21. NAVE

We now return to the ground level and enjoy the nave. St Michael’s is quite narrow, but the carpet, wall posters and stained timber of pews, pulpit and altar give it a sense of warmth. We look more closely at some of these items.

22. NORTH WINDOWS

There are four stained glass windows along either side of the nave. On each side, the three Westernmost windows have a common format; for some reason the remaining pair are different. Looking at the round motifs, we see from left: • the Lamb with banner (a reference to Jesus as the Lamb of God); • the Cross and crown (a reference to the crucified and glorified Christ); • chalice and grapes (a reference to the bread and wine of the Eucharist). The final window has an orange parasol, but I think this is a design feature without theological significance!

23. SOUTH WINDOWS

Looking at the motifs, from the left: • the orange parasol – same as the window opposite in the North wall; • saling ship with anchor, a Cross as mast, and a sail showing the Cross – a parable of the church; • the Bible (presumably); • Luther’s Rose – an image Luther used as his seal, depicting aspects of his faith.

24. SIDE WALL POSTERS

These finely created posters are on the North and South side walls of the Church.  One alludes to the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist, with the words ‘Remember me’. The other speaks of the Risen Christ, with light radiatong from an empty Cross and the words ‘King of kings’.

25. SANCTUARY

This close up view of the sanctuary area shows the pulpit and surrounds at left, the font at front right, and the altar. We look more closely at each of these.

26. PULPIT CORNER

The pulpit and lectern are made from matching timber in a finely crafted decorative style. The green pulpit banner features a Cross and a pattern of three overlapping circles and triangle representing the Trinity. A small table stands to one side against the wall.

27. THE CROSS AND FISHING BOAT

The colourful Cross is made up of ten squares, each with an abstract pattern. There are various words as well:  colouful, love, inspire, dream, passion, strength, joy. The second banner has a fishing theme, presumably relating to the evangelistic mission of the church.

28. LIGHT POSTER AND HYMN BOARD

At right are the two hymn boards at the front of the Church: one has an ‘A’ at the top (Alpha perhaps?), but I cannot decipher the symbol at the top of the other – perhaps an Omega?   The art work at left needs some explanation too, but appears to give a gradation from the darkness of Calvary at bottom left to the brilliant glory of God at top right. Is that the figure of Christ in between?

29. FONT

To the right of the sanctuary stands a small decorative font with a silver jug on top. The font is used to baptise babies and children: a rite of initiation into the Christian life, and also into the community of the Church,    

30. ALTAR AND SCREEN

A screen (‘reredos’) stands behind the altar displaying two paintings: Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and The Last Supper which Jesus shared with his disciples. The base of the altar also appears to have some carved features. On the altar itself there are four candlesticks, a crucifix, and an open Bible. Behind the Bible we can read the words ‘+ Holy + Holy + Holy +’.

31. THE GOOD SHEPHERD

This is a colourful portayal of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This is an image from Scripture, of Jesus being the one who loves and cares for his sheep. The rainbow is a reminder of God’s promise to Noah not to destroy the world again. We are also reminded of Psalm 23, with the sheep being led through green pastures and beside still waters.   

32. ALTAR

The altar is the place from which the adminstration of the Eucharist is conducted, with members of the congregation coming to the rails to receive the Elements of the Eucharist. I am interested that the debate concerning the placing of the altar, and whether the celebrant should face the congregation, does not appear to have reached the Valley Lutheran Churches.

33. ALTAR DETAIL

Across the base of the altar there are three symbols. The outer symbols are the Greek letters ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’ – the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These are used to describe Christ as ‘the beginning and the end’ in Revelation 22:13. At centre is a picture of the ‘Lamb with Flag’, again representing Christ as the ‘Agnus Dei’ – the Lamb of God.

34. BIBLE AND CRUCIFIX

The crucifix and an open Bible on the altar are a common feature in the Barossa Lutheran Churches.   These demonstrate the important place the Bible has in Lutheran faith and practice, as well as the redeeming sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

35. THE LAST SUPPER

Unusually, the screen behind the altar in St Michael’s Church displays a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting ‘The Last Supper’. This shows the consternation amongst the disciples when Jesus announces that one of them will betray him. It is a very famous painting, but one might wonder why it has been chosen to be placed here in front of a worshiping congregation! This completes our tour of the Gnadenfrei St Michael’s Lutheran Church.