First United Lutheran Church, 6202 E. Mockingbird, Dallas, will host its Second Annual Midsummer Night Celebration on Sunday, June 28, 5:00-10:00pm.
Traditional throughout Europe and known as “Johannistag” (St. John’s Day) the day marks not so much the summer solstice as it does the mid-day between Christmas celebrations. The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, six months before the birth of Jesus, is observed by the Church on June 24. The midsummer celebration at First United Lutheran Church will consist of music, art, worship in the German language, and a festive party.
The art exhibit will focus on “Despair and Hope” and will consist of loaned pieces of art from private Dallas collections, from the Museum of Biblical Art, from the Southwest Gallery, and from Alan Barnes Fine Art. Of special note this year are rare graphics from the reknowned German artist, Kaethe Kollwitz.
The music, including two classical music concerts at 5:00 and 6:00 will feature Cliburn Foundation IPCOA finalists Clark Griffith, Marisa Haines and Robin Green. Additionally, premiering at the festival will be three pianists from the Young Artists program at SMU, directed by Dr. Catherine Lysinger.
Suré Eloff, a singer from South Africa, trained in London will perform, and a small chorus from First United Lutheran Church will invite the audience to join in singing old German folk songs.
The formal afternoon of art and music will conclude at 7:00pm with Abendgebet (German Vespers) with organist David Boothe at the Wilhelm Organ. Dr. Russell Vardell, pastor at First United Lutheran Church, will officiate and Bishop (em.) Mark B. Herbener will preach. Knights of the Order of St. John (Johanniterorden) will also participate. An English translation of portions of the service will be available.
The evening will end with a Midsummer Night Party on the church patio, sponsored by the Johanniterorden.
There is no charge for admission, but freewill offerings will be accepted at the concerts, at the service, and at the Midsummer Night Party.
This is the Second Annual celebration of Midsummer Night (Johannistag) at the First United Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.