Our series designs often have a direct connection with the themes of the messages and what we learn throughout the particular book of The Bible.  With our Ephesians series we took an additional step of doing an art installation in our lobby related to the series and it seems good to draw attention to a few key aspects of the design and installation to highlight what we see in the book of Ephesians itself.  

I’d like to start by thanking Anna Kester for her work on this installation and for using art in a way that’s both aesthetically pleasing but helps draw our eyes and thinking upward to the things of God.

First, the design itself.  You may notice the mosaic, or geometrically tiled, look to the background.  That’s intentional as it relates to the church itself, a beautiful spectrum of a variety of backgrounds, creeds and cultures, all unified in one common thread: Jesus Christ Himself.  There’s also an intentionality to the lighter colors being at the bottom of the design: representing earth as a bland while heaven, at the top of the design gradient, is vibrant and colorful, full of life and wonder, a reflection of what we see in Ephesians 2:1-10.  The mosaic effect shows us that the variety of backgrounds, creeds and cultures are beautiful when brought together in Christ as we see in Ephesians 2:13.

Second, the installation.  There are two additional aspects of the design that are drawn out in the installation in our church lobby.  The Holy Spirit is represented on the ceiling tile in the form of a dove as the one who brings the variety of gifts to His people.  The strings from the ceiling tile and across the board highlight His power at work in the church bringing people together and empowering them for mission.  

The book of Ephesians in it’s two distinct sections helps us to understand that applying the truths of the first (faith) makes possible the actions and lifestyle of the second (practice).

I trust that this is a helpful way to see and understand some of the behind the scenes of our design team and process in putting together resources for our series.  I’m grateful for a church that values creativity as a part of the way that we display the Glory of God, our creator!

More than anything, the hope is that our series, these designs and art all help us take steps toward fulfilling what we’re called to in Ephesians 4:1b-6

(I) urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (ESV)