Season of Creation

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together for the cry of creation: the ecumenical family around the world unites to listen and care for our common home.

The "Celebration" begins Sept. 1, the Feast of Creation, and ends October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations. The theme for Season of Creation this year is to hope and act with Creation, and the symbol is "the first fruits of hope", inspired by Romans 8:19-25.

At Our Saviour’s we will be:

·        holding Creation in our weekly prayers

·        using portions of the Season of Creation liturgy on Sun. Sept. 22 as part of the Service of the Word

·        celebrating creation as part of our Thanksgiving worship, Sun. Oct. 13.

·        having our annual Blessing of the Pets on Sun. Oct. 6, 4:00 p.m.

Worship

We gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., celebrating Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month and festivals: Sept. 1 and 15. Other Sundays are Service of the Word: Sept. 8 and 22. Worship with the Band resumes on Sept. 29.

   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.

Children:

Our Sunday School classes normally are twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. We resume on October 6 and 20.

    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 Fall/Thanksgiving will be available in early Otober for pick-up or drop off. For the latter, email

osimm@tbaytel.net.

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!

Living Out God’s Grace & Unconditional Love

This summer, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada unveiled its new logo and tagline.

The language that ultimately became the new vision statement was gathered directly from feedback at gatherings across the church, through surveys, and then testing the statement using focus groups.

“God’s grace and unconditional love call us to be a diverse, inclusive community that celebrates all and upholds life-giving relationships.”

This new vision statement challenges the ELCIC to be outward-focused, rooted in God’s grace and unconditional love, and calling all to be a diverse, inclusive community that celebrates all and upholds life-giving relationships. 

During the launch of the new logo and tagline at Synod Conventions and Assemblies across the ELCIC in spring 2024, a new video was also shared. It can be viewed below or on YouTube. The video offers reflections from individuals across the church on, “what the ELCIC means to them, and how this new logo and tagline will help us live that out more fully.”

Watch the video:

https://elcic.box.com/s/plzhg5zag2wkddtm4skettvu52clziac

Fall Supper

We are holding this annual event on Sat. Oct. 26, at 5:00 p.m. Come enjoy wonderful soups and other hot dishes, fellowship, and music. Council welcomes ideas for the recepient of our free-will offerings at the door.  Give suggestions to Linda by Oct. 8.

Christmas ‘Baking and “Slight-used Decorations’ Sale

This unique event will happen on Sat. Nov. 30, from 9:00 – noon. It’s never too early to start baking and freezing, and filling a bag or box with decorations that you don’t use that would look wonderful in a new home! Proceeds from the sale will go to our Builiding Fund, for projects in 2025.

Christmas Carolling

All aboard the bus!  Sun. Dec. 8, 2:00 -5:00 p.m. details to follow!

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.

Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

15 - 21 September 2024

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/argentina-paraguay-uruguay

Ghana, Nigeria

08 - 14 September 2024

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

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.

Envelopes for your 2024 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.