The 20th Reformation Sunday 鈥淪inging the Faith鈥� hymn fest at Luther Seminary on Oct. 28 will feature the Augsburg Choir and include other Augsburg connections. The program starts at 7 p.m. in Olson Campus Center.

The theme, “The Apostles鈥� Creed and the Hymnody of Paul Gerhardt,” celebrates the 400th anniversary of the birth of this hymn writer, known as the 鈥淪weet Singer of Lutheranism.鈥� Gracia Grindal 鈥�65, Luther Seminary professor of rhetoric and creator of 鈥淪inging the Faith,鈥� has chosen to focus on Gerhardt鈥檚 hymn, Befiehl du deine Wege (Trust in God), based on Psalm 34. The Augsburg Choir, directed by Peter Hendrickson, will premiere a newly-commissioned work, which introduces a new tune for the hymn, and Grindal is providing a more poetic translation for the hymn text.

This hymn has enjoyed many faith connections since first being sung in the mid-17th century. Methodism鈥檚 founder, John Wesley, heard it while sailing to America with a group of Moravians and translated it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote of it during his imprisonment in World War II. And, the hymn is used as a theme in Johanna Spyri鈥檚 book, Heidi, as the young girl reads its words and grows to understand how God works through difficulties to provide comfort in people鈥檚 lives.

The Augsburg participation in the program marks long and shared traditions between the college and seminary. In addition to Grindal鈥檚 translation, Peter Hendrickson will play the organ and direct the Augsburg Choir. Augsburg musicians will also play in the string/wind ensemble, and President Pribbenow will be a reader.

The commissioned music, a concertato for strings, choir, and the congregation, was written by Dawn Sonntag, adjunct instructor at the College of St. Catherine and director of music at the Norwegian Memorial Lutheran Church.

A German dinner at 5:30 p.m. will precede the program in the Campus Center; the cost is $15. For information, contact the seminary鈥檚 communication office at 651-641-3451.

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