5 Big Rocks Banner

On March 19, 2003 Joyce Abernathy completed the banner pictured at the right. She had a vision of this banner while she was making the banner for the last synod assembly, but it did not fit the theme of the assembly and she was confused. Joyce did not know how God wanted her to use this banner idea. When we asked Joyce to do a banner for ELC this seemed like God speaking to her and she knew where her idea was supposed to go. Joyce is a great example of ministry.

Explanation of Joyce's banner

Evangelism
Surrounding the cross are hands, reaching out to bring people to Christ.

Worship
The cross in the center of the quilted banner reminds us to "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing". Psalm 100

Fellowship
The quilt pattern that makes up the top half of the banner and the cross is called kaleidoscope. Only by looking inside a kaleidoscope do you see the true beauty. To love one another we need to look inside to see the beauty within. Fellowship (in contrast to ministry) concerns the love we have for one another within the church. Therefore to "look in" is a particularly helpful image in describing fellowship.

Discipleship
The green color, on the lower half, symbolizes growth in Christ. The water flowing below the five big rocks represents baptism.

Ministry
The tree symbolizes ministry. The Bible describes ministry as the service Christians offer both inside and outside the church in response to God's grace. A good tree produces good fruit (Luke 3:8-14), and the fruit of a Christian life includes practical expressions of love.

(banner detail)

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