On March 18, Concordia Seminary’s Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus was filled to capacity during the Paul Gerhardt Hymn Festival, held in commemoration of the work of Lutheran hymn writer Paul Gerhardt, celebrating the 400th anniversary of his birth.

Participants in the celebration included 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. They include:

• Ryan Meyer, Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO;
• Stephen Rosebrock, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO;
• James L. Brauer, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO;
• Justin Knabach, Salem Lutheran Church, Black Jack, MO;
• Barry L. Bobb, Lutheran High School South, St. Louis, MO;
• Christopher Loemker, St. John Lutheran Church, Maryville, IL;
• Mark Bender, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Des Peres, MO; and
• Paul Grime, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, St. Louis, MO.

Carl Schalk, Lutheran composer, professor and historian, was the featured guest speaker at a banquet following the festival.

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 Lutheran pastor who served amidst much turmoil and adversity.

For more information, contact Communications, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7374; communications@csl.edu.