"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” John 8:31-32
Pastor Jim Murr
Pastor James O. Murr, Jr. "Pastor Jim," was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended St. Matthew Lutheran School through the 8th grade and then attended/graduated from North Catholic High School. He then attended Concordia, Bronxville, NY, along with his best friend, John, who is also an LCMS pastor currently serving two congregations in Ontario. In his junior year, Pastor Jim transferred to Concordia, Ann Arbor, MI. He then attended Seminary at Concordia, St. Louis, MO, and served his vicarage year at Christ the Redeemer in Tulsa, OK.
His first Call was to Calvary, Havertown, PA ('92-'95), which is just outside of Philadelphia. It was there that he met his wife, Karen, who was a member of nearby Hope in Levittown. Karen has worked as a secretary since she was in high school, and when she is not spending time with her two grandsons, she enjoys quilting, reading, and gardening.
Pastor Jim and Karen accepted a Call to Redeemer, Colden, NY ('95-'04), about 20 miles south of Buffalo, during which time the Lord blessed them with a daughter, Alexis. They then served at Concordia, Hagerstown, MD ('04-'09) and St. John's, Winston-Salem, NC ('09-'13).
In the Fall of 2013, they moved to West Dundee, IL, to serve at Bethlehem. A few wonderful additions to their family happened there. Alexis married Matt Stolpe, and together, they have two beautiful boys. God has made it possible for them to move to St. Clair along with Pastor Jim and Karen.
Pastor Jim has one sister, Debbie, who lives in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband, Eddie. Karen has one brother, Jeffrey (Lincoln, NE), and two sisters, Lynn (Doylestown, PA) and Janet (Lincoln, NE). Her mom lives in Lancaster, PA, whom she loves to visit there every few months.
Pastor Jim enjoys lifting weights, reading, watching movies, and spending time with his family. He considers it an honor and a privilege to have been Called to serve as Senior Pastor here at Immanuel and is joyfully looking forward to fulfilling that role with the help and strength of the Lord!
His first Call was to Calvary, Havertown, PA ('92-'95), which is just outside of Philadelphia. It was there that he met his wife, Karen, who was a member of nearby Hope in Levittown. Karen has worked as a secretary since she was in high school, and when she is not spending time with her two grandsons, she enjoys quilting, reading, and gardening.
Pastor Jim and Karen accepted a Call to Redeemer, Colden, NY ('95-'04), about 20 miles south of Buffalo, during which time the Lord blessed them with a daughter, Alexis. They then served at Concordia, Hagerstown, MD ('04-'09) and St. John's, Winston-Salem, NC ('09-'13).
In the Fall of 2013, they moved to West Dundee, IL, to serve at Bethlehem. A few wonderful additions to their family happened there. Alexis married Matt Stolpe, and together, they have two beautiful boys. God has made it possible for them to move to St. Clair along with Pastor Jim and Karen.
Pastor Jim has one sister, Debbie, who lives in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband, Eddie. Karen has one brother, Jeffrey (Lincoln, NE), and two sisters, Lynn (Doylestown, PA) and Janet (Lincoln, NE). Her mom lives in Lancaster, PA, whom she loves to visit there every few months.
Pastor Jim enjoys lifting weights, reading, watching movies, and spending time with his family. He considers it an honor and a privilege to have been Called to serve as Senior Pastor here at Immanuel and is joyfully looking forward to fulfilling that role with the help and strength of the Lord!