Advent ~ a time of longing and waiting in hope and anticipation for the birth of Christ, who will make all things new. As we live with brokenness all around us, we also live with hope, which we have because of Jesus Christ, the shoot coming from the stump of Jesse. From this stump, covered with pictures of hope and brokenness which we experience in our own lives, the living vine will grow and spread over all the other panels of the mural.

Isaiah 11:1 ~ A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

Christmas ~ The waiting is over. The promised Messiah, “the bright and morning star” has been born. Our Christmas panel is covered with hundreds of shining stars, representing the fulfilment of the promise, the star that pointed to where Christ was born, and the calling to each one of us “to shine like stars in the universe.”

Matthew 2:9-10 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

Epiphany ~ the time after Christmas when we focus on the life and ministry of Jesus while he was here on earth. The Sunday School children drew pictures of Jesus’ “I AM” statements. Jesus referred to himself as “the bread of life,” “the true vine,” “the light of the world,” “the good shepherd,” “the gate,” and “the Resurrection and the Life.” These pictures were completed by adults using pastels, torn paper and pencil crayons.

John 14: 6 ~ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Lent ~ a time of prayer and preparation for Easter. It is the time we focus on Christ’s suffering and his journey to the cross. Along that journey the people of Israel wanted to crown him King and waved palm braches before him. In many ways, we too, often want Jesus to be something other than who he really is. The palm branches that cover the Lent portion of the mural are purple on black. Our laying down the palm branches, on the path of the vine, is a confession of our own sin, and acknowledgement that we too, need of a Saviour. The cut outs of the palms become the thorns on the crown of thorns.

Isaiah 53: 5b ~ the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Good Friday ~ the day Jesus died on the cross. The cut outs of the palms on the Lent panel become the thorns on the crown of thorns.

Isaiah 53: 12b ~ For he bore the sins of many, and made intercessions for the transgressors.

Good Friday ~ the day Jesus died on the cross. A cross is suspended above the back doors. Behind this cross, along the balcony railing, the fabric backdrop continues the journey of Christ’s suffering, from the Garden of Gethsemane, to his arrest and beatings, to the crucifixion and being laid in the tomb.

Isaiah 53: 12b ~ For he bore the sins of many, and made intercessions for the transgressors.

Easter ~ our celebration of Jesus’ victory over the cross the death. The Easter panel of the mural begins with fabric forming the shape of the open tomb, and then radiates out, bursting with butterflies on the vine.

John 11: 25 ~ Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. They who believe in me will live, even though they die.”

Easter ~ our celebration of Jesus’ victory over the cross the death. The Butterfly is one of the more significant symbols of Easter. Its whole life cycle is meant to symbolize the life of Jesus Christ. The first stage, is the caterpillar, which stands for His life on Earth. The second phase of the cocoon portrays the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The third and final stage is the butterfly, representing His raising from the dead in a glorified body and peace.

John 11: 25 ~ Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. They who believe in me will live, even though they die.”

Ascension Day ~ the coronation of Jesus as King. Ascension is part of the Easter season and takes place 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection. In many traditions the significance of Ascension Day has been overlooked or overshadowed by Easter and Pentecost, yet it is arguably as important. Christ came into the world to redeem us, he returned on the clouds to his Father and will return someday as he left. Ascension Day heralds Christ’s victory over sin, death and Satan, and ushers in the new kingdom where Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Acts 1:9 ~ After Jesus said this, he was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Pentecost ~ the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers. Pentecost is 50 days after Easter and 10 days after the Ascension. When Christ ascended back into heaven, he promised the disciples they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them. Through the Holy Spirit the church is given power to go out into the world, making disciples of all nations. The Spirit guides our lives, intercedes for us at the Father’s side, and equips us for missional living.

Acts : 2: 3 ~ The disciples saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Trinity ~ Trinity Sunday is celebrated the Sunday after Pentecost and marks the beginning of the longest season of the church year, which is called “Ordinary time,” and ends the last Sunday before Advent, when the church calendar begins again. The colour for this season is green and represents the life of the church after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Trinity Sunday celebrates the oneness of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As the mural of the Living Vine began with a stump and a vine growing from that stump, in the Trinity mural it comes full circle and ends with three interlocking circles made of unique wood – Padush, Purple Heart and Spalted Maple. Jubilee’s theme verse begins and ends the mural.

11 Corinthians 13:14 ~ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.