21. HIGH ABOVE

There are vents in the ceiling to allow for air circulation, and an interesting floral decoration on the end wall.    PLAN

22. STAND AND FONT

A wooden stand and a marble font stand on either side of the aisle at the front. Perhaps the stand is for holding candles? The font is used for baptising children, as a rite of entry into the Christian life and its expression in the Church.   We can see near the top the iconographs 'Alpha and Omega’ and ‘Chi-Rho’ – both alluding to Christ.

23. PULPIT

The gospel is proclaimed from the pulpit Sunday by Sunday. The green pulpit banner depicts a Cross and the symbol IHS which is the Latinised Greek for the first three letters of the name ‘JESUS’. The celebrant’s chair near the pulpit, and the lectern on the South side of the sanctuary are made with a similar matching design to that of the pulpit.

24. BANNERS

The two banners add colour and interest to the front of the Church. At left under the banner ‘Holy Holy Holy’, a large anchor is depicted, along with symbols of the Eucharist. The anchor with a strong Cross resemblance is used in Scripture as a symbol of hope – for example in Hebrews 6:19. The banner at right has ‘Growing’ as its theme, and depicts a seed sprouting from the Word with the Cross in the background.   

25. ALTAR

The altar stands at front central, partially enclosed by railing. It is from here that the Eucharist is administered, and members of the congregation come forward to kneel at the railing to receive the Elements of the Eucharist.   

26. ALTAR DETAIL

There is much symbolism on display here, mostly relating to Christ. The emblem of circles and triangles on the cloth symbolises the Trinity, but then the fish (ICHTHUS in Greek) and Eucharist symbols speak strongly of Christ. The same is true of the beautifully carved symbols below: Cross, Crown and the central ‘Agnus Dei’ – Lamb with Banner.  

27. OPEN BIBLE

The open Bible is a recurring feature of the Valley Lutheran churches,reminding us that God’s word contained there is freely available to all who wish to read it.

28. CRUCIFIX

Also on the altar stands a crucifix – another common theme. These are more commonly silver, but speak of the death of Christ who died on the Cross for our salvation.

29. CHRIST IMAGE

This painting is a copy of one of the several similar paintings ‘Jesus Christ with a Crown of Thorns’. The story is found in John 19  of Jesus being taken before Pilate, and the soldiers mockingly placing a crown of thorns on his head and clothing him in a purple robe. This completes our tour of the Zion Gnadenberg Church.