The Berne, IN Sesquicentennial (150th) celebration occurred between July 24th through 28th in Berne, IN.
The Berne, IN Sesquicentennial (150th) celebration occurred between July 24th through 28th in Berne, IN.
A special event including our organ was held Wednesday, July 24th at 7:00 PM.
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"Thanks Be To God" An Evening of Celebration & Song Wednesday, July 24 at 7:00 pm
A Spiritual Heritage Night
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A native of Berne, Indiana, Mr. Donald Neuen conducted the Choir of over 200 voices made up of Berne/South Adams County residents and friends of the community from an 80 mile radius surrounding Berne. Mr. Neuen is currently the Professor of Conducting and Director of Choral Activities at UCLA. In the fall of 1996, Mr. Neuen took the position of Artistic Musical Director of the Los Angeles based Angeles Chorale. He also accepted the position of choral conductor for the internationally televised Crystal Cathedral choir in 1999, and is part of Robert Schuller's Hour of Power. |
 | Keith Reinhard, former Berne resident, was the keynote speaker for the event. He is currently Chairman of New York-based DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc., one of the largest and most creative advertising agency networks in the world. He has been named by Advertising Age magazine as one of the 100 most influential advertising figures of the 20th century. |
The church, which seats 2,000 people, was completely full during the event, as can be seen by the pictures below. Two rooms of extra seating (with 300+ chairs each) were available in the Chapel and Fellowship Hall of the church, and additional seating was available in the Swiss Heritage Village (retirement center) Auditorium. The event was televised to the three external sites. It was quite a moving event with song, a bit of history, and presentations. Several special guests attended, including the Mayor of Bern, Switzerland, the Switzerland Ambassador to the United States, and several others.
One of the special highlights of the event was the fact that an appearance was made by Don Neuen's 95 year old mother, who now lives in Tennessee, and served as organist for First Mennonite Church for many years. It was a very emotional moment for them to be re-united in this church for this event.
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| Don Neuen addressing the congregation flanked by the Sesquicentennial Choir. Dr. Scott Lehman is seated at the console. |
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| The guy in the front row of the balcony, in the center, with the white suit coat (one of the few who dared wear a suit in the heat!) is the organbuilder. |
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| A picture taken one hour prior to the event showing people already seated eagerly anticipating the event. |
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| About a half-hour prior to the event, the balconies were virtually full. People were waiting at the doors to see if there was more space available in the sanctuary before heading downstairs to one of the overflow sites. |
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| Standing left of the console and discussing what to do next on the main floor are the co-chairmen of the Berne Sesquicentennial: Mr. James Beitler, Jr. and Mr. Floyd Liechty. |
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| Kelly Liechty, vocalist, singing a solo number during the Prelude portion of the program. |
Following is the program from the event:
Thanks Be To God
An Evening of Celebration and Song
July 24, 2002
Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
First Mennonite Church
Berne, Indiana
Prelude Let All Things Now Living arr. Nielson and Young Mary Beth Huser, Piano; Dr. Scott Lehman, Organ
O Rest in the Lord (from Elijah) Felix Mendelsohnn Kelly Liechty, Vocalist; Karen Moser, Piano
Now Thank We All Our God arr. Stephen Walley Jared Schwartz, Piano
How Great Thou Art arr. Manna Music, Inc. Brad Zehr, Saxaphone
Qui sedes dexperam Patris (from Gloria) Antonio Vivaldi Kelly Liechty, Vocalist; Karen Moser, Piano
Great Is Thy Faithfulness arr. David Clydesdale Mike Wilson, Piano
Welcome and InvocationRev. G. Craig Maven, First Mennonite Church
Hymn of PraisePraise to the Lord, the Almighty Stralsund Gesangbuch
AnthemsMr. Donald Neuen, Conductor Berne Sesquicentennial Song arr. M.E. Stauffer from a Swiss melody; ed. Fred Stauffer and Brent Hyman Let Thy Holy Spirit Paul Tschesnokoff The Heavens Are Telling (from The Creation) Joesph Haydn Kelly Liechty, Alto
Brian Habegger, Tenor
Fred Stauffer, BassGod So Loved The World John Stainer Eternal Life Olive Dungan Ain'-a That Good News William Dawson
Bernished BrassThe Heavens Declare arr. Chuck Seipp When I Survey arr. Gordon Schuster All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name arr. Paul Edwards
Inspirational MessageBe Always Good Mr. Keith Reinhard, Advertising Executive
AnthemsIt Is Well With My Soul arr. John Ness Beck How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling-Place (from Requiem) J. Brahms Oh, Have You Not Heard Asa Hull
Adams County Children's ChoirMrs. Chris Hyman, Director; Mr. Curt Amstutz, Trumpet
Sing Out With Praise Sally K. Albrecht Dona Nobis Pacem Mary Lynn Lightfoot
Combined Choirs and BrassCarol To Beauty arr. James Quitman Molholland
AnthemsHallelujah Corus (from Messiah) G.F. Handel Worthy Is the Lamb (from Messiah) G.F. Handel
Presentation of GiftsMr. James Beitler, Jr., Sesquicentennial Co-Chairman Mr. Floyd Liechty, Sesquicentennial Co-Chairman
Closing Remarks and PrayerRev. Randall Luther, Cross United Church of Christ
Hymn of ResponseNow Thank We All Our God Johann Cruger
PostludeFugue in G Minor (from Prelude and Fugue in G Minor) Marcel Dupre Merlin Lehman, Organ
© 2002, Schneider Pipe Organs, Inc.
