Completed Banner

A banner for Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Livonia Michigan has been completed. The banner features a Luther's seal along with flowing lines indicative of God's grace flowing down to us. The banner was designed by students from Concordia and fabricated by a Concodria alumnist, Debbie Jurchen.

Luther provides a lengthy explanation of his seal: The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. t does not corrupt nature, that s, it does not kill but keeps alive. 'The just shall live by faith' (Roman 1:17) but by faith in the Crucified. Such a comfort, and a peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white joyous rose, for this faith foes not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of thespirirt and the angels. Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal.