A new worship experience in Selma brings together old and new.

On Sunday, the Rev. Tilahun Mendedo, president of Concordia College, will preach the inaugural sermon at the chapel on the grounds of the former United Methodist Children’s Home.

Services will begin at 9 a.m. The community is invited to join students, faculty and staff for worship.

“We are pleased to open our chapel and our campus to the community as we raise our voices in praise to our Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” said Mendedo.

The college purchased the grounds last year. The United Methodist Children’s Home built the chapel and provided a chaplain to provide services for its youth on campus.

Now, Concordia brings the chapel full circle by hiring a chaplain and re-opening the chapel for students who live on the newly purchased campus.

Concordia’s new chaplain, the Rev. LaVaughn Wiggins will lead the worship services and student will participate with music, scripture readings and prayer.

The college already offers chapel services on campus for students three mornings a week; this time is the first it offers Sunday morning worship.

“We encourage our students to attend local churches,” Mendedo said.

“They can still do so — one of the reasons we are holding our service at 9 (a.m.) is to allow participation in other churches.”

Members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Black Clergy Caucus and Synod president, the Rev. Matthew Harrison will dedicate Concordia Chapel Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m.

Students and staff will also participate in the service.