Reformation Day The 500th Anniversary 31 October 2017 7:30 p.m. Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana
T In Nomine Jesu T Pre-Service Music Kyrie, God Father in Heaven Above The hymn is sung in Latin and English; the text may be found at LSB 942. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Fantasia on In Peace and Joy I Now Depart setting by Johann Sebastian Bach setting by Kevin Hildebrand Hymn Thy Strong Word (LSB 578) The congregation stands at the conclusion of the hymn introduction. setting by James Biery Stanzas 3 4 Choir Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with Thine own holiness, Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hopes confess. From the cross Thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conqu ring might; From the cross forever beameth All Thy bright redeeming light. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end! (continued)
Stanza 5 All Give us lips to sing Thy glory, Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim, Throats that shout the hope that fills us, Mouths to speak Thy holy name. Alleluia, alleluia! May the light which Thou dost send Fill our songs with alleluias, Alleluias without end! Stanza 6 All God the Father, light-creator, To Thee laud and honor be. To Thee, Light of Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally. Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to Thee. Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity! Versicles Sit 2
Psalmody My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker (from Psalm 103) Johann Hermann Schein His grace remains forever, And children s children yet shall prove That God forsakes them never Who in true fear shall seek His love. In heav n is fixed His dwelling, His rule is over all; O hosts with might excelling, With praise before Him fall. Praise Him forever reigning, All you who hear His Word Our life and all sustaining. My soul, O praise the Lord! First Reading Romans 3:19 28 P O Lord, have mercy on us. C Thanks be to God. Stand Hymn O God, Our Lord, Thy Holy Word The congregation stands at the conclusion of the hymn introduction. setting by Kevin Hildebrand Choir All Choir All 3
Sit Second Reading Matthew 11:12 19 P O Lord, have mercy on us. C Thanks be to God. Cantata God the Lord Is Sun and Shield (Cantata 79) Johann Sebastian Bach Chorus God the Lord is sun and shield; the Lord gives mercy and glory. No good thing He withholds from those who are faithful. Aria (Alto) God is ever sun and shield, therefore we our praises bringing, join with grateful hearts in singing thanks for all His tender care. He will still protect and bless us, though our foes may sore distress us, sharpened arrows they may wield. Chorale Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom his world rejoices; who, from our mother s arms, has blest us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. Recitative (Bass) Praise God! We know where to find the way to blessedness, for, Jesus, You show the way through Your Word and teaching: to You praise of Your name forever reaching. But since so many here on earth dismiss Your word and walk in blindness, with the worldly, Lord, pity them and call them by Your graciousness To walk the righteous way forever And call You by Your name as Savior! Aria (Duet Soprano, Bass) God, O God, forsake Your children nevermore! Let Your word for us be shining; all the more enemies are fiercely raging, You alone our lips are praising. Chorale Firm in Your truth retain us, In liberty sustain us, To praise Your name forever Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Sermon 4
Stand Nunc Dimittis In Peace and Joy I Now Depart (LSB 938) The choir sings stanza 2 in a setting by Donald Busarow. Kyrie Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our dily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Salutation 5
Collects After each collect, the congregation sings: Closing Collect Grant Peace, We Pray, In Mercy, Lord (LSB 777) The hymn is sung twice, first by the choir and then by the congregation. Benedicamus Benediction 6
Greetings Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB 656) Postlude A Mighty Fortress Is Our God setting by Charles Ore T Soli Deo Gloria T 7
Participants Preacher The Reverend Matthew C. Harrison President, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Officiants The Reverend Professor Lawrence R. Rast Jr. President The Reverend Professor Paul J. Grime Dean of the Chapel Lectors The Reverend Terry L. Cripe President, Ohio District The Reverend Daniel P. May President, Indiana District Organist Kantor Matthew A. Machemer Director Kantor Kevin J. Hildebrand Choirs Seminary Schola Cantorum Seminary Kantorei Concordia Lutheran High School Chamber Singers Soloists Katie Schuermann, soprano David Solum, bass Crucifer and Torchbearers Seminarian Wade Bellesbach Seminarian Daniel Broaddus Seminarian Eli Voigt Instrumentalists Violin Jason Thompson Emily Thompson Alexandra Tsilibes Timothy Tan Wesley Mui Viola Linda Kummernuss Cello Heather Scott Bass Jess Gaze Flute Ann Donner Emily Debner Trumpet/Flügelhorn Douglas Hofherr James Zanker Horn Eamonn Ferguson Trombone Justin Mason Timpani/Percussion John Smith Acknowledgements Thy Strong Word text: 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSBHymnLicense.NET, no. 100010029. In Peace and Joy I Now Depart text: 1978 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSBHymnLicense.NET, no. 100010029. Grant Peace, We Pray text: @ Lutheran World Federation. Used by permission: LSBHymnLicense.NET, no. 100010029. Office of Vespers from Lutheran Service Book 2006 CPH. Used with permission. This service folder was prepared using Lutheran Service Builder. 8
In the Service Cantata 79, one of two cantatas J. S. Bach wrote specifically for the festival of the Reformation, was heard in Leipzig on October 31 in the years 1725 and 1730. The cantata s focus is twofold: thanking and praising God for his protection and gift of salvation, and praying for the clear and faithful proclamation of God s Word. While the service this evening naturally includes that stalwart hymn A Mighty Fortress, it was another hymn, O God, Our Lord, Thy Holy Word, that was most often sung in the sixteenth century to celebrate the Reformation. Although the hymn has fallen out of use in recent practice, its inclusion in tonight s anniversary service may signal a renaissance of this battle hymn of the Reformation as the Church continues her work under the grace of God. Finally, the hymn Thy Strong Word is heard for the first time this evening in a new setting by James Biery that was commissioned by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, for the anniversary celebration. Artwork The artwork in this service folder is part of an exhibit titled SOLA that opens today in Kroemer Library. Please feel free to browse the exhibit following the service or in the coming months. The exhibit will be open through January 31, 2018. Cover A Celebration of the Reformation (Anne Ziegler) Page 2 The Double-edged Sword (Zachary Viggers) Page 4 Reformation Cross (Sara Nordling) Page 5 Behold His Hands and Side (David Bahn) This page Parables of the Vineyard (Edward Riojas)
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