Easter

Renewed Life

Find yourself on the streets of Jerusalem, or should we say…Hesston, in a radio play written by Michele Hershberger, Bible professor, and performed by area pastors. Interwoven with scripture and music from Bel Canto Singers, experience the traditional Holy Week story through the lens of modern day events.

Community members are invited to bring a lawn chair for socially-distanced seating to participate in the service on Mar. 28 at 3 p.m. in the Mullet Drive parking lot, located north of Hesston Mennonite Church. Drive-in parking is also available with the program transmitted locally at 107.1 FM.

Join the live stream at www.hesston.edu/livestream, watch the complete Renewed Life playlist or select from the scenes below for a daily journey through Holy Week.

Prelude playlist

As the Deer Runs to the River…..Christopher Uehlein (1931-2019): Karen Unruh, organ
The Peace may be exchanged from Rubrics…..Dan Locklair (b. 1949): Ken Rodgers, organ
Wondrous Love…..John Behnke (b. 1953): Karen Unruh, organ
Pastorale on ROCKINGHAM…..Norman Gilbert (1912 – 1975) “When I survey the wondrous cross”: Ken Rodgers, organ

Scene 1: At Lincoln Perk

John 12:12-19: Kay Schroeder, Hesston Mennonite Church
Ride On, King Jesus…..Spiritual, arr. Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949): Dr. Holly Swartendruber, soprano; Ken Rodgers, piano

Scene 2: Back at the Perk

John 13:1-15: Bryce Hansen, Hesston United Methodist Church
Jesus Took a Towel…..Chrysogonus Waddell (1920-2008): Bel Canto Singers; Alyssa Nolt, piano; Natalie Ladd, violin

Scene 3: At Dyck Arboretum

Matthew 26:47-56: Scott Miller, Kingdom Life Ministries
Ah, Holy Jesus…..arr. Richard Walters: Dr. Holly Swartendruber, soprano; Ken Rodgers, piano

Scene 4: At Lincoln Perk

John 18: 15-18, 25-27: Jess Engle, Hesston Mennonite Church
What Love Is This…..Kari Jobe, Lincoln Brewster and Mia Fields: Anna Banman, soprano; Karen Unruh, piano

Scene 5: On Dutch Avenue, on the phone

Matthew 27: 32-54: JL Martin, Hesston MB Church
Blessed Lamb, On Calvary’s Mountain…..Beach Springs, arr. K. Lee Scott: Bel Canto Singers, Kelly Miller, piano
He Was Wounded…..Craig Courtney (b. 1954): Bel Canto Singers, Alyssa Nolt, piano

Scene 6: In Michele Hershberger’s basement

John 20: 1-3: Katherine Goerzen, Tabor Mennonite Church
Early in the Morning…..A. P. Van Iderstine: Bel Canto Singers
The Ground from Sunrise Mass…..Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978): Bel Canto Singers, Ken Rodgers, piano

Scene 7: At the Eastlawn Cemetery

John 20: 11-18: Ron Moyo, Whitestone Mennonite Church
Christ Is Risen…..Paul Sjolund (b. 1935): Bel Canto Singers, Ken Rodgers, piano
Low in the Grave He Lay…..Robert Lowry (1826-1899): Alyssa Burkholder, Ethan Klassen, Alexander Miller, Kelly Miller, Alyssa Burkholder, quartet
Lift Every Voice and Sing…..John Rosamond Johnson, arr. Jon Nicholas: Bel Canto Singers
Cornerstone…..Shawn Kirchner: Bel Canto Singers
Alexander Miller and Kara Longenecker, soloists
Anna Banman, Alyssa Nolt and Kara Longenecker, trio
Karen Unruh, piano

Postlude Playlist

Oh, That I had a Thousand Voices…..David Cherwien (b. 1957): Ken Rodgers, organ
This Joyful Eastertide…..John Behnke (b. 1953): Karen Unruh, organ
The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done arr. J. Wayne Kerr (b. 1958): Karen Unruh, organ

Music Resources

The Hesston College Music department is preparing music resources that may be freely used as part of worship services for Lent and Easter. Check back for upcoming videos posted to this page or subscribe to the Fine Arts Youtube Channel. Email finearts@hesston.edu if you would like to receive direct notifications of newly added resources or to just let us know that we have joined you for worship.

Lent and Holy Week

As the Deer Runs to the River – Karen Unruh, organ
The Peace may be Exchanged – Ken Rodgers, organ
Ride on King Jesus – Holly Swartzendruber, voice; Ken Rodgers, piano
Wondrous Love – Karen Unruh, organ
Ah Holy Jesus – Holly Swartzendruber, voice; Ken Rodgers, piano
When I Survey – Ken Rodgers, organ
Jesus Took a Towel – Bel Canto Singers; Alyssa Nolt, piano; Natalie Ladd, violin
He Was Wounded – Bel Canto Singers; Alyssa Nolt, piano
Blessed Lamb – Bel Canto Singers; Kelly Miller, piano

Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices – Ken Rodgers, organ
This Joyful Eastertide – Karen Unruh, organ
The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done – Karen Unruh, organ
Christ Is Risen – Bel Canto Singers; Ken Rodgers, organ
Cornerstone – Bel Canto Singers; Karen Unruh, piano
Early in the Morning – Bel Canto Singers

Acknowledgements

Bel Canto Singers

A special thanks goes to Michele Hershberger, Nick Ladd, Ken Rodgers and Micah Hurst for collaborating to create this event. Extra thanks to Michele for taking these ideas and creating a script.

Area Pastors involved in recordings that are not listed as scripture readers include Brad Burkholder, Isaac Landis, Clayton Gladish and Kevin Wilder. Thank you to Dori Roth and Lincoln Perk for making this a fun project and to Larry Bartel for filming and website support.

Easter – Renewed Life