St Luke Organ Concert to Feature Patriotic Hymns

Music, church history, and patriotism will come together Sunday, July 12, as St. Luke Lutheran Church invites the community to a special organ concert celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

The free concert begins at 3 p.m. at the church, 1302 W. Oak St., and will be followed by a complimentary ice cream social. Audience members are also invited to join in a patriotic sing-along featuring beloved American favorites.

The concert is part of St. Luke’s yearlong series showcasing the church’s historic Reuter pipe organ while celebrating the central role music has played in Lutheran worship for more than 500 years.

Reformer Martin Luther believed music was one of God’s greatest gifts, famously writing that “next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise.”

A gifted musician himself, Luther encouraged congregational singing and composed hymns that helped make worship more accessible to ordinary people. His bestknown hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” remains one of Christianity’s most enduring musical works.

Church leaders hope the concert series not only highlights the beauty of the Reuter organ but also introduces the community to the rich musical heritage of the Lutheran tradition.

The concert features renowned organist Dr. Katherine Meloan, who has played two concerts at St. Luke this year.