Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will hold a Paul Gerhardt Hymn Festival on Sunday, March 18, at 3:00 p.m. in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. The festival will commemorate the work of Lutheran hymn writer Paul Gerhardt, in celebration of the 400th anniversary of his birth.

Participating in the celebration will be the Concordia Seminary Chorus and Pro Musica Sacra, under the direction of Rev. Henry V. Gerike, and eight guest organists from Lutheran churches in the St. Louis area. The service will include commentary and Scripture readings, in addition to hymns.

Song of the Gospel, Vol. 2—Chorale Preludes on the Hymns of Paul Gerhardt, published by Concordia Publishing House, will be released and available for purchase at a reception in the Seminary’s library following the festival.

A buffet banquet, featuring guest speaker Carl Schalk, Lutheran composer, professor and historian, will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Wartburg Dining Hall. Tickets to the banquet cost $18.

Born in Gräfenhainichen, Germany, in 1607, Paul Gerhardt was one of the greatest hymn writers of the church. He authored over 100 hymns that are still being sung throughout the world today, including “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?” and “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness.” In addition to being the most well-known German hymnist next to Martin Luther, Gerhardt was a faithful and orthodox Lutheran pastor who served amidst much turmoil and adversity.

For more information or to order banquet tickets, please contact Seminary Relations, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7370; SemRelations@csl.edu.