Pastor Ralph Carl Wushke
Our church has a “come as you are” atmosphere. You will see some dressed up; some dressed casual. We have no expectations for attire.
Message from the Church Council
We believe
…that everyone has a place here, regardless of who you are: we are committed to welcoming all people and hearing all voices.
…that God has called us to serve our neighbourhood.
…that the Spirit is leading us to transform our lives and the world around us.
First Evangelical Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and we live in relationship with Christians all over the world. We believe in Jesus Christ who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, calls us to serve our fellow people and to love all of our neighbours as ourselves.
All are welcome at our services whether you are a long-time resident, a newcomer, or a visitor to our city, seeking your spiritual home or just passing by. We are proud to offer hybrid in-person and online, and strive to embrace those attending our services from home just as warmly as those we meet in-person.
First is a great destination for those seeking to worship or explore faith in the midst of a safe, warm and welcoming community.
Blessings,
Masha Koyama,
Council Chair, First Ev. Lutheran Church
Message from Pastor Ralph Carl
WE ARE A RECONCILING PEOPLE
Reconciliation is a word that has taken on increased prominence in recent decades. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa after the end of Apartheid, was the inspiration for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada. These were exercises in truth-telling and soul-searching about the history of colonialism and racism in both countries.
At the same time reconciliation is a profoundly theological concept, at the heart of Christian faith. In 2 Corinthians 5:18, St. Paul writes, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Most Sundays our worship services begin with a Land Acknowledgement and a commitment to live into the spirit and practices of the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report.
In 2024 First Lutheran declared ourselves to be a “Reconciling-In-Christ” congregation, a program of Reconciling Works. https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ In part, the statement reads, “As an ever-reforming church … we strive to value and respect people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, to work against racism and colonialism, and to welcome all people…” The full statement can be found on our home page, https://firstelc.ca/
God has entrusted a ministry of reconciliation to us. We experience this in our weekly worship: the Confession and Absolution which often begins our service, is time for an interior dialogue, a moment to reckon with our lives, reconcile the tensions of our inner lives with the reconciliation of God. Holy Communion is a moment where reconciliation takes on flesh and blood; we participate in a meal of forgiveness. We are sent out into the world every week, reconciled and made new, to bear witness to this good news with all Creation.
Amen.