By Stan Friedman
They step through the church’s front doors that are painted to resemble the famous wardrobe through which Lucy enters into the make-believe land. They first arrive in the narthex decorated with globe lamp posts, numerous flocked Christmas trees and a bench. Cotton batting is used to resemble snow.
“It’s been a riot,” says Zahasky. “We’ve had a lot of positive responses from the congregation.”
ROCHESTER, MN (December 19, 2005) – Worshipers at Rochester Covenant Church have been stepping through the wardrobe and into Narnia each Sunday.
They step through the church’s front doors that are painted to resemble the famous wardrobe through which Lucy enters into the make-believe land. They first arrive in the narthex decorated with globe lamp posts, numerous flocked Christmas trees and a bench. Cotton batting is used to resemble snow.Decorations in the church are being changed on a near weekly basis to coincide with a sermon series that draws from the C.S. Lewis classic and the new movie, The Chronicles of Narnia. Recently, the narthex included the beaver hut from the book.
A bench and lamp post also have been placed in the chancel, from where pastor Gary Downing gives his children’s message, which is based on passages from the book he reads to them. Downing puts on a sweater and glasses as he prepares to read to the children.
“The kids are really enjoying it,” says Downing. “There are a large number that come up. For little kids walking around, it’s like walking in a winter wonderland.”
For the second week of Advent, Sue Zahasky made real Turkish delight candy, which was handed to each of the children because that was the candy one of the story’s characters used to entice Edmund.
“It’s been very, very fun to do,” says Zahasky, the coordinator of children’s and visual arts ministries. The project, which started in early fall, has taken a bit of research, including finding the Turkish delight recipe online. Artists Chuck and Bonnie Potter also have helped with the work.
“It’s been a riot,” says Zahasky. “We’ve had a lot of positive responses from the congregation.”Following is the sermon series with the weekly changes:
- First Sunday in Advent: We Live in Two Worlds. “God comes from beyond to give us hope,” says Downing. “Like Lucy going into the wardrobe, we get a glimpse beyond.”
- Second Sunday in Advent: The Problem with Me. During this message, Downing discussed the forces of evil that reside both within and beyond us that we must overcome. “God’s coming shows us how,” he notes. Artwork included a cardboard cut-out of a witch’s sleigh and a queen’s castle.
- Third Sunday in Advent: There is a Prophecy. This message included the children’s musical. The sermon focused on how the coming of the Messiah fulfills the ancient predictions that God is with us and we must open our hearts to let him in.
- Fourth Sunday in Advent: Enter the Lion. This theme is incorporated in the service of lessons and carols. Puddles from melting icicles and snow appear on the narthex floor. Some artificial spring flowers also are placed in the church. A sound of running water also is played. Downing says he focuses on the joy that the promise of God’s love will eventually overcome the evil within us and the world.
Nothing new is added for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. The series does extend until the Sunday following Christmas, when the focus is on knowing Aslan. The church will be decorated with thrones, a white stag and armor items. Each service also includes parts of the movie’s trailer.
To learn more about this unusual series, contact the pastor or other church staff by telephone at 507-289-2990 or by email at office@rochcov.org.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.