Our Saviour's This Week:

The Ontario move back to a modified Step 2 of Reopening, effective Weds. Jan. 5, has necessitated the following changes in the ministry of Our Saviour's. We make these, following the guidance of our Safety Plan, the government regulations, and church offices. In this way, we serve our community and world, by caring for our neighbour:

-In-person worship is suspended for at least the next 2 Sundays, Jan. 9 and 16. Closed session recordings of worship will be made on Saturday for each day, and uploaded for Sunday to our YouTube channel, 'Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay'. Texts of the worship service and sermon will be posted on Saturday to our website, oursaviourstbay.org, and sent out weekly, also on Saturday, to those on our email list (to sign up: osimm@tbaytel.net).

-We will have Virtual Fellowship, via Zoom, each Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The invitations will be included in the weekly emailing.

-Use of Immanuel Hall by community groups is suspended until at least Jan. 26, with the exception allowed for the Friendly Group A.A. (with new restrictions)

-Pastor Matthew will remain working in his office at the church. However, mindful of the fact that employees are encouraged to work from home except when necessary, if you need to come to the church please call beforehand( So he can greet you safely and cheerfully... and without being surprised by boots on the stairs!)

-Our prayer is that these temporary measures help us and others to be as healthy as possible.

-Pastor Matthew also has a dream, that on Sunday, April 17, we are able to have in-person Easter Day worship for the first time since 2019. We do this now, so that we can have that later...

-God's peace, compassion, and love, be with us all.

Jan. 17-23

Monday

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

Tuesday

5:00 p.m. Congregational Council meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday

Thursday

8:00 p.m. Friendly Group A.A.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday, January 23, Third Sunday after Epiphany

Recorded online worship: Service of the Word (Week of Prayer for Christian Unity)

1:00 p.m. Virtual Fellowship

Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Ephesians 5:8-14; Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon - from Middle East Council of Churches, for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (preached by Pastor Matthew)

Virtual Fellowship

During January we are meeting each Sunday, at 1:00 p.m. The Zoom invitation will be sent out in the Sat. email, or can be received by emailing osimm@tbaytel.net.

Until we resume in-person worship, we will be having Virtual Fellowship each Sunday.

Holy Communion at Our Saviour's

Note: in-person worship suspended, Jan. 16

Peace be with you.

The number of new active cases announced by the Health Unit, along with our Safety plan -- based on provincial regulations and church guidance -- necessitates a change. Until further notice, we are reverting to receiving Holy Communion in one kind, the bread (given to us as we enter the sanctuary, and then consumed in our pews during the Communion.) This helps in three respects: eliminates further close contact during the receiving of the wine/juice; helps to shorten the service, and our time together; and eliminates the need to remove our masks a second time.

As God became flesh in Christ, so in both elements of Holy Communion, and in either, we receive the full promises of forgiveness, new life, and call to join in the journey.

Be fed with the good news of Jesus, our Saviour, born for you and for me and for all people.

Pastor Matthew

Individually wrapped wafers are given to you as you enter, and we stay in our pews for eating of the bread. You may also bring your own bread for your bubble, if you prefer. For those needing gluten-free wafers, please ask at the Greeter's table.

'Come share the gifts of God - serve the world'.

Children's Ministry

Our Advent/ Christmas/Epiphany drop-off/pick up activity kits still are available for pick-up in the front hall, and also can be dropped off. To sign up to receive one or to update your address, email osimm@tbaytel.net .

Activity handouts related to each Sunday's readings are available. We email them on Thursday or they can be picked up at the church in the front hall. To sign up to receive them, send an email to osimm@tbaytel.net.

There has been no in-person Sunday School since March 2020. The current provincial guidelines enable children to gather, provided they are socially distanced and masked. However, we will not be returning at this point. Children are welcome at worship. Those who wear masks in school need also to wear this in worship.

Our previous practice;

On the first and third Sundays of each month (our Holy Communion celebrations) we had traditional Sunday School sessions, for children in JK - Gr. 6. They joined worship for the sharing of Communion.

'Adventure' bags were available on all Sundays, located under the mailboxes. These bags contained both general and Sunday specific activities for the children to engage in while they attend worship - either sitting in the area near the mailboxes or in the pews. There was a Children's Message on each of these Sundays as well.

Our Coordinator is Karen Bishop.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical celebration. Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship. In the northern hemisphere, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally held every year between January 18th (the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter) and January 25th (the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul). In the southern hemisphere, it is often celebrated during the Pentecost season.

The 2022 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him” (Mt 2:2), was prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches, based in Beirut, Lebanon. The international theme and resources speak to our world’s urgent need for solidarity and transformation in the face of political, economic, and social turmoil, including the challenges and injustices highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we join the Christians of the Middle East in the journey to Christ’s manger, may we become a sign of the unity that God desires for all creation, and may we return to our home, our churches, and our world by new ways.

For more information and resources, visit www.weekofprayer.ca/2022-wpcu-resources .

Task Force on Addressing Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

The taskforce addressing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) is inviting people in the 2SLGBTQQIA community to share stories and experiences in order to help form the taskforce's report and recommendations.

A set of questions has been developed to guide you through telling your story. You can share as much or as little as you would like. Space is held for both positive and negative experiences, for new stories and those from the past.

You can share as openly as you feel comfortable, even anonymously if that's what's right for you. The stories you share will be used by the task force to advocate for the 2SLGBTQQIA community within the Lutheran Church.

There are many different ways to share your story including an online survey, writing a letter, an email or a zoom call with a member of the task force.

Please email us for more information at tfhbt@elcic.ca.

Letter post:

Task Force HBT

c/o 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5

Watch the video invitation here.

Complete the online survey here.

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle:

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

16 - 22 January 2022

Intercessions

We are thankful for:

the ancient cultures and religions that have been sustained in this area for millennia

those who continue to pursue peace in the midst of ethnic strife and terrorism

the faithfulness of Muslims in expressing their faith and working with others

Christians who practice their faith even when they are a small, often discriminated minority.

We pray for:

women and others in these countries who are deprived of basic freedoms and human dignity

those who misuse or exploit religious identity for extremist political ends

the wise use of the benefits of oil and other natural resources for the sake of all

the emergence of stable democratic societies based on the rule of law, social justice, and respect for religious and other freedoms.

Prayers

Prayers before scripture reading

Make us wise in your law and enlighten our thoughts with your knowledge. Sanctify our souls with your truth, and grant us to be obedient to your words so we fulfil your commandments at every hour, O Lord of all, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for ever.

O you, who enlighten the rational with the knowledge of your greatness, enlighten, O my Lord, my thoughts that I may meditate upon your holy and divine Scriptures at every hour, O Lord of all, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for ever.

(From “Prayers of The Hallowing of Addai and Mari Disciplers of the East,” English translation M. J. Birni, http://www.nestorian.org/nestorian_liturgy.html)

Bring us out of darkness into light

O my God, bring us out of darkness into light.

Illumine our hearts with your wisdom.

Give us light to guide us to you.

O my God, shine light into our hearts…

light into our ears,

light into our eyes,

light on our tongues,

light at our right hand,

light at our left hand,

light above us,

light beneath us,

light before us,

light behind us.

Shine light into our souls.

Flood us with light.

Lord, expand our hearts,

and prosper our work.

(A Prayer during the Mecca pilgrimage. In: Noticias del Arca, summer 2005)

Sufi Prayer for Peace

Send your peace, O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace.

Send your peace, O Lord, that we may think, act, and speak harmoniously.

Send your peace, O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for your bountiful gifts.

Send your peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife we may enjoy your bliss.

Send your peace, O Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all in the thought of your grace and mercy.

Send your peace, O Lord, that our lives may become a divine vision, and in your light all darkness may vanish.

Send your peace, O Lord, our Father and Mother, that we your children on earth may all unite in one family.

(from http://www.worldhealingprayers.com/6.html)

OFFERINGS

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

During our 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/

Envelopes for your 2022 offerings will be available shortly. 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.