Luke 2:46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Sanctuary Design

When members of the Church of the Brethren get together, worship with God and fellowship with Christians friends are both important. The sanctuary design of the First Church serves both purposes. The center aisle and the focal point of the chancel symbolize the fact that our primary reason for gathering together is to adore God and that each individual has direct access to God. the angle of the pews makes it possible for each worshiper to have excellent visual access to theentire sanctuary. The size of the Narthex, which can also be used for overflow, enhances fellowship before and after worship services.

Although Brethren do not take communion every Sunday, the Lord's Day is important in the life of the church. The shape and location of the communion table, the angle of the pews, and the arrangement of the choir suggest that all of the worshippers are "gathered around the table of the Lord."  Brethren have held strongly to the Protestant belief in "the priesthood of all believers."

The chancel area, including the pulpit and lectern, are accessible to anyone who assists in worship leadership. The ministry of music is important in the life of the church. The height of the choir risers and the placement of the choir emphasize the importance of communicating messages in song. The Saville organ with speakers located in the bapistry area, and the Kimball piano are important to the music ministry.

The candelabra, the open Bible, and the floral arrangement on the communion table call the attention of the worshippers to the Light of the World, the Eternal word, and the beauty of creation. Each of the candleholders has a circle, symbolizing eternity, at its base. The three candles are a symbol of the Trinity. One set of the candles represents the words of Jesus, I am the Light of the world. (John 8:12) and the Trinity -Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The other set of candles represents the words of Jesus, You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) and the challenge to witness with one's body, one's mind, and one's spirit.

An important symbol for our congregation is the lighted cross on the rear wall of the sanctuary. Crafted by Frank Younkin, a charter member, this cross was used in the chancel of the old sanctuary. Its present location reminds members and friends as they depart from worship, to "take up your cross, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

On the south wall of the Narthex, the words of Isaiah 2:4 are printed in copper letters. This inscription, crafted by Thomas Sign Company, is an ongoing reminder of the peace heritage of this church.

The Trinity Window

The Trinity window, at the top of the opening above the Bapistry, is a focal point of our chancel. This window includes a Trefoil (three interwoven circles with the lines that cross inside the circles removed) and three symbols representing the persons of the Trinity:

Radiating from the focal point of the Trinity window are bands of color, suggesting sun rays. The rays are extended to the lines of the woodwork which frames the grille cloth over the openings for the organ sound. The rays are further suggested in the textured plaster on the rear wall above the Bapistry. (It is interesting to note that the artist also repeated the Trinity symbols in textured plaster on that wall - not for the eyes of the congregation but for the benefit of the baptismal candidates.)

The position of our Bapistry serves as a constant reminder of our entrance into the church and the vows that we took at the time of our baptism. The Trinity window reminds us that we were baptized in "the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." The rays of the rising sun, with their richness of color, remind us that Baptism represents the beginning of a new life, a new day!

The eight windows on the side walls of our sanctuary appropriately parallel the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). Beginning in the southwest corner (near the main entrance) and moving clockwise around the room, the symbols are as follows:

The Lamb with the Banner:

According to John 1:29, when John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God," this and a similar statement in John 1:36 have brought into being the use of the Lamb as a meaningful symbol of Jesus Christ. The Triumphant Lamb, shows a lamb standing with an unfurled banner waving over it. The banner, or "pennant flag", symbolizes victory, triumph, and rejoicing. The "banner of victory" which we find mentioned in Psalm 60:4 is used in connection with the Lamb to signify the Risen Lord, or Christ's victory over death. The lowly gentle Lamb inherits the kingdom of heaven. Often the Lamb symbols are called Agnus Dei which is Latin for "Lamb of God."

Open Bible with candle:

The open Bible is used as a symbol of the Word of God, which is the source of all comfort and hope. The candle, the successor to the low bowls holding oils and a wick which were used in Biblical times, has come into common use as a symbol of Jesus Christ, "The Light of the Word." The combined symbols remind us of Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." We are also reminded of the words found in John 8:12 and 9:5: "I am the Light of the World."

The basin and the towel:

The best picture of meekness and lowliness that we have is that of Jesus taking a basin and a towel and washing his disciples' feet (John 134-5). The basin and the towel symbol has been a favorite of Brethren people, who are reminded of its significance and meaning at every Love Feast. It is a symbol of God's cleansing of life. It also suggests the self-giving love that is to mark the disciples' life.

The Bread and the Cup:

The bread and the cup are symbols of the unlimited love of Christ that was offered in death for the unlimited needs of the world. "As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (I Corinthians 11:26)

Brethren Service Cup:

The Brethren service cup became a well-known symbol for the Brethren people when the Brethren Service Committee led the way in relief and rehabilitation work in the years following World War II. It is a symbol of the fact that we are our neighbor's brother and that we are committed to respond to his need in loving ways. The significance of offering a cup of cold water is mentioned in Matthew 10:42. The Brethren service theme has been, "In as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40).

Heart with Grapes (Alexander Mack Seal):

The founder of the Church of the Brethren used this symbol frequently. The cross, the universal symbol of Christian faith, has superimposed upon it a heart, which speaks of devotion, commitment, and total giving of oneself. Issuing forth from the heart are the grapes, the fruit of the vine (John 15).

Dove with Olive Branch:

A dove with an olive branch in its beak is the symbol of peace. This symbol comes from the account of the cessation of the flood recorded in Genesis 8:11. Noah sent out the dove to see whether the flood was receding. When the dove returned with a "freshly plucked olive leaf" in her beak, Noah knew the waters were receding. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, challenged his disciples to be peacemakers.

Pelican:

The pelican has no specific scriptural origin, but it is a very old and very meaningful Christian symbol of the atoning death of Jesus Christ. The "pelican-in-her-piety" was used in early Christian churches because of the legend that in times of famine the pelican would tear a hole in her breast and feed her young with her own blood, thereby saving them by her own death. This is an appropriate symbol of the atonement, and especially meaningful in the geographical area in which our church is located.