The beautiful new church furniture was delivered in time for Easter Sunday and has drawn appreciation from all quarters.A Christian craftsman, Glynn Walker, made all the furniture from European Oak, with Rosewood and Iroco inlays, to designs which were developed with Colin, Vivien and others.
Every piece is unique to St Paul's and enhances the offering of worship in a way that's worthy of the praises that we want to give.
At the Easter Sunday service, we dedicated the furniture with this prayer:
Almighty God, we thank you for the vision, the skill, the patience, the generosity of gifts and the love of you, that inspired the making of these beautiful things. We offer them to you because they are not an end in themselves, but because we want you to take and use them for your glory.
We pray that at this table, those who thirst and hunger may find hospitality, refreshment, and the blessing of communion with you.
We pray that from this lectern, your true and living Word will be faithfully taught, for the building up of your people in faith.
We pray that at this font, many new believers will be warmly received into the fellowship of your people.
We pray that the Cross, which we put up at noon this last Good Friday, may be a sign and symbol of your love, a testimony to the grace and mercy that took your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to the depths of the grave and to the glory of heaven. May it inspire those who look upon it, challenge all indifference, give hope to the discouraged and draw us to you.
Heavenly Father, consecrate these furnishings, not with these words, but through the use and service to which they are put, in loving service to others, and to the glory of your name. Through our risen Saviour, Amen.
