BCMC hosted the annual Bethel College Baccalaureate service on May 18.  Once again, it was a wonderful celebration together with graduating seniors, their families and friends, and the wider church community.  The poignant reflections shared by students, parents, and faculty members moved many of us to tears. The music offered by graduating seniors reflected the tremendous gifts and talents that have been nurtured over the years at Bethel College. The candles lit by graduates reflected the blessings that will light their way into the future. And the songs sung by the congregation and the Bethel College Concert Choir embodied both our connection with each other and the relationship with God that is expressed within community.  The hugs, tears and smiles that filled the sanctuary following the service were clear evidence of that!

Baccalaureate is just one expression of the relationship that BCMC has with Bethel College.  It is a privilege, gift and calling that we should not take for granted.  This relationship is an invitation for our congregation to help shape the life of college students, and an opportunity for us to be enriched and challenged by those same students together with their faculty, staff and families.

Experiences like Baccalaureate give new meaning to the words of the Apostle Paul shared in the service that day:  “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9).

May it be so!

– Heidi Regier Kreider, pastor