Holy Week and Easter Sunday worship:

-April 2 – Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion and Sunday School

-April 6 – Maundy Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Holy Communion and preparing the sanctuary

-April 7 – Good Friday: 10:30 a.m. Worship

-April 9 – Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion

(Note: 1 service only),

Easter Sunday Fellowship: 9:30 – 10:00 

Enjoy time together        before worship: hot cross buns, pulla, muffins, fruit, beverages  and more! Arranged by the Council. Please note: no fellowship      hour following Easter Sunday service.

Easter Flowers

Order forms for flowers to decorate the sanctuary in memory/honour of someone are on the front table. Choices: Lilies, Yellow Mum, Purple Mums. Deadline: Apr. 3. Cost is the same as last year: $12.00 per plant.

The church is open! 

River Street will remain closed between Farrand and Elm until at least the spring, while we wait for replacements at McVicar Creek to take place.  Farrand Street remains open, with access from cross streets off Algoma St. N., or from Margaret Ave. We will post updates.   

In-person Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. We continue to record the service and upload it to our YouTube Channel later on Sunday ("Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay"). Files for the order of service and sermon are emailed on Saturday and posted to our website.

Holy Communion at Our Saviour's

We have resumed sharing both elements.

If watching online, after the presiding minister says, ‘The body and blood of Christ given and shed for for you’, we welcome all to take and eat a piece of bread, remembering and giving thanks for the promises of grace, forgiveness, love, new life and community given us in Christ Jesus. Please also do so, taking a glass of wine or other beverage.

For those needing gluten-free wafers,  please ask the usher.

Following the latest  recommendations of the Ontario Medical Officer of Health, Council recommends that we continue to wear masks in the building when in close contact with others, especially in the sanctuary when singing, and if not fully vaccinated. Thank you for making this what the Health Unit calls a 'mask-friendly space'!

Council has decided that we will continue to close off every other pew, unless needed. This is for the comfort and well-being of those attending.

Pastoral Visits

Pastor Matthew is able to have home visits, and some Long-Term Care Home visits, following COVID guidelines. This includes sharing Holy Communion. Only limited Hospital visits are now possible. Please please contact him to let him know who is requesting a visit or prayers. Contact Pastor at 344-1926, or osimm@tbaytel.net.

Learning:

Children:

We are happy to be resuming monthly in-person children’s ministry, for children in Jk through Grade 6.

Our next times are Apr. 2 and May 7. We begin downstairs in Immanuel Hall, and then come upstairs to share in Holy Communion. For info: Karen Bishop.

  Activity sheets for each Sunday will be available in the front hall, and will be mailed out 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.

Confirmation:

Confirmation classes are being offered in hybrid form – online mostly, but with special times together when it is possible. This ministry of the church helps youth to continue in the promises made at Baptism. All youth Grade 7 and older are welcome. Our next class is Apr. 4. See Pastor Matthew.

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Food Collection 

Gifts received in the basket in the front hall are given to the Gathering Table's food bank and to others in need.

ELCIC, CLWR appeal following deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) joins with our partner Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) in calling for prayers for those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria and to give generously to support their urgent humanitarian needs.

On February 6, during the early hours of the morning, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the border region, with a second major earthquake hitting Türkiye again just hours later. Aftershocks have been felt across the region since.

Key infrastructure, including residential buildings, roads and power grids have been destroyed. Historical landmarks – some that have stood for more than 2,300 years – have also been heavily damaged.

Among those affected are millions of refugees and displaced people living near the border of Syria and Türkiye (commonly known as Turkey, but whose traditional name has been recognized by the international community since 2022.)

The situation for these already vulnerable and displaced populations has been made almost inconceivably worse, as their makeshift camps are not equipped to withstand an earthquake of this magnitude, and many have lost their homes during a cold snap with overnight temperatures below freezing. 

Individuals and congregations wishing to support relief efforts can donate as follows:

– Make a designated offering for “Earthquake” on your offerinng envelope

– Call CLWR at 1-800-661-2597 to donate or go online to clwr.org/earthquake

– 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 “Türkiye and Syria Earthquake”

World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle

Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia

26 March - 01 April 2023

Intercessions

We are thankful for:

• the faithful witness of Christians here through the centuries, especially in times of occupation and persecution

• the peaceful resolution of disputes

• the distinctive cultural contributions and resources in these lands

• the religious freedom and ecumenical cooperation that is growing.

We pray for:

• greater respect for the Roma people and others who are marginalized and who lack adequate livelihoods in these lands

• welcoming and engaging those of other faiths and ethnicities

• growth in spiritual as well as physical health

• democratic governance that advances God's justice and peace for all.

Prayers

Oh sweet Christ,
draw us who are weak to you,
since we cannot follow you if you do not draw us on.
Give us a brave, resourceful spirit, and, if the body is feeble, may your grace precede, mediate and follow, because without you we can do nothing and we are nothing.
Give us resolute spirits, fearless hearts, true faith, firm hope and perfect love, that we may patiently and joyfully lay down our lives for you. (Prayer by John Hus)

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. 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/

Envelopes for your 2023 offerings are. available. 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.