Pastor Joseph's acceptance letter
Pastor Joseph Hanson
3 May 2026
To the saints of First Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church,
With both great sadness and great joy, I announce that the Lord has led me to accept the call to serve as Associate Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Painesville, Ohio.
This is a joyous decision because it brings to mind all the wonderful blessings I’ve received through First Lutheran Church in my nearly eight years here. What was supposed to be a quick stop on my way to something bigger and better instead became the home that taught me how to be a pastor; numerous families that welcomed me as one of their own, not just into their homes, but into their lives; a world of blessings in marriages, baptisms, confirmations, and even funerals where I was blessed to be able to share God’s Word with so many. First Lutheran has seen my family grow, and supported Julie and I throughout the adoption process. We’ll be leaving Iowa better, fuller, and more blessed than we came, not the least of which is the little boy we’ll be bringing with us. I could not possibly recount every blessing God has bestowed on us through First Lutheran, but I am a better pastor and, dare I say, a better person for having been here.
Which, somewhat paradoxically, is one of the reasons that makes me feel as though I can accept a different call – I want another pastor to have the opportunity to serve the saints here in Missouri Valley. It takes a special sort of congregation to help to form a pastor, and I pray that blessing will fall on whoever comes here next as well.
This is of course, the exact thing that fills me with sadness. All of those blessings that First Lutheran has poured out on me and my family will undoubtedly feel bittersweet to many in Missouri Valley and beyond. Please know that I am not accepting a new call because anyone at First has done anything wrong; quite to the contrary, First Lutheran has been exemplary.
One of the reasons I’ve accepted the call to Zion is I see great potential in them. This is a congregation in a bustling area with opportunities around every corner, not least of which is Our Shepherd Lutheran School. There is a possibility for outreach and a sharing of the Gospel for many souls who might not otherwise hear it through Our Shepherd.
First Lutheran will be able to welcome a new pastor to lead them in new directions, moving them through and past whatever challenges lay ahead. First Lutheran’s leadership is strong, faithful, and Lutheran. I have no doubt that First Lutheran will soon have a new pastor, and be as blessed by him as he is by everyone at First.
There are some plans in motion for relocation, and as it stands my final day at First Lutheran will be on May 31st. My intention is to arrive in time to be installed at Zion on June 7th.
There are many more things I wish to say to so many people, but I cannot bear to relate them all now. Please keep all the saints at both First Lutheran and Zion Lutheran in your prayers. Please keep Julie, Augustus, and myself in your prayers as we make this transition.
I remain,
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Joseph Hanson