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A number of symbols have been employed in the design of the sanctuary to help it speak to the worshipers of their Christian Faith. The center aisle sweeps forward to the chancel area where it focuses n the Communion Table and the Baptistry. The Communion Table is symbolic of the sacrifices of Christ and of the presence of His Sprit with us. The Baptistry is symbolic of the response of man to God's love in Christ and the renewal of life which accompanies this response. On the doors of the Baptistry is a low relief sculpture of the Descending Dove, a symbol of the receiving of the Holy Spirit at the time of baptism, as Jesus experienced the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Him at the time of His baptism. Each of the four sections of the dove is made of three different metals, a symbol of the Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit... Above these symbols in the chancel is mounted a large wooden Cross, a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ and the symbol of our Christian Faith. On the outside of the building, and above the main entrance, is another Cross, and the glass pieces in the doors of the sanctuary are in the shape of a Cross. Also, Crosses can be seen on each chandelier. The spire at the south edge of the roof is a symbol of the fact that we recognize a supreme Being beyond us, a God who creates and judges and loves and forgives and redeems and who is source of strength and guidance. The engravings on the pew ends are of three symbols: the Sheaf of Grain and the Cluster of Grapes, which are symbolic of the Lord's Supper; and the Open Bible, symbolic of the Word of God. The Pulpit and Choir areas are those places from which the Word of God is presented and interpreted through the spoken word and the word sung in anthems. The Art Glass in the east window of the nave gives color to the inside during the daytime, and the Art Glass in the south windows behind the chancel gives color to the outside as these windows are illuminated at night. The color of these windows is symbolic of the beauty and vitality and joy of life lived as a follower of Christ. The beautiful Offering Plates, made of the same wood as are the pews, are symbolic of the giving of our lives in God's service. The two brass candlesticks and the candles, one on either end of the communion table , are symbolic of Christ as the light of the world. This is taken from Jesus' statement, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) To keep to a minimum any sense of separation of the worshiping congregation from the chancel areas, the Cancel Rails were made to be open instead of solid. This tends to draw the worshiping congregation to the focal point of the worship setting. As the worshipers leave the nave, they view the are glass window in the north wall of the nave. This is both beautiful in color and rich in meaning. Readily, one sees the cross in the center of the window. The vertical arm of the cross forms the Greek letter "Rho," similar in design to the English letter "P". The vertical and horizontal arms of the cross form the Greek letter "Chi", similar in design t the English letter "X". This is the Chi Rho monogram, traditional symbol for Christ. "Chi" and "Rho" are the first two Greek letters in the Greek word "Christ", so this is an abbreviation for the word "Christ". From the arms of the cross and the Chi Rho emblem are diagonal lines representing a fish net. Also, there are fish. This is a symbol for the challenge of Jesus to Peter and Andrew and all of His followers, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17) When twelve fish are used, this is a symbol of the twelve apostles, and there are twelve fish in the design of this window. In the beginning of the church when Christians faced great persecution because of their faith, the fish, which reminded them of eating with Jesus during His ministry and after His Resurrection, became a secret sign by which they identified themselves to one another as followers of Christ. Thus, the window becomes a symbol of willingness of the Christian to face persecution for his faith. This window is a symbol of the challenge to witness as a Christian. It confronts us as we leave the experience of worship in the sanctuary to go forth with the Gospel message into the world in which we live. |
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