“This is my body which will be given up to the ever lasting covenant” “do this in memory of me,”
(Mat. 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; 1 Cor. 11.)
All this was done at the Last Supper on a table this is where Christian get the use from. After this Jesus died to clear all our sins and this is what we believe we are doing when we take communion
The processional cross is a big crucifix highly decorated and beautiful this is carried around in front of the bishop or priests he walks in to the mass the cross represent the one that Jesus sacrificed himself on for us and it symbolises and reminds us how he resurrected and went to his father side. The reason for the largeness and height of it is I think to show and remind everybody what Jesus did for us.
Next is a Pascal candle, it is a large mostly decorated candle. This candle symbolises Christ the light who has overcome the darkness of the world. It used to be lit on Easter Eve and burned at services until Ascension Day. Nowadays it burns at all services up until the day of Pentecost, which is the new termination of the Easter season. During the Easter season, the Candle stands at the Gospel side of the Altar. After the Easter season, it is moved to stand beside the baptismal font. It is lit for all Baptisms and Funerals.
The tabernacle is a box sometimes shaped like a church, which has in it the blessed hosts and is the main focal point in a church. Usually found directly in the centre sometimes near the back it is extremely holy, as it hold the body of Christ. The tabernacle is to remind people that, just as God was present with is people in the `tabernacle' which the Israelites carried with them during the Exodus (see Exodus 25:8-9). Jesus is present with his Church in a special way in the Eucharistic bread. Like many of the other furnishings of the church, the tabernacle is a symbol, a symbol of the fact that God, through Jesus, lives with his people, in the Church.
The lectern is a reading platform, which the gospel is read from. It emphasises the importance of the reading of, and listening to, God's Word in the Scriptures both the Old Testament and the New Testament. This emphasis is expressed particularly by having a special book the (bible) this is what the lectern is dedicated to, also holding of the book of the Scriptures, and from this, they are read. If the altar symbolises the fact that God nourishes the Church with the meal of the Eucharist, the lectern symbolises the fact that God also nourishes his Church with is Word in the Scriptures.
The symbol that I am going to choose which is not from the sanctuary is one that they would not consider being a symbol, this is the actual church. Firstly, the shape of the church or cathedral is a symbol as a lot of the older one is shaped like a cross this obviously represents the cross on which Jesus died from. In addition, the church is designed in side to have great acoustics this is thought to be done so when praising god not only can god hear u beater but maybe others can here. A lot of churches also have a bell sprier which is rung on weddings celebrating and on Sunday calling people for church and on some other holy days for celebrating.
Therefore, in conclusion everything in the church is a symbol to something and from the altar to tabernacle including the white paint.
Part 2:
‘You do not have to go to church to be a Christian’
What is a Christian? A Christian is a person who thinks that Jesus was the Messiah and died and rose for us. There are however, many styles of this worship there is pulpit centred and bible centred and liturgical. People who think you do have to go to church have a point as Jesus did say
‘ Keep the Sabbath day holy’ and you were meant to go to church at least once a week.
On the other hand the people who say you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian can keep the Sabbath day holy by praying and resting. Isn’t a Christian meant to be helping and loving and to follow in the ways of Jesus? So if you are doing this are you not being what a Christian is meant to be?
I think if you follow Jesus’ teaching and try to live by them and the ten commandments you can be a Christian with out going to church especially in the world we live in today where people cannot always find the time to.