The “three solas” of the Reformation will be in the spotlight as Concordia Seminary, St. Louis hosts the 500th Anniversary Reformation Service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.

“There is much to celebrate and for which to give thanks over the past 500 years,” said Dr. Erik Herrmann, director of the Seminary’s Center for Reformation Research. “Song has always been a favorite expression of thanksgiving in the church, especially those that celebrate God’s good and saving work in the Gospel. It is thus fitting that we fill our chapel with song on this day — old songs and new songs, sung by both young and old — all giving glory to God alone — sola Dei gloria!”

The musical celebration is structured around Martin Luther’s “three solas,” with meditations planned for each of the three teachings central to the Reformation:

• Dr. Leopoldo A. Sánchez M., the Werner R. H. and Elizabeth R. Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries and director of the Seminary’s Center for Hispanic Studies, will offer a meditation on Sola Gratia (Grace Alone).
• Herrmann, who also serves as associate professor of Historical Theology and chairman of the Department of Historical Theology, will offer a meditation on Sola Fide(Faith Alone).
• Dr. Peter Nafzger, assistant professor of Practical Theology, will offer a meditation on Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone).

The music-filled evening will feature two Seminary choirs — Laudamus, the premier seminarian ensemble, and the St. Louis Lutheran Chorale, comprised of Seminary students and their families, staff and musicians from across St. Louis. Performers also will include singers and musicians from Lutheran High School South and other area Lutheran schools and congregations. Selections will include traditional hymns as well as more contemporary and ethnically diverse arrangements.

Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer will give the closing meditation. Attendees will receive a commemorative 500th Anniversary Reformation Service program that will include the meditations on each of the solas — Latin for “alone.”

The service is free and open to the public and will be live streamed at www.csl.edu/live.

Download the poster here.

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 ofThe Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.