BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 10, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr [VT 38] (J.S. Bach)– Will Wiebe-Friesen                              

Welcome & Prayer—Marlene Faul

*Hymn—Come, Thou Fount— VT 563

Children’s Conversation

Worship Music— Praise the Lord (George Frederic Handel)
Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Scripture Reading—Mark 12:38-44; Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; 1 Kings 17:8-16—Bonnie Epp and Elizabeth Schmidt

*Hymn—I Bind My Heart This Tide—VT 556

Sermon—Generosity, Power, & Wealth 
—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn—Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song— VT 581

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart—VT 554

*Spoken Benediction–Nathan Koontz

Sung Benediction—The Peace of God  (John Rutter)—Chancel Choir     

Postlude—Precious Lord, Take My Hand [VT 610]  (arr. Jack Schrader)
Will Wiebe-Friesen

* You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti

Sunday’s centering music is an excerpt from a chorale prelude by J.S. Bach from his masterpiece 18 Leipziger Choräle. The original tune derives from the Gloria section of the mass, which is normally set to very energetic, thrilling music. Instead, in this setting of the tune, Bach’s writing conveys comfort, a balm for the soul. The gentle, slow accompaniment and pedal line provide a foundation for the richly ornamented chorale melody. This 16-century tune was set to a new text in Voices Together [VT 38] by Catholic composer and librettist Sister Delores Duffner in 2013 and is worth taking a moment to read. I have found working on this beautiful piece a good way to calm my mind after a stressful day or week, and I encourage you to look up the full work by searching “BWV 662” on youtube. I hope that it will be a balm for your soul, too.