Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School will begin its weekly community worship services Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. in Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel on the theme, “The Word of the Lord Endures Forever.”
“The Word of God has always driven what we do at Beeson Divinity School, and, though we have a new dean now, it always will,” said Douglas A. Sweeney, dean of Beeson Divinity School. “The Word of the Lord remains forever and continues to do what it says it does in our world, our lives, our ministries and our school. Our chapel services this term will shine a light on what the Bible says the Word is and does by the Spirit in our midst.”
The spring term will begin with the formal installation service of Sweeney as Beeson’s second dean during Opening Convocation on Jan. 28. Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, will give the convocation address and Samford President Andrew Westmoreland will preside.
Weekly community worship services on the theme, “The Word of the Lord Endures Forever,” include:
Feb. 4: Ronald D. Sterling, Isaiah 40:6-8
Feb. 18: Cokiesha Bailey Robinson, 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Feb. 25: Charlie Dates, 1 Peter 1:25
March 3: Frank Thielman, Hebrews 4:12-13
March 24: Douglas Webster, James 1:19-27
March 31: Kristen Padilla, Amos 8:11-14
April 14: Mark DeVine, Isaiah 55:1-11
Several special events and lectureships are also coming to Hodges Chapel this fall.
This February, Beeson will observe its inaugural African American Ministry Emphasis Month to honor the faithful ministry of African American Christians, especially those connected to Beeson and Samford. The emphasis will feature Beeson alumnus Ronald D. Sterling, director of student services and lecturer in pastoral studies at Beeson; Beeson alumna Cokiesha Bailey Robinson, founder of Cross Spring Ministries in Dallas, Texas; and Charlie Dates, senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois.
Feb. 11-13: Beeson’s annual Biblical Studies Lectures will take place Feb. 11-13. This year’s lectures will be given by Ray Van Neste, dean of Union University’s School of Theology and Missions and professor of biblical studies. Van Neste will preach Feb. 11 during community worship and deliver two lectures on the Pastoral Epistles Wednesday and Thursday in Hodges Chapel at 11 a.m.
March 17-19: Jared Alcántara, associate professor of preaching and the Paul W. Powell Endowed Chair in Preaching at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, will deliver the annual William E. Conger Biblical Preaching Lectures, March 17-19. He will preach a sermon entitled, “Preaching God in the Wild,” during community worship March 17, followed by two lectures March 18-19 in Hodges Chapel.
April 7: World Christianity Focus Week sponsored by Beeson’s Global Center will include a worship service on April 7 with special guest Jerry Kulah, District Superintendent of the Liberia Area United Methodist Conference.
Community worship takes place each Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters at 11 a.m. in Hodges Chapel. Worship and lectures are free and open to the Samford and Birmingham community. View the chapel and lectures schedule on Beeson’s website at beesondivinity.com/events.