Prayer Points

November 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

How we wish you could all visit the St. Paul campus on a warm and sunny autumn day! The beauty of the fall colors, the intensity of students engaged in learning, and the activity offered by fall sports and music events all contribute to an energizing experience. We praise God for the beauty and wonder of Bethel's San Diego campus and East Coast locations, as well. Soon, we Minnesotans will covet the warm sunshine of Southern California!

The 53rd Annual Festival of Christmas concert, performed December 3-5, is just around the corner. So, our November prayers focus on the Department of Music in the College of Arts & Sciences. Jon Veenker, chair of the music department, is grateful for your prayers for the festival but also for the department's ongoing teaching and performing.

Every year talented musicians participate in a host of musical events on and off campus. Many of the student musicians are not music majors. In fact, Jon tells us that over 80 percent of the musically talented participants are preparing themselves for other careers and professions. Music will provide them with a lifetime of joy as an avocation. At Bethel all students are welcome to join in the joy of making music and bringing honor and praise to God in the process. Thanks for your prayers on their behalf this month.

May this bountiful season of harvest and gathering together provide for your rich times with family and friends and fill your hearts with joy.

Grace and peace.

The Bethel University Department of Music includes 10 full-time faculty members, 30 part-time faculty and staff, 10 performing groups, and many smaller ensembles. There are 75 music majors and minors and over 400 students participating in the department in some way. Thank you for your prayers for them this month.

For the 53rd Festival of Christmas

Praise that plans for "Sing We Now of Christmas: A Festival of Carols" have come together with careful thought and prayer as to content and emphasis.
Pray for the health of the conductors and student performers.
Pray that rehearsals for the concerts on December 3-5 would go well for conductors and students; that they would be able to focus their attention, even in the midst of their busy end-of semester schedules, and be thorough in their preparation.
Pray that the message will be powerfully and clearly communicated through the music and musicians.
Pray that attendees will be touched deeply by the truth and hope of the Christmas story.

For Touring Groups

Praise that the Orchestra fall tour to Chicago and Milwaukee was successful. They performed eight times in five days at schools, churches, and a senior living center.
Pray that the planning process for spring tours will lead to a full and worthwhile tour schedule for each touring group—the Bethel Choir in Arizona and southern California, the Wind Symphony in Colorado, and the Women's Chorale in Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Pray that the churches and other settings will respond positively to the invitation to host Bethel's groups.
Pray for the safety and health of each group as they travel.

For Music Scholarships

Praise for donors who have made music scholarships possible.
Pray that the music department will be wise in their selection of scholarship recipients.
Pray that those who deserve and need scholarships will receive them.
Pray for those who do not receive scholarships but are still called to be at Bethel to find a way to make it possible.

Other

Pray for the interaction between campus ministries and the music department as they work together towards authentic, diverse, God-honoring worship.
Pray for the new chapel choir; for growth in numbers, excellence, and unity.
Pray that the students will experience a larger image of God as they expand their worship resources and styles.
Pray for the music faculty as they use their gifts to develop musical gifts in students.
Pray for the professors as they teach courses and private lessons to individuals and groups. May they challenge students with affirmation and encouragement to develop their talents for the glory of God and in service to the Church.

October 2009

Dear Praying Friends of Bethel,

Homecoming weekend was a joyous celebration with more than 1,500 alumni on campus reconnecting with each other and Bethel. The First Lady of Minnesota, Mary Pawlenty, was honored as the Distinguished Alumna of the Year. Many voices chimed in to laud her intellect, integrity, heart of compassion, and willingness to humbly serve others. Leith Anderson, pastor of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, where the Governor's family attends, said this of Mary: "I know her not by an impressive list of titles but simply as Mary, a good and godly woman who...combines quick intellect, articulate expression, delightful humor, serious reflection, and spiritual passion in everything she undertakes. These days, her influence is greater, but her character is what it has always been." We congratulate Mary on this recognition and thank God for her life of faithfulness and service.

Alumna Ruth Hubband, back for her 25th reunion, shared a wonderful story about her prayer team, led by Don and Nadine Dye. Ruth, now senior vice president for Wycliffe USA, and her father, Jim, hosted the group in their Orlando home on Saturday morning. Using Bethel's website, they prayed through the virtual tour of campus—from Florida! Their prayer team definitely wins for longest Bethel Prayer Walk! We are always interested in hearing your stories.

Bethel is thriving this fall, with strong enrollment and full utilization of the Brushaber Commons. Some alumni saw the Commons for the first time at Homecoming and were awed by this great gift. Many of you prayed for the capital campaign which helped fund the Commons, and we hope you will have an opportunity to see it in person.

President Jay Barnes recently appointed David Clark as Bethel's first university-wide provost—an answer to your prayers! This month David offers praise and prayer requests from his vantage point. He and his wife, Sandy, director of corporate and foundation relations in the Office of Development, have served at Bethel for many years. Before her current role, Sandy taught at the college, while David taught in the seminary and later served as dean of the Center for Biblical and Theological Foundations. Both of their sons are Bethel graduates and married. Ryan recently married his Bethel love, Rachel Stensrud; Tyler and his wife, Renee, met after he graduated.

As always, we thank you for participating with us at Bethel through your prayers.

Praise

For a great start to the academic year in all units (College of Arts & Sciences, College of Adult & Professional Studies, Graduate School, and Seminary)
For an enthusiastic homecoming weekend
For record enrollment in the College of Arts & Sciences this fall despite economic difficulties; the other units are also showing strong enrollment
For dedicated staff and faculty that continue to impact the lives of Bethel students
For amazing students who come to Bethel to prepare for the callings God has for them

Prayer

For energy, insight, and grace, during this first year as provost
For wisdom in developing new strategic planning processes and in executing those processes for the future of Bethel University
For grace and cooperation in times when changes will have to be made and adjustments become necessary
For continued protection this year for all Bethel University faculty, staff, and students
For strength and discernment during the continuing transition and team-building for the entire leadership team
For a personal discipline of rest and rejuvenation by the provost during a very busy year of transition