Events 1

The 150th Anniversary Worship at the Overture Center was a
magnificent celebration. Bethel pastors, staff, and volunteers
received numerous comments of praise for the music, the three
videos, the introduction of past Bethel pastors, and other
special moments during the service. It is estimated that about
2,000 people attended.

Many Bethel members were unaware of all the work that went
into the service. A 150th Anniversary Committee, chaired by
Gary Dalgaard, has been working for almost two years to plan
the 150th Anniversary theme (150 Years of Telling the Story)
and schedule the events that would make up the celebrations
for this year. One worship service was to be the pinnacle event
for the celebration and the Site Committee (Pr. Bill White, Sue
Bakke, Carolyn White, Ed Young, and Kari Douglas) chose the
Overture Center.

The Madison Symphony Orchestra had performances at the
Overture Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8 and
9. They agreed to let us have our event at the Overture on
Sunday morning.

Two major committees were formed to work out the details for
the event: The Worship Committee and the Operations
Committee. Kari Douglas was on both committees and
coordinated details of each. The Worship Committee decided
the many details of the service including the baptisms, bulletin,
and music. The Operations Committee organized the details of
seating, video productions, and worked with the Overture
Center staff to make it happen. John Shanda and Gary
Dalgaard led this committee.

We were fortunate that the setup used by the Madison
Symphony Orchestra was similar to what we needed for our
event. A large cross was commissioned from the Overture’s set
design staff and hung. The large screen that was raised and
lowered from the back of the stage was ordered from
Milwaukee months ago. It was agreed that it should not be
lowered when the organ was being played.

Special music for the event included God of Ages, Light, and
Glory written by long-time friend Pr. Herb Brokering. Alleluia!
Tell the Story and the Celebration Anthem were both written by
Bethel’s Music Director, Gary Lewis. Gary also wrote
corresponding organ, brass, and children’s parts for his hymns.
The many hours of rehearsal showed in the music; it was
excellent.

We are thankful to Charles Thomley for assistance at directing
the choir and playing the organ (Gary was not able to be in two
places at once) and to all the choirs and instrumental groups
that participated.

The three videos were important pieces in the service as they
highlighted and detailed the reason for our celebration. The Past
script was written by Susan Stein, The Present by Chuck
Thomley, and The Future by Gary Dalgaard and Pr. Bill White.
Dave Friske, Director of Media, spent many hours producing the
three videos. In addition, he and his crew arrived at the
Overture at 5:00 am. to set up and test their equipment before
videotaping the service. A DVD of the service will be available
at a later date.

The offering collected at the Overture worship will go to the
world-wide ministry of Bethel.

Steve Nelson, Bethel’s cook, baked 1,000 croissants and
prepared all food from scratch to serve 800 people at Bethel
after the celebration.

We thank all who attended this service and helped make it be a
magnificent event.

—Sally Averkamp