During the July 10-13 ELCIC National Convention in Winnipeg I was elected to serve as the fifth National Bishop. This means a very immediate transition with a start date in Winnipeg of September 1. My final Sunday at Our Redeemer Lutheran will be August 10 followed by holiday time (moving time from Penticton to Edmonton to Winnipeg). A Service of Installation will take place Saturday afternoon (further details will be shared), September 27 in Winnipeg which will be live-streamed.
Dear members and friends of Our Redeemer, it has been my privilege to serve as your Interim Pastor and as Assistant to the BC Bishop for Special Service...a return to my first love...parish ministry. We don't know what the future will hold. But we have what we need.
Jesus is feeding us, we have bread, we have wine, we have the scriptures, we have each other. We know that we will not get to where the Spirit of God is leading without going together. And, we know that Jesus comes alongside (Luke 24:13-35, the journey to Emmaus); love is at our side.
Cathy and I will continue to hold you in prayer, as we trust you will hold us in prayer.
Shalom, beloved of God.
Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer
National Bishop-Elect
Pastor Larry
Our Church
St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Penticton has ‘mission roots’ in neighbouring Oliver where St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church had been serving immigrants with Lutheran roots since the 1930’s — mainly but not exclusively, in the German language. In 1961, when the Canadian Board of Home Missions (of the ALC), decided that new mission churches should be built in Kamloops and Penticton, St John’s in Oliver, supported the project wholeheartedly, holding joint picnics and sharing their pastor with the new, rapidly growing congregation in Penticton.
In March, 1962, construction started on six lots that had been divided from McLaren Park, on the newly created street named Church Street named after the new Church being built there. Work proceeded well and by August 05, 1962 the first worship service was conducted in the partially built church.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1970
Then at a Special Worship Service on May 12, 1963 the congregation was officially organized, a constitution was adopted, the pastor was officially called and installed and arrangements were completed for incorporation.
Our first Pastor was Alvin Miller, who led two congregations, one with services in German in Oliver and the other with services in English in the now named Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Subsequently the two congregations, one in German and the other in English were led by Pastor David Schaefer. Then in 1976 Pastor Harry Kapeikis was called to shepherd just the Penticton congregation. Since then, the English speaking congregation has thrived as a flourishing, friendly, outgoing Christian community.
Sadly, St John’s was decommissioned in 2018.