Our worship life has been enriched by the gift of two new torches. The torches
were designed and made by the Schönwandt Company of Nordeck, Germany (near
Frankfurt am Main). They match the paschal candle stand which was introduced
in 2004 and also designed and made by the Schönwandt Company. The new torches
and candle stand demonstrate a shift to bronze away from the brighter finishes
of brass and silver. A processional cross is the next item on the list of things
needed in the nave.
The acolytes have especially appreciated the new torches. The added weight is
assisting them in the development of strong triceps and shoulder muscles!
The paschal candle stand was dedicated to the memory of Danny Hargus. The new torches were dedicated on Easter Sunday 2006 in memory of Peggy Saltsman, Jill Bailer’s mother, and in memory of Narcille McCracken Verboon, Gretchen Miertschin’s mother. The candles were a gift to the congregation from the altar guild in honor of Jeffery and Monica Hartley’s twentieth wedding anniversary.
Design work continues for the south end of the nave. Stained glass is to be added in order to complete the stained glass in the nave. This will enhance the worshipful environment in the entrance to the nave. An additional benefit of the glass will be the reduction of glare from the south sun. A second phase in the planning calls for the addition of a cross or perhaps a figure of the crucified-risen Christ with outstretched arms, the silhouette of which would form a distinctive cross. A final phase would call for the font to be moved along the axis toward the back of the nave. The intention would be to allow worshipers to encounter the font first upon entering the nave in remembrance of baptism.
One of the options appearing in the new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, is to sing the Lord’s Prayer. Beginning June 11 the congregation will sing the version reproduced below. Music director, Albert LeDoux, will rehearse the congregation briefly before all services on June 11th and 18th.