The Rev. Philip R. Rittner II was installed Sunday, January 19, 2025, as Vacancy Pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Centreville. The Rev. Kurt Kuhlmann, St. John's Lutheran Church, Burr Oak, MI, conducted the installation ceremony.

     Rev. Philip R. Rittner II comes to us after having retired from the ministry, but in this type of work - it's hard to say no to keep on preaching!  The Ministry is a Second Profession for him, as he is retired from the US Navy after over 20 years including two tours in VietNam and a tour in the Persian Gulf, pre Operation Desert Storm.  He grew up in Toledo, Ohio, not too far from us!  The Seminary experience was perhaps the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life.   Ordained in 2011, Rev. Rittner has enjoyed jail ministry, associating with military veterans, promoting Right to Life initiatives, and studying God's Word, the Bible.

     Pastor Phil is married to Deaconess Katherine (Katie) Rittner; together they have 7 children and 16 grandchildren.  They enjoy traveling - having been to Ireland and Israel a couple times and many places throughout the United States.  Pastor Phil also enjoys playing with toy trains and creating the 4th of July fireworks display in their lake community near Columbia City, Indiana.  Katie is employed at Concordia Theological Seminary for over 19 years, where she serves as the Director of the Food and Clothing Co-ops.  She loves the ministry helping form men and women into LCMS pastors and deaconesses.  Pastor Phil strongly enjoys meeting new people!  

      All are welcome to join Sunday morning Bible study which addresses the readings of the day Sunday mornings at 8:45. Anyone is welcome to come learn. Worship is at 10 AM.