April 2, 2022

Hello Church Family,

Our April newsletter came out this week and it is chock full of interesting articles.  In the newsletter there is a copy of the article from The Canada Lutheran about our walk from Syria.  We’re famous.

Our celebration of Holy week this year is a bit familiar and a bit different:

  • April 10th - Palm Sunday 10:30 am– choir cantata with the passion narrative

  • April 14th – Maundy Thursday 3 pm – reading and prayers as we strip the altar in preparation for the next day

  • April 15th – Good Friday 7:30 pm – Tenebrae service

  • April 16th – Easter Sunday

o  8:30 am – Easter Holy Communion service

o  10:30 am – Easter service (this service will be livestreamed and available on YouTube)

Please phone or email the church to register to attend services.  This helps us know how many people to prepare for and makes sure we will be able to provide space for physical distancing. Please wear a mask – we have extra masks at the church if you do not have one.

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link for this week:  https://youtu.be/bolWoe9iYQk

March 27, 2022

Dear Church Family,

We are worshiping in person and on-line this week.  We postponed this step because I got covid and was unable to lead worship last Sunday.  I felt awful for 3 or 4 days and then I got better -- thankfully a fairly mild case. I still don’t have my usual energy back, but I am improving.  Thanks to Pastor Hugh Farmer for leading worship on short notice.

This Sunday the choir is singing and church council is being installed.  I hope you can join us either in person or on-line. 

God bless you and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link for this week:  https://youtu.be/A9zUWQc9zjA

 

March 18, 2022

Hello Church Family,

Due to unexpected circumstances, there will be a week’s delay in returning to in-person services.

This Sunday we welcome Pastor Hugh Farmer who will be leading the livestream service.

Worship link this week:  https://youtu.be/2glT3gsGJ2U

_________________________________________  

Beginning March 27th – 20 people pre-registered for worship  

Since we are a community of faith our return to in person worship and events happens as a community.  Below are ways in which we can care for one another in returning to the church building. When you are ready to return in person here are the basic guidelines we are following at Augustana.

What you can expect of your church family when you come to worship

  • Beginning with worship in small numbers, we will proceed carefully and add changes gradually.

  • Masks will be required for worship. Extra masks will be available.

  • We will ensure that there is good air circulation with open windows. Wear a sweater or jacket to be warm

  • Worship service will 45 minutes or shorter.

  • Covid 19 protocols will be observed:  i.e. no passing of offering plate, creative sharing of the peace, no hand shaking.

  • Hand sanitizer will be readily available

  • When we celebrate Holy Communion or a baptism we will do so following covid guidelines from Saskatchewan Synod

  • We will attempt to keep up with the latest information about covid in order to make appropriate changes.

What your church family expects of you

  • There is no pressure to return to in person worship and events.  You will return to in person worship and events when you are ready. Until you are ready, you can worship with us on-line.

  • That you will wear a mask to worship in-person.

  • You will stay home if you feel unwell or test positive.

  • If possible - take a rapid test before coming to church (we also have rapid tests available at the church)

  • Vaccination and boosting is recommended.

Risk assessment for worship at Augustana

  • Am I putting the community at risk by attending?

  • Am I putting myself at risk?  What health concerns do you have that might limit your attendance at church? 

  • Does the spiritual health benefit of attending church out weight the risk? Even if you have a health risk you might feel the spiritual need to worship with your church family in person.

  • Will there be adequate air circulation? Our sanctuary is a large space and we will have open windows in the sanctuary.

  • How many people will be at church? The number of people in the church building will be limited for a while.  This number will increase as circumstances in the community change.

 God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

March 11, 2022

Dear Church Family,

I know that many have been looking for ways to respond to the crisis in Ukraine.  Donations can be made through  Canadian Lutheran World Relief or the Primates World Relief and Development Fund (designate for Ukraine).  Both of these organizations operate in such a way that the majority of your donation is used directly by those in need (both use 12% for administration and education/promotion combined).  You can donate through the church or directly to the organization. 

In the days ahead, please keep a look out for changes to worship and activities. 

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

 

Worship link this week:  https://youtu.be/62KBne6NtdEhttps://youtu.be/62KBne6NtdE

 

 

March 4, 2022

Dear Church Family,

         As we meet for worship this week, we will keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers.  We will also pray for wisdom for all those in leadership as they try to find as peaceful a way as possible through this crisis. 

         At 1 pm on Sunday we will have our Annual meeting by Zoom.  This is our first opportunity as a congregation to reinvent ourselves following a pandemic.  We have learned to adapt in many ways in the past two years.  That learning will help us look to the future as well. However, in the midst of our changing world some things remain constant:  God’s steadfast, loving kindness and our ministry as a community that follows Jesus.

         The Worship Committee and Health Cabinet will be meeting next week to map out our return to in person worship and activities.  We will take a gradual approach to making changes:  adding small changes and then making sure all is proceeding well before adding more changes.

         I do have an important question for all of you.  I recently heard of a congregation in Regina that will be holding one afternoon communion service a month that will be designated a “fully vaccinated (and boosted if applicable) service.” This ensures a safe environment for those who are concerned about attending worship, especially any who have medical conditions that make public worship services problematic. Would a monthly, afternoon, communion, fully vaccinated, service be a good idea for Augustana?  Please email or phone myself or the church office with your response.  You can simply reply to this email if you wish.

         I hope to see you all tomorrow at our annual meeting.

 

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

WORSHIP THIS WEEK:  https://youtu.be/x4ayi1dfRtE

ANNUAL MEETING ZOOM LINK:  Join by clicking link below

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88900781237?pwd=WmI3dGRlOW96OWlEMEVudmRzb1RHUT09

Meeting ID: 889 0078 1237 Passcode: 388042

OR Dial by your location

1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 889 0078 127 THEN Passcode: 388042

or

1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 889 0078 127 THEN Passcode: 388042

 

February 26, 2022

Hello Church Family,

So nice to have warmer weather and to have Pastor Michael Diegel leading service this Sunday, while Pastor Marilyn is in class and on study leave. Thank you.

Just a reminder:

Augustana’s AGM will be on March 6 at 1 pm. Meeting will be by zoom (with option to phone in to meeting).  The link will be provided in our newsletter (please see attached), and in our weekly update, including the bulletin.  Annual reports are available on our website or can be picked up at the church (please phone ahead so we have a paper copy printed for you).

LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

Link to Worship:  https://youtu.be/VZkM5rr29f8

LINKS FOR March 6

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88900781237?pwd=WmI3dGRlOW96OWlEMEVudmRzb1RHUT09

Meeting ID: 889 0078 1237
Passcode: 388042

OR
Dial by your location
        +1 647 374 4685 Canada OR
        +1 647 558 0588 Canada
       
Meeting ID: 889 0078 1237
Passcode: 388042
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbXCycph0H

February 19, 2020

Hello Church family,

A busy Sunday tomorrow (Feb. 20th) Worship at 10:30 (livestream) and available later on YouTube. Zoom meeting to visit and practice voting begins at noon. I hope to see many faces tomorrow … not as good as a hug or handshake… but still a wonderful thing! The Annual report for 2021 is attached.

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

 

Augustana’s AGM will be on March 6 at 1 pm. Meeting will be by zoom (with option to phone in to meeting).  The link will be provided in our newsletter, in our weekly update, and on our website.  Annual reports are available on our website or can be picked up at the church (please phone ahead so we have a paper copy printed for you)

LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

Link to Worship:  https://youtu.be/peHgxVApKbg

Link to Zoom meeting to visit and practice for our AGM

Time: Sunday, Feb 20 12:00 PM Saskatchewan

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81924475290?pwd=QmwyeWN0NVVNMGtQVWppaXhtTk14dz09

Meeting ID: 819 2447 5290

Passcode: 291380

Dial by your location

        +1 204 272 7920 Canada

        +1 438 809 7799 Canada

       +1 587 328 1099 Canada

        +1 647 374 4685 Canada

        +1 647 558 0588 Canada

        +1 778 907 2071 Canada

Meeting ID: 819 2447 5290

Passcode: 291380

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kecbSX17EW

February 12, 2022

Dear Church family,

It certainly has been a strange week in our country.  I would like to share a prayer with you (from the new hymnal supplement All Creation Sings, Augsburg Fortress) as we face protests and unrest across the country:

Rise up and come to our help, merciful God, for we are in need. Our spirits are weighed down with fear; our bodies feel as fragile as the dust from which we came. All that we have trusted seems hidden from sight. Although this moment has come upon our nation, you have not forgotten us. We do not trust in our own power or strength, but in your steadfast love in every generation. Show us your face in this time of trial, remind us of your faithfulness, and save us for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Next week we will have a zoom meeting following worship so that we can be more comfortable with our zoom AGM on March 6. We did very well with a zoom AGM last year, so I think we will be old hands at it this year.

The Health Cabinet and Worship Committee are working on a plan to return us to in-person worship and gathering.  We have done this once or twice so far, so I am confident we will be able to do so safely again.

I received a letter from Austen & Nicole Smith and it closed with words that have been a blessing to me:  “… hoping that when you read this you are in a good head space, feeling loved, and know it is ok if you aren’t feeling great all the time.” I pass this blessing on to you all.

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link this week:  https://youtu.be/KC4zBt2vcCU

 

January 29, 2022

Marilyn Fowlie-Neufeld

Dear Church Family,

The newsletter was sent out this weekend so I will keep my message brief today.  Please join us for worship and then a Zoom coffee time after church. 

God bless and keep you safe and well!

Pastor Marilyn

WORSHIP LINK THIS WEEK:  https://youtu.be/1hJYO7Lb9zM

ZOOM COFFEE LINK (becomes active at 11:45 am): 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84397130667?pwd=OXZkYk5oZzhzVERjY0puYmFOQ21uUT09

Meeting ID: 843 9713 0667
Passcode: 869745
Phone in to Zoom coffee: 1 204 272 7920 (you will be prompted to provide Meeting ID and Passcode)

January 22, 2022

Dear Church Family,

I hope you are all keeping well as we wend our way through another week in this pandemic.

Confirmation class this Sunday will be by zoom at noon. Next Sunday, January 30th,  at noon we will have a zoom coffee time.  I will include that link/invitation with next week’s update.

I have the same two-part assignment as last week.  Part one: phone or contact someone who helps to give you strength and courage. Part two:  phone or contact someone who needs your encouragement.  The first part is self-care and the second part is taking care of another.

There will not always be someone in the church office for the time being, but the phone messages will always be answered and my cell phone is always on and charged. Lorene and I will take turns being in the office.

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

Link to worship this week:  https://youtu.be/XB0yC1w7R1Y

January 14, 2022

Dear Church Family,

We are “pivoting” once again.  We are only going to have church on-line for the time being.  This means there will be no in-person worship and all groups are to meet via zoom once again.  We will re-evaluate after Feb. 16th. On one hand I am very sorry to share this information with you, but on the other hand I am glad that we know how to shift as quickly as we can. We have become very adaptable.  We need to revise the church joke:  “How many people does it take to change a light bulb at church?”  Whatever the answer used to be it has been altered “ …. Except during a pandemic”

I have a two-part assignment for everyone this week.  Part one: phone or contact someone who helps to give you strength and courage. Part two:  phone or contact someone who needs your encouragement.  The first part is self-care and the second part is taking care of another.

There will not always be someone in the church office during this time, but the phone messages will always be answered and my cell phone is always on and charged. Lorene and I will take turns being in the office.

There is a glimmer of light in all of this

  • We have the capability to go on-line: we know how to do this

  • In the last couple of years we have learned how to be adaptable as a caring community: we know how to do this … we have been doing this

  • Omicron might just be the beginning of the end of the pandemic (Pastor Ali Tote offered this hope … but he also said it might not be J )

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

Livestream worship 10:30 am Sunday and available on YouTube after that.

Link to worship:  https://youtu.be/S6UGs5FTQlY

Link to Bishop’s letter:  https://sasksynod.ca/wp-content/uploads/Bishops-letter-Jan-2022.pdf

 

January 8, 2022

Dear Church Family,

I have been in a quandary this past week.  Should I encourage people to stay home … should we discourage in-person worship.  I have been reassured we are safe to worship in person because our congregation has a high rate of vaccination, maintains physical distance between households and masks. But I am a worrier and do not want anyone to become sick because of their attendance at worship. But I also know that there is great comfort and meaning in attending worship in person for many people.

For this week we will have in-person worship as well as worship on-line and by phone.  But before you do come to worship in person, please do a risk assessment: does the need to be at church in person outweigh the risk?

I and other church leaders will meet with Bishop Sid Haugen on Wednesday to learn more about covid modeling in our province and what is the best way forward for our urban church family. May God give us wisdom in the decisions we make.   

Once again I would like to give you all an assignment for the week:  Please call three other people from our church directory. One of the three being someone you think has been isolated these past 22 months.   

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Link for worship this week:  https://youtu.be/bGlB1hm_oeE

December 24, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Merry Christmas!  I will miss seeing you all in person again this year, but I give thanks we can gather on-line and with small groups in our homes.  Tonight when we light our candles and sing “Silent Night” we are together in spirit. As we sing tonight in my living room I will close my eyes and see you all in the pews at church. 

Many thanks to the musicians, technical folk, and worship assistants who make it possible for us to worship together. 

Greg and I wish you a blessed Christmas and blessings in a new year.  I am looking forward to a better year ahead.

God bless and keep you safe.

Pastor Marilyn

Here are the links for this Christmas weekend. Remember, if you have any issues with connecting you can try both our website or our YouTube channel (search: Augustana Saskatoon YouTube)

Christmas Eve link:  https://youtu.be/AA-PrtSNw2U

Christmas Day link (originally from 2020): https://youtu.be/mvkVcEAVbXs

December 26 link (this service is also in-person):  https://youtu.be/0ipfeHbB4ds

 

 

December 18, 2021

Dear Church family,

It has been a bit of a “rerun” week. We seem to be circling back into a new covid concern.  Fortunately, we do have some experience with this and know how to slow down and take whatever measures we need to in order to minimize risk to ourselves and others.  With this in mind, our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be on-line again this year. 

The Christmas Eve Candlelight service is being prepared for this coming week and you will be able to have a candle light service at home with the people in your “bubble.”  This is also a service you can share with family and friends who are not able to travel to you this year. We may be separated by distance, but on-line we can be together. I am sad to not be able to see people in-person on Christmas Eve, but I look forward to that time coming soon.

Our Christmas Day service is the beautiful Christmas Lessons Carols service which was prepared last year.  This service, from the Anglican tradition, retells the Christmas story with scripture readings and music. Our Augustana St. Timothy choir lead our music and many readers share the Word with us.

This Sunday (December 19) we will have worship in-person and on-line at the regular time (10:30 am).  We will also have an in-person Blue Christmas Service at 3 pm.  The Blue Christmas Service acknowledges that this time of year is difficult for some. The bulletin for that service is attached to this email. Please remember to wear a mask if you attend an in-person service.

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link for this week:  https://youtu.be/dnKPbook7c0

 

December 11, 2021

Dear Church family,

We light three candles this week. Traditionally the third candle is “Joy.”  It is a good opportunity to reflect this week on all the things that have bring joy into our lives: past, present, and future.

Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be on-line this year and the link will be provided on our website, in an email, through facebook, and on our “Augustana Saskatoon” YouTube channel.  In a sense we will be able to worship together as we gather in our smaller “bubbles”. Christmas Eve will be a traditional candle light service with special music and Christmas Day will be Christmas Lessons and Carols again with special music.

God bless and keep you safe and well,

Pastor Marilyn

This week’s worship link:  https://youtu.be/WrM9dFCupa4

December 4, 2021

Dear Church family,

The newsletter is out this week so I will keep my comments brief.  I’d like to say thanks for the support you have given for our Christmas hampers.  It has been a rough year for many people and the Christmas grocery vouchers will be appreciated!

Two Candles this week.  This time of year just flies.  As you are making plans for Christmas this year please make time to celebrate with your church family.  Our Christmas Eve Candle Light Service and Christmas Day Lessons and Carols service will be on-line this year so you can gather with the people in your bubble to be part of each service.  We are thankful for the musical support of our choir and worship assistants and technical folk who make these services very special and accessible.   

December 19th at 3 pm will be a Blue Christmas Service (in-person and not recorded).  See details for this in the newsletter and the attached poster.

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship this week: https://youtu.be/hnrzUgzZO6o

November 20, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Here are the links to this week’s worship, the bulletin, and children’s activity sheets (some for readers and some for non-readers). 

In the wake of the multiply disasters in BC this week, I wanted to remind all of you that Canadian Lutheran World Relief will be active in some way to help people recover.  You can make a donation to CLWR and designate it for the BC relief effort.  The Primate’s World Development and Relief Fund (PWDRF) is also accepting donations to aid in the BC recovery.

Please have your articles for the December newsletter in to the church office by Tuesday. 

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

 

Worship link this week:  https://youtu.be/NE8GlVgcC2g                                         

Worship by phone:  1-306-205-1168

November 13, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Here is the link for worship this week (live Sunday morning at 10:30 and recording available later in the day). 

I am noticing that our food bank bin has been pretty lean these days.  If you are able to, please remember to bring something for the food bank when you are at the church or put something extra in a foodbank bin at the grocery store.  There has been a significant increase in need for the foodbank lately.  Thanks for all the years when the bin filled up regularly.

God bless you and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship this week:  https://youtu.be/3dVGjHMsqP0