Welcome to St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Ottawa. We invite you, with members of your family and friends, to worship with us.Together, we will carry out the mission of this parish which is to:
St. Peter's Lutheran Church was established in 1910 with 66 members. The first building was erected on Lyon Street and dedicated on Easter Sunday in 1914. The early members were predominantly of European origin, whether residents of Ottawa, recent immigrants, or arrivals from neighbouring towns and rural communities.
After many years of financial hardship and difficulties, the congregation gradually increased and outgrew its church building. The present building was dedicated in 1954. It is situated on Ottawa's ceremonial route and overlooks the Garden of the Provinces, the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills. St. Peter's is an Ottawa landmark, designed in traditional Gothic style. The sandstone was cut from the same quarry as stone used for the Parliament Buildings.
The most significant interior features are the Casavant organ , installed in 1977, and a cycle of stained glass windows , created by Canadian artist Russell Goodman between 1985 and 1993. The windows focus on the life of Christ and our Lutheran heritage.
With the recent installation of a wheelchair ramp and main-floor washrooms, we are now handicapped-accessible. At present, St. Peter's has over 500 baptized members which represent many different ethnic groups from diverse religious backgrounds.
St. Peter's is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). Together with most Lutheran Churches of this denomination in Canada, we worship from the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978, "green book"). In 1991, a supplement to this book was published ("maroon book"), and at certain times of the church year, we worship from this edition.
Service schedule:
The services are usually led by the pastor, assisted by lay readers. At most services, Holy Communion is offered to all who believe that it is truly the body and blood of Christ. As well, all children are welcome to the communion rail to receive blessing.
We observe Holy Days and special occasions, such as Good Friday and Christmas Eve. Mid-weekly Lenten Services are also held. Schedules for special services are listed in the bulletin and on the website.
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is conducted upon request and usually in the presence of the whole congregation. While we normally practice infant baptism, we provide the same rite for older children and adults who wish to belong to the Faith.
The Rite of Confirmation is usually conducted in the Spring. Young and older adults, after a period of instruction, reaffirm their Baptismal vows and become adults in the Faith.
The service of Reception of New Members is held as required. We also provide services of Holy Matrimony and Christian Burial.
St. Peter's provides many opportunities for individuals who wish to learn, grow in faith, and serve the needs of aothers. All are invited to serve, and we encourage you to consider participating in one or more of these programs.
The Music Program provides training for volunteer choirs, and they, in turn, share their gifts and talents with the congregation. There are three choirs: Senior (Adult) Choir, Junior Choir and Cherub Choir. In addition, soloists and ensemles, both vocal and instrumental, perform throughout the year.
The Altar Guild prepares and maintains the altar linens, hangings, vessels and vestments before each service. They decorate the chancel and arrange the candles and flowers.
Lay Readers read the Old and New Testament lessons and assist in the prayers during worship services.
Acolytes are adults and youth trained to assist the Pastor during the service.
Ushers welcome those entering the church, provide information and bulletins. They receive the offering and guide the flow of the congregation to the communion rail.
Lutherans consider Christian education a vital and important ministry. You are invited to grow in faith and join a program suitable for you.
The Sunday Church School is located on the lower level of the Parish Hall. We provide classes of all grades from Nursery to Grade 8. These classes are staffed by dedicated volunteer teachers and assistants. The Church School is usually held during the first service each Sunday when there are two services (9:30 to 10:30 a.m., see Services) from September through May/June. On special occasions, when there is only one service, the Church school may be held during that time at 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. or, alternatively, the teachers and children attend the service.
Nursery is provided for children not yet old enough for classes and is staffed on a rotating basis during Church School time.
Confirmation Classes are provided for young people as a means for preparing for Confirmation. Usually the Junior Confirmation Class meets at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, the Senior Confirmation Class meets at 12:15 noon on Sundays.
The Library contains books and videos of a spiritual, devotional and educational nature for adults and children. These may be borrowed by signing them out in the book stored on the bookcase in the Parish Hall.
Communication is provided through the Sunday Bulletin and the newsletter "St. Peter's Post". The newsletter is pulished four times a year and contains parish news items and a listing of events. Members also receive the Canada Lutheran, published monthly by the ELCIC and the Eastern Synod Lutheran with regional news. Devotional booklets entitled "Eternity for Today" are also available and can be obtained in the Parish Hall.
Our Internet presence aims to provide all sorts of information: description of our history, up-to-date announcements of activities, a calendar of Sunday Church School and other events, profiles of our staff, etc. You can also listen to music recorded at past events.
If you are a member of the congregation, you are encouraged to register your e-mail address to receive prompt information on church affairs and to communicate wiht other church members through the "net". The e-mail list is not public and is protected from non-authorized access.
St. Peter's participates in the outreach of the larger Church through synodical, national and acumenical programs such as Canadian Lutheran World Releif, and Global Hunger and Development.
At a local level, we support the Centre-town Emergency Food Bank, the Shepherds of Good Hope, Interval House and Bruce House.
At Christmas time, items from our Mitten Tree help children in need of warm clothing. We contribute food items thoughout the year for the hungry and we donate Loonies for Campus Ministry.
The community of St. Peter's extends beyond the immediacy of the church services. We welcome occasions to socialize and get to know each other.
Coffee Hour takes place between the services on Sunday mornings. Volunteers prepare coffee and tea for adults and punch or juice for the children. "Goodies" (cakes, cookies, etc.) are optional.
Social Events are sponsored by St. Peter's throughout the year. These include a Harvest Festival Brunch in September, a Stewardship Dinner in November, an Advent Pegeant in December, a Senior's Luncheon and a Church Picnic in May.
The secular and financial affairs of the parish are managed by the Congregational Council. These twelve members of the Congregation, elected for a three-year term, are responsible for the finances, property and lay programs of the parish. They are accountable to the Congregation and are always available to members to discuss and answer questions.
A number of committees report to the Council and are accountable to them. These committees are responsible for property, stewardship and evangelism, finance, Christian education, worship and music, development and planning and social outreach.
An annual meeting is held each year in February. During this meeting, the Congregation receives the full disclosure of al income and expenses from the previous year, examines the reports of committees, approves the budget and elects members to the Council.
Each ELCIC congregation is responsible for its own finances, programs, and for selecting its own pastor. The bylaws of the church require all members to attend regularly and to support the church financially. We do not receive any funds from the Synod and are dependent on ourselves financially.
We believe that we ought to return to God parts of His gifts to us. We encourage members to carry out this commitment by placing a weekly offering in the offering plate, or by using one of several other means to donate to the church. All pledges, donations and other gifts are always made and kept in confidence unless otherwise requested by the donor, but there is never any pressure for publicity.
