“NO WONDER IT FEELS SO COLD,” my husband said when he returned to the warmth of the house and checked the outdoor air temp this morning. “It’s 16 below.”
An overview of flower art from members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, Minnesota, displayed in the chancel during weekend worship services.
Bundled in our coats, caps and gloves, we trundled outside to the warming Chrysler for the short drive to Trinity Lutheran Church. There we would find a breath of spring—an assortment of flower art—to lift our spirits.
A floral batik by professional artist and Trinity member Arlene Rolf graces a wall in the narthex. Inside the sanctuary (left through glass wall), my flower photos are showcased on three screens.
This is precisely what we needed on a morning when Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter. Not that we Minnesotans need Phil to show us that. We know our winter will run into mid-March and most certainly longer.
This beautiful and stunning hand-pieced floral quilt art by Kevin Kreger is displayed below a wood carving by noted Faribault artist Ivan Whillock in the sanctuary. This photo is taken looking up from the bottom of the wall hanging. Kreger, a gifted quilter and musician, coordinated the “Consider the Lilies” floral display.
But for this one hour, we focused on the beauty of flowers, of God’s creation, and the very real promise that God cares for us, just as He does the lilies of the field. “God is in control of our lives,” said the Rev. Warren Schmidt.
Church secretary Jennie Kingland created this lush, detailed floral in counted cross stitch.
As Rev. Schmidt’s sermon, “Consider the Lilies,” unfolded, he placed us in the lush setting where Jesus preached his “Sermon on the Mount.”
Flower art buffeted both sides of the chancel, here near the baptismal font and pulpit.
Earlier, we’d listened to the gospel lesson, Jesus’ words written in Matthew 6:24-34, including these verses:
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
This same hand-embroidered art design, displayed in church, hangs above my bed.
To listen to those reassuring words, to view the beautiful floral art and the bouquets of flowers uplifted me.
“Is there beauty in the cross?” asked the Rev. Warren Schmidt. He emphasized the height, depth, breadth and width of God’s love for us, shown in His son’s death on the cross so that we might have eternal life.
I am assured of God’s love and care for me. And, because of Christ’s death on the cross, as the pastor said, we are “the perfection of beauty before God the Father.”
A snippet of bold floral art by Marilyn Borchert.
How wonderful is that?
From Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
If God cares for the flowers and the birds and the rest of His creation, so surely He values and cares for us.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Beautiful and touching.
Thank you.
It was certainly cold outside there this AM, but you all have such warm hearts and create such beautiful art. Surely all those lovely creations kept you warm with the promise of Spring! What an inspiring display!
I think this floral art display, combined with the fitting Scripture and music, was exactly what we all needed this a.m.
Most pieces brought in to display seemed to have a special story or meaning for the one who brought it – thanks so much to all for letting us share in a bit of your story. It was a good day.
Absolutely a good day, Kevin. Thank you for organizing. God has blessed many with incredible art talents.
I loved how the art reinforced the Scripture, sermon and music selected for today’s worship service. Likewise, the art made each of those more memorable.
Absolutely perfect post for the day. The hope of spring and the brightness of tomorrow is a certainty –thanks for the vivid reminder.
Yes, I really needed to hear this Scripture and sermon today and see all of that beautiful floral art.
What beautiful scriptures and art. When we went to church yesterday it was so hot I was in a sweat by the time I walked from the front door to the garage. We had the air-conditioning cranked up all the way there and it was with relief that we entered the air-conditioned building – such contrasts! xx
Could we possibly exchange some air. I’ll send you cold; you send us some heat. How high are your temps?
And, yes, the Scripture and art together were, indeed, beautiful.
Just gorgeous and spirit-lifting. I love the quilted wall-covering. How beautiful and
since I am a needleworker myself I was especially drawn to them. What is there
about a beautiful bouquet of flowers that makes a person feel so good? Loved it.
Spirit-lifting is right. Yes, there’s something about flowers…
Very beautiful and inspiring…just what I need on a wintery day…
Thank you, Ted. Many of us feel exactly as you do.
Consider – what a depth of thought in a single word. Consider how the lilies toil not, neither spin – and yet – and YET – God provides! The pastoral thought, too, “God is in control of our lives” leads on to the further truth: “and nothing ever surprises our Lord.”
Excellent last sentence addition to this whole “consider” theme. Thank you, Marilyn.
beautiful flowers. I did the picture Life is fragile handle with prayer for my mother in law about 50 years ago,her daughter still has it hanging in her foyer. I enjoy everything u write on here. I have been to Owatonna Mn once when my sister lived there in 1962. It was in August and cold at night. I don’t think I could stand the temps there now
Isn’t that a wonderful work of art, that “handle with prayer?” I can understand why your mother-in-law’s daughter treasures it. I treasure mine, which came from a rummage sale.
Owatonna is about 15 miles south of my community of Faribault. Yes, the temps are cold here. But we dress warm and know enough to come indoors if our hands and/or feet start feeling numb, etc.
Thank you for your kind words regarding Minnesota Prairie Roots. I’m happy to have you as a reader.
And our response is ‘key’…..to embrace/accept His free Gift of Life or not (and to ignore it or go our own way is to reject it resulting in eternal separation from the Gift Giver). Hugs…………………………..
Correct you are.
Beautiful works of art partner’d with uplifting scripture, sounds like a perfect start to your day. Love the counted cross stitch by your church secretary…. beautiful!
It was the perfect way to begin my day and my week.
Yes, that counted cross stitch piece is beyond beautiful. From a distance, I thought it was a painted picture. Jennie is creating counted cross stitch art for all 10 of her siblings. She’s fabulous and works so hard to enhance our worship services. She is the techie who got my flower photos from email onto screen.
The quilt is really stunning. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see flowers outside again? We are warmer than you at 6 below here this morning. I am so ready for spring, but more snow is on its way tomorrow. I’ll have to enjoy “virtual” flowers for a while yet.
The temp here this a.m. is actually one degree above zero, much warmer than yesterday morning.
Kevin’s floral quilt drew a lot of attention and praise and deservedly so.
Beautiful Captures and Post – makes me think of SPRING:)
I know. This floral display was like a breath of Spring for us winter weary Minnesotans.
I skated and slid into work this morning – the wet snow yesterday turned the roads into an ice rink this morning. Great Way to Start a Monday and the work week!
Oh, yikes. Be careful driving home. Hopefully roads will be better by then.
I have a 4×4 – live on the top of a mountain foothill – so going down to get to work and going back up to get home – have not decided which way is worse yet.
This image of Duluth pops into my brain. Slow and easy does it, perhaps.
Yes, slow and easy for sure!
We all need some inspiration today; while are temps may be a bit warmer, it’s still cold and drab here. Love the pictures and colors remind me of the soon coming spring…life is fragile and we need to embrace each day with prayer. Thanks again for an uplift on this day of winter.
You are most welcome.
Trinity, Faribault is certainly blessed with many talented people. I’m sure Pastor Schmidt did a great job of tying this all together with the Gospel in his sermon.
You are correct on both the talent and Pastor Schmidt. I took notes during his sermon, the basis for tying this whole blog post together.
Reminders that spring does exist are so welcome right about now!
I totally agree.
Since we’re in lily season, I was surfing, came upon the wonderful picture of Trinity’s baptismal font, integrated with the lovely art. Usually it’s seen as solemn, but elegant in its place. Is it used? The windows, the organ(s), this font, all have a history. fyi, a compilation of the church’s anniversary booklets is online here
http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~folp/nostalgia/125%20Years%20Timeline.html
It gives some donation detail. But, nothing about the artists. If I wanted to order one, who would I call? There must be an artist history of the various pieces that are a part of our fabric. When, you know, you have a spare minute, could you look at the angel, see if there’s anything? If it had been available, I think Edna Schulenberg would have included it. She was the one that provided me the information to put on that church history site. The organ info is quite detailed. The windows and the font, not. (This is what happens when we’re waiting for the sun and plants to bloom, nothing better to do!) Hugs!…at a distance, of course. You have my email, don’t hesitate to use it.
Sandra, I will email you later. And, yes, the baptismal font is still used. It’s a beautiful work of art.