A huge crowd of 157 people from the St. Richard’s Episcopal and St. John Lutheran congregations and beyond came together Saturday, October 21, to enjoy the finest an Oktoberfest celebration has to offer.

Oktoberfest 2017 proved to be a smash hit for the scores of people who attended the event at St. Richard’s in Winter Park. The event featured German food and beer, karaoke, games, and more.

It was the second of four planned events by the two churches that commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. St. John Lutheran Church also is located in Winter Park.

“Oktoberfest was a huge success in bringing together people from the St. Richard’s and St. John Lutheran’s congregations, as well as people from our local neighborhood association, TACA,” said St. Richard’s rector, the Rev. Alison Harrity. “Taking advantage of free advertising from the Orlando Sentinel, several people from as far away as Sea World saw the ad and came to the event. There were at least six people who found the event through the paper.”

The event began with pretzels and beer cheese, German Riesling wine, and St. John parishioner Terry Lindsey with Constellation Brands serving donated beer, including Ballast Point, Funky Buddha, St. Pauli Girl, Corona and Pacífico, Harrity said.

Additionally, Deadly Sins Brewing Company in Winter Park donated a five-gallon keg of Her Name Is Amber amber ale, and Romane Roach, a home brewer from St. Richard’s, brought his Marzen-style home brew.

As for food, Ron Lee from St. John prepared homemade red cabbage, as did St. Richard’s German-born parishioner Linda Jakubisin. Cindy and Bob Borr of St. Richard’s made homemade sauerkraut that they started more than one month ago, and fellow parishioner Larry Youngsteadt made 100 servings of his special German potato salad, Harrity said.

Bratwurst, knockwurst and roasted chicken were store-bought and also offered at the event. But the real surprise may have come with dessert. Organizers invited people to bring their favorite apple dessert to Oktoberfest.

“The dessert table was a masterpiece of goodness,” Harrity said. “Strudel and chocolate, apple pie, apple cake, apple crisp. There were so many desserts that we prepared to-go containers for many folks.”

Janet Thrane of St. Richard’s provided musical entertainment with karaoke, and organizers also ran an Oktoberfest trivia contest.

The following day, Sunday, Oct. 22, the two churches did their pulpit exchange, with senior pastor, the Rev. Tom Lyberg, preaching at St. Richard’s, and Harrity preaching at St. John.

“The feedback from the congregations was positive, and we agreed to collaborate at least once a year on an event together,” Harrity said. “In addition, the relationship that St. Richard’s has with the TACA neighborhood association was strengthened as more of our neighbors experienced the open-inclusive love of our Episcopal church.”

Here is the remaining worship schedule that is part of the Reformation Celebration:

Oct. 29 – Reformation Anniversary Worship –

10:15 a.m., St. John –

Reformation Celebration Worship.

Performance of “May God Bestow on Us His Grace” by joint choirs.

Reformation Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Dale Truscott.

St. John is located at 1600 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park. For more information, call St. John at 407-644-1783 or St. Richard’s at 407-671-4211.