Everyone is welcome at our church
Please join us for our Sunday morning in-person worship services at 9:15am. For those that prefer to view our Live Video services, you can do that by viewing on our Facebook page or the Live Video window below will open on this Home Page at 9:15-9:16am. If the video doesn't start, refresh your browser. The carousel below has the last 4 service videos and they're all dated in the bottom right hand corner. Please see the calendar below for dates and times, and info on Special Services.
We usually have a wonderful coffee/fellowship hour after the service in the basement fellowship room. It's a great time to have some snacks, tea or coffee, and fellowship with one another!
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We are a member congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Eastern Synod, Niagara Area.
We are a diverse congregation seeking the unity of Christ through worship, fellowship and servant-hood.
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Please bring a food donation for Project Share if you can. A bin is at the church front entrance.
Dear Friends of Good Shepherd, we want to thank all of you that continue to support our church and pastors through prayer, tithing and worship. We are the last remaining Lutheran church in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Your support helps us to continue to spread the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ. If Anyone would like to make a monetary donation, you can do that through our website. There is a red DONATE NOW button that allows you to make a donation to our church through Canada Helps. You can print an immediate receipt for your donation. There is also a Donate page in the dropdown bar for other ways to donate to our church.
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Reformation Sunday
This year, we celebrate Reformation Sunday on October 26. It commemorates an event that took place on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther, a professor of moral theology, posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. His goal was to spark academic debate about Church practices such as the sale of indulgences. Instead, his actions ignited a major controversy that became the start of the Protestant Reformation—a movement that profoundly changed Christianity and redefined how believers relate to their faith.
Lutheran theology is based on the idea that people are saved through faith alone. Martin Luther taught that salvation is a free gift from God, not something we can earn by doing good deeds or following religious rules. This was a big change at a time when the Church focused on rituals and acts of penance to gain God’s favor. Luther believed that no one can become good enough on their own to be saved. Instead, by trusting in Jesus—His death and resurrection—people are made right with God. This focus on grace, called sola gratia (grace alone), freed believers from the pressure of trying to earn salvation and helped them truly understand God’s love and mercy.
Just as important as the rest of the Lutheran Reformation was the translation of the Bible into everyday language. Martin Luther believed that everyone—not just priests or educated people—should be able to read the Bible. He translated it from Hebrew and Greek into German so ordinary people could understand it and connect with God’s Word directly. This was very different from the Catholic Church’s practice of reading the Bible in Latin, which most people couldn’t understand. Putting the Bible into the common language helped people read, think about, and live by it on their own. Luther’s idea of “sola scriptura” (Scripture alone) meant that all believers could understand God’s message for themselves, not just rely on church leaders. By doing this, Luther helped start a new way of thinking about faith—one that focused on personal belief, understanding, and responsibility.
The Lutheran view of the Reformation highlights the importance of grace as the sole means of salvation , and that the Bible is essential for a strong and living faith. These beliefs changed the Church in Martin Luther’s time and still shape Lutheran faith today. They remind us that we can personally experience God’s grace personally and directly through His Word. The Church, grounded in its history, must keep growing and changing so it can share Christ’s love in today’s world.
This year, we celebrate Reformation Sunday on October 26. It commemorates an event that took place on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther, a professor of moral theology, posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. His goal was to spark academic debate about Church practices such as the sale of indulgences. Instead, his actions ignited a major controversy that became the start of the Protestant Reformation—a movement that profoundly changed Christianity and redefined how believers relate to their faith.
Lutheran theology is based on the idea that people are saved through faith alone. Martin Luther taught that salvation is a free gift from God, not something we can earn by doing good deeds or following religious rules. This was a big change at a time when the Church focused on rituals and acts of penance to gain God’s favor. Luther believed that no one can become good enough on their own to be saved. Instead, by trusting in Jesus—His death and resurrection—people are made right with God. This focus on grace, called sola gratia (grace alone), freed believers from the pressure of trying to earn salvation and helped them truly understand God’s love and mercy.
Just as important as the rest of the Lutheran Reformation was the translation of the Bible into everyday language. Martin Luther believed that everyone—not just priests or educated people—should be able to read the Bible. He translated it from Hebrew and Greek into German so ordinary people could understand it and connect with God’s Word directly. This was very different from the Catholic Church’s practice of reading the Bible in Latin, which most people couldn’t understand. Putting the Bible into the common language helped people read, think about, and live by it on their own. Luther’s idea of “sola scriptura” (Scripture alone) meant that all believers could understand God’s message for themselves, not just rely on church leaders. By doing this, Luther helped start a new way of thinking about faith—one that focused on personal belief, understanding, and responsibility.
The Lutheran view of the Reformation highlights the importance of grace as the sole means of salvation , and that the Bible is essential for a strong and living faith. These beliefs changed the Church in Martin Luther’s time and still shape Lutheran faith today. They remind us that we can personally experience God’s grace personally and directly through His Word. The Church, grounded in its history, must keep growing and changing so it can share Christ’s love in today’s world.
Time After Pentecost
The Time After Pentecost, also known as Ordinary Time, is the longest season in the liturgical year. The term “ordinary” comes from the word ordinal, meaning "counted" or "numbered"—not “plain.” Each Sunday in this season is numbered and ordered as part of a journey through the church year.
This season begins with Trinity Sunday and continues through Reformation Sunday and All Saints Sunday, culminating in Christ the King Sunday. Afterward, the liturgical year restarts with Advent.
The seasonal color is green, symbolizing growth and life, except on special feast days.
Following Pentecost, when we celebrated the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel readings (primarily from Luke) focus on Jesus' ministry as He travels toward Jerusalem. These passages highlight His teachings, parables, and acts of healing. Themes such as humility, service, inclusivity, and the challenges of discipleship are emphasized, revealing the nature of God’s Kingdom.
Old Testament readings during this season encourage reflection on God’s mercy, justice, and our call to live faithfully. Together, the scriptures invite us to grow spiritually and live out the values of Christ in our daily lives.
The Time After Pentecost, also known as Ordinary Time, is the longest season in the liturgical year. The term “ordinary” comes from the word ordinal, meaning "counted" or "numbered"—not “plain.” Each Sunday in this season is numbered and ordered as part of a journey through the church year.
This season begins with Trinity Sunday and continues through Reformation Sunday and All Saints Sunday, culminating in Christ the King Sunday. Afterward, the liturgical year restarts with Advent.
The seasonal color is green, symbolizing growth and life, except on special feast days.
Following Pentecost, when we celebrated the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel readings (primarily from Luke) focus on Jesus' ministry as He travels toward Jerusalem. These passages highlight His teachings, parables, and acts of healing. Themes such as humility, service, inclusivity, and the challenges of discipleship are emphasized, revealing the nature of God’s Kingdom.
Old Testament readings during this season encourage reflection on God’s mercy, justice, and our call to live faithfully. Together, the scriptures invite us to grow spiritually and live out the values of Christ in our daily lives.