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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,  

There is a great strength in sharing our faith, together, whether in worship in our Church building, in our neighbourhood, in small gatherings or at our place of work. As a community of Christ’s followers, we have worked to fulfill our mission and vision by offering worship services, small group studies and other outside activities to strengthen our faith and to support all those in need.  

The Board met on Tuesday evening to review the current recommendations on the Coronavirus and wanted to provide our decisions from that meeting.  

In this bizarre period in our history, it is with great sadness that we must take unprecedented actions to protect the health and well-being of our community and the congregation by suspending worship services, LCOS gatherings and outside LCOS activities and users at our Church facility on Fairmont Drive effective immediately, and until further notice. This decision was based on the recommendation of the Alberta Health Authority to minimize gatherings and that of the ELCIC Bishops that all ELCIC congregations suspend worship services and other gatherings in light of current circumstances.  

It is not our intent, however, to NOT connect or support each other and we intend to find ways to accomplish this in a responsible manner. Our worship and interaction as God’s people must continue regardless of the situation we face or whether we can assemble together in the same facility at the same time or not.  

We have experimented with a “worship video” to allow members of our congregation to share in this important faith tradition and have decided to continue this method of delivery. We will send the video prior to our usual Sunday worship. In addition, we are examining other ways we can use to connect members with worship and will provide an update on those opportunities as they develop.  

Our main concern during these extraordinary times is that we keep contact with our whole  congregation and ensure those who are shut in, isolated or under quarantine are looked after and their needs are met as best as we are able. This will require that we all stay in contact with each other. We can assure you that the Board is committed to participate in keeping in contact with our church family and we encourage all small groups and volunteers to engage in weekly calls with the most vulnerable.  

We will continue to keep the office closed but provide focused support.  

Please contact Pastor Julianne with any pastoral concerns or questions at 403-464-8254 or pastorjuliannelcos@gmail.com.   

If you have questions for the Board please direct them to the Board Chair at gmihaichuk@me.com or by phone at 403-975-0081.  

If you wish to contact the office please use the office2@oursaviourchurch.ca address.  

The work of Lutheran Church of Our Saviour will not and must not stop during this time. We will continue to serve as Jesus commanded, but it will be completed in different ways to ensure the protection of the community, our congregation, our staff and Pastor Julianne. We have requested that Pastor Julianne serve in a manner that decreases the risk to her, to the congregational family and the community. In-person contact may include a separation of personal distance of 6 feet or more. More discussions will take place by phone or computer interactions than we have been accustomed to in the past due to the recommendation of all health experts.  

We will continue to support our outreach and ministry efforts. If you are financially able, we would appreciate your continued support by sending donations electronically to donate@oursaviourchurch.ca . Our financial secretary, Cliff Blumhagen, can be reached at blumhagencg@gmail.com or at 403-936-0419 if you have questions or need assistance for these transactions.     

There is a marvelous new-life prayer in the “Evening Prayer/Vespers” of the LBW: Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

May you all stay warm, safe and healthy and, take heart that as a congregation, we remain in Jesus’ hand.  

In His name,

Lutheran Church of Our Saviour Board