Last updated on November 4th, 2024
Our “liturgical calendar” for the Sundays in any given year is from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) as adapted for use in evangelical lutheran worship in North America.
In each cycle of the Liturgical Calendar there are six seasons – each emphasizing a part of the life of Jesus. We are currently in the Liturgical Calendar “Year B” which focuses on the Gospel of Mark : Advent: December 3, 2023 through December 23, 2023, Christmas: December 24, 2024 through January 6, 2024, Time after Epiphany: January 6, 2024 through February 11, 2024, Lent: Feb. 11, 2024 through March 28, 2024, The Three Days: March 28, 2024 through March 30, 2024, Easter: March 31, 2024 through May 19, 2024, Time after Pentecost: May 19, 2024 through November 24, 2024.
Starting in the Advent 2024 season and continuing into 2025 we will be in “Year C” which focuses on the Gospel of Luke: Advent: Dec. 1, 2024 through Dec. 23, 2024, Christmas: Dec. 24, 2024 through Jan. 6, 2025, Time after Epiphany: Jan. 7 through Mar. 4, 2025, Lent: Mar. 5 through Apr. 16, 2025, The Three Days: Apr. 17 through Apr. 19, 2025, Easter: Apr. 20 through June 11, 2025, Time after Pentecost: June 12 through Nov. 26, 2025.
Reference: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
https://elcamediaresources.blob.core.windows.net/cdn/wp-content/uploads/YearC_24-25ALL.pdf
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November 3, 2024 – All Saints Sunday
Our church choir sang a medley of several songs under the direction of Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director. (11.39 minutes). The bilingual German-English service was led by our Vicar Alice Rothgordt. You can find the lyrics to the songs below and in our YouTube channel’s description section.
Zum Abschied (translation: On Farewell)
1.Dir Freunde all, das Lied verklang, das wir euch zugedacht. Die Zeit verging, es bleibt Gesang, der alle dankbar macht. 2.Das Lied kling’ fort bei euch daheim, es bringe Fried und Freud, es mög’ ein Freundschaftsbote sein für heut und alle Zeit. 3.Lebt wohl, ihr Freunde, fern und nah, lebt wohl, wir müssen gehn; es kommt gewiss schon bald der Tag zum frohen Wiedersehn.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord God Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father. Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Sei still, mein Herz, was immer dir gesieht, trag mit Geduld das ebens Kreuz und Leid. Gott ist ein Freund, der deine Drangsal sieht. Er bleibt dir treu im Wandel dieser Zeit. Sei still mein Herz, Gott schenkt dir Himmelsruh, und alle Not deckt seine Liebe zu.
Wir strecken uns nach Dir, in Dir wohnt die Lebendigkeit. Wir trauen uns zu Dir, in Dir wohnt die Barmherzigkeit. Du bist, wie Du bist: Schön sind Deine Namen. Halleluja. Amen. Dona nobis pacem.
How Lovely, God, is your abiding place; our soul is longing, fainting, to feast upon your grace. The saints your grace receiving, from strength to strength shall go, and from their life eternal all blessings overflow.
Pie Jesu Domine. Dona eis requiem. (translation: Merciful Jesus. Grant them rest (everlasting))
Here the sermon from All Saints Sunday on November 3, 2024 at the bilingual German-English service led by our Vicar Alice Rothgordt – The Story of Thomas -, and, the Rembrance of our members and friends who have passed away in the last year: Alfred Uhl, Siegfried Ploeger, Elfriede Kummer, Kate Mason, Elisabeth Knapp, Horst Schmidt, Inge Zwingenberger, Rosemarie Knauer, Helmut Schmidt, Erich Feyerabend, Reiner Mauke, Frieda Kaehler, Gudrun Herrmann, Wojciech Kurek, Jacob Schaeffer, Christine DeGeer (nee Kleinau), Walter Berg. (17.57 minutes)
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October 6, 2024 – German Thanksgiving
Here is the Church Choir singing under the direction of Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director. (8.13 minutes). You can find the lyrics to the songs in the YouTube description section.
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May 19, 2024 – Pentecost
Pentecost service church choir singing under the direction of Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director. (10.43 minutes) You can find the lyrics to the songs in the YouTube description section. “Psalm 104” at 0:08, “Gloria” at 2:39, “Spirit blowing through creation” at 4:38, and “O Heiliger Geist, wir singen Dir Lob” at 7:09.
Here is the Pentecost service sermon by Pastor Annika Klappert (14.08 minutes):
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March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday
Story of the caterpillar to butterfly narrated by Pastor Annika Klappert as the sermon on Family Service Easter Sunday morning along with actors Tanya Zielke and Jocelyn Sommerfeld as sisters Mia and Thia. (9.46 minutes)
The church choir singing under the direction of Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director
1. Der Herr ist auferstanden! +Exsultate! Alleluja! Lasst uns singen.+ Grosses Amen.
2.Easter Joy (Christ is risen, sing your praises – Taylor Davis + Jesus Christ is risen Today – Tune: Llanfair, Text: John Roberts (5.07 Minutes)
March 29, 2024 – Good Friday
The church Choir singing under the direction of Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director:
“Jesu, denk an mich wenn du gehst zu deinem Vater.” -Jacques Berthier, Lent Taizé 2022 – in a Medley with –
“Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.” -Victor C. Johnson. (Translation: ENGLISH Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Grant us peace. GERMAN Lamm Gottes, das die Sünden der Welt trägt, erbarme dich unser. Schenke uns Frieden) (3.51 minutes)
December 24, 2023 – Christmas Eve
Our Christmas Eve English Worship Service led by our Pastor Annika Klappert with Church Choir under the direction of Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director. Readers are Andreas Boettcher and Jocelyn Sommerfeld and the service program in the description area to follow along. (42 minutes).
Here the six songs the Church Choir sang, from both Christmas Eve English and German services. Words are in the description area to follow along. (14.46 minutes).
Here the congregation sings “Silent Night, Holy Night” at the end of the service with house lights out. Words in the description area to sing along. (3.16 minutes).
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December 3, 2023 – First Sunday of Advent
The Church Choir sang three songs led by Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director, during the worship service led by Pastor Annika Klappert. (7.18 minutes). Songs: “Gelobt sei, der da kommt”, “Komm nun, weihnachtlicher Geist, in unser Haus”, “Mach du uns still”, “All Earth is Waiting”, und “Every Valley” The words to the songs are in the description area to follow along.
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November 25, 2023 – Funeral Service of Alfred Uhl
The Church Choir sang three songs led by Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director, during the funeral service for Alfred Uhl, led by Pastor Annika Klappert. (10.00 Mminutes). Songs: “Psalm 23”, “Wir treten zum beten” (an originally instrumental piece, with German lyrics written by Alfred Uhl), and “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me”. The words to the songs are in the description area to follow along.
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November 5, 2023 – All Saints Sunday
The Church Choir sang three songs led by Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director, during the worship service, led by Tanya Zielke and Iris Schweiger, our laypreachers. Songs: “River in Judea“, the medleys of “Von allen Seiten umgibst du mich”, “Wie Groβ Muss Gottes Hand Sein“, and a Psalm prayer according to Psalm 23. The words to the songs are in the YouTube video description area – to follow along.
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October 1, 2023 – Erntedank – German Thanksgiving
The Church Choir sangs three songs led by Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director, during the worship service, led by Pastor Annika Klappert. Songs: “Psalmgebet nach Psalm 104”, and the medleys of “Singt ein Danklied eurem Meister”,”Ich Danke meinem Gott (nach Psalm 9)”, “Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele”, “Das ist ein köstlich Ding”, and “Gott gab uns Atem”. The words to the songs are in the YouTube video description area – to follow along.
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May 28, 2023 – Pentecost
The Church Choir sangs four songs led by Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director, during the worship service led by Pastor Annika Klappert. Songs: a Psalm prayer according to Psalm 101, “Das Gloria Patri”, and the medley of “Komm, Gott Schepfer, Heil’ger Geist”, “Öffne Uns die Ohren, Herr”, “Holy Spirit, Lord of Love”, “Come, O Spirit, Truth Divine”.
The words to the songs are in the YouTube video description area – to follow along.
Here the reading taken from Acts Chapter 2, Verses 1 – 21 read by four congregants and the English sermon by Pastor Annika Klappert
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April 9, 2023 – Easter Sunday
Church Choir sings two songs led by Linda Marcinkus, our organist and choir director, during the worship service led by Pastor Annika Klappert. The words to the songs are in the YouTube description area – to follow along.
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April 7, 2023 – Good Friday
Worship service in its entirety led by Pastor Annika Klappert including the sermon and with Church Choir led by Linda Marcinkus.
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January 8, 2023 – 1st Sunday after Epiphany
Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert
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December 24, 2022 – Christmas Eve
Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert
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December 18, 2022 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert
MLC Family Christmas Carols 2022 @ Martin Luther Church Toronto
Merry Christmas everyone! From the Martin Luther Church Toronto Family Christmas carollers. Sing-a-long to “Stille Nacht / Silent Night”, “Joy to the World”, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, “Jingle Bells”, and “Mary’s Boy Child”. https://youtu.be/MjhcuCgfQEI … Wait for it… bloopers at the end. Help us keep the joy going next year 2023. Donate today!
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December 11, 2022 – Third Sunday of Advent
Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert
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December 4, 2022 – Second Sunday of Advent
Christmas Play in English and German. Play written by Sonja Schweiger.
Sing-a-long… some verses in English some in German… see description area of the video!
Wir sagen Euch an den lieben Advent EG 17
The First Noel ELW 300
Joy to the World ELW 267
O Little Town of Bethlehem ELW 279
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ELW 257 | O komm, O komm, du Morgenstern EG 19
Angels We Have Heard on High ELW 289 | Hӧrt der Engel helle Lieder EG 54
Stille Nacht EG 46
Go Tell It on the Mountain ELW 290
EG = Evangelisches Gesangbuch: Für Gottesdienst, Gebet, Glaube, Leben
ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
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November 27, 2022 – First Sunday of Advent
Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
As part of the First Sunday of Advent service on November 27, 2022, the church choir under the direction of music director Linda Marcinkus sang the hymns “Wait for the Lord / People look East” and “Komm zu dem Licht”. This is a video of their performance. With words in the description area to follow along.
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November 20, 2022 – Christ the King Sunday
The service was led by Pastor Annika Klappert in English with guest preacher Rev. Adam Snook, Assistant to the Bishop at the Eastern Synod, ELCIC
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November 13, 2022 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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November 6, 2022 – ALL SAINTS and Remembrance of the Dead
English-German Worship Service: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
As part of the All Saints Sunday service on November 6, 2022, the church choir under the direction of Linda Marcinkus sang the German hymn “Ich lasse dich nicht fallen” and the English hymn “Shall we gather at the river”. This is a video of their performance. With words in the description area to follow along.
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October 30, 2022 – Reformation Sunday
German Worship Service: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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October 23, 2022 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost
English Worship Service: Sermon in English by Guest Pastor Martti Hyhko.
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October 16, 2022 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost
German-English Bilingual Worship Service: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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October 9, 2022 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost – Canadian Thanksgiving
English Worship Service: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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October 5, 2022 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost – German Thanksgiving
German Worship Service: Sermon in German by Intern Tirza Emmering.
As part of the German Thanksgiving service on October 2, 2022, our church choir from the Martin Luther Church in Toronto sang the songs “Mein Herz wird jubeln” and “Gott dir sei Dank” (in German) under the direction of music director, Linda Marcinkus. This is a video of their performance. With words in the description area to follow along.
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September 25, 2022 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost
The service was in English and German with Holy Communion in a circle format led by Pastor Annika Klappert and Intern Tirza Emmering. The Church Council was installed and our volunteers were recognized and blessed. Here is the sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert with a musical introduction.
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September 18, 2022 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost
English Worship Service: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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September 11, 2022 – 14th Sunday after Pentecost
English-German Worship Service: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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September 4, 2022 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost
German Worship Service: Sermon in German by guest Pastor Iris Junge.
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August 28, 2022 – 12th Sunday after Pentecost
English Worship Service: Sermon in English by Guest Pastor Catharina Klein and Iris Schweiger.
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August 21, 2022 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost
Deacon Michelle Collins, Assistant to the Bishop – for the Ontario Synod offered a reading and sermon as part of the ELCIC Summer Sermon Series. Based on Luke 13:10-17. [PDF]
*** This Summer 2022, on Sundays, when the sermon could not be recorded in MLC itself, we shared a pre-recorded video from the ELCIC Summer Sermon Series on our YouTube channel. This is a wonderful way to get to know Bishops –and Assistants to the Bishops– from across the ELCIC, while giving our thinly-spread Tech Team some time off during the summer months.
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August 14, 2022 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost
German Worship Service: Sermon in German by Guest Pastor Iris Junge.
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August 7, 2022 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost
English-German Worship Service: Sermon in English and German by Pastor Annika Klappert and Guest Pastor Iris Junge.
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July 31, 2022 – 8th Sunday after Pentecost
English Service: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert und Lay Preacher Iris Schweiger. Godspeed and Blessing for Vicar Adam McComb and Tanya Zielke.
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July 24, 2022 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost
Sermon in English by Reverend Dr. Ali Tote offered as part of the ELCIC Summer Sermon Series. [Sermon Text]
*** This Summer 2022, on Sundays, when the sermon not could be recorded in MLC itself, we shared a pre-recorded video from the ELCIC Summer Sermon Series on our YouTube channel. This is a wonderful way to get to know Bishops –and Assistants to the Bishops– from across the ELCIC, while giving our thinly-spread Tech Team some time off during the summer months.
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July 17, 2022 – 6th Sunday after Pentecost
English-German Service: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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July 10, 2022 – 5th Sunday after Pentecost
German Service: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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July 3, 2022 – 4th Sunday after Pentecost
English Worship Service: Sermon in English by Vicar Adam McComb.
Bees for Peace Information Video for Martin Luther Church Toronto
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June 26, 2022 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Bilingual Worship Service: Sermon in German by Nefeli Xiggos.
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June 19, 2022 – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost ***
NO IN-PERSON Worship Service (a group from us with our Pastor Annika Klappert travelled to Petroglyphs Provincial Park Ontario on a congregational day trip to meet with the Martin Luther congregation from Ottawa and their pastor, Judith Kierschke):
Instead, a devotion in English by Pastor Annika Klappert [Devotion text]
***Sermon in English by Reverend Lyle McKenzie offered as part of the ELCIC Summer Sermon Series. [Sermon text]
Since the sermon could not be recorded in MLC itself, we shared a pre-recorded video from the ELCIC Summer Sermon Series on our YouTube channel. This is a wonderful way to get to know Bishops –and Assistants to the Bishops– from across the ELCIC, while giving our thinly-spread Tech Team some time off during the summer months.
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June 12, 2022 – Holy Trinity
German Worship Service: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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June 5, 2022 – Pentecost
Bi-lingual English-German Worship Service with Confirmation Celebration: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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May 29, 2022 – 7th Sunday of Easter
Bi-lingual English-German Worship Service with two Baptisms: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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May 22, 2022 – 6th Sunday of Easter
English Worship Service: Sermon in English by Intern Nefeli Xiggos.
++ May 22, 2022 Announcements on Sunday in English with Pastor Annika Klappert.
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May 15, 2022 – 5th Sunday of Easter
Bilingual Worship Service with Holy Communion: Sermon in English by Vicar Adam McComb.
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May 8, 2022 – 4th Sunday of Easter
German Worship Service: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert.
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May 1, 2022 – 3rd Sunday of Easter
English Worship Service: Sermon in English by laypreacher Tanya Zielke.
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April 24, 2022 – 2nd Sunday of Easter
German Worship Service: Sermon in German by laypreacher Katja Brittain.
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April 17, 2022 – Easter
Bilingual Worship Service with Holy Communion: Sermon in English by Vicar Adam McComb.
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April 15, 2022 – Good Friday
German Worship Service with Holy Communion: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert.
Der Church Choir singing at Martin Luther Church on Good Friday April 15, 2022 led by choir director Linda Marcinkus
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April 10, 2022 – Palmsunday
English Worship Service In-Person: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert with Harfentoene Men’s Choir | Männerchor
Harfentoene Men’s Choir | Männerchor singing at Martin Luther Church on Palmsunday April 10, 2022 led by choir director Linda Marcinkus
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April 3, 2022 – 5th Sunday of Lent
German Worship Service In-Person: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert
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March 27, 2022 – 4th Sunday of Lent
English Worship Service In-Person: Sermon in English by Vicar Adam McComb
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March 20, 2022 – 3rd Sunday of Lent
English Worship Service In-Person: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert
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March 13, 2022 – 2nd Sunday of Lent
German Worship Service In-Person: Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert
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March 6, 2022 – 1st Sunday of Lent
English Worship Service -first one back in-person: Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert
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February 27, 2022 – Transfiguration of our Lord
Online Worship Service (in German): Pastor Annika Klappert with Tanya Zielke.
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February 20, 2022 – Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Online Worship Service (in English): Pastor Annika Klappert with Kristine Stuef.
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February 13, 2022 – Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Prayer walk at the lakeshore in Mimico, Lake Ontario. With Pastor Annika Klappert and Vicar Adam McComb and the confirmands.
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February 6, 2022 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Online Worship Service (in German): Sermon in German by Pastor Annika Klappert and Iris Schweiger, Lay preacher and president Church Council.
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January 30, 2022 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Online Worship Service (in English): Sermon in English by Pastor Annika Klappert with Greg and Anneli Andre-Barrett, Co-Chairs MLC Refugee Support Team.
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January 23, 2022 – Third Sunday after Epiphany
Online Worship Service (in English and German): Vicar Adam McComb preaching in English, with Confirmand participation. Recorded hybrid in church and on Zoom.
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January 16, 2022 – Second Sunday after Epiphany
Online Worship Service (in German): Sermon in German by laypreacher Katja Brittain. Recorded at home.
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January 9, 2022 – First Sunday after Epiphany
Online Worship Service (in English): Vicar Adam McComb
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December 26, 2021 – First Sunday after Christmas
Online Devotion (in English): Pastor Annika Klappert reads a story from the parsonage about angels with “el” at the end of their name, particularly one who was always late, named Doddel.
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December 24, 2021 – Christmas Eve
Online Worship Service (in English): Pastor Annika Klappert. (German Online Service on German page)
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Tuesday December 21, 2021
On December 21, 2021 the church choir recorded their Christmas music, four songs in German and English, from the sanctuary of our Martin Luther Church Toronto, since they would not be able to sing in-person at Christmas Eve worship services this year. We hope to spread some cheer and enjoyment of listening to the choir sing. If you know the songs, sing along from home. Merry Christmas!
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December 19, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Candlelight Service highlights (in English): Pastor Annika Klappert. Recorded at the on-site service in the church at 7:00 pm.
For more videos see our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/MartinLutherChurchToronto
