Palatine’s Christ Lutheran Church selects new pastor

The congregation of Christ Lutheran Church in Palatine has voted overwhelmingly to call the Rev. Joel Lohafer as its new pastor.

He will be installed by Bishop Wayne N. Miller of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Sunday, Jan. 19, during a special 9:30 a.m. worship service, according to Sharon Whiting, congregation council president.

The call committee worked on Christ Lutheran’s pastoral search for a year, under the guidance of committee chairman, Dennis Harding and the Rev. Cynthia K. Hileman, associate bishop from the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.

“It is clear that Pastor Lohafer has the characteristics and qualities that fit our congregation’s needs. We thank God for bringing him to us,” Whiting said.

Lohafer previously served congregations in Lynden, Wash., (seven years); Ferndale, Wash., (15 years); and in Bruce, S.D., (three years).

“‘The Lord is my light and my salvation,’ Psalm 27, is a Bible verse that drives me. I place a high value on people — social justice, missions, and for the church to make a difference in the community, to be a refuge for all — with everyone welcome. I was drawn to Christ Lutheran’s hospitality and desire to reach out to others, hosting PADs and doing outreach,” Lohafer said.

Lohafer is a native of Holstein, Iowa. He studied music for two years at Iowa State University, then attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle, Wash., where he earned his undergraduate degree, and met his wife, Annie. Lohafer earned his master of divinity degree from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

Lohafer succeeds the Rev. Dr. Craig A. Wagner, who retired in August 2012, after 20 years of ministry at Christ Lutheran Church. The Rev. Paul L. Hayes served as interim pastor since Wagner’s retirement.

Christ Lutheran Church is at 41 S. Rohlwing Road in Palatine. It was established in 1953, and met in the Oak Sanborn Elementary School, until its current location on Rohlwing Road was built and dedicated to God in 1955.

Christ Lutheran is an inviting caring community that reaches out into the world with the love of Jesus. Their goal is to a be a vibrant Christian community committed to connecting people with God and one another, growing through worship, learning and prayer, and serving others in the world. Worship services with Holy Communion are Sunday mornings at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school for children 3-years old through sixth grade at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

For more information, call the church office at (847) 358-4600 or visit clcpalatine.org.

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