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'Narnia' Sparks Unusual Sermon Series
By Stan Friedman
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.
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