Come, share the gifts of God with us,

and serve the world together,

at

OUR SAVIOUR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH,

10 Farrand Street (at River),

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

807.344.1926 osimm@tbaytel.net

Our congregation is located on the traditional territory of the Ojibwa of Anemki Wajiw (the Fort William First Nation), a signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850.

Welcome!

We invite you to be part of our community of grace and faith, active in Thunder Bay for the past 118 years. We seek to continue to be a place where people can grow in their understanding of God's forgiving love revealed through Jesus. Gathered in to worship, God's Spirit calls us out to share in word and action what it means to be people of God.

OUR VISION:

"Come share the gifts of God - serve the world"

Our Facebook page is 'Our Saviour's Thunder Bay'

Our YouTube channel is Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay.

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Recorded Services:

Our services, are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel.

New - June 8 - Day of Pentecost (Service of the Word)

https://youtu.be/K_jcJR1Y0Jo

June 1 - Seventh Sunday of Easter (Holy Communion)

https://youtu.be/pm0o9PkvLrE

May 25 - Sixth Sunday of Easter (Worship with the Band)

https://youtu.be/tykL1ZXjMFw

May 18 - Fifth Sunday of Easter (Holy Communion)

https://youtu.be/vVcLvEU6e38

Newsletter:

To receive a copy of the monthly 'Ambassador' by email, please send a request to osimm@tbaytel.net.

The text version of our June 2025 Newsletter is on the page 'Our Newsletter'.

Deadline for Summer 2025 'Ambassador' articles: June 30.

What's Happening, June 16-22

Monday

9:00 - 2:30 (Mon. - Fri.) ESL classes

6:30 p.m. Cubs

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

Tuesday

5:45 p.m. TOPS

7:30 p.m. A.A. planning

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. TBay Carvers

Thursday

8:00 p.m. A.A. meeting

Friday

Saturday

Sunday - Time after Pentecost

10:30 a.m. Service of the Word

11:15 a.m. Fellowship Hour - Birthday Sunday, Part II

Worship

We gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., celebrating Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month and festivals. In June we will share the sacrament on the 1st and 15th.

Sundays June 8, 22, and 29 will be Service of the Word.

Worship with the Band returns on Sun. Sept. 28.

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:

The Easter/Spring seasonal children's' activity pack is available for pick-up or drop off. The Summer edition will be ready on June 29. Email:

osimm@tbaytel.net.

Our Sunday School classes normally are twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. We are now on break until after Labour Day. There will be a children's message each Sunday during worship for the children who attend.

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 info.

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.

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!

Churches mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

May 13, 2025

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and The Anglican Church of Canada join with people and communities around the world in observing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17, 2025.

Raising awareness of the violence and discrimination experienced by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is an important step in creating safe, healthy communities for all people. An ongoing concern is that deliberate disinformation takes aim at care and safer spaces for transgender and gender non-conforming youth; hateful rhetoric, discriminatory legislation, and restrictions directly place their health, safety, and well-being at risk.

The 2025 theme for IDAHOBIT is The power of communities, reflecting the diversity and richness within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, from the grass roots to the global, and celebrating our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The theme for 2025 highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of human rights defenders, 2SLGBTQIA+ civil society groups, allies, and millions of people in our communities who support human rights and collective liberation.

Please join us in:

praying for the dignity and acceptance for all people, for the safety of those made more vulnerable by recent government actions, for a world where everyone finds loving community, and for God’s guidance in our thoughts, words, and deeds;
providing spaces and opportunities for safe, respectful conversations, where people feel support and love, and experience ongoing affirmation and transformation;
celebrating the gifts for witness, service, spiritual care and leadership that 2SLGBTQIA+ people offer to faith communities;
learning more about human rights, terminology, and pathways to liberation for 2SLGBTQIA+ people;
speaking out against rhetoric that dehumanizes and demonizes anyone made in the image of God, and promoting accurate information about our neighbours and issues of public concern;
advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights at the local, provincial, and federal level; and
preparing for the possibility of providing welcome to those fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

May the God of love and liberation hear our lament. May each of us be bold in our witness. May we all work to bring an end to attacks against people God has named beloved. May the power of communities enrich the life and work of the church.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

that I know very well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Yours in Christ,

+Susan C Johnson

The Rev. Susan Johnson

National Bishop

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

+Anne Germond

The Most Rev. Anne Germond

Acting Primate

Anglican Church of Canada

Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday

Observed annually on the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) recognizes Sunday, June 1 as Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday.

This joint day of emphasis with the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) is an opportunity to lift up our partner churches in the region—The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

“These are our partner churches. That means we have an ongoing relationship with them and a commitment to walk with them in times of joy and in times of adversity,” said ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson.

“This is certainly a time of adversity. Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday is a time that we can lift up prayer, especially for those who are experiencing the particular harshness of the war in Gaza, and the increasing incursions into the West Bank with land confiscation and the increasing numbers of homelessness in refugee populations from the West Bank. It’s a time for prayer, awareness building and commitment to maintaining, celebrating and trying to sustain the Christian presence in the Holy Land.”

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, the leaders of the ELCIC and ACC have been steadfast in their call for, “solidarity, witness and advocacy for justice.” In letters to the church and government officials, the leaders appealed for prayer and advocacy for all those in the affected regions, for an enduring and sustained ceasefire; the immediate flow of life saving food, water, aid, fuel and humanitarian assistance; the release of all captives; and an end of occupation to allow for the beginning of a just-peace.

“When we see the extent of the damage there, I think the reason is very obvious why this year it’s incredibly important,” she said. “We remain heavily concerned for our partners who live in the Holy Land. Our churches are also suffering there – both financially, but also physically. They’re talking about it in terms of chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s not a post-traumatic fatigue system, it’s a chronic traumatic fatigue syndrome because it’s trauma that just doesn’t end. Everyone there knows people in Gaza, so they’ve all known someone who has died, been dispossessed or homeless. So, it affects the whole community, even those who aren’t directly involved in the war.”

In early April, Bishop Johnson travelled to the Holy Land alongside Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Bishop Elizabeth Eaton for Palm Sunday. The trip served as a solidarity visit in support of ELCJHL Bishop Ibrahim Azar and the people and ministries of the ELCJHL.

Bishop Johnson encourages churches and individuals to remain involved leading up to and after Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday. She invites the following three meaningful ways to do this:

“Prayer is always No. 1,” she shared. “And that’s the main reason why we have this Sunday; it is an encouragement for people to pray for peace in Gaza, peace in the Holy Land. We want to pray for the Christian presence to be maintained because unfortunately with the difficult times, Christians are immigrating away from the Holy Land, and soon there will not be a very strong Christian presence there. No. 2 is to remain particularly observant of the news, so you can always direct what your prayers are for. And No. 3, be sure to watch for the letters that are being written by myself and other church leaders to advocate with our government to seek peace in Gaza. These are all things that I ask the ELCIC to consider doing for our partners in the ELCJHL.”

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.

Botswana, Zimbabwe

15 - 21 June 2025

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/botswana-zimbabwe

Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini

08 - 14 June 2025

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/lesotho-namibia-south-africa-eswatini

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 donations during the passing of the plates at the Offering.

Envelopes for your 2025 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.

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