Youth-led, non-denominational worship event is Sunday at Nobles County Fair
Plenty of planning goes into annual Inspirational Service
- Inspirational Service practice
WORTHINGTON — Every year on the Sunday of the Nobles County Fair, a group of people with ages ranging from infancy to elderly meet in the Olsen Arena to worship.
This year is no exception.
The Inspirational Service is a casual, laid-back worship service that has long been a part of the fair and become a tradition for families involved in 4-H.
“Inspirational Service is a youth-led, nondenominational worship service held annually on the last day of fair,” said Claire Bents, who co-coordinated the event this year. “It gives everyone a break from the hustle and bustle of the fair and allows them to reflect on their busy week.”
Bents has been involved with the service for six years, and has been a co-chair for three of them.
“I got tricked,” joked Bents, when asked how she became co-chair. “No, I volunteered. I got more involved every year that I was in it, and when it was my friend Sarah Jacobs last year, I co-chaired with her, and she trained me in. But I did volunteer.”
The service is like any other worship service, with songs, readings and a message. However, this year’s service will be a bit different from those in the past.
“This year we are trying something brand new by adding a praise band element to the service,” Bents said.
The band is complete with electric, acoustic and bass guitar, a keyboard, a drum set and multiple singers, all played by 4-H members and parents.
“We decided to do a praise band this year so we could showcase the talent within the group,” Bents said.
It takes a lot of work and people to put on the service and make it successful.
“We have a planning meeting about a month before the fair to find out how many people are interested in singing or speaking, and to discuss a theme,” Bents explained.
They then proceed to find speakers, choose songs, find flowers, and design a program, according to Bents.
“Mostly everyone involved are 4-H youth leaders (seventh grade and up) and their parents,” Bents said. “However, some of the Cloverbuds get involved by helping pass out programs and collecting the offering.”
The theme of this year’s service is taken from Matthew 25:40. The message will be given by Doug White, the associate minister at Worthington Christian Church. There will also be a children’s message given by Kristi Kuhl, who is studying to become a director of Christian education. Kuhl was also a 4-H’er for 11 years.
The offering money goes to some type of charity each year.
“We try to donate our offering to charities that were either started by members of our community or have an impact in our area,” Bents said.
In past years, the offering has gone to the Red Cross and the Worthington for Water charity.
“This year we chose All Day FORE Africa (ADFA), which was founded by Kate Lesnar,” Bents said.
ADFA is a non-profit organization that brings money and assistance to a small town in Rwanda, Africa.
For the past several years, Scott and Sue Rose have brought the flowers for the service. Alissa Sauer designed the program this year as well.
The praise band has been practicing at the Worthington Christian Church with the help of Larye Mick.
In the end, it takes a lot of people to put the Inspirational Service together, and quite a few of those people aren’t involved in the 4-H program.
While most attendees at Inspirational Service are 4-H families, the service is open and welcoming to the community.
“I love being a part of Inspirational Service, because it gives us a chance to work together to put forth a product for everyone to enjoy,” said Bents.
The Inspirational Service will take place at 10 a.m. Sundayin the Olsen Arena at the fairgrounds.
Daily Globe Reporter Brianna Darling may be reached at 376-7321.
Tags: nobles county fair, nobles county, news, worthington, faith, religion
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