Music

We offer a children's choir (K-5th), directed by Nancy Smith, that meets each Sunday following Sunday School. All children attending Sunday School will attend Wesley Singers. This group performs the 2nd Sunday of every month (during the school year), wearing Wesley Singers t-shirts (provided by the church). Come and be a part of this growing choir.

For the adults we have Chancel Choir, directed by Kathy Knee. This is a non-audition choir. We meet each Wednesday evening at 7:30 again through the School year.

And last but certainly not least, we have a bell choir, directed by Jo Ann Briner. If you have never heard hand bells, we invite you to worship on the third Sunday of the month to hear this beautiful addition to worship. Pastor Frances says she can almost see the angels dancing when the bells play.

Our former bell choir director, Betty Merrill, has decided that it is time for her to retire as our long time bell choir director. Betty has graciously given Bethany 28 years as bell director, and many other years as the chancel choir director. Betty, we love you and will miss you, we thank you for all your years of service. For such a tiny lady, you've left some very big shoes to fill.

We would like to acknowledge and thank Betty Merrill for the loving and generous gift of having the music "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" commissioned by Cynthia Dobrinski in honor of the Bethany Handbell Choir. Betty has faithfully directed our choirs for 30 years. The honor should be Betty's. The choir received a standing ovation on Sunday, December 16, 2007.

Dear Bethany Family,

WOW!!! How do I begin to say thank you for the wonderful retirement party you gave me on August 24th. I was so surprised to receive the beautiful plaque that Pastor Frances presented to me. It will hang in my office at home and be a constant reminder of how much Bethany means to me. I never dreamed that in 1958, when Reverend Vern Livengood asked me to direct the High School Choir and later the Chancel Choir that it would become such an important part of my life. I did that for five years before moving to Nigeria. In 1980, when we had retired and moved to Goddard, Reverend Dean Rose told me that I would be directing the new Handbell Choir. I said, "what is a handbell choir," and began learning. When the need arose, once again I began directing the Chancel Choir. Several years later, I retired from the position of directing the Chancel Choir but continued with the Handbell Choir. This spring when I decided it was time to retire completely, I made that difficult decision. Bethany has been and will always be a vital part of my life. I am not leaving Bethany but will continue to be a part of it, only in a different position. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our music ministry under my leadership and who will continue to support it in the future. Music is such an important part of worship.

This is the first time in our 11 years of married life that Harold and I have lived alone in our home. In the beginning, my daughter Cindy lived with us. Then Mother moved in with us and before long Cindy married and moved to Ft. Smith AR. We were blessed to have each one of them with us. Now we are feeling a huge void in our lives. Bethany has been there for us through so many phases of our lives. I have been a member of Bethany for 60 years (even though I only profess to be 39). Thank you Bethany, for all of your love and support.

After directing music for 33 years, I will miss it very much, but know the ministry is in excellent hands. Thank you again for the honor you bestowed upon me for my retirement. I appreciated all of the cards, best wishes, cake and luncheon. Bethany you are fantastic and I love you all.

Ringing and Singing Praise,

Betty Merrill