Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N. Queen St., Lancaster, will observe the 150th anniversary of its founding on Sunday, April 21. The church began as a Sunday school mission of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Lancaster.

Two special events will lead up to the anniversary day: a choral service with a choir cantata and a lecture about the present Grace Church building. On Sunday, April 7, the choral service will feature the cantata "Christ Lay in Death's Strong Bands" by Bach, complete with soloists, choir, string orchestra and organ.

David McConnell, director of music at Grace, will lead the church's 25-voice choir and soloists in the choral work, which is based on the words of Martin Luther. The melody was written by Luther's musical assistant Johann Walther in 1524. Luther's text deals strongly with redemption from sin through Jesus' victory over the grave, and each movement of the closes with a joyous "Hallelujah."

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Verkouw, pastor, will lead the congregation in the evening prayer liturgy, some of it also sung.

Additionally on Sunday, April 14, Gregory Scott, a Lancaster architect and a scholar on the work of C. Emlen Urban, will speak on the current Grace Church building, one of Urban's notable public buildings in Lancaster. Scott recently released "The Urban Legend: the Life and Legacy of C. Emlen Urban," which features the Grace Church building as an example of Urban's work.

Both events will begin at 4 p.m. and offer free admission. Grace Lutheran Church is located at North Queen and James streets, Lancaster. Parking will be available a half-block south of the church on North Queen Street in the city parking garage between Lemon and James streets. Parking vouchers will be available upon request to those who use that facility.