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• Manhunt launched for shooting suspect

• Local soldier wounded in Iraq

• County sheriff campaign funding

• Who is backing campaigns of Lodi City Council candidates?

• Dean leads money race, but Vogel gets largest contribution

• Regional Roundup

• Teammates create homecoming banner for Keefer

• Updated veterinary center boosts zoo's accreditation hopes

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (169)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (73)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (50)
• Public health care is a Christian option (35)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (20)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

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John Kah named new pastor at St. Peter Lutheran

John Kah will be installed Sunday as the new pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, located on Oxford Street at Lower Sacramento Road in Lodi. He will head a Missouri Synod Lutheran church of 870 members

Kah, 53, grew up in Racine, Wis., and prides himself as a Green Bay Packers football fan. He and his wife Donna, have four children, John, Jamie, Jenna and Justin. They have no grandchildren.

Kah responded to a questionnaire by News-Sentinel Religion Editor Ross Farrow.

As a Missouri Synod church, how does St. Peter differ from other Lutheran churches?

What distinguishes the Missouri Synod is how we interpret the Bible and our heart to change lives with the message of Jesus Christ. We interpret the Bible in a literal, some would say more conservative manner.

I think we're on target by saying that the bible is the divinely inspired, inerrant word of God. And we believe that the message of God's word points people to the fact that God loves them and that we can find purpose and a hopeful future for our lives through Jesus Christ.

Describe one of your strongest childhood memories.

I enjoyed the benefit of growing up on a small farm. I loved the advantage of the open spaces and the serenity of that setting.

What prompted you to become a pastor?

I was on my way to entering law school, but felt led by the Holy Spirit to change my career path. It seemed like an exciting way to spent your life — helping to make an eternal difference in people's lives.

What is one of your most prized possessions?

Honestly, possessions do not mean much to me. The gift God has given me of a loving wife is what I cherish the most next to my faith.

What is one of the most difficult decisions you have had to make?

The most difficult decisions I've faced have had to do with accepting a new call to a church. It is always hard, and an act of faith to make such a move. Although it is also an exciting time of discovery and growth.

When have you questioned your faith?

Every time life doesn't make sense, but I have learned an underlying confidence in God's goodness and provision for my life through prayer and God's word that far outweighs any doubts.

What do you most often ask forgiveness for?

Like most people, I am a creative sinner. But I am counting on God's grace. I know He loves me and has provided me forgiveness through Jesus.

If you weren't a pastor, what do you think you would be doing?

I have plenty of interests and directions I could have pursued. A high school or college prof, a business consultant, government elective office would have been interesting, a political strategist or pollster.

What is your proudest achievement?

Dan and Chris, among other people. But I remember these guys because the time and counsel God led me to invest in them changed the course of their lives toward a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is your favorite scripture passage, and why?

Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." this summarizes the entire purpose of Jesus coming into this world and tells me what is the most important work for Jesus followers to do.

Do you have any hobbies, sports, diversions?

I enjoy watching my son play sports. He is an outstanding linebacker on his high school team and is competitive in track infield, particularly in shot put. Also, spending time with my wife, reading and almost any sport.

Aside from the bible and other religious materials, what are your favorite books?

John Grisham, "The Testament"'; David Baldacci, Michael Crichton and other mindless fiction. Plus biographies. I've set a goal to read biographies of the signers of the Declaration of Independence because I love American history.

What is your favorite TV show and movie?

I haven't had the interest or time for much TV. I find much of it superficial. I'll just channel surf because I can't find anything worth watching. Movies — anything with a creative plot that is not too predictable. Michael Douglas in "The Sentinel," Harrison Ford in "The Fugitive" and Robert Duvall in "Open Range," "Lonesome Dove."

Anything you would like to add?

I am looking forward to what I hope will be many years to serve and embrace this great community as God uses me to help people to see how much they matter to Him.

First published: Saturday, October 28, 2006