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Welcome! Our Saviour's and Immanuel Lutheran Churches invite you to be part of our communities of grace and faith. United in a parish since 1981, we have been active in Thunder Bay for 105 and 106 years respectively. We seek to continue to be places where people can grow in understanding of God's forgiving love revealed through Jesus. Gathered in to worship, God's Spirit calls us out to share in word and action what it means to be people of God. - Our journeys began as the First Norwegian Lutheran Church of Port Arthur and Swedish Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.
- During the 1920s First Norwegian Church of Fort William merged with its sister church in Port Arthur.
- First Norwegian changed its name to Our Saviour's in 1938, reflecting its changing demographics and outward focus. (Immanuel officially dropped 'Swedish' in the 1950s.)
- From 1906 to 1963, Immanuel formed a joint parish with Zion Lutheran Church of Fort William (Thunder Bay).
- In 1963, Zion became a parish on its own, and Immanuel became a part of a parish with Zion (later called St. Mark's) Lutheran Church of Port Arthur (Thunder Bay).
- In 1981, St. Mark's became a parish on its own, and Immanuel became part of a federated parish with Our Saviour's.
- In 1983, St. Mark's merged into Our Saviour's.
We are members of the Manitoba/ Northwestern Ontario Synod, www.mnosynod.org, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada, www.elcic.ca. Locally we cooperate through "Lutherans Together" and the Lutheran Community Care Centre.
Shared Events: "Receive the Spirit: Be the Witness": Delegates from our MNO synod congregations, from Thompson MB to Pass Lake ON, met for our biennial convention, April 26-29, in Beausejour MB. For a recap and photos, please go to our synod's website, www.mnosynod.org. There will also be an article in our May 'Ambassador' newsletter. Dew Drop Inn: The Dew Drop is in need of non-perishable items, including canned vegetables and fruit, chilli or stews, broths, salmon and tuna, red kidney beans, ketchup, mustard, relish and mayo, coffee, tea, and juices. Items can be dropped off at the Centre, 294 Red River Rd., any day between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Luther Village Women's Retreat: This annuual synodical eventis being held June 8 -10. Take time away to relaxed and to be served! Cost, including meals, is $134 + HST. Register by May 18, and save $15. For forms and information, call the parish office. 25th Anniversary Celebration: June 14 marks Pastor Matthew's 25th anniverary of ordination to be a pastor. To celebrate this, there will be a Meet and Greet, Sat. June 23, at O.S., from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. On Sun. June 24, we will be having one joint worship service, 10 a.m., at O.S. Bishop Elaine Sauer will be preaching. On the same date, a Celebration Banquet will take place at the Italian Cultural Centre at noon. For tickets to the latter, please contact the Parish Office. Hilldale Summer Camp: Once again Hilldale Lutheran is inviting our children to join them at their Vacation Bible School Camp. It is being held August 7-10, at Camp Duncan on East Loon Lake, for kids 7-14. Come enjoy the camp life, swimming, canoeing, games, campfires, cookouts, singing, and Bible stories. Lots of fun! The registration fee is $100 per child, with a $25 deposit due by June 30, and the balance by July 30. For more information, please call Hilldale's office, 768-9890.
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Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Corner of Farrand and River Streets
Our Purpose is to be Christians gathered together as a family to grow in our relationship to God. Our Guiding Principles are Jesus is 'Our Saviour', We Learn God's Word, We Live God's Word, We Spread God's Word, and We Share in the Sacraments.
Did you hear about what's happening at OS, May 14-20? - To subscribe to our weekly e-news, 'Awesome News', send a email to osimm@tbaytel.net, with the message line, 'Sign me up!'.
- Monday - 11 a.m. Dew Drop Inn
- Monday - 1:30 p.m. Lutheran Women, at O.S.
- Monday - 6:45 p.m.Scouts
- Tuesday - 7:15 p.m. Council Meetings, at Imm.
- Wednesday - 6:30 a.m. TBay Carvers
- Wednesday - 7:30 p.m. Parish Choir Practice
- Thursday
- Friday
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- Saturday - 9 a.m. Knitter's Nook/ Crochet Corner
- Sunday - 11 a.m. Holy Communion
Upcoming Sundays: - May 20 - Victoria Day long weekend
- May 27 - Worship with the Band/Drama group; Congregational Potluck Luncheon
- June 3 - Confirmation Sunday
- June 10
- June 17 - Father's Day
- June 24 - Joint Worship, 10 a.m. - Bishop Elaine preaching
Pentcost Sunday: Sunday, May 27, is going to be an awesome day at O.S.! - At 11 a.m. we are having 'Worship with the Band'. As part of the service, the Drama Group will be presenting the Good News in a very special way.
- The Spark Kids will join us for at least part of worship, as they celebrate their Windup for the summer.
- At about 11:45 a.m., we enjoy a potluck luncheon. Bring something to share! Hot dogs will also be available, from our electric BBQ. If it's nice, and you're so inclinded, feel free to bring chairs and/or a blanket, and join us in a picnic behind the church. Or, you can eat in the Fellowship Hall.
- Those who can help with the lunch, or want to lead games, sign up on the list on the downstairs' bulletin board, or see Pastor Matthew.
Community Gardens: Are you interested in community gardens? There is a possibility of having a terraced garden at the back of our property. If you'd like to help out, and/or have a plot, please let Karen Bishop know.
Sunday Readings - Sun. May 20- Seventh Sunday of Easter
- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
- Psalm 1
- I John 5:9-13
- John 17:6-19
- Sermon: "One"
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Immanuel Lutheran Church Corner of Pearl and Banning Streets.
Our Purpose is to be Christians linked to God through Christ by love and commitment. Our Guiding Principles are God is with us ('Immanuel'), We Reach Out To All, We Seek To Proclaim The Gospel Through Word And Deed, While Valuing Our Heritage, We Move Forward, and We Invite All To Join Our Worship, Learning, and Fellowship.
Look what's happening at Imm., May 14-20! To subscribe to our weekly e-news, 'Awesome News', send a email to osimm@tbaytel.net, with the message line, 'Sign me up!'. - Mon. 11 a.m. Dew Drop Inn
- Mon. 1:30 p.m. Lutheran Women, at O.S.
- Tues.7;15 p.m. Council Meetings
- Weds. 8 p.m. Al-anon
- Thurs. .
- Fri.
- Sat.
- Sun. 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion
Upcoming Sundays: - May 20 - Victoria Day long weekend
- May 27
- June 3
- June 10
- June 17 - Father's Day
- June 24 - Joint Worship, O.S., 10 a.m. - Bishop Elaine preaching
Spring Cleanup: Join us, Sat. May 26, at 10 a.m.!
Parish Youth Happenings: - Youth Group Event: We have had to cancel our 30-hour World Vision famine, due to not enough being able to make it on May 4-5. Watch this space and your email for news about future events. If you have an idea for one, please contact Judy Sander or Pastor Matthew.
- Students at Con College and LU: Pastor Matthew would love to have a cup of coffee with you!
Our Pastor: Matthew Diegel has served our parish since January 1995, after being pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Windsor. He was ordained in 1987, graduating from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. He also holds a Honours B.A. in History from Huron University College, 1983 (Western). Matthew enjoys reading, walking, talking, nature, reading, comedy, and cooking. Matthew is the spouse of Kaija Ranta. Together, they are the proud parents of Elina, Stacie, and Alexa.
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| Worship: Immanuel: We gather on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion is celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly, plus special times of church year. On most Sundays, our Gospel Quartet opens worship, with other special music during the service. Our Saviour's: We gather on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion is celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly, plus special times of church year. When there is no Spark Kids' children's ministry, there is a special Children's Time during each service.
'The Band' usually leads worship one Sunday per month, except in December and during the summer. Our next 'Worship with the Band' service will be May 27. Holy Communion in both congregations is open to all the baptized, regardless of Christian background or age. A First Communion instruction session is held as desired. Call the Parish Office, 344-1926, to register.
Our parish worship style is a blend of traditional and contemporary. To help us in this we use as our main resource the cranberry 'Evangelical Lutheran Worship' book, published in 2006. Parish Choir: We will be singing at the June 24 joint worship at O.S. For information, contact Kaija Ranta. Special Music: Would you like to enrich our Sunday service with a musical contribution? Contact Kaija Ranta or Gloria Blazina. LCCC Chapel Services: On behalf of the Lutheran Community Care Centre, Pastor Matthew leads worship at Dawson Court on the 1st Thurs. of the month, and at Roseview Manor on the 2nd Weds. of the month, Please note: the service at St. Joseph's Hospital, formerly on the 3rd Weds. of the month, has been cancelled until the fall.. All are welcome to join the residents/patients! If you would be interested in volunteering to help with any of these services, please see Pastor Matthew. |
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Learning: Our Saviour's Spark Kids is our Sunday ministry for children from Nursery School to Grade 6. Our sessions have finished until the fall. See you in September! All are welcome! We will be having Children's Time at each service. Our session times each Sunday are 11 - 11:45 a.m. On Communion Sundays, we then come upstairs to share in the sacrament. On non-Communion Sundays, we join the end of worship for 'Children's Time'. On special days, we have no classes, as we gather with God's children of all ages for 'Worship Together' Sundays. Weekly Themes: - May 27: Our Windup celebration, together with the Congregational Picnic luncheon
First Communion Class: This is a session for children whose parents desire them to begin receiving Holy Communion. Call the Parish Office, 344-1926, to register for a class. Confirmation is a 2-year programme, related to Baptism, especially for youth in Grades 7 and 8. Our theme for 2011-2012 has been 'Re:form -- The Lutheran Tradition, the Creed, and Discipleship'. We have been meeting on 2 Thursdays per month, usually the 2nd and 4th, from 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., at O.S. - May 24 - 7:15 p.m Year 2 students only; 'Preparing for Confirmaiton - Part 1'
- May 24 - 8 p.m.Year 2 Parents' meeting
- May 31 - 7:15 p.m. Year 2 students only: 'Preparing for Confirmation - Part 2
- May 31 - 8 p.m. Confirmation Rehearsal
- Sun. June 3 - 11 a.m. Confirmation Sunday, at O.S.'
- If you have a youth entering Grade 7 in the fall, or a youth in first-year Confirmation, please call the Parish Office to register for the 2012-2013 session, and to let us know which weeknights are best for the classes.
'Lutheran Women': All women are invited for discussion and great fellowship. At OS, we meet monthly on the third Monday, at 1:30 p.m. at the church. - Next Meeting: May 14
- Bible Study: Second Isaiah 40-55 - 'Could 2nd Isaiah have been written by a woman?'
'Edie's Library': Edie Taylor, a loved leader and servant at OS, died in 2009. One of her wishes was that books that had sustained her faith and life would be shared with others. This vision is now in place, as 'Edie's Library'. In the basement hallway at OS, beside the coat rack, there is a bookcase filled with Edie's gifts. Please feel free to take these books home, after signing them out. When finished with them, bring them back so that others can use them. Our Evening Bible Study: On break until the autumn. 'Good News in the Evening' normally meets Wednesdays, at 6:45 p.m., at O.S. Membership: Please see Pastor Diegel about becoming a member of either congregation through transfer, affirmation of Baptism, or restoration. Luther Village: Luther Village, our synodical camping ministry, is located about a 1/2 hour south of Kenora, on Hwy. 71. The 2012 brochures are here! See more at www.luthervillage.ca.
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Service: We reach out with Christ's love through ministries which include - 'Our Saviour's Cares': We pray that we may serve the Lord and our congregation when and where we're needed. Examples of caring include prayers, visits, cards, meals, phone calls. Call the parish office for more details.
- the Dew Drop Inn soup kitchen: members and friends of OS prepare and serve the meal each Monday, between September and June. There are 2 shifts, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., and 1:30 - 4 p.m. See 'Shared Events' for important news.
- Overeater Anonymous meetings, Sundays, 7:30 p.m., at O.S.
- A.A. meetings ('closed'), at Imm., Mondays and Thursdays, at 7 p.m.
- Al-Anon, at Imm., Wednesdays, at 8 p.m.
- Narcotics Anonymous meetings ('closed'), Thursdays, 8:00 p.m., at O.S.
- the Regional Food Distribution Centre
- the Rotary Shelter House
- the Lutheran Community Care Centre : a Volunteer Membership is only $2. Call the parish office for more details.
- Christmas Cheer,
- Faye Peterson Home
- George Jeffries Centre
- Habitat for Humanity
- Canadian Lutheran World Relief: for more information, including the 'Gifts from the Heart' programme, go to www.clwr.org ;
'Knitters Nook/Crochet Corner': It's back! Anyone interested learning how to knit or crochet, or increasing your current knowledge and technique, join us Saturdays at O.S. at 9 a.m. To say you are coming, contact Joyce Arvelin or the Parish Office.
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