Embedded Files
The Ambassador
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
May 2025
10 Farrand Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 3H5
Offices: 807-344-1926; Immanuel Hall/FAX: 807-343-4857
E-mail: osimm@tbaytel.net
Facebook: ‘Our Saviour’s Thunder Bay’
YouTube: ‘Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’
Instagram: ‘OSLCTBay’
Pastor: Matthew H. Diegel (Parsonage: 807-344-6822)
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Children’s Ministry
Our last class before the summer break will be on Sunday, May 4. Hot dogs will be served during Fellowship!
The sessions, for children in JK –
Gr. 6, begin in Immanuel Hall at 10:30 a.m. for Bible stories, crafts, and other activities. Then we come up to share Holy Communion. See Karen Bishop, co-ordinator, for information.
The seasonal Activity packet for Easter/Spring is available. Pick up a copy, or call the church for a drop-off.
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 .
Adventure activity bags are under the mailboxes inside the sanctuary, for children to enjoy during worship.
Confirmation
This ministry of the church helps youth to continue in the promises made at Baptism. All youth Grade 7 and older are welcome. We meet twice monthly, Mondays, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Our final classes until the Fall are on May 5 (all students) and May 26 (2nd year students only). Confirmation Sunday is on June 1.
Women’s Party
All women are welcome to this annual event, Sat. May 24, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. For more details, see Karen Bishop.
Women's Retreat
Come to Luther Village June 6-8 for a chance to Relax, Renew and Rediscover "God's Word Comes Near".
The resource leader will be Deacon Michelle Collins. Michelle works for the MNO synod as assistant to the Bishop. She has a strong passion for Women's Ministry and is looking forward to connecting with you at Luther Village!
There will be opportunities for rest and relaxation, sessions to engage you, worship, hike or canoe, wine and cheese night, and more. All ages are welcome ( 14+) . Cost is $170.00 (plus hst), for Fri. evening to Sun afternoon acommodations, meals and all programing (except reflexology).
To register, visit: https://www.luthervillage.ca/womens-retreat
Worship
We gather Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We will celebrate Holy Communion on May 4 and 18. May 11 will be Service of the Word. Worship with the Band will be May 25.
As we meet we record the services. They are uploaded later to our YouTube channel, ‘Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’. Thank you, John Stadtlander and Brian Phillips.
The bulletin, with links to videos of the songs, and with the text of the sermon, are e-mailed Saturday. Sign up: osimm@tbaytel.net. They also are posted on our website each Saturday:
For Holy Communion, all are invited to come up the centre aisle to the foot of the chancel steps to receive the bread (gluten-free wafers available) and then the wine/juice. After taking a glass, please go to the side and drink. There is a receptacle for 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
Worship Assistants
Thanks to those who helped in April, including during Holy Week. Thank you to those who served as Readers for the hearing of the Passion accounts on Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion and on Good Friday.
Please sign up in the front hall to be a Greeter and Usher, Reader, and/or Communion assistant. You can check what needs filling for the coming Sunday in the bulletin. Pastor Matthew is happy to offer an orientation.
We have Fellowship Hour each Sunday following worship, in Immanuel Hall. To help, volunteer in the kitchen. The platform lift is available for those who have trouble with the stairs to the basement. Birthday Sunday is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
Special Sunday: May 4 – ‘Hot Dog Sunday’ – our traditional treat for the end of Sunday School classes!
Choir
Thank you to our Choir, Kaija Ranta – director, for singing on April 17, Maundy Thursday, April 20, Easter Day, and April 27, Worship with the Band.
The choir will be practicing after worship on May 25 (Worship with the Band) and singing on June 1 (Confirmation Sunday). New and returning voices always welcome – please see Kaija.
Thank you also to the Quartet for singing on Sunday, April 13, to begin Holy Week.
Sunday Readings
May 4 – Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:1-6 [7-20]; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
May 11 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
May 18 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
May 25 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22 – 22:5; John 14:23-29
June 1 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
Pastoral Visits
Pastor Matthew looks forward to making home visits, and going to Long Term Care homes. This includes sharing Holy Communion. Contact him at 807-344-1926, osimm@tbaytel.net.
Pastor Matthew visits at the Regional Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Hospital. As clergy no longer have access to the patient lists, it is vital that you contact him with info about who is a patient who would benefit from such care.
On behalf of Lutheran Community Care, Pastor Matthew leads worship at Roseview on the 1st Tuesday of the month, and at Hogarth on the 4th Thursday. Both are at 10:30 a.m., and last 30 mintues. Volunteers and worshippers are welcome! Thank you to Vi Peternelj for playing at these services and many more!
Our Life Together:
-Memorial Gifts:
--in memory of Audrey Hartviksen
-Deaths:
--Freda Karioja, April 26
--Related services:
-Tuesday, May 13, 11:00 a.m. Funeral for Freda Karioja (at Sargent and Sons, N. Court St.)
-Friday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. Celebration of Life for Pat Kaukola (at church)
Requesting Prayers for Filipino and Vancouver Communities
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada offers its deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the violent car attack at the Lapu-Lapu Filipino Festival on April 26.
“Together, we offer our heartfelt concern and support to those who were injured, to the Filipino community, and to all who were traumatized by what was witnessed. We join with you and with many others in sadness, in grief, in prayer, and in hope for healing.”
“Loving God, we pray for those who have been affected by the deadly attack in Vancouver. Especially we pray for the Filipino community. May all those who have lost loved ones and who suffer trauma be comforted by your gracious love. May we strive to create communities where all people are safe from violence and harm. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
Gathering Table Food Cupboard
Thank you for your food donations put in the basket in the front Hall. These are shared with Gathering Table and with others in need. The most needed items at Gathering Table are:
-Kraft Dinner
-cold and hot cereal
-tuna
-Flakes of Ham/Chicken/Turkey
-fruit cups
-Canned soup: especially Cream of Mushroom, Chicken Noodle, Tomato, and Vegetable
-Pork and Beans
-pasta sauce
Friends of Creation challenge
We have a supply of seed packets for the Canadian Lutheran World Relief ‘Friends of Creation’ challenge. This project emphasizes helping those in the area of Lake Chad, Cameroon, to revitalize their water supply and agriculture. Pastor Matthew distributed the packets on the last Sunday in April. If you would like one, from which tomato plants will grow, see him! CLWR would also like pictures of your plants growing!!
The financial challenge, to sponsor an acre or more of land around Lake Chad, will be a special appeal in the congregation later this year. Watch for the news in the next issues of the ‘Ambassador’.
Luther Village
Brochures for the 2025 season of outdoor ministry at Luther Village are available in the front hall, and online at www.luthervillage.ca . This is the 61st year of our regional synod’s camp on Dogtooth Lake, southeast of Kenora on Hwy. 71. LV’s registration has begun online for everything, including the Women’s Retreat, Youth camps, Family Camps, and individual camping plans (cabins available, as well as trailer and tent sites).
Staff Applications now open: LV is accepting online applications for 2025 Spring, Summer, and Fall staff positions. Go to www.luthervillage.ca for the online application. Applications will be considered in order received.
Luther Village Work Weekend
May 16-19: Volunteers Needed! Work weekend is a time to help get camp ready for the upcoming season and work on a few projects as well. There is no cost but LV needs to know who is coming, so it can plan the work and have accommodations ready. You will need to bring your own bedding. To register: lv@luthervillage.ca call (204) 783-3337 or text Lisa at (204) 293-6357.
‘Eternity for Today’
The April-June issue is available in the front hall. Copies can also be delivered, by calling the church.
Presbytery of Superior Summer Camp
The Presbyterian congregations in Thunder Bay and area are are looking forward to once again having a great summer at Pres -B-Camp, July 20-26. Pres-B-Camp is for campers entering Grades 3 to 8 this fall. They are inviting all to join them for a week of fun and leaning in nature, at Duncan Memorial Church Camp, located on Loon Lake, East of Thunder Bay. For more details: linda.mccutcheon.lm@gmail.com
Council Comments
Notes from the April council meeting not mentioned elsewhere:
-The meeting started with Pastor Matthew offering prayer.
-As a follow-up to the Visioning Retreat, Pastor Matthew created a distributed a flyer for the Holy Week/Easter Sunday services.
-Eldon Oja and Pastor Matthew are preparing ‘Making Space for Something New’, which is distributed through the Mailchimp email list and by hard copy to generate interest in continuing and evolving forms of ministry in the congregation and church.
-The ‘Daily God Wink’ newsletter will continue to focus on news of the congregation for those not connected with the church, including the neighbourhood, with an invite to come.
-Jones Insurance sent out particulars of possible insurance coverage to various companies, to hopefully generate proposals to compare with our existing policy. This will be on the agenda at the May meeting (The current policy year end is June 30.)
--Thunder Bay Carvers has agreed to a rent increase for use of our faciltiies, including storage. This is the first such increase in many years.
-Salem – Pass Lake has responded to a list of unused items that Our Saviour’s can offer for its use in its new sanctuary. Council approved the following being gifted to Salem – Pass Lake for as long as they are needed there: the Altar Book edition of ‘Evangelical Lutheran Worship’ (from Immanuel); a brass altar cross (Immanuel); 3 communion trays ( Our Saviour’s); 2 brass offering plates (Our Saviour’s) a wooden banner stand (Immanuel); a Baptismal banner (Zion); and Bibles ( Our Saviour’s). We also will lend Confirmation gowns, as needed.
-A crown of thorns plant has been received from Karen Jakobsen. It has been added to the plants to the left of the altar. Thank you, Karen!
-Contractors are preparing estimates for the Northwest Exit project.
-A ‘pre-65’ potluck fellowship lunch honouring Pastor Matthew is happening after worship on Sun. June. 15. (His birthday is July 17, when Kaija will be away.) See Kaija to help.
-Council’s next monthly meeting is Tues. May 13, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Chair – Linda Sander 622-0604
Vice-Chair – Karen Bishop 344-0052
Secretary – Aritith Francis 345-3617
Treasurer – Vi Peternelj 344-8552
FINANCES
Local and Missions
Thank you for your donations in April. Your gifts help us to minister, together, in Our Saviour’s name. Coming together, sharing our gifts, we serve the world.
April Offerings:
$ 9,896.59
Budgeted Offerings
$ 9,666.67
Monthly Offerings YTD:
$ 36,844.59
Budgeted Offerings YTD:
$ 38,666.68
Forward in Mission
Received in 2025: $ 880.00
2025 goal $ 2,500.00
Thanks for your continuing gifts. We are slightly ahead of target to meet partnership goals for 2025. One of these is the General Appeal of the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) in Saskatoon ($200). These funds help the Seminary to meet its ongoing program needs.
Cleaning Fund
Received in 2025: $ 1,060.00
Budgeted to date: $ 1,200.00
Thank you for your donations, which enable us to employ a part-time custodian. As you notice, we still are a bit behind what we need. This shortfall in turn lowers our other funds on hand. As you’re able, offerings to get back on track would be most helpful.
Building Fund
Our gifts help us have a dedicated reserve to maintain our property when the ‘unexpected’ happens. When planning indicates a major project is needed, a Congregational Meeting can set a goal for giving to the fund.
Balance, Jan. 1, 2025: $ 6,791.85
Received in 2025: $ 815.00
Expenditures: In Feb. we paid $2,440 for our annual maintenance agreement for our platform lift. Gifts to replenish the fund are appreciated.
Offerings
Envelopes are in the pews. For a bundle of envelopes for 2025 see Linda Sander or call the office. Our offerings are collected in the pews during worship.
Other ways to send your gift:
1.Mail envelopes to the church:
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 is appreciated, so that the offering can be brought inside.
3.E-Transfer to:
osimm.office@tbaytel.net
4.Pre-Authorized Withdrawal (PAR)
You are able to have offerings deposited from your financial institution to the church. You can designate it Weekly, Building, and/or Forward in Mission. You can desigate part of ‘Weekly’ for ‘Cleaning’. To sign up, or make updates, call the office.
Next ‘Ambassador’:
Please have articles sent to the office by Mon. May 26, for the May issue. Thank you!
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