Flower Festival Theme - 'Women of the Bible'
Mother of mankind Eve
Genesis 4:1-2 Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.
Eve, so named by Adam because she was the mother of all the living, is shown in the shades of pink and mauve with her husband as the first family.
"We see here the unique state of the marriage bond. Eve was given to Adam because he was lonely and had no suitable helper. We can learn much from this relationship including the provision of God for his people and how a man should take care and love his wife. But in Genesis 4:1-2 we see the birth of Cain, the first human born and not created. This amazing event was God’s gift to man and woman as they would be responsible for bringing new life into His creation".
The metal structure represents the tree of knowledge with the forbidden fruit, encircled by the Serpent which is central to the broken relationship with God when man and woman were given the power of making decisions.
Eve, so named by Adam because she was the mother of all the living, is shown in the shades of pink and mauve with her husband as the first family.
"We see here the unique state of the marriage bond. Eve was given to Adam because he was lonely and had no suitable helper. We can learn much from this relationship including the provision of God for his people and how a man should take care and love his wife. But in Genesis 4:1-2 we see the birth of Cain, the first human born and not created. This amazing event was God’s gift to man and woman as they would be responsible for bringing new life into His creation".
The metal structure represents the tree of knowledge with the forbidden fruit, encircled by the Serpent which is central to the broken relationship with God when man and woman were given the power of making decisions.
Sarah
Genesis 21:1-3 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac {Isaac means he laughs.} to the son Sarah bore him.
"God made a promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. They had to wait many years for this to happen and at different times they laughed at the idea of them becoming parents. Yet when the birth of this son happened they named him Isaac as God had commanded, which means he laughs. People have debated about who it is that laughs, some have suggested that it is God who laughs as he gives a gift such as this child, others have suggested that it is the baby Isaac himself, or perhaps even Abraham. Truth is we do not know for certain which of these three options are correct. What we do know is that God gives generously to us all with the essentials of life and so we should be thankful for his generosity".
Sarah is portrayed as the Biblical Matriarch, giving birth in her old age to Isaac, who fathered twelve sons who in turn became the founding fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus Sarah and her husband Abraham were the beginning of the Jewish faith with her bloodlines carried to the Christian faith practiced throughout the continents of the world, with the millions of Christians represented by Gysophilia (Million Stars). Each continent is represented by the National flower of one of its countries.
"God made a promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. They had to wait many years for this to happen and at different times they laughed at the idea of them becoming parents. Yet when the birth of this son happened they named him Isaac as God had commanded, which means he laughs. People have debated about who it is that laughs, some have suggested that it is God who laughs as he gives a gift such as this child, others have suggested that it is the baby Isaac himself, or perhaps even Abraham. Truth is we do not know for certain which of these three options are correct. What we do know is that God gives generously to us all with the essentials of life and so we should be thankful for his generosity".
Sarah is portrayed as the Biblical Matriarch, giving birth in her old age to Isaac, who fathered twelve sons who in turn became the founding fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus Sarah and her husband Abraham were the beginning of the Jewish faith with her bloodlines carried to the Christian faith practiced throughout the continents of the world, with the millions of Christians represented by Gysophilia (Million Stars). Each continent is represented by the National flower of one of its countries.
Rachel
Genesis 30:22-24 Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. 23 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my disgrace." 24 She named him Joseph.
"Rachel had longed for a child, her sister Leah was also given to Jacob her husband by her unscrupulous father. So as she felt the pain of not having any children as she watches her husband father children to Leah. Then we read that God remembered her. It is a way of saying God responded to her and she gives birth to a baby boy Joseph. This longed for child brought great joy to the parents. With such intense love as this there will always be the possibility of great loss. In Jeremiah 31:15 Jeremiah pictures Rachel who had died many years before, weeping for her children as they are being carried off into slavery for their disobedience. Let us give thanks to God for our mothers and for the love they have shown to us and also for the concern that they had for us".
This exhibit depicts Rachel’s life as a shepherdess. White flowers show purity and yellow the delight of motherhood, with blue, her longed - for male child, Joseph.
"Rachel had longed for a child, her sister Leah was also given to Jacob her husband by her unscrupulous father. So as she felt the pain of not having any children as she watches her husband father children to Leah. Then we read that God remembered her. It is a way of saying God responded to her and she gives birth to a baby boy Joseph. This longed for child brought great joy to the parents. With such intense love as this there will always be the possibility of great loss. In Jeremiah 31:15 Jeremiah pictures Rachel who had died many years before, weeping for her children as they are being carried off into slavery for their disobedience. Let us give thanks to God for our mothers and for the love they have shown to us and also for the concern that they had for us".
This exhibit depicts Rachel’s life as a shepherdess. White flowers show purity and yellow the delight of motherhood, with blue, her longed - for male child, Joseph.
Hannah
1 Samuel 1:20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, {Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for heard of God.} saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."
"Hannah was a woman of prayer who prayed that God would give her a son and if he did she would give her son back to God and he would serve Him. God responded by giving her Samuel and as the boy grew up he became a great man of God who led Israel for many years. This was an amazing commitment by Hannah but she was rewarded for this by her son becoming a godly leader over the nation of Israel. We do well to remember that our children are gifts from God and our primary purpose in their upbringing is to do whatever we can to point them to God. May we show the same spiritual commitment that Hannah did as she prayed fervently for God to act".
This design uses soft colours in a cascade indicating Hannah’s patience in her longing for a child. Her tears of sorrow when struggling with her self - worth and subsequently of joy when God answered her prayer are shown by the falling crystals. Central is her dedicated prayer indicated by the ‘Praying Hands’.
"Hannah was a woman of prayer who prayed that God would give her a son and if he did she would give her son back to God and he would serve Him. God responded by giving her Samuel and as the boy grew up he became a great man of God who led Israel for many years. This was an amazing commitment by Hannah but she was rewarded for this by her son becoming a godly leader over the nation of Israel. We do well to remember that our children are gifts from God and our primary purpose in their upbringing is to do whatever we can to point them to God. May we show the same spiritual commitment that Hannah did as she prayed fervently for God to act".
This design uses soft colours in a cascade indicating Hannah’s patience in her longing for a child. Her tears of sorrow when struggling with her self - worth and subsequently of joy when God answered her prayer are shown by the falling crystals. Central is her dedicated prayer indicated by the ‘Praying Hands’.
Rebekah
Genesis 24:15-20 Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. 16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. 17 The servant hurried to meet her and said, "Please give me a little water from your jar." 18 "Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. 19 After she had given him a drink,she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking." 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.
"Rebekah had the task of bringing water to her home and while this was a very physically demanding task it is likely that she had many other things to do. Yet despite her work load she was able to find the time to help a complete stranger. We can admire the qualities that Rebekah displayed, her hard work and her desire to help people. Perhaps we should have that same desire to meet the requirements of those people God puts in our way, even if it is making time to chat to someone or to help someone with a busy schedule".
An oasis with palm trees and water is shown, setting the scene for Rebekah’s meeting with the servants of Isaac.
"Rebekah had the task of bringing water to her home and while this was a very physically demanding task it is likely that she had many other things to do. Yet despite her work load she was able to find the time to help a complete stranger. We can admire the qualities that Rebekah displayed, her hard work and her desire to help people. Perhaps we should have that same desire to meet the requirements of those people God puts in our way, even if it is making time to chat to someone or to help someone with a busy schedule".
An oasis with palm trees and water is shown, setting the scene for Rebekah’s meeting with the servants of Isaac.
Ruth
Ruth 1:15-18 "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her." 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realised that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
"Naomi was a widow but was blessed with a daughter in law who loved her sacrificially. Ruth and Naomi were both widows and Ruth promised she would go with Naomi wherever she went. Ruth and Naomi went to Israel and Ruth, as an outsider, was blessed as God provided a way for her to support Naomi and herself. Ruth is further blessed as she later gets married to Boaz. It was their grandson David who would become king of Israel and then many generations later Mary would give birth to Jesus. The love, devotion, and hard work of Ruth still challenges us today".
The red roses and blue statice represent Ruth’s love and loyalty, with the wheat a reminder of the gleaning done on the advice of Naomi. The contorted hazel indicates the family line which led through the royal line of David to Jesus, the King of Kings.
"Naomi was a widow but was blessed with a daughter in law who loved her sacrificially. Ruth and Naomi were both widows and Ruth promised she would go with Naomi wherever she went. Ruth and Naomi went to Israel and Ruth, as an outsider, was blessed as God provided a way for her to support Naomi and herself. Ruth is further blessed as she later gets married to Boaz. It was their grandson David who would become king of Israel and then many generations later Mary would give birth to Jesus. The love, devotion, and hard work of Ruth still challenges us today".
The red roses and blue statice represent Ruth’s love and loyalty, with the wheat a reminder of the gleaning done on the advice of Naomi. The contorted hazel indicates the family line which led through the royal line of David to Jesus, the King of Kings.
The Communion Table
Central Theme of Jesus/ The Cross/ The Trinity
Focus – Communion allows Christians to participate in the sacrifice of Jesus.
John 15:13 Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
The risen Jesus is shown by the empty cross with the white lilies representing his innocence and sacrifice central to Christianity.
Focus – Communion allows Christians to participate in the sacrifice of Jesus.
John 15:13 Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
The risen Jesus is shown by the empty cross with the white lilies representing his innocence and sacrifice central to Christianity.
Mary
Luke 1:39-42 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
"We can only imagine what it must have been like as a teenage girl meets with an angel and she is informed that she will have a son who will be called “the Son of the Most High.” While there have been many great women of faith in the bible and many great women throughout time Mary was blessed more than any other. It is amazing to see the response of this young girl, she responds with an incredible song in Luke 1:46-55. It includes the words Luke 1:46-47 My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. What a wonderful response to God, how we should set our sights on worshipping God as Mary did".
Mary, the mother of Jesus is represented by white flowers for purity, in an all-round arrangement indicating the unique and important position she played as ‘blessed among women.’
"We can only imagine what it must have been like as a teenage girl meets with an angel and she is informed that she will have a son who will be called “the Son of the Most High.” While there have been many great women of faith in the bible and many great women throughout time Mary was blessed more than any other. It is amazing to see the response of this young girl, she responds with an incredible song in Luke 1:46-55. It includes the words Luke 1:46-47 My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. What a wonderful response to God, how we should set our sights on worshipping God as Mary did".
Mary, the mother of Jesus is represented by white flowers for purity, in an all-round arrangement indicating the unique and important position she played as ‘blessed among women.’
Elizabeth
Luke 1:24-25 Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people."
"It is incredible to think that Gods plan for the salvation of mankind was to use a number of humble people in the Middle East who would herald Christianity into the world. None of these people had wealth or status, they were very ordinary people. As we can see, Johns parents Zechariah and Elizabeth, as well as Mary the mother of Jesus and Joseph, they all had one thing in common, there sincere love for God. Speaking about Zechariah and Elizabeth Luke records Luke 1:6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. While God calls people from very different backgrounds to be his children, the significance of his use increases with the level of faith that they show. Take a moment and pray that you will be strengthened by God and be able to walk an upright and blameless life."
This pave design uses lilies to represent Elizabeth in her mature years and the isolation before the birth of her son, John. The Godhead is shown in the sphere with the Dendrobium Orchids and the blue represent the River Jordan, so important in the life of her longed-for son.
"It is incredible to think that Gods plan for the salvation of mankind was to use a number of humble people in the Middle East who would herald Christianity into the world. None of these people had wealth or status, they were very ordinary people. As we can see, Johns parents Zechariah and Elizabeth, as well as Mary the mother of Jesus and Joseph, they all had one thing in common, there sincere love for God. Speaking about Zechariah and Elizabeth Luke records Luke 1:6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. While God calls people from very different backgrounds to be his children, the significance of his use increases with the level of faith that they show. Take a moment and pray that you will be strengthened by God and be able to walk an upright and blameless life."
This pave design uses lilies to represent Elizabeth in her mature years and the isolation before the birth of her son, John. The Godhead is shown in the sphere with the Dendrobium Orchids and the blue represent the River Jordan, so important in the life of her longed-for son.
Anna
Luke 2:36-37 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.
"To be a widow in this time was to live in an environment of uncertainty. Widows were often exploited, mistreated and abused. We know that Anna had been a widow for the most of her life as her husband had died when she was a young woman. What we do see is that she had an incredible love for God. Despite the obvious difficulties of her life she had an incredible focus upon God as she worshiped, fasted and prayed. Anna is an example of how we should be faithful to God even in difficult circumstances".
Soft shades of green and white indicate the peaceful environs of the temple as well as Anna’s humility and tranquillity as she gave thanks to God for the birth of Jesus.
"To be a widow in this time was to live in an environment of uncertainty. Widows were often exploited, mistreated and abused. We know that Anna had been a widow for the most of her life as her husband had died when she was a young woman. What we do see is that she had an incredible love for God. Despite the obvious difficulties of her life she had an incredible focus upon God as she worshiped, fasted and prayed. Anna is an example of how we should be faithful to God even in difficult circumstances".
Soft shades of green and white indicate the peaceful environs of the temple as well as Anna’s humility and tranquillity as she gave thanks to God for the birth of Jesus.
Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lo rd, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
"We can become very caught up in the business of life. Yet the one thing we see in history is the Christians who make the greatest impact have the greatest devotion to Jesus. Here are two sisters who have a house full of guests and while Mary is not helping her sister it is she who is commended. We have already seen women today with great devotion to God and here we see very clearly what devotion is. Devotion is to hunger after the word of God".
This arrangement depicts the anxiety that Martha felt in the preparations for the visit of her Lord – the ’S’ stand and the many colours representing her busyness. The white Eustoma, lilies, carnations and gladioli all display Christ’s purity and love reaching out to those around Him, while the blue delphiniums and gold zantedeschia represent the tranquil Mary, calmly listening at the feet of Jesus to His wonderful stories.
"We can become very caught up in the business of life. Yet the one thing we see in history is the Christians who make the greatest impact have the greatest devotion to Jesus. Here are two sisters who have a house full of guests and while Mary is not helping her sister it is she who is commended. We have already seen women today with great devotion to God and here we see very clearly what devotion is. Devotion is to hunger after the word of God".
This arrangement depicts the anxiety that Martha felt in the preparations for the visit of her Lord – the ’S’ stand and the many colours representing her busyness. The white Eustoma, lilies, carnations and gladioli all display Christ’s purity and love reaching out to those around Him, while the blue delphiniums and gold zantedeschia represent the tranquil Mary, calmly listening at the feet of Jesus to His wonderful stories.
Tamar
Genesis 38:13-18, 24-26 When Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep," 14 she took off her widow's clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 Not realising that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, "Come now, let me sleep with you." "And what will you give me to sleep with you?" she asked. 17 "I'll send you a young goat from my flock," he said. "Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?" she asked. 18 He said, "What pledge should I give you?" "Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand," she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. 24 About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!" 25 As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. "I am pregnant by the man who owns these," she said. And she added, "See if you recognise whose seal and cord and staff these are." 26 Judah recognised them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah."
"Tamar was badly treated by her father in law. Judah was self righteous and when he was confronted about his treatment of Tamar he realised how wrong he was. This did not justify Tamar and her deceit. What we see is that Tamar was badly treated and she responded badly to those who were bad to her. We learn from this passage of scripture that we can be self righteous and cause pain to others. Despite the shortfall of Tamar she is still blessed by God as we see in Matthew that her name appears in the genealogy of Jesus. We see grace that should have been given by a man to a woman and then from the woman to the man, but ultimately what is striking about this episode is the grace that is given by God".
This contemporary design is based on a structure representing the tight restrictions of the cultural practices which meant that as a widow, Tamar was expected to marry her brothers-in-law in turn. Strong colours in the calla lilies and gerbera indicate Tamar’s determination to fulfill her role in continuing the family line in spite of the promises broken by her father-in-law. The colours also highlight the contrast in the motives and treatment of the two main characters, until evidence of Tamar having outwitted Judah becomes clear. Softer colours represent God’s grace in this situation.
"Tamar was badly treated by her father in law. Judah was self righteous and when he was confronted about his treatment of Tamar he realised how wrong he was. This did not justify Tamar and her deceit. What we see is that Tamar was badly treated and she responded badly to those who were bad to her. We learn from this passage of scripture that we can be self righteous and cause pain to others. Despite the shortfall of Tamar she is still blessed by God as we see in Matthew that her name appears in the genealogy of Jesus. We see grace that should have been given by a man to a woman and then from the woman to the man, but ultimately what is striking about this episode is the grace that is given by God".
This contemporary design is based on a structure representing the tight restrictions of the cultural practices which meant that as a widow, Tamar was expected to marry her brothers-in-law in turn. Strong colours in the calla lilies and gerbera indicate Tamar’s determination to fulfill her role in continuing the family line in spite of the promises broken by her father-in-law. The colours also highlight the contrast in the motives and treatment of the two main characters, until evidence of Tamar having outwitted Judah becomes clear. Softer colours represent God’s grace in this situation.
Rehab
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
"Rahab was a prostitute who lived in the city of Jericho. When the Israelites were approaching the whole city was seized with fear. Rahab choose to have faith in God even though she was not part of the tribe of Israel at this time. It seems to have been an extraordinary act of grace on God’s part. Not only was she of questionable character but she was outside of the very nation God had promised to bless. This reminds us that Gods grace is always extraordinary and that it is an invitation that is extended to all people irrespective of who they are or what they have done".
This arrangement centres on the window through which Rahab let God’s people down to freedom with red flowers echoing the colour of the rope used as a symbol of her act of faith.
"Rahab was a prostitute who lived in the city of Jericho. When the Israelites were approaching the whole city was seized with fear. Rahab choose to have faith in God even though she was not part of the tribe of Israel at this time. It seems to have been an extraordinary act of grace on God’s part. Not only was she of questionable character but she was outside of the very nation God had promised to bless. This reminds us that Gods grace is always extraordinary and that it is an invitation that is extended to all people irrespective of who they are or what they have done".
This arrangement centres on the window through which Rahab let God’s people down to freedom with red flowers echoing the colour of the rope used as a symbol of her act of faith.
Woman caught in Adultery
John 8:7-11 "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no-one condemned you?" 11 "No-one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
"The joy of God’s grace is when we receive it and realise that it is freedom from every misdemeanour we have ever taken part in. This unfortunate woman was caught by the religious leaders and then set before Jesus. If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. The irony is that the only person without sin is writing with His finger in the dust of the ground. As the crowd drifts away we see that Jesus responds with compassion upon the woman neither do I condemn you he said. We see here a woman who has quite obviously gone astray and yet the love of God flows into her life with the command Go now and leave your life of sin. We should be eager to receive grace and in order to live a life of grace we should be every bit as eager to be obedient to the one who does not, nor never will, condemn us".
Focus – The Synagogue leaders are using the woman’s position to trap Jesus and His response which showed they, as sinners, were not to judge others but treat everyone with compassion and forgiveness. Palms, lilies and lotus heads are indicative of indigenous plants of the land of Jesus’ birth, with white lilies to show Christ and the diminishing medalina sticks representing the fleeing leaders who had failed in jealousy and envy (shown in the green anthuriums), to trap Jesus into judging the woman caught in adultery.
"The joy of God’s grace is when we receive it and realise that it is freedom from every misdemeanour we have ever taken part in. This unfortunate woman was caught by the religious leaders and then set before Jesus. If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. The irony is that the only person without sin is writing with His finger in the dust of the ground. As the crowd drifts away we see that Jesus responds with compassion upon the woman neither do I condemn you he said. We see here a woman who has quite obviously gone astray and yet the love of God flows into her life with the command Go now and leave your life of sin. We should be eager to receive grace and in order to live a life of grace we should be every bit as eager to be obedient to the one who does not, nor never will, condemn us".
Focus – The Synagogue leaders are using the woman’s position to trap Jesus and His response which showed they, as sinners, were not to judge others but treat everyone with compassion and forgiveness. Palms, lilies and lotus heads are indicative of indigenous plants of the land of Jesus’ birth, with white lilies to show Christ and the diminishing medalina sticks representing the fleeing leaders who had failed in jealousy and envy (shown in the green anthuriums), to trap Jesus into judging the woman caught in adultery.
Woman at the Well
John 4:17-18 "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." John 4:39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."
"Focus – Jesus used someone considered almost as an outcast to spread the news of His love. It was clear to the woman that only the Messiah could provide the means to quench her spiritual thirst.
Just as we have seen women who have been of questionable backgrounds we see here a great witness to the power of Jesus and a life that is transformed. A woman who has had numerous husbands and is living with another man has gone to the people who know her best and she has told them of Jesus John 4:39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. A transformed life speaks volumes about the power of Jesus and we are called by Jesus to live in that transforming power".
Delphiniums are used to depict the ‘living water’ in this design with a massed arrangement showing the many people to whom the Samaritan woman spread the news of the Messiah after her life changing meeting with Jesus at the well.
"Focus – Jesus used someone considered almost as an outcast to spread the news of His love. It was clear to the woman that only the Messiah could provide the means to quench her spiritual thirst.
Just as we have seen women who have been of questionable backgrounds we see here a great witness to the power of Jesus and a life that is transformed. A woman who has had numerous husbands and is living with another man has gone to the people who know her best and she has told them of Jesus John 4:39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. A transformed life speaks volumes about the power of Jesus and we are called by Jesus to live in that transforming power".
Delphiniums are used to depict the ‘living water’ in this design with a massed arrangement showing the many people to whom the Samaritan woman spread the news of the Messiah after her life changing meeting with Jesus at the well.
Dorcas
Acts 9:36-41 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning towards the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.
"We see the power of prayer and the power of God at work here together. With the momentum of faith growing and touching many people in the early church the truth of the gospel penetrates itself into life transforming power. How the church today needs the kind of commitment that was shown by the early followers of Jesus as they live their faith out. A faith that would propel us into the full view of the community".
Shades of lavender show Dorcas the faithful worker-in death and then vertically after the prayers of Peter who is depicted on the right of the design. This miracle of bringing Dorcas back to life inspired the first Christians to develop further the new church.
"We see the power of prayer and the power of God at work here together. With the momentum of faith growing and touching many people in the early church the truth of the gospel penetrates itself into life transforming power. How the church today needs the kind of commitment that was shown by the early followers of Jesus as they live their faith out. A faith that would propel us into the full view of the community".
Shades of lavender show Dorcas the faithful worker-in death and then vertically after the prayers of Peter who is depicted on the right of the design. This miracle of bringing Dorcas back to life inspired the first Christians to develop further the new church.