 |
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 104 and 105 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: Evening Bible Study: Our 'Good News in the Evening' weekly Bible Study meets each Wednesday, at 6:45 p.m., at O.S. Gathering in our cozy nook at the rear of the sanctuary, we are studying Paul's letter to the Ephesians. It's entitled, 'God's Extradordinary Church'. Come out weekly, or as often as you are able. Spaghetti Dinner; Support the 178th Thunder Bay Scout Travel Group (meeting at O.S.), as they prepare for the next Canadian Jamboree. The dinner is being held on Sat. Jan. 28, at Lakeview Presbyterian. Take out: 4-7 p.m.; Sit down: 5-6:30 p.m. Adult $10, Child(4-12), $8. Take out $8 (BYOcontainer.)
|
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, Jan. 23-29? - 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 - 6:45 p.m. Scouts
- Tuesday
- Wednesday - 6:45 p.m. Bible Study
- Thursday - 7:15 p.m. Confirmation Classes
- Friday - 1:45 p.m. World Day of Prayer planning meeting, Lakeview Presb
- Saturday - 4- 7 p.m. Scout Spaghetti Supper, Lakeview Presb.
- Sunday - 11:00 a.m. Spark Kids
- Sunday - 11:00 a.m. Service of the Word
Notice of Annual Congregational Meeting: Sunday, February 12, following worship. Reports are needed at the Parish Office by Mon. Jan. 30. The Annual Reports package will be available on Sun. Feb. 5. Souper Bowl Sunday: On Sun. Feb. 5, our Spark Kids will be participating in the continent-wide 'Souper Bowl Sunday'. They will be bringing and collecting donations, either food stuffs or monetary, for the Regional Food Distribution Association. After worship they will host a special fellowship hour, featuring wonderful soup they have made (with a little help from their friends!). Please support our children as they learn and practice what it means to be in mission together, tackling hunger.
Sunday Readings - January 29 - Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
- Deuteronomy 18:15-20
- Psalm 111
- I Corinthians 8:1-13
- Mark 1:21-28
- Sermon: "Being Renewed"
Call to Spiritual Renewal : Our church across Canada is responding to this call of our National Bishop, Susan Johnson, looking at how we 'Pray, Read, Worship, Study, Serve, Give, and Tell'. For resources, and to learn more, visit www.elcic.ca/CSR. Ideas for 'Study:
|
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., Jan. 23-29! 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
- Tues.
- Weds.6:45 p.m. Bible Study, at O.S.
- Weds. 8 p.m. Al-anon
- Thurs. 7:15 p.m. Confirmation Classes, at O.S.
- Fri. 1:45 p.m. World Day of Prayer planning, Lakeview Presb.
- Sat.
- Sun.9:30 a.m. Service of the Word
- Sun. 10 a.m. Annual Congregational Meeting, followed by Beef-on-a-bun luncheon.
Annual Congregational Meeting: Sunday, January 29, following a shortened worship service. After the meeting, our fellowship continues with a special beef-on-a-bun luncheon.
Parish Youth Happenings: - Youth Group Event: Our regular monthly meetings will be starting soon, along with some special events. Stay tuned for the news!
- Peer minister at LU: tba -- If you are a student, Pastor Matthew would love to have 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.
|
|
|
| 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. 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 on the last Sunday of the month, except in December and during the summer. On Sunday, January 29, our worship will feature 'part of the band'! 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: Rehearsals will begin in March 2012 for the next Cantata (Palm Sunday). For more information, contact Kaija Ranta. Special Music: Would you like to enrich our Sunday service with a musical contribution? Contact Kaija Ranta, Ernie Dojack, 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, at Roseview Manor on the 2nd Weds. of the month, and at St. Joseph's on the 3rd Weds. of the month. 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.
|
.
|
Learning: Our Saviour's Spark Kids is our Sunday ministry for children from Nursery School to Grade 6. All are welcome! 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: - January 29 - 'Gentleness'
- February 5 - 'Souper Bowl of Caring' (please bring clean veggies to make soup with!)
- February 12 - Honesty, and sliding behind the church (please come dressed to play outside)
- February 19 - 'Worship Together Sunday' - no session, due to Family Day weekend
- February 26 - Forgiveness
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 is 'Re:form -- The Lutheran Tradition'. We are meeting on 2 Thursdays per month, usually the 2nd and 4th, from 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., at O.S. - Jan. 26 - 'Creed - 'Does God still create stuff today?'
'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: February 20
- Bible Study: 'Deborah'
'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, 'Good News in the Evening' meets Wednesdays, at 6:45 p.m., at O.S. We are looking at 'God's Extraordinary Church', Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. All are welcome! 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.
|
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. Helpers are especially needed for the Mondays in March.
- 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 Thunder Bay Food Bank
- 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 ;
Kits: The next project at O.S. for CLWR will be announced shortly. Thank you to all who contributed to the 'Learning and LIving Kits', formerly 'School Kits'. 'Knitters Nook/Crochet Corner': Anyone interested learning how to knit or crochet, or increasing your current knowledge and technique, contact Joyce Arvelin.
|
|
