21. THE NAVE

We gain a closer view of the nave and its features from the central aisle.

22. PULPIT AND FONT

The sanctuary furniture is simple, attractive, and beautifully kept. The pulpit banner bears a well known Christian motif of three intersecting arcs, alluding to the Trinity. We might also see the fish symbol here, reminding us of Christ’s command to the disciples to be ‘fishers of men’. The fish was also a symbol of recognition used by early Christians. The Paschal candle reminds us that Christ is the Light of the world. The font is used to baptise infants, and is recognized as a rite of entry into the Christian church.

23. EAST WALL BANNERS

These matching banners are on either side of the altar. The left banner has the message ‘Grow in Christ’, with a small plant shown growing from the Bible. The right banner has the words ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ and shows an Anchor – Cross with the symbols Alpha and Omega for Christ. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

24. ALTAR FOCUS

The Cross and altar are the central focus of this Church. Around the altar is a railing where members of the congregation can come and kneel to receive the Elements of the Lords’ Supper.    

25. ALTAR

During Communion the Elements of the Eucharist are placed on the altar.  This altar has an interesting motif carved at front centre. It is a quatrefoil design containing the Alpha and Omega we have seen before, and a central Chi-Rho symbol. Chi and Rho are Greek letters: the first two letters of ‘Christ’ in Greek. Very Christ-centred!

26. CRUCIFIX AND BIBLE

Typical of the Valley Lutheran Churches, a Crucifix and Bible stand on the altar. The Bible is supported by a brass missal stand, this one presented by the wife of Ronald Angas, a great-grandson of George Fife Angas. I am intersted that the Crucifix is so central to Lutheran worship. Even though Martin Luther is strongly associated with the Protestant movement, the Lutheran Church has retained Anglo-Catholic ties. This completes our tour of Zion Church.