Candidate of Theology James Kassera will be ordained and installed as co-pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, in Albert Lea, at 4 p.m. Sunday. The congregation, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, with headquarters in Mankato has been privileged to have Kassera as a vicar for the past year. The graduate of the Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary of Mankato has accepted a call to serve in Albert Lea, along with the Rev. Wayne Halvorson, in order to facilitate the congregation’s outreach with the message of Christ Jesus, to the community.

Kassera and his wife, Jenny, and their family, Japheth, Margret and Tiffany, have purchased a home and recently moved into their new home on Garfield Avenue. James is originally from Spring Valley, Wis., having grown up on a dairy farm in the Menomonie, Wis., area. He understands and is comfortable in Albert Lea and Freeborn County.

He looks forward to serving in his first congregation as a pastor.

The Our Savior’s congregation invites the people of the community to join them at this ordination-installation service and at the reception meal following. Participants at the service will be Kassera’s hometown pastor, Shawn Kauffeld of Menomonie, Wis., Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary President Gaylin Schmeling, fellow pastor from Thornton, Iowa, Sam Schmeling, and Halvorson. There will also be some visiting clergy from fellow congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.