Faith
The Faith Editor is Josh Copeland. You may contact him at joshuatrevorcopeland@gmail.com
Former student-led worship team returns for performance By Hannah Rundell As alumni prepare to reunite with their old classmates during homecoming weekend and current students begin planning for basketball and celebration, there is one event that is likely to be overlooked. On Friday, Feb. 10, a Homecoming Vespers Service will be held at 8:30 p.m. in the Christ’s Chapel. Current students and more recent graduates may not be familiar with the term “vespers.” But to alumni who experienced Vespers Services when they were students at ORU, this is a chance to get together with their past classmates once again and worship. According to Dean of Spiritual Formation Clarence Boyd, Vespers was a Sunday night student-led service in the cafeteria, which were quite popular and averaged several hundred students each week. What some may find unique about the Homecoming Vespers Service is that, according to Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations Jesse Pisors, the Alumni Association Board of Directors made the decision for past worship leaders to lead the Friday night service: Patti Holcombe Thompson, Jeff Ling, Tim and Monica Amstutz, Brannon Carnes, and Laura Cooke. “We will have people from all the different de-
cades,” Pisors said. Also, the Rev. Larry Stockstill will be speaking at the service. Stockstill graduated from ORU in 1975. According to Pisors, this is not the first time Vespers services have been held for homecoming. “It has been done before, but it has been several years and has not been done often,” Pisors said. Although Vespers services occurred mainly in the 1970s and 1980s, current students have recently been participating in student-led campus worship. “We are working right now with chaplains and International Worship Center to plan this semester’s campus worship events,” Boyd said. Although the Homecoming Vespers Service is geared toward returning alumni, current students are certainly welcome to attend. When the past ORU students and leaders join
8 • Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 • THE ORACLE
Courtesy Photos
the current ORU students in worship next weekend, it won’t matter whether a student graduated in 1978 or is merely a second semester freshman. As everyone joins together, they will find “It’s Where They Belong.” Between the Vespers and Souls A’Fire, ORU has a rich musical history that continues to grow to this day.
Above: Students congregate in Saga for Vespers during the 1970s. The informal services were held on Sunday nights and included praise and worship and a short message. At left: Campus chaplain Bob Stamps breaks concludes a Vespers service with Communion.
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