Why do we celebrate Oktoberfest? St. Luke’s originally began with members of families who had immigrated to the United States from Germany. Our first church services held at St. Luke’s were in German and English, and the ladies of the church held traditional sauerbraten suppers.
Of course, Martin Luther, himself, also hailed from Germany! Therefore, we celebrate Oktoberfest as a way of remembering our story, and also a way of remembering the story of the Protestant Reformation, which began when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. Luther’s theses called for a reform in the Roman Catholic Church of his day, declaring that the purchase of indulgences did not earn anyone a place in heaven, for salvation is a gift of God, and we sinners are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, not by any works of our own!
And not only do we remember Luther, but we also celebrate the story of his wife, Katharina, who escaped from a nunnery in a herring barrel. She would continue to give her life in service to God and to the church alongside her new husband, Martin, as they helped their community and provided space in their home for fellow theologians and students, paving a new way for God’s words of grace to be heard by all.
Come celebrate with us at St. Luke’s on October 25th at 5PM. We will have delicious food and a live Oompah Band. Click the link here to register!