Our Newsletter
The Ambassador
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
April 2023
10 Farrand Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 3H5
Offices: 344-1926; Immanuel Hall/FAX: 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: 344-6822)
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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 stripping the sanctuary for Good Friday
-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
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
Orders for lilies, and yellow and purple to decorate the sanctuary in memory/honour of someone are needed by Apr. 3. Cost: $12 per plant. You can take them home after Easter Sunday or leave them for the season.
Children’s Ministry
Our next monthly in-person Sunday School gatherings are being held on Apr. 2 and May 7. We begin in Immanuel Hall, and then come upstairs to share in Holy Communion.
For info: Karen Bishop.
The Easter/Spring activity packet is now available for pick up or delivery: osimm@tbaytel.net .
Activity sheets for each Sunday are in the front hall, and are mailed out on Thurs. Sign up: osimm@tbaytel.net .
There are Adventure activity bags under the mailboxes inside the sanctuary, for children to explore during worship.
Good Friday Readers
For our April 7 service, we welcome people to be readers for parts of the Passion according to John – all the way from the large parts of the Narrator and Jesus to persons with one or two lines. Please see Pastor Matthew to sign up.
Fellowship Hour
We have Fellowship Hour each Sunday following worship (except Easter Sunday), in Immanuel Hall. The platform lift is available for those who cannot use the stairs. Please sign up on the sheet in the front hall to help with setup/cleanup and baking.
Worship Assistants
For worship we need Greeters and Ushers, a Reader, and a Communion Assistant (if Communion). Please sign up on the sheets for both Holy Week and April in the front hall.
Choir Schedule for Spring 2023
Rehearsals
-Sun. Apr. 2, 10:00, and 20 mins after worship
-Sun. Apr. 30, 20 mins after worship
Choir Singing
-April 2 – Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion
-April 30 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
-May 14 – Sixth Sunday of Easter / Mother’s Day
Quartet: singing Maundy Thursday
Readings for Worship
April 2 – Palm Sunday/ Sunday of the Passion
Matthew 21:1-11
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 27:11-54
April 6 – Maundy Thursday
Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14
Psalm 116: 1-2, 12-19
I Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
April 7 – Good Friday
Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25
John 18:1 – 19:42
April 9 – Resurrection of Our Lord – Easter Day
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10
April 16 – 2nd Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
I Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
April 23 – 3rd Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
I Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
April 30 – 4th Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
I Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
May 7 – 5th Sunday of Easter
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
I Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Worship guidelines
We recommend wearing masks during worship and in the building when social distancing cannot be maintained. For the comfort and well-being of worshipers, we close every other pew, unless room is needed.
Holy Communion is being shared in both kinds. We receive a ‘wafer-in-a-cup’ as we enter the sanctuary. After the Invitation to Communion, Pastor Matthew says, ‘The body and blood of Christ given and shed for you’, and we eat the bread while sitting in the pews. (Gluten-free wafers are available – see the usher. You may also bring your own bread.) Then we come up the centre aisle to receive the wine/juice. Prefilled glasses in trays are on a table at the foot of the chancel stairs. After taking a glass, please go to the side and drink. There is a receptacle for the glasses as we go to our seats via the side aisles.
Those who do not commune, all ages, are welcome to come up for a blessing.
We record the services. They are uploaded to our YouTube channel, ‘Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’. Closed captions are available – words to the songs usually are added Monday.
Texts of the sermon, and of the bulletin, with links to videos of the songs, are mailed out on Saturday: sign up - osimm@tbaytel.net. They are also posted on our website on Saturday: www.oursaviourstbay.org .
Online, when Pastor Matthew says, ‘The body and blood of Christ …’, we welcome you to take and eat a piece of bread, remembering and giving thanks for the promises given us in Christ Jesus. Please also do so, taking a glass of wine or another beverage.
'Eternity for Today'
The Apr.-June issue of our national church’s daily devotional booklets is in the front hall. If you would like a copy dropped off, call the office.
Addressing Environmental Racism
Join For the Love of Creation (A faith-based initiative for climate justice) for a webinar on Tues., Apr. 25, 7–9 pm, and learn more about how environmental racism manifests in Canada and how we can address it.
Climate and ecological justice issues affect everyone, crossing national, regional and municipal boundaries. But not everyone is affected to the same extent. Extensive studies have demonstrated that predominantly Black, Indigenous and racialized communities are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change and exposure to environmental degradation. This is called environmental racism. This pattern is a symptom of systemic racism and colonization in Canadian communities that diminishes relationships within creation.
Speakers:
Dr. Leora Gansworth
Centre for Indigenous Languages and Knowledges at York University
Dr. Gansworth is a member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.
Dr. Jane McArthur
Toxics Program Director, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment in Canada
To register:
https://presbyterian.ca/justice/social-action/ecological-justice/addressing-environmental-racism/
Luther Village
Our regional church camp’s annual brochure is available at the church to help you create your family, child, grandchild, or individual camping plans for this coming summer near Kenora. Check out the calendar of programmed retreats, family camps and other ways to connect with Luther Village. You can also find it at www.luthervillage.ca.
Luther Village is still hiring staff for the summer. Staff applications are available on the website.
Women's Retreat 2023
We are super excited to announce that we will be hosting the Women's Retreat this June, first time since 2019.
Come join us June 9-11 for a chance to
Relax, Renew and Rediscover.
Our resource leaders will be Mother- Daughter team Candace & Caitlin Kostna, members of Abundant Life Lutheran – East St. Paul, MB. Candace has participated in Faith Formation leader training and been involved in family and confirmation ministry for many years. Caitlin has been involved in serving her church in many ways, including youth group, singing with the music team and as a junior youth leader. They will help you learn about God's BOUNDLESS Love and Grace- how it is great beyond measure!
There will be opportunities for rest and relaxation, sessions to engage you, a time for worship, activities such as hiking or canoeing, wine and cheese night and much more.
All ages are welcome ( 14+): come with your mom, bring your daughter or niece, and invite Grandma.
Registration is now open, at www.luthervillage.ca .
COST: $165.00 (plus hst) for the weekend, Fri. evening to Sun. afternoon: accommodations, meals and all programing included. If you register before May 1, $25.00 off.
Official start is 8:00 – 8:30 pm (Central) on Friday, but you are welcome to arrive anytime during the day and enjoy camp -- you will need to bring own food for that time. Will be opportunity to sign up for Massage or Reflexology session (at your own Cost)
Mission to Seafarers
Annual Fund-raising Dinner for the Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay is being held on Fri. Apr. 21, 5:30 p.m., at the Current River Community Centre. Guest speaker: Dr. Jason Zuidema, Ex. Dir., North American Maritime Ministry Association and Gen. Secretary, International Christian Maritime Association. Tickets: Adults $45 ($15 tax receipt) and Children 6-12 $20. See Pastor Matthew, Board Chair, for tickets. Tickets must be purchased by Fri. Apr. 14.
The MTS – Thunder Bay Annual Meat Sale fund-raiser is here again. Please contact Pastor Matthew (Board chair) to place your order, or call the Mission at 344-8241, or email flyingangel@tbaytel.net. Orders must be placed by Mon. May 1, and will be delivered on Wed. May. 17. Details on products and ordering can also be found on the bulletin board leading to Immanuel Hall. Please support our ministry to the seafarers.
For more information on the Mission to Seafarers in Thunder Bay:
www.missiontoseafarers.ca/thunderbay
“Council Comments”
Council met Tues. March 14.
-The officers of the council and congregation were elected for 2023:
--Chair – Linda Sander
--Vice-Chair – Karen Bishop
--Secretary – Artith Francis
--Treasurer – Linda Sander
-Council began reviewing its Visioning Retreat notes. It will take more time at its April meeting to discuss and to work on implementing these.
-The Pancake Supper was wonderful! 66 people attended, with freewill offerings totalling $945 being given to the Street Reach Ministries of Lutheran Community Care. Thank you to Peter Hinz and his team!
-Work continues on the projects made possible by the $7,500 Ontario Anti-hate/security grant received last fall: renewal of the outside door opening hardware; change of locks on outside doors (Key fobs will now be needed – see Linda Sander); new monitor for River St. camera; renewal of outside lighting and related equipment.
-An application for federal Canada Recovery Grant has been submitted, re enabling livestreaming capability in building. Decision will be receive mid-April. Note: this project will only proceed if funding approved
-From Annual Meeting
--improving accessibility (e.g. automatic door openers) – monitoring for when federal Enabling Accessibility Fund opens again for applications
--gathering for ESL students/leaders –will happen in spring.
-Next meeting: Tues. Apr. 11, 5 p.m.
Food Donations
Our gifts placed in the wicker basket in the front hall go to the Gathering Table’s Food Bank and others in need. Thank you for your gifts in March.
Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth
The biennial national CLAY is happening, August 10-13, in Waterloo! For more info:
Participants at CLAY normally will be aged 14-19 as of Dec. 31, 2023. You are part of a Home Team. Home Teams are groups of youth and leaders travelling and staying together during the Gathering. There is a cost to attend--the congregations will fundraise with the home. Our national church is offering a grant of $200 per participant. There will be a down payment fee asked for by the home team leader to confirm your interest, and to go forward with your registration. Retired Anglican priest, Nancy Ringham, hosted an information meeting for parents and prospective youth, Wed March 1. If you would like what was discussed, send Pastor Matthew an email:
osimm@tbaytel.net. We will also be sending out follow-up emails.
FINANCES
Thank you for your offerings in March. We remain close, but below, our budgeted goal. Help us to turn this arround in April, so that we might more strongly be able to share the gifts of God and go out to serve the world, in the name of Our Saviour.
March Offerings:
$ 9,075.00
Budgeted Offerings Monthly:
$ 9,666.67
Monthly Offerings Year to date:
$ 25,779.74
Budgeted Offerings Year to date:
$ 29,000.01
Forward in Mission
Received in 2023: $ 570.00
2023 goal: $ 2,500.00
Thanks you for your gifts so far in in 2023. One of our proposed Partners is the Gathering Table Food Cupboard ($150). This serves 60-100 during its twice monthly operation, with the number growing. Our food donations in the wicker basket also go to Gathering Table, and others in need.
Another partner is the Current River Churches’ Food Bank ($150). Located on Hodder Ave., this makes food available once a month, for persons living between River St. and Dorion.
Cleaning Fund
Received in 2023: $ 725.00
Budgeted Year to date: $ 900.00
Please help to top up this fund. Your gifts enable us to employ a part-time custodian to maintain our building. Designate offerings for the ‘Cleaning Fund’.
Building Fund
Our donations 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: $5,759.49
Received in 2023: $ 475.00
Expenditures: In Feb. we used $2,440 for our annual maintenance agreement for our platform lift. Gifts to replenish the fund are appreciated.
Offerings
During worship you are able to share your offerings at the entrance to the sanctuary. Envelopes for Sunday and special offerings are available. Instead of numbered sets, again this year we are giving out supplies of undated envelopes. To pick up your envelope bundle for 2023, see Linda Sander or call the office.
Other ways:
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 is appreciated, so that the offering can be brought inside.
3.E-Transfer online banking 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. To sign up, or if you desire to make changes or if you have updates on your address or financial institution, call the office.
Life’s Journeys:
Funeral:
Patricia Aegard, Mar. 18
(died Mar. 5)
Memorials Funds donations:
-in memory of Patricia Aegard
“To Our Saviour’s congregation:
Thank you for your kindness and support during the loss of Patricia. Also, thank-you to everyone who helped with the service and lunch.
Your thoughtfulness will never be forgotten.”
Gordon and family
Canadian Lutheran World Relief
CLWR thanks you for your partnership, your generosity in action.
Each ‘Ambassador’ issue, we will highlight one or more of the countries where during 2022-2023 CLWR and we have programmes:
Pakistan
The flooding in Pakistand in 2022 was an historic disaster an and changed the lives of millions of people in Pakistan forever. But with your support and thanks to CLWR’s partners in the region, many families have received emergency items to help them withstand the crisis and begin to rebuild.
Your support is helping reach 22,875 people with support including:
-hygiene supplies including menstrual health supplies
-debris clean-up
-mosquito nets
-latrines
-safe water from tanks, and rehabilitation of water sources
-shelter materials
Thank you for your compassion and your generosity is response to this tragedy!
Proceeds from Pancake Supper
Pastor Dan Barr, Chaplain, Lutheran Community Care Street Reach Ministries and Linda Sander, Chairperson / Treasurer, Our Saviour’s
Recently Linda and Pastor Matthew met with Chaplain Dan at the Street Reach storefront ministry on Victoria Ave. E. On behalf of the congregation and those who gave freewill offerings at our February Pancake Supper, Linda was able to present Chaplain Dan with a cheque for $945. This will be used to help fund Street Reach ministries. See the next re volunteering and helping in other ways!
Volunteers needed!
Street Reach Ministries
Currently our Resource Centre, located at 516B Victoria Ave. East, has enough volunteers to be open on Tuesdays, from 10:00 – noon, and 1:00 – 3:00.
Additional volunteers would make it possible to be open Wednesdays as well.
What our wonderful volunteers do:
-Keep the coffee and tea flowing next to the snacks
-Keep the Centre tidy and sanitized
-Enjoy conversation with the community members
If you thing you may be interested in volunteering, you are welcome to come by on any Tuesday and meet the Street Chaplain, Pastor Dan, the volunteers and the other members of the community. You can also call 474-9661 for more information.
A list of needs for Street Reach
(edited March 4, 2023)
For our Street Reach Visitors: Individually wrapped cereal bars – soft, not crunchy *please, no chocolate covered marshmallow/sandwich cookies*
Ground coffee – regular or decaf
white sugar
coffee whitener
Street Reach is not accepting clothing, household or personal hygiene donations at this time.
Material Donations can be dropped off at:
Street Reach, 516b Victoria Ave East Tuesday 10am-noon, 1pm-3pm
or Lutheran Community Care Center, 245b Bay Street Monday to Friday 830am-430pm
Monetary donations designated to support Street Reach must be sent to LCCC Bay Street directly or through your church offering envelope.
Thank you for supporting this local outreach effort.
Pastor Dan Barr, Street Chaplain
Pastoral Care Program
Pastoral Care involves strengthening people in their faith and helping them to resolve spiritual concerns. Through a coordinated effort from Pastoral Care Workers, Lutheran clergy, and many dedicated volunteers, we facilitate monthly worship services in the long care facilities, as well as other ongoing care.
-Pastor Matthew and Vi Peternelj (music) lead worship at Hogarth Riverview Manor on the last Thurs of each month. Volunteers help to get residents to the Chapel for the 10:30 a.m. service and back to their rooms after the service ends at 11:00. Call 807-345-6062, ext. 117, to speak with Liisa Lahtinen, our pastoral care worker.
-Pastor Matthew and Vi do the same at Southbridge Roseview on the 1st Tues. of the month, again at 10:30 a.m.
-In addition, Liisa welcomes your help with services at Bethammi on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10:30, and on the 3rd Friday of each month, again at Hogarth, at 10:30 a.m.
May ‘Ambassador’
Please have articles sent to the office by Mon. May 1. Thank you