On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a German priest and professor of theology, posted 95 theses on the chapel door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and unknowingly set in motion the Protestant Reformation.
Joining in the worldwide 500th anniversary of this event, local congregations from two Winter Park churches – St. John Lutheran Church and St. Richard’s Episcopal Church, whose origins come out of the Reformation – will share three special worship services to give thanks for the gifts of their heritage of faith and to witness God’s unconditional grace in Jesus Christ that is an emphasis of the Reformation tradition.
The worship services will include the exchange of pastors, but also the joint gatherings of their choirs to perform a newly commissioned choral and organ anthem in honor of the Reformation. Titled “May God Bestow on Us His Grace,” and composed by Dr. Carl MaultsBy, director of music at St. Richard’s, the piece is a setting of Martin Luther’s paraphrase of Psalm 67.
The public is invited to join in all of the celebrations:
Oct. 15
10:30 a.m., St. Richard’s –
Premiere performance of “May God Bestow on Us His Grace” by joint choirs.
The Rev. Tom Lyberg, St. John Lutheran Church, preaching.
Oct. 21
6 p.m., St. Richard’s –
Oktoberfest! St. Richard’s Parish Hall and Patio. Authentic German food and beer from local brewers and German breweries. Music and More!
Come and participate.
Oct. 22
10:15 a.m., St. John –
The Rev. Alison Harrity, rector, St. Richard’s Episcopal Church, preaching 10:30 a.m., St. Richard’s.
Reformation sermon by the Rev. Dr. Dale Truscott.
Oct. 29 – Reformation Anniversary Worship –
10:15 a.m., St. John –
Reformation Celebration Worship.
Performance of “May God Bestow on Us His Grace” by joint choirs.
Reformation Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Dale Truscott.
St. John is located at 1600 S. Orlando Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. St. Richard’s is located at 5151 Lake Howell Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. For information, call St. John’s at 407-644-1783 or St. Richard’s at 407-671-4211