What's Happening? 

July 22-28

Monday 

8:30 p.m. Friendly A.A. Group

Tuesday 

5:45 p.m. TOPS

Wednesday 

Thursday

8:00 p.m. Friendly Group A.A. 

Friday

Saturday

Sunday - Time after Pentecost

10:30 a.m.  Service of the Word

11:15 a.m. Fellowship

Worship

We gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., celebrating Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, July 7 and 21, and festivals. Other Sundays are Service of the Word, July 14 and 28.     (Worship with the Band resumes in September).

   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 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.

Children:

The seasonal activity pack for Summer is ready for pick-up or drop off. For the latter, email

osimm@tbaytel.net.

 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. 

    Our Sunday School classes normally are twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. We now are on break until after Labour Day.

    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.

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!

Rev. Trish Schmermund elected as new Synod Bishop for Alberta and the Territories

JUNE 25, 2024  CARTER BROOKS

Delegates to the Synod of Alberta and the Territories Assembly have elected Rev. Trish Schmermund to serve as their next bishop. The election came on the fifth ballot for synod bishop. Addressing delegates following the announcement of the election, Schmermund expressed praise and thanks for the new role, while sharing her hope for the Synod of Alberta and the Territories. The Synod met in assembly from June 22-24, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Rev. Carla Blakley to serve as next Bishop of the Eastern Synod

 JUNE 22, 2024  TRINA GALLOP 

Delegates to the Eastern Synod Assembly have elected Rev. Carla Blakley to serve as their next bishop. The election came on the fifth ballot for synod bishop. Addressing delegates following the announcement of the election, Blakley offered words of gratitude and hope for the future of ministry in the Eastern Synod. The Eastern Synod met in assembly from June 20-22, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.

Rev. Dr. Ali Tote elected Saskatchewan Synod Bishop

JUNE 1, 2024  TRINA GALLOP 

Delegates to the Saskatchewan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have elected Rev. Dr Ali Tote to serve as their next bishop. Tote was elected on the second ballot. “My story moving to Canada and being embraced and loved has been what has driven me to open my arms in return,” said Tote as he addressed delegates following the announcement of the election results, noting he was grateful and humbled. “Together we will journey, together we will pray, together we will worship, together we will support, together we will serve.” The Saskatchewan Synod met in convention from May 30 to June 1, 2024 at Elim Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Iraq: Lutheran World Federation Empowers Vulnerable Communities

4 Jul 2024

The long history of conflict in Iraq makes it difficult for people to have a stable income or to build up a business. LWF Iraq therefore is shifting its work from humanitarian relief to development work, helping people start and expand small businesses

From people who lost everything to successful businesspeople in their new communities: In Iraq, LWF helps people rebuild their livelihoods. Through financial workshops and small business grants, displaced people and vulnerable communities receive tools to start or restart a business – in some cases, very successfully.

Although the ISIS insurgency happened ten years ago, Iraq still has 1.14 million internally displaced people. It also hosts more than 300,000 refugees from neighboring countries, mainly Syria. Even though the so-called ISIS insurgency was finished in 2017, their situation remains precarious, says Helan Remzi Muhammed, LWF Iraq program coordinator.

"The remaining needs of forcibly displaced populations in Iraq are largely driven by socio-economic factors, human rights deficits, and the absence of the rule of law – and not anymore by their displacement status," adds Muhammed. The long history of conflict in Iraq makes it difficult for anyone to have a stable income or to build up a business. This is especially true for marginalized groups who struggle to access public services.

For this reason, aid agencies in Iraq shifted from humanitarian relief to development work, trying to rebuild the country through people's livelihoods.

The PROSPECTS partnership is most prominent. The project is spearheaded and funded by the Government of the Netherlands, and implemented by UN agencies such as UNHCR and UNICEF, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF and the World Bank, and smaller NGOs like the LWF. The partnership aims to support startups. While the private partners connect project participants to local banks to secure loans, LWF conducted business and finance training for almost 3,000 participants.

Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe

28 July - 03 August 2024

We are thankful for:

• wildlife and rainforests in these lands, and those who protect this habitat

• the oral traditions, folklore, and good practices that have been preserved

• rich minerals and economic development, although benefits need to be shared more fairly

• healing from exploitative practices that began under colonial rule.

We pray for:

• democratic fair elections and political stability in this region

• economic development that benefits all the people, especially those living in poverty

• preservation of the wildlife and the land

• the witness of the churches and other faith groups in the midst of the challenges. 

PRAYERS

Lord, if you want that we should love you with all our heart, without distraction or detour, teach us to become constant in your love.

When those without faith or law insult us, help us to forgive, O Resurrected One.

Jesus, the friend of the people of the Congo, your Father is not a God of the dead but of the living; therefore, guide us in your love, so that we may live in your presence forever.

(Louise Bakala Koumouno, People’s Republic of Congo.)

A Pygmy Prayer
In the beginning God was.
Today God is.
Tomorrow God will be.
Who could possibly make an image of God?
God does not have a body.
God is a word that springs from our mouths.
And what a word!
There is nothing more to be said.
God is the past, and yet God is.
That is what God is.

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.