Pastoral Visits

Pastor Matthew is able to have home visits, and Long-Term Care Home visits, following COVID guidelines. This includes sharing Holy Communion. Hospital visits also are now possible. Please please contact him to let him know who is requesting a visit or prayers. Contact Pastor at 344-1926, or osimm@tbaytel.net.

The church is open! 

River Street will remain closed between Farrand and Elm until at least late spring, while we wait for replacements at McVicar Creek to take place.  Farrand Street remains open, with access from cross streets off Algoma St. N., or from Margaret Ave. We will post updates.   

In-person Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. We continue to record the service and upload it to our YouTube Channel later on Sunday ("Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay"). Files for the order of service and sermon are emailed on Saturday and posted to our website.

Holy Communion at Our Saviour's

We have resumed sharing both elements.

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

For those needing gluten-free wafers,  please ask the usher.

Following the latest  recommendations of the Ontario Medical Officer of Health, Council recommends that we continue to wear masks in the building when in close contact with others, especially in the sanctuary when singing, and if not fully vaccinated. Thank you for making this what the Health Unit calls a 'mask-friendly space'!

Learning:

Children:

We are happy to be resuming monthly in-person children’s ministry, for children in Jk through Grade 6.

We will wind up for the summer on June 4 - hot dogs will be served during Fellowship Hour! We begin downstairs in Immanuel Hall, and then come upstairs to share in Holy Communion. For info: Karen Bishop.

   Activity sheets for each Sunday will be available in the front hall, and will be mailed out 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 Summer activity pack will be ready in late June for pick-up and/or drop-off.

Confirmation:

Confirmation classes are being offered in hybrid form – online mostly, but with special times together when it is possible. This ministry of the church helps youth to continue in the promises made at Baptism. All youth Grade 7 and older are welcome. Our class is now on summer break. See Pastor Matthew re joining in the fall!

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Food Collection 

Gifts received in the basket in the front hall are given to the Gathering Table's food bank and to others in need.

A message from Anglican, Lutheran leaders for Earth Day 2023

April 18, 2023

Every year on April 22nd, communities and individuals around the world participate in Earth Day. This is a global occasion for collective reflection on our current environmental realities, and an opportunity for commitment to action to protect and preserve Creation for the generations to come. As Christians, we are called to recognize the sacredness of the gift of God’s Creation at all times, and Earth Day provides a distinct occasion to join with other faith communities, networks and civil society organizations  to address the ongoing ecological crisis.

     This year we join with our partners in the For the Love of Creation network to encourage you to come Together For the Love of Creation throughout Earth Week (April 16-22). This is an opportunity to break down barriers between faith communities by considering ways we might come together with others to connect, grow, listen, inspire hope, and affect change. You might plan an activity or a gathering and invite others in your community to join you, or you may seek out what others are doing and find ways to come alongside those efforts. Activities might range from intentional times of prayer to greening of your church buildings to policy advocacy with all levels of government. There are some suggestions for activities on the For the Love of Creation website, along with an interactive map where groups can share information on local events across the country. Together we can amplify each others efforts, and increase the effectiveness of our actions.

     We cannot deny that the crisis does indeed continue across the globe. Significant and sustained increases to global temperatures are resulting in increased extreme weather events, accelerated biodiversity loss, and ongoing impacts on health and well-being. These impacts continue to be experienced disproportionately by Indigenous peoples and by communities in Global South countries, particularly in low-lying coastal areas and small island nations. Only through collective action can we limit these negative outcomes and reduce the impact of a changing climate.

     As we continue to celebrate the miracle of Christ’s resurrection, let us keep hold of the hope of new life and new possibility that is offered to us. It is not too late for us to make a measurable difference in the impacts of global warming and biodiversity loss. The most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change insists that with “deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions” it is still possible to slow the rate of global warming.1 There is still hope, and by acting together we can help to cultivate this hope for our world.

     As you work together with your communities this Earth Week (and beyond), please join us in prayer:

Loving God, be with us as we face the challenges in caring for this Creation which you have shared with us. Enfold us as we come together for the love of your Creation. Inspire us as we continue to seek new and creative ways to preserve this gift of Creation for those who will come after us. Amen.

+Christopher Harper

The Most Rev. Chris Harper

National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Anglican Church of Canada

+Susan C Johnson

The Rev. Susan Johnson

National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

+Linda Nicholls

The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls

Archbishop and Primate, Anglican Church of Canada

ELCIC, CLWR appeal following deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) joins with our partner Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) in calling for prayers for those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria and to give generously to support their urgent humanitarian needs.

On February 6, during the early hours of the morning, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the border region, with a second major earthquake hitting Türkiye again just hours later. Aftershocks have been felt across the region since.

Key infrastructure, including residential buildings, roads and power grids have been destroyed. Historical landmarks – some that have stood for more than 2,300 years – have also been heavily damaged.

Among those affected are millions of refugees and displaced people living near the border of Syria and Türkiye (commonly known as Turkey, but whose traditional name has been recognized by the international community since 2022.)

The situation for these already vulnerable and displaced populations has been made almost inconceivably worse, as their makeshift camps are not equipped to withstand an earthquake of this magnitude, and many have lost their homes during a cold snap with overnight temperatures below freezing. 

Individuals and congregations wishing to support relief efforts can donate as follows:

– Make a designated offering for “Earthquake” on your offerinng envelope

– Call CLWR at 1-800-661-2597 to donate or go online to clwr.org/earthquake

– Send a cheque made payable to CLWR and mailed to CLWR, 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5. Please indicate that you wish to contribute to “Türkiye and Syria Earthquake”

World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle

Angola, Mozambique

28 May - 03 June 2023

Intercessions

We are thankful for:

the rich natural resources in these countries, which God intends for the good of all

the positive developments experienced since years of civil war

village committees that seek to protect livelihoods and food security of the poor

how the Lutheran World Federation and partners have pursued land rights in Mozambique.

We pray for:

better sanitation, health services, and protection of the environment in these lands

a healing of the lingering scars and memories from colonization and civil wars

protection of the land rights of the people

governments that are transparent and further the good of all the people, rather than being captive to foreign and business interests.

Prayers

God of love and compassion, we approach you full of grief and shame, because we just cannot understand how it is that you love us so much. We feel that we are living under the shadow of death. We find it difficult to understand that you have already brought us out from there and that you hope to see in us signs showing our faith and trust in the eternal life promised us by Jesus.  

Do not forsake us. Rather, guide us in ways of hope that one day Africa will know and live in peace, health and prosperity, through the grace and mercy given us by your Son, Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Felicidade N. Cherinda, Mozambique. In: AfricaPraying – A Handbook on HIV/AIDS Sensitive Sermon Guidelines and Liturgy)

We sincerely thank you, O God,  for your powerful gift of hope in the face of seemingly hopeless situations.

We thank you for your peace in the hearts and minds of men and women in this part of Africa who believe you are the living God, quick to save in time of danger.

You reign above all, directing the course and destiny of the universe.

(Joao Makondekwa, Bible Society of Angola. WAGP p. 337)

Prayer of an African Christian

God, enlarge my heart that it may be big enough to receive the greatness of your love.

Stretch my heart that it may take into it all those around the world who, with me, believe in Jesus Christ.

Stretch it that it may take into it all those who are not lovely in my eyes, and whose hands I do not want to touch; through Jesus Christ, my saviour.

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.