- Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer is offered Monday through Friday at 11:15 a.m. each day classes are in session. See samples of some of our services: Tuesday morning prayer, Wednesday Matins, Friday morning prayer, Morning Prayer during Holy Week.
One of the coolest things about the Chapel’s Morning Prayer services is they’re led nearly every day by students from a variety of backgrounds. Morning Prayer during Chapel Break (11:15 to 11:35 a.m.) is a time for students, faculty and staff to gather together as a community of faith. Whichever days of the week you choose to come share a pew, there’s time to connect with others before or after with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Why not make Morning Prayer a daily habit? We’ll look for you at 11:15 a.m.!Living Easter beyond Valpo: Senior speaker series
As we head toward the end of the school year, we’ll be hearing from more seniors at Morning Prayer with a speaker series called "Living Easter beyond Valpo." Our speakers for the coming weeks are:
Tuesday, April 17 – Emily Seitz
Friday, April 20 – Michael Dobler
Tuesday, April 24 - Beth Olejniczak
Friday, April 27 - Paul Albers
Tuesday, May 1 - Elyssa Salinas
Friday, May 4 – Sam Maxey
Tuesday, May 8 – Laurie Kenyon
Wednesday, May 9 - Caleb Kortokrax
On Reading Day, May 9, the Chapel will have a reception after Morning Prayer at 11:15 a.m. to thank everyone who has been a part of Morning Prayer this semester, and to recognize graduating seniors who have been on the Chapel staff this year. Please be sure to join us that day. Morning Prayer then moves to 10 a.m. for Finals Week.
Morning Prayer the first week of Easter
Have you ever wanted to know more about the beautiful stained glass windows of the Chapel? Join us for Morning Prayer April 9-13 when speakers from the theology and art departments will share with us about the Creation, Redemption and Sanctification windows and about the Christus Rex. We will be worshiping at the east end of the building all week. Morning Prayer begins at 11:15 a.m. and is 20 minutes.
Speakers are:
April 9 - Dick Brauer, Associate Professor Emeritus of Art - Creation Window
April 10 - Fred Niedner, Professor of Theology - Redeemer Window
April 11 - Matins service
April 12 - Gregg Herzleib, Director of the Brauer Museum of Art - Sanctification Window
April 13 - Sarah Jantzi, Assistant Professor of Art (with Praise Band) - Christus Rex
Morning Prayer during Holy Week:
Monday-Wednesday, April 2-4 "Morning Prayer during Holy Week"
Thursday, April 5 - Service of footwashing - Diane Marten
All services are 20 minutes, beginning at 11:15 a.m.
What's Your Part? A Lenten speaker series
While many Christians practice “giving up” something for Lent, this year at the Chapel our focus is on Lent as a time of service and renewal. At Morning Prayer, we will begin a speaker series called “What’s your part?” on Friday Feb. 24th. You can hear speakers on Tuesdays and Fridays. Speakers planned are:
- Feb. 24 Rev. Charlene Cox
- Feb. 28 Nicole Wilkin (SALT)
- March 2 Dr. Amy Cory
- March 20 Dr. Christopher Cock
- March 23 Jake Halpin
- March 27 Marcy DeVries
- March 30 Allison Cath
Remember, Morning Prayer is offered each week day at 11:15 to 11:35 a.m.
Stories of the Church around the globe:
The Christian church is growing with great rapidity in the southern hemisphere and the Pacific rim. We have the opportunity to connect with other Christians in prayer and song and to learn from them and their expressions of faith.
Our focus for Morning Prayer in Epiphany
A new prayer service on Thursday mornings at the Chapel seeks to build on that opportunity. As we pray and sing we also commit to becoming better informed about these churches and how we can live together as the body of Christ through mutual work. Twice each week (Tuesdays and Fridays) we will focus on different regional churches and their current situation, hearing stories from the people in our own campus community who have spent time in these areas of the globe.
Scheduled this semester are:
Jan. 17 - Rev. James Wetzstein
Jan. 20 - Laurie Kenyon
Jan. 24 - Dr. Christoffer H. Grundmann
Jan. 27 - Megan Robbins, speaking about her experience in Guatemala
Jan. 31 - Rev. Bill Wrede, from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, speaking about ministry to the hearing impaired
Feb. 7 - Dr. Chuck Schaefer, Chair of the Department of International Studies and Chair of the International Service Program
Feb. 10 - Deac student Erica Wickstrom
Feb. 14 - Stacy Hoult-Saros
Feb. 17 - Pete Johnson
Feb. 21 - Rev. Brian Johnson, the Taize community
Morning Prayer is offered Monday through Friday at 11:15 to 11:35 a.m. each day classes are in session.
The Stories Behind the Music of Advent
Come hear the background of some of the music of Advent, as part of Morning Prayer beginning Nov. 28. (Click on the links to either hear or read each speaker's comments.)
A variety of campus speakers will speak briefly about hymns such as "Lo! He comes with Clouds Descending" and "Unexpected and Mysterious." Just prior to Morning Prayer from Nov. 28 through Dec. 9th, musicians from across campus will provide special music for the season, an event known as Music Under the Gallery.
Speakers at Morning Prayer will be:
Mon., Nov. 28 Rev. Brian Johnson, Executive Director of Campus Ministries
Tues., Nov. 29 Dr. Fred Niedner, Professor of Theology
Wed., Nov. 30 Maura Cock, Lecturer in Music
Thurs., Dec. 1 Colleen Degen, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship staff member
Friday, Dec. 2 Dr. Dennis Friesen-Carper, Reddel Professor of Music
Mon., Dec. 5 Rev. James Wetzstein, University Pastor
Tues., Dec. 6 Rev. Charlene Cox, University Pastor
Wed., Dec. 7 Dr. Joseph Bognar, Chair, Department of Music; Associate Professor of Music
Morning Prayer speakers in Fall 2011-12:
Tuesday, Aug. 30 - Rev. Brian Johnson, Executive Director of Campus Ministries
Friday, Sept. 2 - Alissa Kretzmann, Senior, Chair of the Social Action Leadership Team (SALT)
Tuesday, Sept. 6 - Dr. Fred Niedner, Professor of Theology
Friday, Sept. 9 - Jim Sarkisian ('VU 80), President of the Valparaiso Community School Board
Tuesday, Sept. 13 - Dr. John Ruff, director of the Valpo CORE program
Friday, Sept. 16 - John DeWyze, St. Teresa's
Tuesday, Sept. 20 - Dr. Carolyn Leeb, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology
Friday, Sept. 23 - Richard Brauer, associate professor emeritus of art
Tuesday, Sept. 27 - Dr. Kraig Olejniczak, Dean of the College of Engineering
Friday, Sept. 30 - John Webster, senior
Tuesday, Oct. 4 - Dr. Julien Smith, Christ College
Friday, Oct. 7 - Erin Moeller, senior
Tuesday, Oct. 11 - Dr. Matt Ringenberg, Social Work
Tuesday, Oct. 18 - Dr. Sam Graber, English
Friday, Oct. 21 - Austin Hill, senior, Theology major, Praise Band leader
Tuesday, Oct. 25 - Dedication of sculpture in memory of Rev. Darlene Grega
Friday, Oct. 28 - Katie Mattmiller
Tuesday, Nov. 1 - Rev. James Wetzstein
Friday, Nov. 5 - Jacob Just, senior
Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Keith Freeman
Friday, Nov. 11 - Krista Schaefer
Tuesday, Nov. 15 - Dr. Mark Bartusch
Friday, Nov. 18 - Dr. David Western
Why come to Morning Prayer?
Dr. Fred Niedner, professor of theology, shared recently why he makes Morning Prayer a priority:
"I come here even on days when I don’t feel particularly “devotional” or “spiritual” because I need to stay in practice. I run, ride a bicycle, and do other crazy things on machines at the YMCA because my body will atrophy and my arthritis will cripple me if I don’t. I need to stay in shape. Similarly, I pray with people like you partly because by this time in my life, I’ve been crucified a few times, so to speak, and I know I need to keep practicing prayer."
Read his full thoughts on the subject here.
But you don't have to be a theologian to enjoy Morning Prayer. Students, faculty and staff from all areas not only worship together, but also are invited to speak.
Read about Morning Prayer for 2010-11.