BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 26, 2025
Anabaptism at 500

 
Christ Candle Lighting
 
Centering Music—Great is Thy Faithfulness [VT 419] (arr. Joel Raney)  Will Wiebe-Friesen &  Brad Vogel               
 
Welcome & Prayer— Joanna Harader
 
*Hymn—A Mighty Fortress Is Our GodI—VT 421
 
Children’s Conversation—Esther Kreider Eash
 
Worship Music—O God, Our Help In Ages Past (arr. John Ferguson)–Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
              Congregation is invited to join on verses 1 & 6 in unison      VT 203              
Scripture— I Peter 2:4-12  (CEB)—Brad Born
 
Testimony—John Thiesen
 
Hymn—We Are People of God’s Peace, v. 1-2 only (seated)—VT 797
 
Scripture—I Peter 2:4-12 (VT 381)—Brad Born
 
Testimony—Ardie Goering
 
Hymn—We Are People of God’s Peace, v. 3-4 only (seated)—VT 797
 
Prayers of God’s People—Joanna Harader
 
*Commissioning—VT 928
 
*Hymn—Move in Our Midst—VT 827
 
Birthday Blessing and Benediction—VT 1056
 
Postlude—God of Grace and God of Glory [VT 716] (arr. Joel Raney)–Will Wiebe-Friesen & Brad Vogel                                                                                       

*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
CEB—Common English Bible
Audio visual—Ben Lichti

Today’s centering music and postlude feature two well-known hymns presented as piano and organ duets. Will invited his friend and college music professor, Dr. Brad Vogel, to join him for these duets. The hymn God of Grace and God of Glory (VT 716) is not an Anabaptist hymn per se, but its text seems fitting for a day like this. The tune, CWM RHONDDA (pronounced “coom rawnthuh”) is named for the Rhondda Valley (“cwm” meaning “low valley”) in Wales, where this tune is very much beloved by the region’s famous male choirs. Interestingly, if you were to attend a rugby match in Wales, it is very likely that you would hear this tune sung with great gusto by the fans.