{"id":169,"date":"2014-01-16T16:15:32","date_gmt":"2014-01-16T20:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=169"},"modified":"2021-02-22T15:13:04","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T20:13:04","slug":"sanctuary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=169","title":{"rendered":"Sanctuary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taking Sanctuary<\/span><\/h2>\n

The room that we call the “Sanctuary” in our building is more than an auditorium.\u00a0 It is a place designed to clear our minds of the things of the world and to focus our thoughts on God.\u00a0 It is filed with traditional “Churchy” elements that help bring about this environment.\u00a0 Let’s take a closer look at some of these “tools” that we can us to bring us into a closer worship experience with God.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Altar Table<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"sanctuary-Altar-100_1880-300x213\"<\/a>The altar has its historic basis in the altar of the Hebrew Tabernacle (and Temple) where the animal sacrifices were made.\u00a0 Following the Levitical Law, the sacrifices made on this table were intended to atone for sins and bring us back into a right relationship with God.<\/p>\n

But in our Christian faith, we believe that Christ made that sacrifice once and for all by his death on the cross.\u00a0 And so, on the center of our Altar Table is the cross, which symbolizes that sacrifice.\u00a0 The table also holds the candles which symbolize the Holy Spirit’s presence with us as we worship.\u00a0 The altar table also holds an open Bible, which symbolizes the yielding of our thoughts and will to to God’s Word as contained in the scriptures.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h4>\n

Altar Rail<\/span><\/h3>\n

Although physically separated from the Altar Table, the rail and kneeling pad along the front of the Sanctuary is functionally connected to the Altar Table (or simply “Altar”).\u00a0 The Altar was (and is) a place where we humbly meet with God to confess our sin, acknowledge His holiness and authority, and to open ourselves up for change.\u00a0 The Altar Rail is frequently used for celebrating the Lord’s Supper (Communion), Commissioning people for special missions, or for the giving of our financial gifts or commitments.\u00a0 Kneeling before God adds a physical sense of humility and submission, and the altar rail is a special place for prayer.<\/p>\n

Paraments<\/span><\/h3>\n

The colors of the “banners” and of the cloth on the alter table aren’t just for decoration.\u00a0 The colors are symbolic and remind us of the cycle of the Christian calendar .

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Read More<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

In the Christian tradition a system of colors is used in stoles, paraments and banners to symbolize the seasons of the Christian year. Green is the color of Kingdomtide, and is used to symbolize our growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministries of Christ.<\/p>\n

On the left banner are wheat and tares. The wheat represents the good crop, the faithful. The tares are the weeds, the wicked. Both will live side by side until the day of judgement. (Matthew 13:24) The alpha and the omega (the beginning and the end), symbolize the everlasting nature of the divinity of Christ.<\/p>\n

On the right banner are grapes on the vine which represent Christ and His disciples. With the wheat they signify the bread and wine of Holy Communion. The symbol on the banner is the Communion chalice. On the altar and pulpit paraments the cross represents the atonement of Christ, and the redemption of man. The equilateral triangle represents the Holy Trinity; God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, being equal, yet one.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Christian seasons and colors used, check out this “Chuck Knows Church” video.<\/p>\n