Christian Symbols As Told By Our Needlepoint Kneeling Cushions

HISTORY In July of 1980 our Church undertook a needlepoint project to create kneeling cushions for our altar railing. It took over one year to complete and approximately 6,000 hours of delicate needle pointing. The work was done by 20 different members of our congregation. The dedication of the kneeling cushions was timed so as to coincide with the second anniversary of the opening of our present day Sanctuary building which was completed in 1979. The kneeling cushions are a unique and beautiful asset to the Sanctuary.

DEDICATION PRAYER Almighty God, whose glory the wonderful design of all thy works proclaim, be graciously pleased to accept these gifts of needlepoint, from many who have offered their time, their skill, and their substance for the adornment of thy church and use of all who worship here. Grant that this act of joyful service may through the years reveal to many the truth of thy gospel, the goodness of they love, and the beauty of thy peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANCHOR Used by early Christians, possibly because the transverse bar of the anchor gives the appearance of a cross and symbolizes hope. Hebrew 6:19 (NLT) This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain of heaven into God's inner sanctuary.

HAND OF GOD A hand is a symbol of God the Father. Exodus 15:6 Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power. 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

ST. JUDE'S SHIP The ship symbolizes the Church sailing unharmed through all perils, though often tossed about. Jude, also called Thaddaeus, traveled in company with Simon on many missionary journeys. The ship at full sail is also a symbol of the Church.

LILY The lily is a symbol of the Virgin Mary, representative of purity, the Annunciation, and the Nativity. It is also used to denote immorality as, with the Easter lily.

ST. PETER'S CROSS This is the shield of St. Peter which has an inverted cross, signifying that, by his request, peter was crucified head downward because he did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same position as His Lord. The 2 crossed keys represent Jesus' words in Matt.16:19 stating, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

CROWN The crown stands for the kingly office of Jesus. Revelation 17:14 He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.

BURSTING POMEGRANATE The bursting pomegranate is a symbol of the resurrection, and the power that causes our Lord to burst forth from the tomb.

BUTTERFLY A butterfly represents the resurrection of Christ and our hope for eternal life. The lava suggests the lowly condition of human life on earth. The cocoon (chrysalis) corresponds to the human body in the grave and the butterfly the new, glorified body prepared for eternal life.

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