Wednesday - Sanctuary

Prayer:   Your Sanctuary O Lord is a resting place for the weary.  Your Sanctuary, Creator God, is a living place of Your love.  Your Sanctuary, Redeeming Christ, is a place for renewal of enthusiasm. Your Sanctuary,  Sustaining Holy Spirit,  is a place of eternal hope. Amen.

Read:  Psalm 150

The Sanctuary is the place where the Communion Table is placed.  Traditionally the Sanctuary was built in the eastern portion of the Church.   This is so the rising sun can beam through the windows and remind the congregation that Christ is the rising sun and the new dawn of the Good News.   In Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria BC   the Church installed a stained glass window in the eastern portion of the sanctuary.  The stained glass window is called the “New Jerusalem”.  Each the sun rises and makes the stained glass window come alive with colour of the New Jerusalem.  While this window is awe inspiring,  it is also a great reminder to us of the reason for the Sanctuary to always be in the east.  So that we can see the light of  God through the rising of His Son.     

Frequently there are also large chairs for the Minister and elders to use serving Communion.       

In some Presbyterian congregations,  the Communion Table is left empty and the Session believes that the Table must be left empty except for the Food of Christ – the Bread and the Wine during Communion.   Other Sessions place the Holy Bible on the Communion Table as a reminder to us all that the Word of God must remain central in our hearts.     Sometimes some Sessions also include the offering plates on the Communion Table.  The offering plates remind us that we give of our tithes and offerings so that the mission and work of Christ can continue in this world. 

 Think of your congregation.  What else is in the Sanctuary area?      Why do you think these items are in the Sanctuary? 

Prayer:  Your Sanctuary O Lord is a resting place for the weary.  Your Sanctuary, Creator God, is a living place of Your love.  Your Sanctuary, Redeeming Christ, is a place for renewal of enthusiasm. Your Sanctuary,  Sustaining Holy Spirit,  is a place of eternal hope. Amen.