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The Ambassador
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
February 2026
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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Annual Congregational Meeting
We will hold our Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 15, after worship and a short Fellowship time (starting at approx. 11:30 a.m.) All are welcome. Confirmed members over 18 are also voting members of the congregation.
Reports for the Meeting package are needed by Mon. Feb. 2. The Reports package will be available Sun. Feb. 8.
2026 Nomination Committee:
The committee -- Diane Bruce, Rene Kaukinen, and Karen Bishop – is seeking nominations for:
-3 3-year council positions
-2 1-yr Nomination Committee spots
-3 2-yr Memorials Committee positions
-5 Lutheran Committee Care Annual Meeting delegate positions.
For more information on any of these, to nominate someone, or to nominate yourself, see Karen, Diane, or Rene.
Further nominations can also be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Our annual Pancake supper is on Feb. 17, at 5:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet for volunteers is in the front hall.
Our freewill offerings at the door will be shared between Our Kids Count and replenishing our ‘Capital Improvement Fund’ (used for rebuilding our northwest exit last year).
Ash Wednesday
The season of Lent begins on Feb. 18. Once again we will have two opportunities to gather for worship:
12:15 p.m. Shortened Holy Communion
7:00 p.m. Holy Communion, with Choir
Both services will offer Imposition of Ashes.
Midweek Lenten series
Our annual Devotions and Speaker series will begin on Weds. Feb. 25, at 7:00 p.m.
We will gather during this season on Feb. 25, and Mar. 4, 11, and 25. (No session on Mar. 18)
Global Mission Sunday
Global Mission Sunday, on the first Sunday in February annually – this year, February 1 - is an opportunity for congregations across our Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada (ELCIC) to give thanks for God’s mission in the world; and for our shared call to serve, accompany and bear witness alongside our global partners.
The sermon for this day, written by National Bishop Larry Kochendorfer, lifts up and reflects on the many relationships that connect the ELCIC with Lutherans around the world.
The ELCIC has three global mission bilateral relationships with partner Lutheran churches, in the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida (IELU) (which has congregations in Argentina and Uruguay), Iglesia Luterana del Perú, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Each of the five ELCIC synods has at least one global companion relationship partner church:
Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod – Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon.
Join our Choir!
We are singing at special services during the next two months: Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7:00 p.m., and Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion, March 29, 10:30 a.m.
All voices are welcome! Practices will be after Fellowship (around 11:45 a.m.) on Sundays: Feb. 1 and Mar. 1 and 22. See Kaija Ranta for details.
Sunday School
Our class meets twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. However, due to the Family Day long weekend, we are only meeting this month on Feb. 1.
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.
When there is no class, Pastor Matthew often has a special message during worship for the children who are there (not included on our videos, due to federal privacy laws).
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.
The next seasonal activity pack, for Easter/Spring, will be available for pick-up or drop off in early March.
'Eternity for Today'
Copies of the Jan.-Mar. issue of our church’s daily devotional booklet are in the front hall. Copies also can be delivered – call the office. Pastor Matthew has written the devotions for the days around Ash Wednesday.
Sunday Worship
We gather for worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Normally we celebrate Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly: February 1 and 15. February 8 will be Worship with the Band. February 22 will be Service of the Word, with special music.
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, Brian Phillips, and Pastor Matthew.
The bulletins, with links to videos of the songs, and the text of the sermon, are e-mailed on Saturday. Sign up: osimm@tbaytel.net. They also are posted on our website each Saturday:
Holy Communion
For Holy Communion, all are invited to come up the centre aisle to the foot of the chancel to receive the bread (gluten-free wafers available) and the wine/juice. 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 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.
We have Fellowship Hour each Sunday following worship, in Immanuel Hall. Birthday Sunday normally is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of the month. However, due to the Annual Meeting we will do so this month on Feb. 22.
Gifts of food are welcome – please bring them down before the service.
For those wishing to make a gift toward the purchase of supplies there is a white coffee pot on the table at the entrance to the hall.
The platform lift is available for those who have trouble with the stairs.
Worship Assistants
Thank you to those who helped out during January. For February, including Ash Wednesday, 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 for any of the positions.
Pastoral Visits
Pastor Matthew looks forward to 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 don’t have access to the patient lists, contact him with info about who is a patient who would benefit from such care.
Prayer Vigils for Climate Justice – Lent 2026
Each Tuesday evening during Lent, from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m., our Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada and our synods are hosting a Prayer Vigil for Climate justice: Feb. 24, and March 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31.
To register to join the vigils live and/or to receive a link to the recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8Wcj-ZfXRNqf2c-jx1kb8g#/registration
Week 1, February 24: Creation, biodiversity, ecosystems, and those trying to protect them. Hosted by the BC Synod.
Week 2, March 3: Our sinful abuse of the planet, consumerism, and those trying to live more simply. Hosted by the SK Synod.
Week 3, March 10: The vulnerable, the poor, the sick, immigrants and those displaced by war. Hosted by ABT Synod.
Week 4, March 17: First Nations/Indigenous people and reconciliation. Hosted by the MNO Synod.
Week 5, March 24: Youth and future generations. Hosted by the EASTERN Synod.
Week 6, March 31: Peace, leadership (national, provincial, territorial, and municipal leaders, scientists). Hosted by the National Office.
Conversations Across the Church
Mark your calendars for February 22, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m, for our second Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada’s Conversations Across the Church online event!
2026 is a milestone in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada as we mark 40 years since the formation of our church. Join National Bishop Larry Kochendorfer as we begin our Lenten journey and reflect on this 40th anniversary milestone: where we have been, where are we today, and how is God calling us forward as we seek to be a church Living out God’s grace and unconditional love for the next 40 years. To register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2817689434168/WN_nm6YLf_zRwWN9sDwBfe6vw#/registration
Our Life Together:
New Member:
-Margaret Bilbrough
Funeral:
-Marita Matson, Jan. 13; died Dec. 20
Celebration of Life:
-Donna Mae Mikkonen, Jan. 4; died Dec. 16
Memorial gifts:
-in memory of Marita Matson
‘Friends of Creation’
Our third of four Sundays as part of Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s ‘Friends of Creation’ Challenge was held on Jan. 25. The theme was ‘Climate + Economy’.
Our Congregational Project in response to this is a special food drive during February, in support of our ministry partner, ‘Gathering Table’ Anglican parish on Pearl Street. Its food bank offers food twice monthly to those in need. Donations can be dropped in the basket and box in the front hall.
The most needed items at are: Kraft Dinner; cold/hot cereal; tuna; Flakes of Ham/Chicken/Turkey; fruit cups; Canned soup: Cream of Mushroom, Chicken Noodle, Tomato, Vegetable; Pork and Beans; pasta sauce.
Recipe Book available
Our second ‘Friends of Creation’ Sunday was on Nov. 30, when we explored the theme ‘Climate + Food’. Our congregational activity in response to this was to create a book of recipes to share at church during the Christmas season. Copies are still available. Thank you to all who participated!
Diaconal Ministry Sunday
On Sun. Feb. 22, congregations across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada will observe Diaconal Ministry Sunday. We lift the ministry of service — diakonia — and honour the ministry of diaconal ministers, rostered leaders called to ministries of word and service. They serve in congregations, schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other organizations.
Worship Readings
February 1 – 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; I Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12.
February 8 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Is 58:1-9a [9b-12]; Ps 112:1-9 [10];
I Cor. 2:1-12 [13-16]; Mt 5:13-20.
Feb. 15 – Transfiguration of our Lord
Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2;
2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9.
February 18 – Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17;
2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10; Mt 6:1-6, 16-21.
February 22 – First Sunday in Lent
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11.
March 1 – Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 121;
Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17.
Lenten Quiet Day
The Anglican Deanery of Thunder Bay-North Shore is inviting us to join them for their annual Lenten Quiet Day, Sat. Feb. 28, 9:00 – 4:15, at St. Thomas Anglican, 1400 Edward St. S. Cost: $20, lunch included. Led by the Anglican Bishop of Kootenay, Lynne McNaughton, the day will centre on spending time with the poety, music and vision of St. Hildegard, helping us to open ourselves to the New Life God is and work bringing in ourselves and our world. For info: Carol Knox, 807-476-0715.
Next Newsletter
March newsletter: Articles needed by Mon. Feb. 23: osimm@tbaytel.net .
News from your Council
Pastor Matthew opened the meeting on Jan. 13 with a devotion and prayer drawing on ‘Tell Your Story: Why Communications About Church Buildings Matters More than Ever’, by Katja Brittain. An online workshop by Brittain on Every Square Foot Counts: Financial Stewardship and Church Buildings is being held on Thurs. Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m, open to all members of our national church’s congregations. To register, see Pastor.
Christmas Invitations: Pastor Matthew reported on the positive response to the special Advent/ Christmas worship invitations that were mailed, emailed, and sent through FaceBook Messenger. A similar invitation will be shared for Holy Week and Easter Sunday services.
Facebook Messenger and similar social media will be further explored as a communication tool, due to the rate of interaction seen.
New Member: Council voted to receive Margaret Bilbrough as a confirmed voting member of the congregation, by Affirmation of Faith. She will be officially recognized during an upcoming worship service. At that time, we will have a special cake at Fellowship for both Margaret and Carolyn Barthels (who joined in Nov.)!
Call Process: Linda, as an ex-officio member, will convene the first meeting of the Call Process committee, in early February. After this, another person on the committee will assume this role.
2026 Budget Proposal: Council appointed the following persons to the 2026 Budget Proposal Committee: Artith Francis, Sharon Scott, Vi Peternelj (Treasurer) and Linda Sander (Chairperson – ex officio). The committee met on Jan. 15. The proposal will be shared with the council, who will recommend a final version to the Annual Meeting.
Internal Financial Review: Council appointed Jim Symington and, depending on availability, either Judy Sander or Bruce Sauder, to perform an Internal Financial Review of the books of the congregation, for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025; to be presented to the Annual Meeting.
Annual Congregational Meeting: Council approved recommending the Proposed Agenda to the meeting.
Sacred Heart Church rental: The congregation has submitted a meeting schedule for Feb. through May: 2x monthly, plus additional Holy Week services. Council approved the continued Rental Agreement with Sacred Heart for Feb. – May 2026.
During the fall, Council had acted to have this group’s rental income be designated for the ‘Capital Improvement Fund’. For this new period, it will be deposited as non-designated ‘Rental Income’.
178th Cubs: meeting at Harmony United with Beavers until Feb., due to shortage of leaders.
Council’s next monthly meeting is Tues. Feb. 10, 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 January donations. This is traditionally a ‘low offering’ month. Help us to go forward in mission during February. Respond in prayer and in giving as you are able. A full financial review of 2025 will be shared at the Feb. 15 Annual Meeting. There we will also set the 2026 Budget. Sharing our gifts, we serve the world.
January Offerings:
$ 7,190.00
Budgeted Offerings
$ tbd
Monthly Offerings YTD:
$ 7,190.00
Budgeted Offerings YTD:
$ tbd
Forward in Mission
Received in 2025: $ 240.00
2026 goal $ tbd
Thank you for your gifts to start off on a strong footing for our annual special appeal. Council is recommending to the Annual Meeting that the goal for 2026 remain at $2,500, with the same local and wider church partners as in 2025. A full list of those approved will be in the March newsettler.
2025 Tax Receipts
The 2025 tax receipts will be ready at the church by early February. Please see Linda Sander after that time re slips not received or corrections. Thank you again for your offerings in 2025.
Cleaning Fund
Received in 2026: $ 210.00
Budgeted to date: $ tbd
Thank you for your designated offerings for this fund during January. These enable us to employ a part-time custodian.
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, 2026: $ 5,054.41
Received in 2026: $ 150.00
Expenditures: In Feb. we need to pay $2,440 for our annual maintenance agreement for our platform lift.
Offerings
Envelopes are in the pews. For a bundle of envelopes for 2026, see Linda Sander or call the office. Our offerings are collected in the pews during worship.
Other ways to send your gift:
1.Mail to 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.
Thank You
-Thank you to Nick and Lori for taking down the Christmas trees in the sanctuary and the front hall.
-Thank you to Sharron Stadtlander for the beautiful sanctuary decorations recently put up for ‘Winter’.
-Thank you to the ‘Coffee Ladies’ for their thorough cleaning of the kitchen including the dishwasher.
Dew Drop Inn Thank You
Dear Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
Happy New Year. Hope all is well with everyone as we head into 2026. Thanks to the amazing holiday community support we are strong heading into the New Year.
Wonderful News!
The Dew Drop Inn is truly honored to be the winner of the Canadian Choice Award for a Non-Profit Organization. Our deepest gratitude goes to everyone who supports our mission and believes that everyone does deserve a good meal with no judgment or questions asked and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. This recognition is not ours alone—it reflects the dedication of our team, our volunteers, our community partners and supporters, and the those we serve. We accept this prestigious award on behalf of everyone who is associated with the Dew Drop Inn. Thank you for this amazing encouragement and for standing with us. We are over the moon. Congratulations to all of you.
Thank you, Michael Quibell, Exec. Dir.
Special National Church Appeal
Our Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) is pleased to announce we have recently met our goal of raising $50,000 to assist in supporting the vital work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) to embody faith, resilience and a hope of just peace. This appeal was launched shortly after the 2025 ELCIC National Convention.
We also join with the ELCJHL in celebrating the consecration of Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad on Sun. Jan. 11, as the fifth Bishop of the ELCJHL. We give thanks for the presence of ELCIC National Bishop Larry Kochendorfer and Eastern Synod Bishop Carla Blakley at this joyful occasion, and offer blessings and prayers for the ELCJHL and its ministry.
World Day of Prayer, March 6
A 55-minute video of the World Day of Prayer 2026 service, with participants from across Canada, has been created to view at home and in churches. The video is based on the worship service prepared by Nigerian Christian women.
To watch the service video, visit
wdpcanada.ca/world-day-of-prayer/how-to-participate/.
Lutheran Leaders Write in Support of Greenlandic People
On Jan. 16 ELCIC National Bishop Larry Kochendorfer, along with Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Rt. Rev. Henrik Stubkjær of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark — voiced solidarity with the Church of Greenland and Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad Munk amid growing international concern regarding Greenland’s future: “This is a question of human rights, dignity, and respecting international laws and treaties,” ... “We are a small people, but we are not invisible.” The bishops call for prayer, peace and respect between nations, while encouraging advocacy for the rights of the Greenlandic people.
https://elcic.ca/2026/01/16/national-bishop-joins-leaders-in-support-of-greenland/
A Letter to the Church
Bishop Larry has written to the church, expressing solidarity with the people of Minnesota and for all who have been impacted by recent aggressive and violent immigration enforcement by U.S. federal agents. “As a church, we join with The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in calling for a thorough investigation into this case, accountability for the shooting, and a de-escalation of ICE enforcement across the United States”.
https://elcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-20-Message-of-Support-Minnesota.pdf
Chosen to be the light and hope.
Is that possible?
“I think to myself what more can I say in another newsletter. I have shared my own story, shared what I have learned from Pastor Matthew’s sermons and tried to fit the message within the context of my life and the reader’s life. The Rev. Karen Johnson-Lefsrud wrote in her Jan. 2026 article in Eternity for Today … “God is not finished with us yet. It is not our greatness that matters, but the strength of the One who has chosen us, who calls us to be that light, that hope”.
Being a realist, I think back to what I wrote over the past year and half. Hopefully, I have met the challenge in some way for someone “to be that light, that hope”. Since I’m typing, it appears that my work is not finished.
Katja Brittain in her article, “Why Communication About Church Buildings Matters More Than Ever”, starts, “Your church building already tells a story”. I never thought about that. But it is true.
As church members we know what’s happening during the week. We know why there are cars in the parking lot almost every day and evening. We have a web site and publish newsletters. Hundreds of cars drive past the church every day. What do those folks driving by think or know about our church? We hope that we are seen as a welcoming church and I have experienced that joyful openness.
We had about 200 people attend a service over Christmas. It was exciting to hear so many voices singing carols and the families sharing the candlelight service. The handheld candles raised by everyone and the voices singing with such fervor were the light and the hope shared by everyone.”
Blessing and best wishes in the year ahead. Eldon Oja
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