Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will begin its 180^th academic year with a special worship service at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24, in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.

Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer will serve as preacher of the Opening Service and will introduce the theme for the year, “Here am I! Send me.” from Isaiah 6:8.

During the service, two new faculty members will be installed, and new students, faculty and employees will be recognized. Students who have received Regent and Presidential Awards will be celebrated and vicarages will be announced for the fall cohort of the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program.

New students will attend Orientation Aug. 21-24. Orientation provides an opportunity for new students and families to become better acquainted with the academics program and campus life. Students and mentors will participate in a servant event, joining with faculty and staff to serve the people of St. Louis at 14 different locations. Tasks include landscaping, painting, cleaning and various maintenance chores.

In addition to Opening Service, the grand opening of the Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library will be held starting at 3 p.m. Aug. 24 and will include a lecture by Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Rosin. A $6 million renovation transformed the original 1962 building into a state-of-the-art learning center thanks to donors to the Seminary’s Generations Campaign. The leading gift for the library was given by Glenn and Kay Hasse of Naples, Fla., and the library is named in memory of their daughter, Kristine, who died in a car accident at the age of 17.

Capping the week’s celebration is the second annual Opening Weekend Hymn Festival, set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, in the chapel. The concert will feature Kevin Hildebrand, kantor of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., as guest composer, conductor and organist. An ensemble choir will perform, consisting of Seminary students, faculty and staff, and musicians from across the St. Louis Lutheran community. Those interested in participating in the choir are welcome! To sign up for the ensemble choir, click here.

The public is invited to the Opening Service, Library Grand Opening and Hymn Festival. Concordia Seminary is located at 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105.

Those who cannot attend the Opening Service, Library Grand Opening or Hymn Festival may watch the live stream at www.csl.edu/live. Family and friends are invited to join in the celebration on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using #CSLorientation and #HereAmI.

About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.