January 11, 2026

Flowers have been placed on the altar in thanksgiving for own baptisms, by which we are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit and named God’s beloved children. Help us always to reflect the grace shown to us by our baptisms, and to live out this good news in all we say and do.

Movie Night Today!: Our next Movie Night is today Sunday, January 11 at 4pm. We will be watching “Wake Up Dead Man”, the brand -new film in the “Knives Out” murder mystery series. As always, we will meet at Peter Schuler’s home to watch the movie, followed by a potluck dinner and discussion. All are welcome!

Next Sunday – Missional Munch: Next Sunday, January 18^th we gather for a light lunch together after which we will take the opportunity to reflect further on our draft guiding principles document. Please plan on attending as you are able, as this document will be brought forward at our Annual Congregational Meeting which we hope to adopt at our upcoming February’s AGM. 

Next Sunday – Being Lutheran Today: Starting next Sunday, January 18th, GSL presents a 6-week adult education series “Being Lutheran Today- An Adult Confirmation Refresher“. Sign up today, or contact the office to secure your spot! Dinner and child minding included. 

Blanket Exercise at Como Lake United: Como Lake United Church will be hosting the Blanket Exercise on Saturday morning, January 17 and Sunday afternoon, January 25. They are holding open six spots for registrants from our congregation for each day. The Blanket Exercise is a powerful way of engaging in education around the history of Settler/Indigenous relations in Canada. Several of us have experienced it in different forums and have been affected deeply. Please see the poster that follows for further information. Sign up on the sign-up sheet to secure a spot on your preferred day. Today is your last chance to sign-up.

CLAY is coming to Nanaimo!: CLAY (national youth gathering) will take place in Nanaimo from August 19-22, 2027. 2027 will be taking place in Nanaimo, BC on August 19 – 22, 2027! This gathering takes a bunch of volunteers to make happen. Please consider how you might be able to help out. An info session will be hosted at our church on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 7 pm.  See poster that follows for more details. 

Christian Unity Luncheon: We are participating with All Saints RC, St. Laurance Anglican and Como Lake United Churches in hosting another Christian Unity Luncheon on Saturday, January 24 from 11:30 am to 2 pm. This is part of our celebration of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. If you are able to contribute soup for the day, please sign up on the sheet on the Ushers Table.  See all the details for the day on the following poster..

2026 Donation Envelopes: Boxes of Donation Envelopes for 2026 are now in your mail slots. If you didn’t get a box but would like one, or if you received a box but no longer require one, please let the office know your preference and it will be done. Thank you! 

A Note from Your Outreach Team: Your Outreach Team would like to thank everyone who contributed food items to the SHARE Food Bank. Your donations were delivered on Monday January 5. GSLC collected 124 pounds of food. Also, a thank you to those who contributed cash donations. Your support and kindness has helped to make a difference in the fight against hunger in our community. Together we can!

BE THE CHANGE: Songs of Reflection and Empowerment: The Sanctuary on 6^th is hosting the Rainbow Chorus’s (Anita McDonnell and Kris Mathiasen are members) concert on January 26 at 7 pm in New Westminster. Tickets purchases can be made online or at the door. See the poster that follows for all the details. 

Singing in the Lutheran Tradition: A LTS Course: Our Saskatoon Seminary is hosting a Zoom Based Course exploring Lutheran Hymnody and its role in shaping faith. It will run Mondays, 5:00–8:00 pm | Jan 5–Feb 13 & Mar 9–Apr 20. This course is open to everyone. For more information and to register contact Colleen Walker, Registrar at colleen.walker@saskatoontheologicalunion.ca

New Years Messages: 

• Message from the Lutheran World Federation

2026 LWF Peace Messengers Training: If you are an ELCIC member between the ages of 18 and 30 years, consider applying for the LWF Peace Messengers Training offered by Lutheran World Federation to empower and equipe  young people to act as peace multipliers and create more peaceful and just societies. For information click here.

‘Every Square Foot Counts’ – Educational Opportunities for Congregations: 

• The next session of the webinar series will be on January 15, 2026 at 7:30 pm (ET). This session will feature Charitus, the ELCIC’s investment and financial stewardship partner. Register for the January 15 workshop using this link (Previous registrants do not need to register again.)
• This month’s blog post is “Tell Your Story: Communication Strategies for Church Building,” which invites congregations to reflect on how their buildings are seen and understood by their neighbourhoods. Read post here. 

ignYte Return it Express Account: You’re invited to support our ignYte Youth Ministry with your recyclables. See the instructions on the bulletin board.

Downstairs Daycare: Green Apple Daycare has spaces available for ages 3 – 5 years old. Please contact us at greenappledaycare@hotmail.com or 604 –318 –3417 for information and to set up a tour. Or visit their website.

Wider Church News:

• Invitation to join ELCIC Task Forces: The ELCIC is seeking passionate, committed members from across Canada to join one of three task forces shaping our church’s ongoing work in justice, inclusion, and faithful witness. For more information see the most recent congregational newsletter.
• ELCIC Volunteer Opportunities:- EcumenicalJustice Committees: The ELCIC is seeking representatives for two ecumenical committees: Project Ploughshares Management Board & The Commission on Justice and Peace of the Canadian Council of Churches. For more information, please contact Rev. Paul Gehrs, Assistant to the Bishop at pgehrs@elcic.ca.

Compassionate Justice & Creation Care: 

• Justice Updates: The following are updates on some significant issues of our time:
  • 16 Days: United in the Fight Against Digital violence
  • Anglicans and Lutherans Reaffirm Support for Refugees
  • A Decade of Strengthening Communities Through a Rights-Based Approach

Concern, Prayers for Venezuela

The ELCIC joins with The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and stands in solidarity with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela and with the communities affected by the situation in the country that has been deteriorating for months. ELCIC National Bishop Larry Kochendorfer offers the following prayer: God most mighty, God most merciful, you are our refuge and strength. We come before you with heavy hearts, lifting up the people of Venezuela following the U.S. military action on January 3. Bring calm where there is fear, clarity where there is confusion, and restraint where there is anger or despair. We pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela and its Bishop, Gerardo A Hands Colmenares. Let the church be a living sign of your grace and a place of refuge, truth, accompaniment, and hope for all who suffer. Where systems oppress and voices are silenced, raise up pathways of accountability, reconciliation and peace. Guide us all in the way of building peace built on justice, equality, and recognition of every human life as sacred. We entrust Venezuela, its people and your church into your loving hands, trusting not in our own strength but in your steadfast love made known in Jesus Christ, who is our peace, and whose name we pray. Amen. To read the statement published by LWF on January 3, please click on the button below:

LWF Statement