What's Happening, January 13-19

Monday 

9:00 a.m. ESL classes (M-F)

6:30 p.m. Confirmation

6:30 p.m. Cubs 

8:30 p.m. Friendly A.A. Group

Tuesday

5:00 p.m. Council

5:45 p.m. TOPS

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. Tbay Carvers

Thursday

8:00 p.m. Friendly Group A.A. 

Friday

Saturday

Sunday - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

10:30 a.m.  Holy Communion, Sunday School

11:15 a.m. Fellowship - Birthday Sunday

Worship

We gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., celebrating Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month and festivals. In January, we will share the sacrament on the 5th and the 19th.

 Sunday, January 12, is Service of the Word. 

  Worship with the Band returns on January 26.

   As we meet, we record the services. They are uploaded later on Sunday to our YouTube channel, ‘Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Thunder Bay’.  

 Closed captions are available on the video – corrections and song lyrics are added as time allows.

  Texts of the bulletin and sermon are also mailed out on Saturday: sign up for our enews: osimm@tbaytel.net. They are posted on our website on Saturday: www.oursaviourstbay.org .

Holy Communion at Our Saviour's

At the time of the sharing of Communion, all are invited to come up the centre aisle to the foot of the chancel steps to receive the bread and the wine/grape juice. Gluten-free wafers are available. After taking a glass, please go off to the side and drink. There is a receptacle for the 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 forward 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.

 The Health Unit continues to recommend the wearing of masks in public areas when exposed to the corona virus or immunocompromised. 

The Congregational Council endorses this for those who wish to wear masks, and continues to make masks and hand sanitizer available in the front hall and Immanuel Hall.

Children:

Our Sunday School classes normally are twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays. Due to the Christmas school break, our next session is on January 19.

    The sessions, for children in JK – Gr. 6, begin downstairs in Immanuel Hall at 10:30 a.m. for Bible stories, crafts, and other activities. Then those in the class come up to share Holy Communion.

See Karen Bishop, co-ordinator, for more info.

 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 . 

  There are Adventure activity bags under the mailboxes inside the entrance to the sanctuary, for children to enjoy during worship. 

The next seasonal children's' activity pack, for Spring/Easter will be available at tend of February for pick-up  or drop off. Email:osimm@tbaytel.net.

Food Collection 

Food donations received in the wicker basket in the front hall are being given to the Gathering Table’s food bank and to those in need. Thank you!

Young Adult Bible Study

Join Deacon Michelle and MNO Synod young adults for a 4-session Bible Study for young adults in 2025. We will meet at 9:00 p.m. (8 p.m. Winnipeg time) on Jan. 7, 14, 28 and Feb. 4, 2025 via Zoom. RSVP for the Zoom link: https://shorturl.at/mej1k.
  This is for any young adult across our national church. It is a time for conversation, wondering, exploring, and learning together. Each session will begin with some time for bringing your own questions about the Bible, Christianity, faith, the church, etc. You can also send questions beforehand to Deacon Michelle Collins (mcollins@elcic.ca).
This Bible study is part of C2D2: Intentional Young Adult activities and opportunities in 2025 meant to foster connection, discernment, and community. C2D2 activities are hosted by MNO Synod but open to any young adult in the ELCIC.

Christmas message: shine like the star to lead others to Christ 

"Following the star

"The story of the wise men, who follow the star, find the newborn child in a stable in Bethlehem and pay homage to him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh is one of the best-known and best-loved stories in the Bible. 

Maybe we are drawn to this story because of its striking visual imagery which we recreate every year on Christmas cards and in crib scenes adorning our homes, our churches and even our public spaces. From our earliest childhood, we can see the star, the three mysterious figures, their gifts and the child lying in the manger. These images remind us how God is revealed to us both through the ordinary and extraordinary.

But maybe we are also drawn to this story because it reminds us of what it means to be church, bringing light and life to the world. Let me explain.

As Lutherans, we believe that all our worship, our work, our whole lives should always be pointing to Christ, just as Luther himself points to Christ in the famous 16th century altarpiece by Lucas Cranach. This Christ-centered witness calls us to contemplation and action. We too are called to be a sign, shining a light even in the darkest of places, leading others to discover the Christ child in the manger.

As the wise men found out, this journey may lead in unexpected directions, to unconventional places, through difficult terrains. Like them, we must sometimes choose new roads. This is our vocation, our calling to follow where God is leading, to watch and listen, to discern the signs of our times and to respond to the needs of those we meet, even though this may involve risks and take us far outside of our comfort zones.

Where is the star leading me and you today? Where are we being called to stand with the marginalized, to give food and drink to the hungry and thirsty, to clothe the naked, to invite strangers in, or to visit the sick and the prisoners? [Matthew 25]

As President of The Lutheran World Federation, I have been privileged over the past year to visit many of our member churches in different parts of the world where people and communities are pointing to Christ and witnessing to the gospel in so many different ways. Recently, in Hong Kong, I met with Asian church leaders who are speaking out for religious freedom, standing in solidarity and bringing hope to those who suffer from war, conflicts or oppression.

In Brazil, I witnessed the strength of churches committed to peace and justice, caring for God’s creation and accompanying the most marginalized people in their communities. Earlier in the year, during a visit to Tanzania and Ethiopia, I experienced the vibrancy of the churches running schools and universities, hospitals and many other services ranging from food security to climate resilience and care for children with special needs. In visits to Ukraine and neighboring Poland, I saw firsthand how churches are on the front line, standing in solidarity and bringing much needed hope to those fleeing from Russian aggression.

Through these diverse ministries, churches and congregations are reflecting the light of the star which first shone over the stable at Bethlehem, guiding the wise men to experience the joy and wonder of that first Christmas night. Like the star, they direct us to the Christ child, the light of the world, who brings hope and healing to our wounded world. In Bethlehem, in Gaza, throughout the Middle East and in so many other places, let us pray for God’s healing, for peace, for an end to conflict and suffering.

Wherever you are this Christmas season, I hope that you, like the wise men, may be “overwhelmed with joy” as you celebrate Christ’s coming into the world. I wish you and your loved ones a very blessed Christmas."

Bishop Henrik Stubkjær
President of The Lutheran World Federation

World Council of Churches: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle

The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us through every region of the world over the course of a year. Praying for each place on earth and its people at least once a year, we affirm our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts. Pray with us!

Prayer is at the very heart of the ecumenical movement. Jesus prayed that we – his followers – may all be one. When we pray with and for one another, we can feel God’s gift of unity. Prayer sustains us on our way towards a unity that all can see, “so that the world may believe”. (John 17:21)

The suggested prayer texts are based on the publication "Pilgrim Prayer – an Ecumenical Prayer Cycle". The book and the website offer valuable aids for intercessory prayers, prayer on behalf of and in solidarity with others.

Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine

05 - 11 January 2025

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/egypt-israel-jordan-lebanon-palestine

Iran, Iraq, Syria

12 - 18 January 2025

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/iran-iraq-syria

OFFERINGS

Thank you for your offerings, sharing the gifts of God so that together we might serve the world!

During our worship, you are able to share your offerings at the entrance to the sanctuary.

Envelopes for your 2025 offerings are available. If you wish to receive a supply,  please contact the office, 344-1926, osimm@tbaytel.net.

At other times, and for those unable to attend worship, here are options:

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 to let us know, 344-1926, is appreciated, so that the offering can be brought inside as soon as possible.

3. E-Transfer online banking

a. If you use online banking, log into your account

b. Add Our Saviour’s as a recipient using our office email address:

 osimm.office@tbaytel.net

c. Enter the desired amount and click ‘send’.

4. Sign up for Pre-Authorized Withdrawal (PAR)

You are able to have your monthly offerings directly deposited from your financial institution to that of the church. You can designate it 1-3 ways:  Weekly, Building, Forward in Mission. You also can receive undated envelopes for other offerings. To sign up, call the office. If you desire to make any changes at any time of the year, or if you have updates on your address or financial institution, please call the church office, 344-1926. 

5.  Canada Helps

Our regional synod office has set up Canada Helps button link, you can use to donate to congregations. The charitiable donation receipt will be issued by Canada Helps directly. (It is important to note that there is a cost to using Canada Helps as our donation service. Please considering adding 4% to your donation to cover these costs.) 

http://mnosynod.org/donate/

Again, we are so thankful for your faithful generosity.