Before entering Thanksgiving Break, the university family will join together in a service of praise during the chapel hour on Monday, Nov. 25.

This year, the Thanksgiving Praise Service, under the direction of Mrs. Laura Brundage of the music faculty, and titled “Praise Him,” will focus on praising God.

The theme of “Praise Him” will be presented in three different sections featuring praising God’s name, God’s works and God’s power.

Instrumentalists from the BJU orchestras and bands, along with Dr. Ed Dunbar on the organ and Dr. Ken Renfrow on the piano, will accompany the singing during the service. The BJU Chorale will open the service with “I Sing the Mighty Power of God.” Dr. Jason Ormiston will read Scripture throughout the service to transition into the various sections of “Praise Him.”

“My goal this year was to make it a more traditional Thanksgiving program,” Brundage said. She planned the program and chose the music during the summer with this thought in mind. “The songs we will sing in the service are focused on giving thanks to God for His good gifts to us,” she said.

One of the songs, “Now Thank We All Our God,” is a favorite of Brundage as well as the overarching theme of the praise service. “It’s a hymn we don’t sing very often,” she said, “but I enjoy the text.”

The congregation will join the choir to sing the majority of the songs.

The Thanksgiving Praise Service is a different chapel format as well as a different kind of singspiration. Many students look forward to singing praises to God before the coming break and to reflecting on His goodness throughout the semester.

“I am excited about the program. I look forward to it every year,” Brundage said.