The Jerusalem Council: Who let YOU in here?

Sunday, Oct 28 worship focusses on Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council, where Paul and Barnabas and Peter defend extending the Gospel to Gentiles. The altar-piece has a newly purchased prayer shawl from Jerusalem. These prayer shawls are important because they are made with 613 threads for the 613 laws Jews commit to obeying (mitzvot). In the vase are branches bearing pomegranate fruits, that are symbolic for Jews of the Law (yes, having 613 seeds in them). But also in the vase are unripened oranges, for new fruits, new believers, the Gentiles who are welcomed in to the Christian community.

Freedom from Slavery to Servanthood

In Galatians 5:1 the Apostle Paul calls Christians to live into their freedom away from their slavery by choosing NOT to go backwards to where we used to be, but forward into a life of serving one another in love. The altar tells a graphic story of chains broken by the cornerstone of Christ and a footwashing bowl and towel at the base of the Christ-candle.