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The Ambassador
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
January 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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Worship
We gather for worsip on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Normally we celebrate Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly: January 4 and 18. January 11 will be Service of the Word, with special music. Worship with the Band returns on January 25 (and again on Feb. 8!)
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:
New Members
Welcome to our newest member, Carolyn Barthels, received on Dec. 14. To become a member through transfer, Affirmation of Baptism, or Baptism, see Pastor Matthew.
Sunday School
Our class meets twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. However, due to the school break, this month we are only meeting on Jan. 18.
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.
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.
Bible Study
Pastor Matthew is interested in having a Bible Study in late Jan. and early Feb. Contact him with possible topics and meeting dates!
Notice of Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February 15, after worship
Reports needed: Mon. Feb. 2.
Reports ready: Sun. Feb. 8.
All are encouraged to attend. Stay tuned for news about the time of fellowship!
Canada Lutheran
It is time to renew your subscription, or to buy a new one, to our national church’s magazine. They cost $23. Forms will be in the front hall, or you can call the office. During the year you will receive 8 issues in your church mail box under the balcony, plus access to a full digital copy. See samples:
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 in the front hall. Thank you to all who participated!
Our next special Sunday will be Jan. 25, when we will explore the theme, ‘Climate + Economy’, as it affects the Lake Chad area and beyond.
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.
Fellowship Hour
We have Fellowship Hour each Sunday following worship, in Immanuel Hall. Birthday Sunday is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of the month (Jan. 18). 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 to the basement.
Worship Assistants
Thank you to those who helped out during December, including at our special Christmas services.
For January, 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.
Sunday Readings
January 4 – Epiphany of Our Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14;
Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12.
January 11 – Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17.
January 18 – Time after Epiphany
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11;
I Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42.
January 25 – Time after Epiphany
Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9;
I Cor. 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23.
February 1 – Time after Epiphany
Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; I Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Our annual Pancake supper this year is on Feb. 17, at 5:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet for volunteers will be in the front hall starting on Sun. Jan. 25. Stay tuned for the choosing of the recepient of our freewill offerings!
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
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. Share your ideas for a speaker with Pastor Matthew by the end of January, as he has a few spots still to fill. The complete line-up will be the Feb. ‘Ambassador’.
‘Gathering Table’ Food Cupboard
This ministry of Gathering Table Anglican parish on Pearl Street offers food twice monthly to those in need.
Food donations received in the basket and box in the front hall are given to Gathering Table and to others needing assistance.
The most needed items at are:
-Kraft Dinner; cold and hot cereal; tuna; Flakes of Ham/Chicken/Turkey; fruit cups; Canned soup: especially Cream of Mushroom, Chicken Noodle, Tomato, Vegetable; Pork and Beans; pasta sauce.
Our Life Together:
Deaths:
-Dec. 16 – Donna Mae Mikkonen (no funeral)
-Dec. 20 – Marita Matson (funeral: January 13)
Pastor Ed Hedlin
Pastor Ed Hedlin served Our Saviour’s between 1962 and 1965. Born Feb. 5, 1934 near Watrous, SK, he died in Saskatoon on Jan. 1, 2026.
Pastor Ed was ordained in 1957. His pastoral ministry, with Audrey’s support (died 2025), spanned more than 42 years, taking them to Chaplin SK, graduate school in Chicago, Port Arthur, ON, Bible Dean at Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute, Torquay, SK and lastly serving in Swift Current SK for 19 years. Ed & Audrey in their more than 67 years of marriage raised a family of six children: Karen Hedlin, Kathryn Scott, Beth Hendricksen (Dennis), Janet Hirch (David), Mark Hedlin (Heather) and Gina Haberstock (Corey). Audrey, with Ed’s support, also served by caring for twenty-five children over many years as foster parents. The family continues to expand, with 19 grandchildren and to date 12 great grandchildren.
For those who wish to honor Ed’s memory they can make a donation to Canadian Lutheran World Relief or pass on an act of kindness to help another with whom we share the road of life.
His funeral will be held at Trinity Lutheran, Saskatoon, on Jan. 10.
Ina Graham
Ina Graham served as the Parish Worker for Our Saviour’s-Immanuel during 1996-1997. She died on January 2, 2026. Her funeral will be on Jan. 30 at Lord of All Lutheran Church, Strathmore, AB. The family asks that
in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or Sjrogen’s Foundation in her memory.
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.
'Eternity for Today'
Copies of the Jan.-Mar. issue of our church’s daily devotional booklet, ‘Eternity for Today’, are in the front hall. Copies also can be delivered – call the office.
Pastor Matthew wrote the meditations for Feb. 16-18.
News from your Council
Pastor Matthew opened the meeting on Dec. 9 with a prayer from Bishop Jason remembering the oldest Pastor in the Synod, Gordon Hendrikson, who had just died; with thoughts also on the meeting and on Advent.
2026 Nominating Committee: the committee, consisting of Diane Bruce and Rene Kaukinen elected at the last Congregational Meeting, with Karen Bishop appointed as Council rep, will begin its work in January.
Nominations are needed for:
3 3-year council positions
2 1-yr Nomination Committee positions
3 2-yr Memorials Committee positions
and
5-Lutheran Committee Care Annual Meeting delegate positions.
For more information on any of these see Karen, Diane, or Bruce.
Further nominations can also be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting.
Sunday School: Although there would not be a full Christmas pageant, council received the welcome surprise that the children, including ones not presently active in Sunday School, would help sing Santa Lucia, in costume and with candles, at the end of the service of Dec. 14.
Sacred Heart Church: We are still awaiting word on whether that congregation has been assigned a full-time priest, or will continue to have bi-monthly visiting priests. It used the church on the evening of Dec. 23 for its Christmas program and mass.
Call process: Council continued to fill the Call Process Committee, appointing Jerry Hogan to join Peter Hinz, Brian Phillips, and Judy Sander. Pastor Matthew shared documents for the needed Congregational Ministry Profile and for the committee.
Inter-Church Refugee Committee:
The refugee sponsored by the churches in 2024 moved to Ottawa in Dec. Another, fully funded, refugee is in the process of being approved to come to Thunder Bay, sponsored by the committee. A replacement for Pastor Matthew as the congregational rep is needed after June. See him for details.
The 2026 Budget Proposal will come to council by early Feb., and then to the Annual Meeting for approval. Linda is forming the Budget Committee and will present the names to Council.
In line with new provincial regulations, our 2024 bylaws call for an annual external Financial Review. (note: not an audit). This replaces our internal Financial Review committee. However, due to the tardiness of Synod Council in ratifying our bylaws, this had not been set up for 2025. Council at its Jan. meeting will appoint a Financial Review committee, as per our old bylaws, for the 2025 year books. It will ask Synod Council to expedite the necessary ratification. Council anticipates the new procedure being operational for the end of 2026, with a budget line needed for it in the 2027 budget and beyond.
Council’s next monthly meeting is Tues. Jan. 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 December offerings. Although we fell short of our budgeted goals, other revenue, including from Loose and Rentals, helped us end the year on a positive note. A full financial review of 2025 will be shared at the Feb. 15 Annual Meeting. There we will also set the 2026 Budget. During this new year, your donations will help us achieve our vision for ministry in Our Saviour’s name. Respond in prayer and in giving as you are able. Sharing our gifts, we serve the world.
December Offerings:
$ 19,991.00
Budgeted Offerings
$ 9,666.67
Monthly Offerings YTD:
$111,860.55
Budgeted Offerings YTD:
$ 116,000.00
Forward in Mission
Received in 2025: $ 2,640.00
2025 goal $ 2,500.00
Thank you for helping us to meet our goal last year! The proposal for this appeal for 2026 will be shared at the Annual Meeting.
Cleaning Fund
Received in 2025: $ 2,805.00
Budgeted to date: $ 3,600.00
Thank you for your designated offerings. These enable us to employ a part-time custodian. We ended the year short of the cost. Donations to help fully fund this without drawing from our reserves would be welcomed.
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: $ 2,545.00
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.
February Newsletter
Please have articles for the February newsletter at the church by Mon. Jan. 26. You can also email them: osimm@tbaytel.net .
Special National Church Appeal
The ELCIC National Office and Eastern Synod continue their appeal to support the ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). Our goal is to raise $50,000 to assist in supporting this vital work that embodies faith, resilience and hope in a just peace. To date we have raised almost $30,000.
In an Oct. statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, the leaders “rejoiced at the recent enactment of the ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of those held captive.”
At the same time, they also acknowledged their shared concern regarding, “increasing violence against local communities in the West Bank in connection with settlement expansions.” The leaders urged the international community as a whole, “to widen the scope of the current negotiations to include an end of the occupation of both the West Bank and Gaza, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace with the present State of Israel.”
The war between Israel and Hamas has greatly affected our partners in the ELCJHL. Most of them have relatives in Gaza. Restricted movement in the region has continued to impact people’s ability to work and move freely resulting in huge financial implications for the church.
Our church's long-standing relationship with the ELCJHL is a vital expression of our shared faith and commitment to justice and peace. You are invited to: pray for peace, learn more about the work of the ELCJHL and give generously to the ELCJHL Appeal.
To donate: mark the amount for ‘ELCJHL Appeal’ on your envelope or donate online: www.elcic.ca.
Thank you!
-Thank you so much for your generous donations for the Mitten Tree and Basketeers appeals. Together you helped clients at Lutheran Community Care and others in need to stay warm this season. Your gifts for women starting on their own after being at Faye Peterson and Beendigen shelters overfilled the basket!
-Thank you to Stanley Ojala and Leslie Lamers for the gift of the beautiful church and house for the Christmas display in the front hall.
-Thank you for all the beautiful poinsettias!
-Thank you to Kim Koiviukoski, Judy Comrie, and their helpers, for Immanuel Hall’s bulletin boards.
-Thank you to all those involved in Christmas Choir worship, including singers, Kaija Ranta – director and keyboard, Darlene Taylor – organist, Kai Leinonen – violinist, Nancy Bergland – vocalist, Peter Hinz – narrator, and John Stadtlander – percussion and audio.
-Thank you to our Altar preparer, Sharron Stadtlander.
-Thank you to our organists/ pianists: Darlene, Vi Peternelj, and Kaija.
-Thank you to the Quartet+, and children, for singing on Dec. 14.
-Thank you to Nick, Lori, and Taylor for setting up the upstairs’ trees; the ESL students for the tree in Immanuel Hall.
-Thank you to Peter Hinz, for the outside Christmas Eve candles.
-Thank you for the greetings and gifts shared with Pastor Matthew and family.
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