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Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church
Thornhill
ON
L3T 3V2
- Evangelical Lutheran churches in Thornhill, ON
- Evangelical Lutheran churches in Ontario
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Who we are
Welcome! Herzlich willkommen!
We are a bilingual German-English congregation in the North of the Greater Toronto Area.
Our local mission partners are Yellow Brick House and Evergreen Hospice. We also support the work of CLWR.
Our vision:
Growing in faith...
Connecting people to Jesus Christ and to each other.
Our congregation is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), and we are specifically in the Central Toronto Area of the Eastern Synod. We are also members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Conference in North America. Our church partners with the other Toronto German Lutheran churches, as well as with other local churches in the Thornhill Ministerial.
We are a bilingual German-English congregation in the North of the Greater Toronto Area.
Our local mission partners are Yellow Brick House and Evergreen Hospice. We also support the work of CLWR.
Our vision:
Growing in faith...
Connecting people to Jesus Christ and to each other.
Our congregation is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), and we are specifically in the Central Toronto Area of the Eastern Synod. We are also members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Conference in North America. Our church partners with the other Toronto German Lutheran churches, as well as with other local churches in the Thornhill Ministerial.
Location of worship / Church Address
149 Bay Thorn Dr
Thornhill,
ON
L3T 3V2
Canada
Phone: (905) 889-0873
Fax: (905) 881-9154
Download Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Rev Peter Lisinski
Pastor
149 Bay Thorn Dr
Thornhill,
ON
L3T 3V2
Canada
Phone: (905) 889-0873
Fax: (905) 881-9154
Download Pastor Rev Peter Lisinski vCard
Quote of the Day
John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Denomination
Evangelical Lutheran
Evangelical Lutheran churches in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Evangelical Lutheran churches in Ontario, Canada
Evangelical Lutheran churches in Canada
All churches in Thornhill, ON
Affiliations:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Website:
Social Media
Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church Thornhill on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev Peter Lisinski
Leader Position:
Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
(905) 881-9154
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Other Church Leaders:
Rev Peter Lisinski on Social Media:
Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Admin Position:
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
(905) 881-9154
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church
Travel/Directions Tips
From the North
- Follow Yonge Street south (towards the City of Toronto).
- After passing Highways 7 and 407 take the left lane. You will pass Holy Cross Roman-Catholic Cemetery on your left.
- Turn left at the second traffic light into Royal Orchard Boulevard
- Crossing Inverlochy Boulevard, continue to the next street crossing (Bay Thorn Drive). You will see our sign on the corner in front of you to your left.
- Turn left into Bay Thorn Drive and enter the Parking Lot on your immediate right.
From the South
- Follow Yonge Street north (leaving the City of Toronto, going towards Richmond Hill).- Continue north past Steeles Avenue.
- After passing Clark Avenue take the right lane.
- Having passed a ravine, watch out for Royal Orchard Blvd and at the lights, turn right (east).
- Crossing Inverlochy Boulevard, continue to the next street crossing (Bay Thorn Drive). You will see our sign on the corner in front of you to your left.
- Turn left into Bay Thorn Drive and enter the Parking Lot on your immediate right.
From the East or West (via Hwy 7 or 407)
- Exit Highway 407 or Highway 7 from the east or west at Yonge Street and continue south (towards the city, NOT into Richmond Hill).
- Take the left lane after passing Holy Cross Roman-Catholic Cemetery on your left.
- Turn left at the second traffic light into Royal Orchard Boulevard
- Crossing Inverlochy Boulevard, continue to the next street crossing (Bay Thorn Drive). You will see our sign on the corner in front of you to your left.
- Turn left into Bay Thorn Drive and enter the Parking Lot on your immediate right.
Public Transit
From the South
-Ride the Yonge subway line to Finch Station (last stop) and continue by YRT bus (all busses go north on Yonge Street).
-Exit at Royal Orchard Boulevard. Walk 750 meters to the corner of Bay Thorn Drive.
-Please note that the TTC is on their night schedule until 8 a.m. on Sundays, with bus 320 replacing the Yonge subway line.
From the North
-Ride Viva Blue or YRT Bus 99 going South on Yonge towards Finch Station.
-Exit at Royal Orchard Boulevard. Walk 750 meters to the corner of Bay Thorn Drive.
- Follow Yonge Street south (towards the City of Toronto).
- After passing Highways 7 and 407 take the left lane. You will pass Holy Cross Roman-Catholic Cemetery on your left.
- Turn left at the second traffic light into Royal Orchard Boulevard
- Crossing Inverlochy Boulevard, continue to the next street crossing (Bay Thorn Drive). You will see our sign on the corner in front of you to your left.
- Turn left into Bay Thorn Drive and enter the Parking Lot on your immediate right.
From the South
- Follow Yonge Street north (leaving the City of Toronto, going towards Richmond Hill).- Continue north past Steeles Avenue.
- After passing Clark Avenue take the right lane.
- Having passed a ravine, watch out for Royal Orchard Blvd and at the lights, turn right (east).
- Crossing Inverlochy Boulevard, continue to the next street crossing (Bay Thorn Drive). You will see our sign on the corner in front of you to your left.
- Turn left into Bay Thorn Drive and enter the Parking Lot on your immediate right.
From the East or West (via Hwy 7 or 407)
- Exit Highway 407 or Highway 7 from the east or west at Yonge Street and continue south (towards the city, NOT into Richmond Hill).
- Take the left lane after passing Holy Cross Roman-Catholic Cemetery on your left.
- Turn left at the second traffic light into Royal Orchard Boulevard
- Crossing Inverlochy Boulevard, continue to the next street crossing (Bay Thorn Drive). You will see our sign on the corner in front of you to your left.
- Turn left into Bay Thorn Drive and enter the Parking Lot on your immediate right.
Public Transit
From the South
-Ride the Yonge subway line to Finch Station (last stop) and continue by YRT bus (all busses go north on Yonge Street).
-Exit at Royal Orchard Boulevard. Walk 750 meters to the corner of Bay Thorn Drive.
-Please note that the TTC is on their night schedule until 8 a.m. on Sundays, with bus 320 replacing the Yonge subway line.
From the North
-Ride Viva Blue or YRT Bus 99 going South on Yonge towards Finch Station.
-Exit at Royal Orchard Boulevard. Walk 750 meters to the corner of Bay Thorn Drive.
Parking
34 spaces are available in our parking lot, with street parking (no time limit) for overflow.
Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church Thornhill Service Times
Sunday Services
Join us in worship, whether in person or online!
We have six different worship services: in German, in English, Joint Bilingual (about 80% English), Joint Family (with Children's message and simplified Sunday School), Messy Church and Engage!
UPDATE re COVID-19 pandemic:
Services will be via audiostream only (see below). Pastor Peter will hold services every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in English. On the last Sunday of the month the service will be in German.
Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. our pastor and our organist will provide the readings, some music and a sermon online.
You can listen online here: https://www.thornhill-lutheran.org/web-stream.html
Service Times last updated on the 10th of January, 2021
Join us in worship, whether in person or online!
We have six different worship services: in German, in English, Joint Bilingual (about 80% English), Joint Family (with Children's message and simplified Sunday School), Messy Church and Engage!
UPDATE re COVID-19 pandemic:
Services will be via audiostream only (see below). Pastor Peter will hold services every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in English. On the last Sunday of the month the service will be in German.
Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. our pastor and our organist will provide the readings, some music and a sermon online.
You can listen online here: https://www.thornhill-lutheran.org/web-stream.html
Service Times last updated on the 10th of January, 2021
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church Photo Gallery
Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church History
The History of Christ the King -Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church
In January 1989 the idea to merge the congregation of "Christ the King" with the one of "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" became reality, thanks to the initiative of a few members of both congregations. Having been blessed with the amalgamation in the years thereafter we can celebrate this decision, and be grateful to all who worked tirelessly for this effort.
In 1988 both of these Lutheran Congregations north of Toronto were pondering their future. "Christ the King" was in a period of declining membership and in need of a pastor who could help them to reverse that trend. "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" was too small a congregation to fulfill their hope to move from their rented premises to a church of their own.
"Christ the King" had been founded in 1966 as a Community Church, attracting English speaking Lutherans in the neighbourhood. The congregation owned a parsonage and in 1968 laid the cornerstone for a church building. It also established a day care centre for local children that became an important contribution to the community at large.
"Dietrich Bonhoeffer" was founded in November 1979 with the desire to provide services to German immigrants in their native tongue north of Toronto. However, services were also held in English, primarily for the children of these immigrants as well as for people of other ethnic backgrounds. Like in other German congregations in Toronto, it soon became apparent that English services were poorly attended. With the generous support of the Evangelical -Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the foreign office of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (EKD), German language services could be maintained. The EKD provided pastors from Germany. During their time in Toronto, these pastors worked within the ELCIC, and established good relationships with neighbouring churches.
In the spirit of out-reach, Soenke Schmidt-Lange, Pastor of "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" at the time, helped out at "Christ the King" as frequent guest preacher. This led to the efforts of Günther Thase of "Christ the King" to engage the two congregations in dialogue for the possibility of a merger. A special committee with the following members: Volker Kirstein, Rollin Matsui, Ed Stahlberg, Sigismund Sturm, Günther Thase and Nancy Kehrli was formed. This committee was to make sure that the concerns of the two congregations would be duly considered in merger negotiations, and that it would support the two respective church councils in their decision making and their understanding of the need for bilingual Ministers. Based on the experiences with and the support from the ELCIC and the EKD-Germany we were confident that a merger could be achieved.
An example of the good will and positive spirit is the letter that Pastor Dietrich Buettner, who was chosen to replace Pastor Soenke Schmidt-Lange, wrote to the then chairman of the council of "Christ the King", Rollin Matsui.
Muenster, July 6th, 1988
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ dear Mr. Matsui!
A few weeks ago Mr. Kirstein informed me of the coming amalgamation between Bonhoeffer Church and your congregation. I suppose that it will be a very difficult decision, especially for the members of your parish, because you must cope with a German minister, who is not even fluent in your mother tongue!
When I heard of your plans I felt encouraged to take over this challenging task. I am looking forward to the chance of a bilingual Christian community, although it will probably take a couple of months until my problems with the English language will be solved. I never lived in an English speaking country, but I learned English in school for nine years and practiced English during several visits in the United States and Great Britain. My wife spent one year as an exchange student in California and graduated from an American high school.
Our whole family is looking forward to moving to Toronto. We'll attempt to integrate into the Canadian society as far as possible. But perhaps our German background and our different experiences will open a new way of intercultural respective learning and understanding between our congregations.
The spirit of our Lord will be with you when you come together for that fundamental decision.
God bless you. Yours (signed) Dietrich Buettner
Following Pastor Buettner (1988-1993) after his return to Germany we had two more pastors from Germany to serve the Christ the King-Dietrich Bonhoeffer congregation. These were Pastor S. Panitz (1993-1997) and Pastor M. Giebel (1997-2009). The sensitivity and dedication to our cause, the linguistic skills and spiritual guidance of these three ministers, supported by their wives, were essential to the amalgamation of the two congregations into the one of Christ the King - Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church.
This amalgamation, however, could not have happened without the dedication to this cause of so many members of the church. Their enthusiasm resulted in the immediate renovation of the church followed by the construction of a building extension to house a community hall in which regular social events take place. These get-togethers strengthen the bonds between churchgoers.
When Pastor Giebel decided to become a citizen of Canada and subsequently followed a call to ministry of another congregation, the ELCIC arranged for Pastor J. R. Bestvater to be interim pastor during our search to fill the vacancy. Pastor Bestvater will be fondly remembered by the congregation for his spiritual support and his care for individual members.
By God's Grace we count ourselves blessed that pastor Sebastian Meadows-Helmer has now, since Sept. 2010, become our new pastor. Supported by his wife and through his youthful energy he gives us much hope for the future of Christ the King-Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church.
Sigismund Sturm
Toronto, January, 2011
Here is a list of the pastors that served or are serving at Christ-the-King, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the amalgamated church:
Pastors at Christ the King
Arnold Weigel (1965-1975)
Mark Innes (1975-1979)
Ray Elberson (1979-1985)
Stephen Gross (1986-1988)
Pastors at Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Vicar Reinhard Keding (1975-1976)
Vicar Michael Lange (1976-1977)
Vicar Hans Ulrich Kruse (1977-1978)
Hartmut Barsnick (1979-1981)
Soenke Schmidt-Lange (1982-1987)
Pastors at Christ the King - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Buettner (1988-1993)
Sunny Panitz (1993-1997)
Martin Giebel (1997-2009)
J.R. Bestvater, Interim (2009-2010)
Sebastian Meadows-Helmer (2010-present)
In January 1989 the idea to merge the congregation of "Christ the King" with the one of "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" became reality, thanks to the initiative of a few members of both congregations. Having been blessed with the amalgamation in the years thereafter we can celebrate this decision, and be grateful to all who worked tirelessly for this effort.
In 1988 both of these Lutheran Congregations north of Toronto were pondering their future. "Christ the King" was in a period of declining membership and in need of a pastor who could help them to reverse that trend. "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" was too small a congregation to fulfill their hope to move from their rented premises to a church of their own.
"Christ the King" had been founded in 1966 as a Community Church, attracting English speaking Lutherans in the neighbourhood. The congregation owned a parsonage and in 1968 laid the cornerstone for a church building. It also established a day care centre for local children that became an important contribution to the community at large.
"Dietrich Bonhoeffer" was founded in November 1979 with the desire to provide services to German immigrants in their native tongue north of Toronto. However, services were also held in English, primarily for the children of these immigrants as well as for people of other ethnic backgrounds. Like in other German congregations in Toronto, it soon became apparent that English services were poorly attended. With the generous support of the Evangelical -Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the foreign office of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (EKD), German language services could be maintained. The EKD provided pastors from Germany. During their time in Toronto, these pastors worked within the ELCIC, and established good relationships with neighbouring churches.
In the spirit of out-reach, Soenke Schmidt-Lange, Pastor of "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" at the time, helped out at "Christ the King" as frequent guest preacher. This led to the efforts of Günther Thase of "Christ the King" to engage the two congregations in dialogue for the possibility of a merger. A special committee with the following members: Volker Kirstein, Rollin Matsui, Ed Stahlberg, Sigismund Sturm, Günther Thase and Nancy Kehrli was formed. This committee was to make sure that the concerns of the two congregations would be duly considered in merger negotiations, and that it would support the two respective church councils in their decision making and their understanding of the need for bilingual Ministers. Based on the experiences with and the support from the ELCIC and the EKD-Germany we were confident that a merger could be achieved.
An example of the good will and positive spirit is the letter that Pastor Dietrich Buettner, who was chosen to replace Pastor Soenke Schmidt-Lange, wrote to the then chairman of the council of "Christ the King", Rollin Matsui.
Muenster, July 6th, 1988
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ dear Mr. Matsui!
A few weeks ago Mr. Kirstein informed me of the coming amalgamation between Bonhoeffer Church and your congregation. I suppose that it will be a very difficult decision, especially for the members of your parish, because you must cope with a German minister, who is not even fluent in your mother tongue!
When I heard of your plans I felt encouraged to take over this challenging task. I am looking forward to the chance of a bilingual Christian community, although it will probably take a couple of months until my problems with the English language will be solved. I never lived in an English speaking country, but I learned English in school for nine years and practiced English during several visits in the United States and Great Britain. My wife spent one year as an exchange student in California and graduated from an American high school.
Our whole family is looking forward to moving to Toronto. We'll attempt to integrate into the Canadian society as far as possible. But perhaps our German background and our different experiences will open a new way of intercultural respective learning and understanding between our congregations.
The spirit of our Lord will be with you when you come together for that fundamental decision.
God bless you. Yours (signed) Dietrich Buettner
Following Pastor Buettner (1988-1993) after his return to Germany we had two more pastors from Germany to serve the Christ the King-Dietrich Bonhoeffer congregation. These were Pastor S. Panitz (1993-1997) and Pastor M. Giebel (1997-2009). The sensitivity and dedication to our cause, the linguistic skills and spiritual guidance of these three ministers, supported by their wives, were essential to the amalgamation of the two congregations into the one of Christ the King - Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church.
This amalgamation, however, could not have happened without the dedication to this cause of so many members of the church. Their enthusiasm resulted in the immediate renovation of the church followed by the construction of a building extension to house a community hall in which regular social events take place. These get-togethers strengthen the bonds between churchgoers.
When Pastor Giebel decided to become a citizen of Canada and subsequently followed a call to ministry of another congregation, the ELCIC arranged for Pastor J. R. Bestvater to be interim pastor during our search to fill the vacancy. Pastor Bestvater will be fondly remembered by the congregation for his spiritual support and his care for individual members.
By God's Grace we count ourselves blessed that pastor Sebastian Meadows-Helmer has now, since Sept. 2010, become our new pastor. Supported by his wife and through his youthful energy he gives us much hope for the future of Christ the King-Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church.
Sigismund Sturm
Toronto, January, 2011
Here is a list of the pastors that served or are serving at Christ-the-King, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the amalgamated church:
Pastors at Christ the King
Arnold Weigel (1965-1975)
Mark Innes (1975-1979)
Ray Elberson (1979-1985)
Stephen Gross (1986-1988)
Pastors at Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Vicar Reinhard Keding (1975-1976)
Vicar Michael Lange (1976-1977)
Vicar Hans Ulrich Kruse (1977-1978)
Hartmut Barsnick (1979-1981)
Soenke Schmidt-Lange (1982-1987)
Pastors at Christ the King - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Buettner (1988-1993)
Sunny Panitz (1993-1997)
Martin Giebel (1997-2009)
J.R. Bestvater, Interim (2009-2010)
Sebastian Meadows-Helmer (2010-present)
Christ The King-dietrich Bonhoeffer Lutheran Church Historical Photos
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