St. Paul’s banner builds through Lent

COBOURG, Ont. – At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the penitential seasons of the Church Year are a time to bring out banners that advance with the season, in similar fashion to an Advent calendar. Originally stemming from a Sunday school lesson, two unique banners were designed by member Ulla Jensen for both Advent and Lent, to guide members through those seasons by adding a new image to the banner each week.  

The Lenten banner starts out relatively bare, with a single cross. The additions, created by Ulla, are made of felt and are easily fastened to the banner before midweek and Sunday Divine services.  

For Lent, many of the symbols are taken from the events of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, while others are symbols of the season. These include the number 40, palms, the loaf and cup, the basin and towel, a bag of coins, the rooster, a spear, the pillar and scourges, the crown of thorns, the robe and dice, and INRI (the initials of the Latin inscription on the cross). 

For Advent, the main text reads “Come Lord Jesus” above an empty manger. Additions include baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, sheep, the shepherds, the star, and the magi with a camel. 

St. Paul’s is grateful to Ulla for her creativity and work in producing these banners that help members in their meditation on the life of Christ and His redeeming work for His people, as structured into the very fabric of the church calendar. 

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