My Lenten Project

We have been cleaning out many things at church and this winter, some of the ladies sorted through the banners we hang in the sanctuary.  Unfortunately, many of the banners were very old and deteriorated.  It was also discovered that we had no banners for Lent.  Now, I know that Lent is a time of reflection and repentance, but I don't think that means that the sanctuary needs to be barren of all decoration, especially if the decoration can assist in focusing one's mind and heart on the season and what Christ has done and is doing for us.

Long story short, I volunteered to make banners for Lent.  I had the assistance of two wonderful ladies - one sewed all the blank banners together, and the other traced and cut out all letters for the bans (small banners along side the large).  Since I AM the pastor's wife, I decided to get his input on what he'd like to see on the banners.  His sermon series for lent focused on the last words of Jesus.  I think it was called "Words of Life from the Cross" from CPH.  Anyway, we decided on some banners that I had found in a banner book (here) and I got started.  Besides the 7 banners for the last words of Jesus, I also decided to do banners for Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.  So, eleven banners in total.  I think they turned out pretty well.  I have gotten lots of compliments (which is nice), but I have most enjoyed witnessing Ephraim's excitement at seeing the banner at church that Mama made at home.

Anyway, here they are:

Ash Wednesday - beautiful white cross covered in real ashes smeared on by hand

Palm Sunday - a palm branch "Hosanna"

Maundy Thursday - the wafer and cup over which a blood-red cross is placed

which seems to be filling the cup

Good Friday - IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator or Jesus Savior of Men) and a Crown of Thorns

"Father FORGIVE them for they know not what they do"

"Today you will be with me in PARADISE"

"My God, My God, Why have you FORSAKEN me?"

"Woman, BEHOLD your son.  BEHOLD your mother."

"I THIRST"

"Father into your hands I COMMEND (or commit) my spirit"

"It is FINISHED"

Now that my project is done, I've been asked to make some banners for Easter next year.  Maybe I'll get started sooner, rather than later . . . .or maybe not.