Riverside's Eden Lutheran Church is commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation with an Organ Concert featuring David Christensen. On 1517 Martin Luther, a Catholic priest, posted 95 theses for discussion on the church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. This led to the formation of Protestant churches. Pieces from composers Richard Purvis, Johann Sebastian Bach, Martin Luther and others will be featured. Members of the Raincross Master Chorale directed by William Brakemeyer will also perform.

The concert will take place on Saturday, October 21, at 4:00 in the afternoon.

David Christensen will be performing on Eden's custom-made, three manual, thirty-seven rank Moller organ. He is the Carillonneur at UCR and provides the campus with weekly carillon concerts. At the University he teaches both organ and carillon students. Mr. Christensen has been Eden's organist and music director for more than 19 years. He is also an accomplished composer and arranger of music for organ, piano, voice, and hand bells.

The concert is at Eden Lutheran Church, 4725 Brockton Ave. The public is welcome. A freewill offering will be accepted to benefit Eden's music ministry and the Chorale's scholarship program.

Tuesday, October 24

6:30 p.m.

Mudd Theater at Claremont School of Theology

1325 N. College Avenue, Claremont

Come and see the new film for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation and then hear Rick Steves discuss its relevance for today. Admission is free!

For more information, click here.

For a PDF version of the flyer below, please click here

You are invited to a joint-sponsored Lutheran, Anglican, and Roman Catholic Service of Common Prayer on Sunday, October 29, 2017, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It will take place in the beautiful church of The Immaculata on the campus of the University of San Diego at 3:00 p.m. There is designated parking and a light reception will follow. 

The event is sponsored by the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Bishops from all three traditions will be participating. The service both commemorates an historic movement as well as celebrates the gift of strong ecumenical relationships that shape Christianity today, and in particular, the San Diego area. People from all denominations and faiths are welcome. 

More information, posters, and flyers are available on the diocesan website. 

Questions? Contact the Rev. Eleanor Ellsworth, 858-472-4966. Clergy are not being asked to vest for this service.

Please plan to join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on Tuesday, October 31, as she co-hosts a commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

The event, which will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, will include speakers and a service, will be at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Bishop Eaton will be joined by co-hosts Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop Bill Gafkjen, ELCA Vice President Bill Horne and Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod Bishop Dick Graham.

The event is open to the public and will be available online via livestream. The livestream link is: elca.org/livestream. All are invited to participate and honor the Reformation anniversary as we bear public witness to Christ, who frees us to love and serve our neighbor, and as we look to the future to which God is calling us.

For more information and a detailed schedule of the day's events, please go to the event website.

For a downloadable flyer, click here.

Lutheran Services in America has shared the video below for congregations to use in their own settings. As Lutherans, caring for our neighbor is deeply rooted in our belief that we are saved by grace freeing us from being focused on ourselves and opening us up to care for others.  Our call to care for all is as relevant-and important--today as it was 500 years ago. On the LSA website , you will also find other Reformation resources.

500 Years and Counting