Parament

left to right: Barbara Holzapfel, Auxiliary President, Chaplain Lois, Chaplain Tom, Pastor Reichard, Melba Reichard

EXPLANATION OF WHITE ALTAR PARAMENT

The white altar parament for the National Lutheran Home powerfully symbolizes
the resurrection while suggesting its blessing and meaning in every individual life.

A beautiful butterfly is superimposed on a golden burst of light. The butterfly is a
symbol of the resurrection bursting forth from the cocoon of death and
transformation. The eternal saving grace of God as light breaks into an Easter
dawn and every dawn shattering death forever for people of faith. One can only
imagine that scene at the tomb at the dawn of all hope, faith and joy. Matthew
records in chapter 28 that Mary Magdaline and the other Mary coming to the tomb
saw an angel whose appearance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow.
St. John said, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines
in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1 :4-5) St. Paul said,
"I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else
in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

The unique feature of the design is the variety of beautiful, colorful flowers that
surround the central light and butterfly. They are the flowers of every birth month
of the year thus suggesting the resurrection for every person. The flowers
include; Carnation, Violet, Daffodil, Daisy, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Larkspur,
Poppy, Morning Glory, Cosmos and Chrysanthemum many of which are
mentioned in scripture. The rose is the symbol for Christ for Isaiah said that a
rose would bloom in the desert and indeed it did in the desert of our sin and
death. Jesus spoke about the lilies of the field reminding us of the care of God.
Violets are the flower of faithfulness. Lily of the valley is a symbol of purity and is
the flower of Mary.

As the biblical story began in a garden which God created perfect and beautiful so
the story of our faith and salvation takes place in a resurrection garden. The
design suggesting that garden theme is radiant in color and beauty. Every person,
every guest, every worshipper has an identity in that resurrection story in the
flower of their birth. The light still shines. The flowers bloom. The garden is here.
The story is now. God's gift in Christ is life.

Artist: Vickie DeVilbiss
Explanation: The Rev. Ray E. Blanset