Feature
by Beth Coleman
"You're never one way with a person, and you're never one way with God," Ms. Lineburg said.
Previous Features | Send mail to The Voice
Vesper service flourishes
The smell of incense filled Multnomah's small Prayer Chapel. The candles perched on the sills of the stained glass windows illuminated the pages of The Order For Evening Prayer. Students crammed into pews, and some stood in the back to participate in the Vesper Service.
According to Dr. Daniel Scalberg, coordinator and visionary behind the Vesper Service, "The service is simply a different way to worship, not necessarily a better way to worship. [The service] is the opportunity to pause and be quiet before God."
Dr. Scalberg started holding the services about two years ago to meet the requests of "students desiring a worship and prayer service more solemn and contemplative than those being offered on campus."
Vesper is a Latin word, meaning evening. Multnomah's Vesper Services are held at 4:30 p.m. once a month.
The service includes scripture reading, singing and congregational prayer. A time for silent prayer is also allowed during the service.
Administrative assistant Amy Lineburg leads all of the songs, along with senior Joel Thomas.
Dr. Scalberg usually spends about 30 minutes preparing for the service.
Ms. Lineburg spends 30 minutes helping with advertising. Another hour of her time goes into getting the liturgy ready. Thomas and Ms. Lineburg practice together at least once a week.
According to Ms. Lineburg, the Vesper service is "a way for me to express myself. You're never one way with a person, and you're never one way with God."
When the service started two years ago, attendance was usually six to eight people. During the second year, attendance began to grow, and 12-20 students were attending the service.
This semester the service suddenly took off, according to Dr. Scalberg. Those attending have consistently filled the Prayer Chapel.
However, Dr. Scalberg does not see the service moving to a bigger venue anytime soon. "I have no interest in taking over Central Bible," Dr. Scalberg said. "Once I do, it's a big deal. And I don't want this to be a big deal. I want to keep it intimate and voluntary. I don't want it to be part of the required chapel program. That would be self-defeating."
Services will be held on March 16, April 13 and May 4 at 4:30 p.m. in the Prayer Chapel. "
Beth Coleman's dream is to travel the world and experience many different cultures.
Previous Features | Top Of Page
Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website
© 2000 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.