Worship and the Arts
This Pentecost season we're highlighting the many and various ways art can be used as a tool in worship! Like God shows up in a variety of ways in the world, art similarly reflects beauty through many mediums. Typically art tells a story, but sometimes art is for the sake of enjoyment. Either way, we are invited to reflect on what we see, hear, feel, and draw connections to God. The photos below are of paintings, a child's coloring, needle-point, and more.
Traditionally, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove or flames and liturgical color is red, so the gathered art, loaned by congregation members, mostly follow this theme.
From my Pentecost sermon, "You might be wondering why I asked for artwork the other week, and why some is displayed up here. It is because art expresses beauty in so many ways. And through art we can learn something about God. It’s the artists, musicians, and creatives who, I think, are often better teachers than preachers. It is often said beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially so with art in its many mediums. Some people like abstract art, others realist, some prefer vibrant colors, and so on. Even if it’s not your personal taste, beauty is still present in these many creations. In God’s eyes, all created things are beautiful and proclaimed “good.” To God, all created things have purpose. All created things are loved. We are God’s works of art, created beings, made in the very likeness of the divine. Beautiful, purposeful, and loved. All people are made in God’s image. All people are beautiful and loved. And this is a message we not only should share, but are called to do by God. The world needs to hear, time and time again, that God cares about us."
Traditionally, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove or flames and liturgical color is red, so the gathered art, loaned by congregation members, mostly follow this theme.
From my Pentecost sermon, "You might be wondering why I asked for artwork the other week, and why some is displayed up here. It is because art expresses beauty in so many ways. And through art we can learn something about God. It’s the artists, musicians, and creatives who, I think, are often better teachers than preachers. It is often said beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially so with art in its many mediums. Some people like abstract art, others realist, some prefer vibrant colors, and so on. Even if it’s not your personal taste, beauty is still present in these many creations. In God’s eyes, all created things are beautiful and proclaimed “good.” To God, all created things have purpose. All created things are loved. We are God’s works of art, created beings, made in the very likeness of the divine. Beautiful, purposeful, and loved. All people are made in God’s image. All people are beautiful and loved. And this is a message we not only should share, but are called to do by God. The world needs to hear, time and time again, that God cares about us."
