“Sing to the Lord a new song!”
Over the years, both the preaching of the Word and the singing of praise have intertwined and constituted a sweet-smelling offering to the Lord God.
In Bethel church, God blessed us both with brothers who had gifts from the Lord to lead and develop the musical ministry, as well as with human potential, young people, brothers and sisters to form the bands that served in the Lord’s church in Bethel.
Regardless of the musical group that plays in the church, the goal remains the same: “to worship the Lord with songs that glorify Him and to encourage the church to worship together with those who sing in front.”
Mixed choir
The musical work of the mixed choir, since the spring of 2017, is coordinated by Daniel Zah, together with Adina Covaci, Daniel Icobescu and Georgel Dumitrașcu. During this entire period, the work has progressed, the repertoire has been improved, and the number of choristers has increased. Lately, many of the young people of the church have joined the mixed choir, their presence bringing even greater freshness to the choir’s worship.
The choir serves almost every Sunday in the church, also participating in events that take place outside the church. The last events in which our church choir took part were the evangelisms at the Church in Reșița, Curtici, Church no. 2 Timișoara.
Our church choir also regularly participates in choral events or where it is invited to form choral ensembles. The last events he participated in were: the Choral Festival “Days of Sacred Music” 30th edition, December 2019 and in the project of the reunited choirs “Maranata”, singing at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest “Hymns of praise to the Lord from heaven.”
Male choir
The men’s choir is active mainly on holidays, led by brother Georgel Dumitrașcu and brings a special specificity to their worship, through the resonance of male voices. In addition to their involvement in our church, the choristers serve in the Men’s Choir of the Baptist Churches in Timișoara as well as in the United Men’s Choir of the Baptist Churches in Banat, a work started at the initiative of brother Georgel Dumitrașcu, with brother Achim Pele joining in 2015.
Brass section
The sound of brass has brought much joy to the Bethel church through the service of the brass band since 1966. Like the other musical groups of the church, the brass band participates in the glorification of God and in worship, both through hymns sung only by the brass band instruments but also through songs that are sung together with the Church. Starting with 1993, brother Olariu Ștefan took over the service as conductor of the brass band until the present, then the work of the brass band continued with the conductor brothers Icobescu Dani (2008-present) and Caracoancea Daniel (2009-present).
The Bethel Church Band has participated in various events both in Romania and abroad, including the participation in Budapest and Rome at the UN Conferences on stopping infanticide. It has also participated in several Band Competitions in Arad, Bocsa, Lugoj, etc., and at the County Band Festival in Buzias, where our church band has been participating since 1997.
Orchestra
After a break of several years, in the spring of 2019, the church’s symphony orchestra was re-established and coordinated by brother Daniel Caracoancea, brother Daniel also founding the Betel Brass Quintet.
With the re-establishment of the orchestra, the Choir-Orchestra ensemble begins to serve again, under the guidance of Brother Daniel Zah.
Children’s choir
The church’s children’s choir brings joy to the church through occasional programs they perform during church services, especially during holiday programs, but also throughout the year. Sister Adina Covaci took over the children’s choir and is currently in charge of training and conducting this choir.
Ukulele choir
The bell choir
A more special musical service is given by the church’s bell choir. In 2013, the activity of the bell choir was resumed through the ministry of brother Dani Icobescu, Deia Lucuța and Andreea Icobescu. Later, sister Delia Dumitrescu joined the group of bell choir conductors.
Also within this ensemble, bell quartet groups also operate.
The repertoire covered includes both hymns and contemporary Christian songs.
Over the years, the bell choir has participated in various actions: evangelism, weddings, charity events, carol concerts, etc., bringing glory to the Lord and joy to the listeners.
The bell choir is divided into three groups of 11-12 people each, divided into different age categories, forming a total of approximately 35 instrumentalists.
Girls’ choir
In 2015, brother Achim Pele founded the girls’ choir, at first exclusively with girls from the mixed choir, 12 in number, along the way other girls from the church and from other churches joined, reaching a number of 32 choristers. During this period, the girls’ choir made many missionary visits both in the country and abroad: Serbia, Austria, Moldova, Italy, Hungary.
Praise and Worship Teams
One of the most important roles in the ministry of praise and worship teams is to encourage congregational worship. The role of worship teams is to glorify God and lead the church in worship. There are several praise and worship teams made up of young people who sing both vocally and instrumentally. Their ministry takes place both in Sunday services, with the entire church, and in youth meetings on Tuesday evenings. There are several brothers who serve and lead these teams: Andrei Bulzan, Florin Micicoi, Andrei Bejinar, Timi Cacacoancea, Ionică Olariu.
Also, once a month, the large youth group of the church sings, where brothers and sisters from family groups often participate. This youth ensemble approaches different musical styles, more classical – gospel style, or more contemporary – worship style, which allows both young people and older brothers to find themselves together in worshiping the Lord.
The Lord deserves all the glory for this work of service and worship that is taking place in our church. We want it to expand more and more and attract as many people as possible to this ministry. We desire to joyfully sing the old hymns that define our faith and also to remain relevant in the times we live in, bringing and singing a new song to the Lord.
~Music Department Coordinator Daniel Zah
Presbyter Ionică Olariu