A first service for the Reformation Anniversary was held Nov. 6, 2016,
at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, jointly through the
Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Central Illinois Districts. People from
all three districts came together at 4 p.m. to sing Vespers in the
Chapel of Sts. Timothy and Titus. The nave was packed. The music was
absolutely astounding. A mass choir under direction of Dr. Mark Bender; a
brass choir; Jim Marriott on the organ bench; and the wind symphony
from Lutheran High South. The three District Presidents read the
readings; Dean Burreson served as liturgist; President Harrison
preached. But that's not quite at it. He let Dr. Luther preach (from
sayings in which Luther found consolation, which, I couldn't help but
note, included passages also from Sirach and Maccabees) and framed the
whole with the story about the sword thrust aimed at Luther's neck in
the Cranach Altarpiece: "Even in death, the beast rages on." Armed with
the consolations of the Word, President Harrison urged us not to be
afraid, but to rage on! To speak the Gospel of free forgiveness to our
neighbors, in our homes, and wherever we go. The worst that can happen
is we are killed, and not even that can take the life that's ours in
Jesus. Rage on! John
Klinger played music on the Carillon, including "Thy Strong
Word."
You can download a PDF of the Vespers at this link:
http://www.csl.edu/live/2016RefEventWorship_v11.pdf
Since whoever is disabling the embed, click here to watch the service. . .
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