WELCOME TO THE SEASON OF LENT
Our altar has been richly and beautifully decorated for the season, to accompany our journey towards the cross.
Each of the elements that are part of the display are mentioned in the Scriptures, there is a list on the other side of this sheet that you can review and meditate on its meaning during the season.
Each week as you enter the Sanctuary for worship, you are invited to help complete the display by adding one element:
February 26 Lent 1 WATER
March 5 Lent 2 SAND
March 12 Lent 3 ROCKS
March 19 Lent 4 BREAD
March 26 Lent 5 WINE
Here is what the symbols mean and their Scriptural references:
Banner – Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple – Luke 14:27
Water - John answered, “I baptize with water, but among you stands the one you do not know” John 1:26
Sand - Then the spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. Matthew 4:1
Stones - Then the Devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s son order these stones to turn into bread.”
Rooster – Jesus said to Peter “I tell you that before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me” Matthew 26:34
Bread - While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take and eat it,” he said: “this is my body” Matthew 26:26
Wine - Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. “Drink it, all of you” he said; “this is my blood, which seals God’s covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” Matthew: 26: 27-28
Nails - Thomas said to them, “unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe” John 20: 24
Grape Vine - “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener.” John 15: 1
Donkey - “Tell the city of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you. He is humble and rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Matthew 21:5
Wheat - I am telling you the truth; a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains. John 12: 24