November 2016
Rev. Cesar Sifuentes was installed as pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2108 W. 21st Street, Chicago, on Sunday, November 6, 2016. “We thank God that the ministry at St. Matthew will continue on,” said the congregation’s retiring pastor, Rev. Julio Loza. Sifuentes was certified for pastoral ministry in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1982. He has served in Hispanic ministry at several congregations within the LCMS Northern Illinois District, including at Melrose Park and Addison.
Participating in the installation service at St. Matthew, from left: Pastors Jerry Hays (St. Peter, Schaumburg), Luther Albrecht (retired), Karl Fay (Prince of Peace, Palatine), Cesar Sifuentes (newly installed at St. Matthew), Julio Loza (retired), Tom Niermann (NID assistant to the president), Chris Browne (Our Saviour, Chicago), Steve Deombeleg (Immanuel, Hillside), and Ray Rohlfs (Christ, Orland Park). Circuit Visitor Rev. Tom Johnson did the rite of installation but was not able to stay for the photo.