letter, Bishop Azar invited support from ELCJHL partners to help sustain the important ministries of the church during this difficult time. The ELCJHL estimates a budget of $263,000 per month just for teachers’ salaries and 50% of the pastors’ salaries – these individuals are providing essential ministries throughout the region, serving the needs of parishioners and students. 

The ELCIC invites members to support the ELCJHL Emergency Appeal through prayers and financial support. Our goal is to help cover one month of expenses for the ELCJHL to a total of $263,000.

To assist in reaching this goal, the ELCIC’s National Church Council has approved a one-time contribution to the appeal for $100,000. 

“The ELCJHL are our siblings in Christ,” said Bishop Johnson. “We have been in a long and important partnership with them, and they need our support at this desperate time. Jesus calls us to respond to those in need. This appeal is one way we can do that. I urge you to be generous.”

You are invited to help support our partners through a financial contribution to the ELCJHL appeal. 

Financial donations may be given in two ways:

1. Through Our Saviour's, by designating your special offering to ELCJHL Appeal.

2. Online through the ELCIC National Office at secure.elcic.ca.

Creche Display and German Christmas Markets presentation

On Thursday, December 14, we are having a display of creches/manger scenes in the front hall/sanctuary, from 5:00 – 6:45 p.m. All are welcome – spread the word! To share your display, please see Karen Bishop to sign up, and to get the drop-off and pick-up details.

At 7:00 p.m. Peter Hinz will share with us images from his earlier trip in December to Germany, especially the Christmas markets and other Christmas preparations taking place. Again, all are welcome – invite others!

Choir Christmas worship

On Sun. Dec. 17, our service will tell the story of Advent and Christmas, featuring, choir anthems, special music, solos, and congregational singing. There will also be a special Children’s Christmas message. (No Communion)

Share your Christmas Baking Fellowship

On Sun. Dec. 17, following Choir Christmas worship, all are invited downstairs to Immanuel Hall. This Sunday will be special, in that we are invited to bring and share our Christmas baking (homemade or store-bought are both fine!). Come and celebrate the season!

Steve Bell Concert

Christian singer-songwriter Steve Bell will be in Thunder Bay for an Advent concert on Sun. Dec. 17, 7:00 p.m., at Redwood Park Church. Tickets $25. Visit www.stevebell.com/events for more info.

‘Blue’ Christmas Worship

This gathering invites people experiencing the pain of any type of loss during this time to come and reflect, grieve, and to receive comfort and hope in the message of the Christ child. Our service is on Weds. Dec. 20, at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Gifts from the Heart

The Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s Gifts from the Heart catalogue is full of thoughtful and creative gifts that will make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Bring joy to your loved ones and change the lives of people around the world this Christmas! Copies are the church. You can also visit it online: https://www.clwr.org/GFTH .

World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle 

Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore

26 November - 02 December 2023

We give thanks for:

• Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical churches and councils of churches in Malaysia and Singapore which have witnessed to the gospel and ministered to groups who are discriminated against and marginalized

• economic developments that have enhanced the standard of living for many

• policies and practices that seek to sustain the environment and its resources

• those who have sought to further ethnic and religious harmony.

We pray for:

• more just, participatory and democratic rule

• locally-determined economic development that lessens inequalities and protects natural resources

• greater ethnic and religious understanding and cooperation

• the forging of national identities and visions that genuinely include all the diverse people in these countries.

 Prayers

O God of Life,

you have placed us on this earth to usher in Your Kingdom of love and compassion.

Forgive us when our social witness has failed to build bridges of peace and understanding among all peoples.

Let there be growing spaces of understanding, tolerance and harmony among the different ethnic and religious communities.

Grant that Your church in Malaysia will deepen its influence to work for peace, to be prophetic in calling for justice and caring in sustaining a sharing fellowship with all people.

So rule our hearts and prosper our endeavours of good,
to the honor of Your Holy name, Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray.
AMEN

(© 2014 Council of Churches in Malaysia)

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 offerings at the entrance to the sanctuary. 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/

Envelopes for your 2023 offerings are. available. If you wish to sign up for a supply,  please contact the office, 344-1926, osimm@tbaytel.net .

Again, we are so thankful for your faithful generosity.