The year of 2020 kind of feels like the wilderness, everything looks and feels different. Some of us are conducting business virtually and others are commuting to the office/business/classroom. Some of us are experiencing sickness and others of us are praying for the health of our loved ones and the world. We are even worshipping in a new way; virtually! 2000 years ago, worshiping in the wilderness looked a lot different. Moses and the Israelites worshiped by carrying their “church” to the Promised Land literally on their back.
The church in Moses’ time was basically a tent (Tabernacle). Its roof had four layers. One layer was made from white linen cloth, one from goat’s hair, another from rams skin/dyed red and then the top layer was leather (most likely porpoise or seal skin). These layers represented new creation, hope, imperfection and protection.
When the Israelites stopped to make a camp they had to rebuild their church at each location. The entire church included an entrance with a courtyard. The courtyard included the bronze laver for cleansing, the offering altar, and court fence. Next they would recreate the entrance to the Tabernacle with the lampstand, the able of bread and an altar of incense inside. Then there was the veil and the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Only the priest could enter the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was furthest point in the tent and it included the ark of the convenient that housed the Ten Commandments, a rod and a clay pot. It was a bit of effort for the Israelites to do church in the desert but they were committed to worshipping the God of Abraham.
In 2020 worshipping virtually is much simpler for our members while our staff is fully engaged and committed to making the experience just as fulfilling for our congregation. This 2020 wilderness is a new frontier and a place that needs a lot of compassion. Thank you to our members for offering your compassion to all!
This week’s Sunday School lesson includes recreating the objects that could be found in the Tabernacle. There are Lego and paper arks that can be built. Your child can create the Tabernacle from graham crackers, wafers and Pirouette cookies. They can also make the lampstand from Easter eggs or toilet paper tubes. The Israelites were creative in the wilderness and we invite our children to be creative as well.
The church in Moses’ time was basically a tent (Tabernacle). Its roof had four layers. One layer was made from white linen cloth, one from goat’s hair, another from rams skin/dyed red and then the top layer was leather (most likely porpoise or seal skin). These layers represented new creation, hope, imperfection and protection.
When the Israelites stopped to make a camp they had to rebuild their church at each location. The entire church included an entrance with a courtyard. The courtyard included the bronze laver for cleansing, the offering altar, and court fence. Next they would recreate the entrance to the Tabernacle with the lampstand, the able of bread and an altar of incense inside. Then there was the veil and the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Only the priest could enter the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was furthest point in the tent and it included the ark of the convenient that housed the Ten Commandments, a rod and a clay pot. It was a bit of effort for the Israelites to do church in the desert but they were committed to worshipping the God of Abraham.
In 2020 worshipping virtually is much simpler for our members while our staff is fully engaged and committed to making the experience just as fulfilling for our congregation. This 2020 wilderness is a new frontier and a place that needs a lot of compassion. Thank you to our members for offering your compassion to all!
This week’s Sunday School lesson includes recreating the objects that could be found in the Tabernacle. There are Lego and paper arks that can be built. Your child can create the Tabernacle from graham crackers, wafers and Pirouette cookies. They can also make the lampstand from Easter eggs or toilet paper tubes. The Israelites were creative in the wilderness and we invite our children to be creative as well.
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