Pastor retiring from Trinity Lutheran
Pastor Calvin J. Kolzow Jr. will give his last sermon at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Sturgis after 32 years of service July 21.
Originally from a Chicago suburb, Pastor Cal grew up in a large family of seven children. Following high school, he graduated from Northern Illinois University and became a math and science teacher. On Aug. 6, 1972, he married Lynda Reeves. They have four children, Andy, Tim, Jeff and Rachel, and 11 grandchildren, according to a statement from the church.
Kolzow enrolled in Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and upon graduation in 1987, he entered the Holy Ministry as the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Arcadia, where he served for nearly five years.
In 1992, Kolzow was called to be associate pastor at Trinity. He has touched countless lives over the years with his caring and compassionate nature, as well as his ability to always point our focus towards Jesus, the church said.
When asked what Bible verse has guided his ministry, he responded with Proverbs 3:5-6… “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”
“I have greatly enjoyed leading worship services, visiting shut-ins, administering the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, teaching youth and adult confirmation classes, and officiating at weddings and funerals,” he said.
In his tenure at Trinity, Pastor Cal has worked with three different day-school principals, six administrative pastors, and many teachers and staff members.
"He has a gift for making friends wherever he goes. He is known for his storytelling skills, weaving words together as an artist would spread paint on canvas to create a work of art. He’s been an avid softball player on the Trinity softball team during the height of its success. He has a sweet tooth and particularly loves chocolate of all kinds. And he regularly rides his lime green scooter to work," the church said in a statement.
Kolzow plans to spend his extra time praying, reading and studying God’s Word, visiting family and friends, and attending worship at Trinity.
Pastor Cal will be officially retired from the ministry on Sunday, July 21, at a combined worship service at 10 am. Friends and family of Pastor Cal and Trinity are invited to attend. Trinity Lutheran Church and School is located at 406 S. Lakeview Ave. in Sturgis.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Pastor retiring from Trinity Lutheran
