Reformation Day Service 2025 Reflections
Rev Caleb Oh
The Lutheran Church in Singapore gathered at Bedok Lutheran Church on 31 October 2025 to celebrate Reformation Day under the theme The Gospel in Luther’s Hymns.
Cover of the Souvenir Booklet
We sang five of Martin Luther’s hymns:
- A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
- Out of the Depths I Cry to You
- Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
- Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
- Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord
Some were familiar, while others were new to us. Below are three reflections from that meaningful evening.
1. Each Hymn Is a Message, an Exhortation, or a Mini-Sermon
Luther’s hymns preach even as they are sung. Each one is an exhortation, filled with the gospel’s truth and promise. The words teach, encourage, and comfort all at once.
As we sang together, we were proclaiming our faith—the same faith Luther confessed 500 years ago. These hymns remind us that worship is not only our offering to God but also God’s gift to us. Through these hymns, He speaks His Word to our hearts, assuring us of His grace and strengthening our faith.
As we sang, our hearts were reassured that God’s truth still stands firm. His Word is living, His promises never fail, and His grace abounds. Truly, these hymns were mini-sermons that pointed us back to Christ—our fortress and our peace.
The story behind “A Mighty Fortress” in the Souvenir Booklet
2. The Hymns Encourage the Faithful
Luther’s hymns are full of courage and hope. Singing them together strengthened and encouraged all of us. Their words encourage us that though life may bring challenges, God remains faithful, and His grace is always sufficient.
The melodies lifted our hearts and united our voices as one. It was beautiful to see the whole congregation—young and old—joining in with joy and conviction. In that moment, the gospel binds us together as one people under one Lord.
The hymns call us to keep trusting in God’s promises, to remain steadfast in His Word, and to keep singing—even as we live in an uncertain world.
Bishop Anthony and Rev. Lu exhorting the gathered faithful
3. The Hymns Flow from Luther’s Journey of Faith
What makes Luther’s hymns so powerful is that they arise from his own journey of faith. He wrote out of his struggles, his prayers, and the comfort he found in God’s Word. He knew the weight of fear and guilt, but he also knew the joy of forgiveness and freedom. His hymns were born from a heart set free by Jesus’ grace and truth.
As we sang his hymns, we joined in that same journey—from fear to faith, from doubt to trust, from self to Christ. These are not just historical hymns; they are living testimonies of faith that still speak to us today.
The Gospel once transformed Luther. The Reformation service reminded us that the same gospel he rediscovered continues to speak to our hearts. As we keep singing his hymns, we too bear witness to that same gospel—that Christ alone is our refuge, our fortress, and our Saviour.
The gathered faithful encouraged in worship, and …
enjoying the feast and fellowship.