Reverend Michael T. Lembke will be installed as the new pastor of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 389 Greenwich Avenue in ceremonies Sunday, January 22 at 3 p.m., with a reception following in the church hall.

Officiating will be Reverend Dennis Kohl, Pastor, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Warwick. Reverend Doctor Linda Forsberg, Pastor, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Greenwich, Dean, Greater Rhode Island Conference will be preaching.

Pastor Lembke is a retired chaplain (Colonel), from the US Army. Pastor Lembke was born in Oceanside, California and grew up in Indiana.

Pastor Lembke sensed a call to ministry early in his life and was actively involved in various Lutheran parishes during his youth. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has served the religious needs of men and women in uniform for 30 years, in various chaplain positions, at posts in nine states, as well as Germany and Belgium. He has also earned three awards each of the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star for meritorious service during Desert Storm in Iraq, Stabilization Force 8 in Bosnia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn Iraq. Wherever posted, Chaplain Lembke ensured that the Word was preached, the sacraments administered and that the soldiers and families always received quality pastoral care and counseling.

Pastor Lembke enjoys writing and playing music, which are an integral part of his ministry. He is joined by his loving and supportive wife, Nancy.