Baccalaureate atBethanyCollege
May2,2026•10:30am
keep rising Baccalaureate atBethanyCollege
This year’s Commencement theme, “Keep Rising,” reflects the spirit of a class that completed their degrees during a pivotal time for both the College and the wider world. These graduates have learned not only through coursework, but also through moments of transition, renewal, and resilience. Their experiences remind us that perseverance the ability to adapt, imagine, and continue building forward is a form of creativity. As they leave Bethany, they carry with them the understanding that learning, like hope and faith, is a lifelong journey best pursued in community.
The procession for our Baccalaureate Service begins at Bethany Lutheran Church in recognition of the College’s beginnings in the sacristy of that church
On October, 15, 1881, The Rev Carl Aaron Swensson and Professor J A Udden met there with ten students (four young women and six young men) for the first classes of Bethany Academy Students today participate in this walk twice: once at orientation as first year students, and then again as part of Baccalaureate on the day of their graduation. In doing so, we find our place in the rich Bethany College narrative, with educators, community members, and students who have paved the way for us, and those who will follow in our footsteps
The altar for special worship occasions in Presser Hall was designed and constructed by Norman Baasch, BFA ’57.
Topreventcongestionandtoallowfacultymemberstoformtheaisleofhonor, pleaseremainseateduntilthegraduatesandacademicprocessionhaveleftthe auditorium.
Incaseofemergency,pleasefollowverbalinstructionsgivenonstage Guestsintheupperlevelshouldexitusingthetwostairwellsoneachofthe westandeastsides.
Worship Leaders
Presiding Minister
Preacher
The Rev. Donna Simon Bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Donna Simon is the fifth bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Her territory covers all of the states of Missouri and Kansas, including 149 congregations, multiple campus ministries, four synod-authorized ministries, and two outdoor ministries. She also serves on the Governing Board of Bethany College.
Rev.SimonholdsaBachelorofArtsdegreeinEnglishLiteraturefrom SanFranciscoStateUniversity,aMastersofDivinityfromPacific LutheranTheologicalSeminaryinBerkeley,California,andaDoctorof MinistryfromLutherSeminary,St.Paul,Minnesota.
InOctoberof2000,shewasordainedextraordinem,inviolationof churchpoliciespreventingLGBTQIA+leadersfromservingasordained ELCAclergy Whenthosepolicieschangedin2009,Simonwasreceived totheELCAclergyroster.SheservedSt.MarkHopeandPeace LutheranChurchinKansasCity,MOfrom2000untilbeingelected bishopinJuneof2025
BishopSimonispassionateaboutjusticeforallpeople,inclusionof personspressedtothemargins,andherfamily wifeColleen,son Dominic,agreatolddognamedBeasley,andthreeconfoundingcats.
Liturgist
Organist
Choral Director
Gannon Mosher, Class of 2026
Dr. Tyler Boehmer
Assistant Professor of Music, Sacred Music Coordinator, and College Organist
Dr. Troy Robertson
Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities
The Rev. Melissa Woeppel, Class of 2015 Campus Pastor
Rhosymedre
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Dr. Tyler Boehmer
Gathering
Leader:
All:
Leader:
All:
Leader:
All:
Pastor Melissa Woeppel
Welcome,youwhohavejourneyedfarandyouwhohavecomefromjustdownthestreet.
Wegathertocelebrate&givethanks.
Valkommen,youwhoknowwhat'snextandyouwhoarestillfiguringitallout. Wegathertocelebrate&givethanks.
Bienvenidos,youwhoarerootedintheplaceandyouwhoarereadytospreadyourwings. Wegathertocelebrate&givethanks.
Pleasebeseated
Recognitions
TheCardinalandtheRoller
TheCardinalandtheRoller Inthedry,opengrasslands
Arollerflitsanddarts, Quitewonderfully. Flashinglilac,rainbowhues, Beneathacacia’sshelteringcrown. Asignofhopeintimeoftrial, Piedheraldofswiftsurvival
Takewing,bravebird, Flyandfindyourwind; Makeyourmusicwhereyouwill, Andbebeautiful
Onasnow-dustedbough Acardinalappears, Quitesuddenly Brilliantcrimson,inkyblack Againsttheprairie’swintrypall Asignofwisdomintimesuncertain, Brightheraldofwelcomechange. Takewing,bravebird, Flyandfindyourwind; Makeyourmusicwhereyouwill, Andbebeautiful
FirstReading Acts8
Leader:
All:
Dr. Laura Crawley President
Susan LaBarr
Bethany College Choir
Dr. Troy Robertson, Director
Across land and sea They fly together now, Quite naturally Voices joined from separate skies Their song is peace in brilliant harmony; Hope renewed, a gold day dawning, Ardent heralds of a new tomorrow Take wing, brave birds, Take wing and fly together; Make your music, where you will, And be beautiful!
-Charles Anthony Silvestri
WordofGod,Wordoflife
ThanksbetoGod!
Gannon Mosher
SecondReading Luke24
Leader:
All:
WordofGod,Wordoflife
ThanksbetoGod!
TheKin-domofJesus
Towhatshallwecomparethekin-domofJesusifnotaseed? It'ssmall,it'ssown,it'stendedandgrownandit'splantedinyouandme. Itsbranchesneverbreakanditsfruitneverwithers.
Hiskin-domisnotofthisworld, Orofanykingdomwhoseruler'sfaceisonapenny. Hecomestomakeallthingsbrightandputanewwineinus He'schosenthesmallthingstooutlastthegreat, Themeekandthemercifultoshinethroughthehate, ThoughitseemssomedaysthatHellanditsgatesareprevailing. Oh,saycanyouseethekin-domwithinusisthekin-domofJesus?
Towhatshallwecomparethespiritofthehourifnotasword? Itcallstoenticeus,enslavesanddividesusinviolence,helpusLord!
Hiskin-domisnotofthisworld, Orofanykingdomwhoseruler'sfaceisonapenny. Hecomestomakeallthingsbrightandputanewwineinus He'schosenthesmallthingstooutlastthegreat, Themeekandthemercifultoshinethroughthehate, ThoughitseemssomedaysthatHellanditsgatesareprevailing. Ohsaycan'tyouseewehaveoneallegiance?
It'stothekin-domofJesus
Thelovethatisinusisgreaterthananythingintheworld.
Thiskin-domisnotoneofslanderorrage, ButonethatisruledbytheLambwhowasslain, Andisworthyofwisdomandhonorandgloryandstrength
Nopain,nodivision,nopublicdisgrace, Willcomparewithseeingthesmileontheirfaces, Aswewelcomeallaschildrenwithplacesatthetable Nodeath,nothreat,norpowercaneverseparateus, FromtheloveofGodforeverinChristJesus
OtherkingdomsshallallpassawaybutnottheWordthat'swithinus, It'sthekin-domofJesus
Jon Guerra and The Porter’s Gate Mandy Todd, Class of 2005 and Russ Ware
Bishop Donna Simon
Bishop Donna Simon
Pastor Melissa Woeppel
Our prayers today will be spoken and sung. Between spoken petitions or intercessions, we will sing the response together...
Nadateturbe NothingCanTrouble
TheLo
Leade
All:
OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeyourname. Yourkingdomcome,yourwillbedone,onearthasinheaven. Giveustodayourdailybread;andforgiveusoursins, Asweforgivethosewhosinagainstus. Saveusfromthetimeoftrialanddeliverusfromevil. Forthekingdom,thepower,andthegloryareyours,nowandforever. Amen.
Theassemblyisseatedandgraduatesremainstanding
Prayers
BlessingoftheGraduates
Aaron’sBlessing
Please stand in body or spirit and sing responsively
Leader:
All:
Now may God bless you and keep you
Now may God bless you and keep you
Now may God bless you and keep you
Now may God bless you and keep you
And be gracious to you
And be gracious to you
And may God’s face shine upon you
And may God’s face shine upon you
And may God’s face shine upon you
And may God’s face shine upon you
May God keep you in perfect peace
May God keep you in perfect peace
Sending
Leader:
All:
God bless our parting.
Jesus send us with courage.
Holy Spirit lead us in the ways of life.
Go in peace
Amen
Recessional
Dr. Tyler Boehmer
Pastor Melissa Woeppel
Prelude in D Major
J.S.Bach