Bible Book of the Month Club

To be part of our national Bishop's initiative, we have organized a Bible Book of the Month club. For the following few months we will be gathering by Zoom to explore the passages of the gospel of Mark heard on Sundays. Contact Pastor Matthew for detals on the new format, and watch here!

Recorded Services:

-Our 'closed set' services are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’:

New: Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2: https://youtu.be/q5aCHPJ3B-o

Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25:

https://youtu.be/6cFtz27ZZCI

Third Sunday of Easter, April 18:

https://youtu.be/PqhLhj7uJfk

Second Sunday of Easter, April 11:

https://youtu.be/jjlPk3RHQSI

Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day, Sunday, April 4:

https://youtu.be/jjlPk3RHQSI

Sunday Virtual Fellowship Hours

Join us each Sunday until we gather again for in-person worship, 11:00 a.m. - Noon,.

Upcoming:

-May 2

-May 9

-May 16

-May 23

Zoom invitations are sent out each Saturday, or contact Pastor Matthew. Bring your coffee!

In-Person Worship

We will resume sometime after May 23:

-Please enter at the wooden doors off Farrand Street, answer the screening questions asked by the Greeter, wear a mask, and follow the posted guidelines on social distancing and seating.

-There is a limit of 30% of capacity inside the sanctuary, 50 in attendance.

- The worship folders are found on the pews. Spoken responses are permitted, provided masks are being worn and social distancing protocols are being observed. There is no congregational singing, but you may hum along to the hymns, or sing softly, as you would do while sharing a lullaby with a child in your arms.

-There are containers for offerings at the entrance to the sanctuary.

- There is no Fellowship hour. On the way out, please maintain physical distancing, exiting by the doors to the parking lot.

Holy Communion

We remain in our places, as we share the bread only. You receive an individually wrapped wafer as you enter. Gluten free wafers are available on request. If you feel more comfortable, you can bring bread for yourself or your social bubble.

Children’s Ministry

Due to Health Unit guidelines for places of worship, for the time being there will be no in-person Sunday School classes. Handouts are available at worship – they can be emailed to you, or picked up at the Martin Luther statue in the front hall.

“Where we are headed is not to be back to where we were, but we give thanks that who we are as a church has not changed.”

Your Congregational Council and Pastor Matthew

A Joint Easter Message from the National Bishop and Primate

"When Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples could not quite believe it. They locked themselves into rooms; they isolated themselves from others." In this message for our second Easter of this pandemic, National Bishop Susan Johnson (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) and Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls (Anglican Church of Canada;) speak to our collective experience of isolation and remind us of the continued signs of hope and resurrection around us.

To view this message: https://anglicanlutheran.ca/

Emergency Appeal To Assist With The COVID-19 Crisis In India

India’s total number of COVID-19 cases has dramatically risen to over 18 million as of April 29, with more than 300,000 cases reported for seven straight days and with no immediate signs of slowing down — and medical experts believe that the numbers are even higher with many cases not reported from rural areas. The reported national fatality rate is at 1.11%, with an acute shortage of medical supplies including oxygen. Hospitals and crematoriums alike are overwhelmed, and hotels and railway coaches are being converted into critical care facilities to make up for the shortage of hospital beds.

Our Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada's partner, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), is accepting donations to assist with this crisis. Donations will provide emergency medical support to those faced to be sick at home, and help support critical advocacy and public awareness efforts to keep as many people safe as possible.

Individuals wishing to support relief efforts can donate as follows:

• Make a designated offering donation for “India Covid Crisis” through our congregation.

• Call CLWR at 1-800-661-2597 to donate by credit card or go online at clwr.org/india.

• 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 “India Covid Crisis.”

World Council of Churches Prayer CycleAYER E

Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

02 - 08 May 2021

INTERCESSIONS

We are thankful for:

• the magnificent expanse of mountains, grasslands and deserts in these Central Asian countries

• the rich natural resources

• the incredible ethnic diversity

• cultural traditions and practices that have been preserved for centuries amid the challenges of modernization

• Christians who, although they are a tiny minority, have courage to witness to the gospel and find the strength to live according to God’s word

• those who in spite of danger dedicate their lives to serving others.

We pray for:

• the people in these lands who suffer from poverty and repressive rule

• an end to clashes related to tribalism, traditionalism, and modernization

• the land, air and water that have been damaged by human abuse

• good relations between Muslims and Christians

• an end to oppression and violence.

PRAYERS

And so, that is why, at nightfall when my people are asleep, kneeling barefoot, close to the altar of my little chapel, I become their intercessor - like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, like Jesus. A stick of sandalwood sends forth its fragrance, the symbol of all of those who today are worn out with their labours in suffering, or in love. And I am there, weighed down with all the faults of my people, afflicted with all their sorrows, heavy with all their hopes - all of those who today have fallen asleep thinking only to meet a Judge - to them I present him as their Saviour, and I introduce them to the eternal Nuptials. All those little children who were born this day, I make children of God. All the prayers said today in the homes, the mosques, I transform into an "Our Father". My heart is nothing more than the melting pot, where, in the fire of Christ's love, all the dross of my people is turned into gold - and through my lips it is the whole of Afghanistan who cries that "Abba" to the Father that the Holy Spirit inspires.

(Afghanistan: from A Procession of Prayers - Meditations and Prayers from Around the World, compiled by John Carden, © by Cassell, London, and WCC Geneva.)

O God,

that we may receive your blessing, touch our brows, touch our heads, and do not look upon us in anger.

In a hard year be our mercy; in a year of affliction, be our kindness;

dark spirits banish from us; bright spirits bring close to us; grey spirits put away from us; good spirits draw near to us.

When I am afraid, be my courage; when I am ashamed, be my true face; be thou over me like a blanket, be thou under me like a bed of furs.

(Mongolia. With All God’s People, compiled by John Carden, WCC, 1989, p.65.)

OFFERINGS

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

Sets of envelopes for your 2021 Sunday and special offerings are available. If you are a present envelope holder, or to sign up for one, please contact the office, 344-1926, osimm@tbaytel.net .

When we have in-person 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 other 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.