The shape of the sanctuary
symbolizes the cupped hand of God and provides an intimate seating
arrangement. This provides a sense of being close to one another
and to the three places in the worship service from which the
means of God's grace are conveyed: pulpit, altar and font.
Our sanctuary's furnishings
include:
ORGAN:
This beautiful instrument was entirely handmade by John Nordlie of
Sioux Falls. It is a tracker type which means the valves in the
pipes open and close by mechanical action much the way a piano
operates. The sanctuary was acoustically designed to ensure a good
performance by the organ.
CROSS: The large, wooden
cross was made from a single oak tree. The rough wood represents
the cross as an instrument of torture and death on which Christ
was crucified. Within it is a white metal cross, a symbol of the
resurrection of our Lord. This theme is repeated in the exterior
cross above the building.
JACOB'S WELL: The focal
point of the narthex is the well. It reminds us that the entrance
into the Christian community is through baptism. As it was with
the well of old, this is a place around which people gather to
share everyday experiences, laugh, exchange greetings and bid
farewell. It is central to this communal space and is a place that
welcomes children.
HANGING MOBILE: Handmade of
oak by Rev. Glenn Anderson of Lake Park, the circle represents the
world, and the cross represents Christ's victory over sin and
death and the promise of salvation. The inserts in the mobile
change with the church seasons:
Advent: Stump of Jesse
A prophecy of the coming of Christ, Isaiah 11:1 reads, "There
shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch
shall grow cut of his roots."
Christmas: Star
Placed at the end of the branch, the star reminds us of the
birth of the Christ child.
Epiphany: Three
Crowns. The three crowns represent the Epiphany, the visit
of the three wise men as told in Matthew 2:1-12.
Lent: Lamb with
Cross Throughout the Bible, the lamb is a symbol of Christ.
The lamb shown with a cross signifies Christ's suffering and
death.
Easter: Butterfly
A common symbol of the resurrection and eternal life, the
butterfly leaves the cocoon and soars upward with a new body.
So also through Christ, His followers are born to a new
life.
Pentecost: Dove
The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
Pictures
by Robin Sand-Anderson
