September 2026

(Story provided by Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois)

“Making the most of an opportunity!” That is what happened at Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville.

A series of factors combined to give Bethany an opportunity to renovate her sanctuary to boldly proclaim Christ. The sanctuary was badly in need of repainting. The carpet and the flooring were in bad shape. The organ was aging.

Rather than just replacing the carpeting, completing some repairs to the organ, and painting the sanctuary, in 2024, Bethany decided to do a total revamp of the sanctuary. It was an opportunity to let the sanctuary declare even more boldly our salvation in Jesus Christ. There would be a coordinated effort to have a total refurbishment of the organ, installation of completely new flooring, repairs to the drywall and fresh paint for the walls, in addition to replacing the baptismal font.

The Lutheran Worship hymnal has these words of introduction: “Saying back to Him what He has said to us, we repeat what is most true and sure. Most true and sure is His Name, which He put upon us with the water of our Baptism. We are His.” A sanctuary should speak of the Lord from what He has said to us. Bethany’s newly refurbished sanctuary beautifully and forcefully proclaims Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

At the entrance of Bethany’s sanctuary there is a spectacular mosaic of the seal of Martin Luther surrounded by the five sola’s of the faith: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Sola Scriptura, Soli Deo Gloria (Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, Scripture Alone, Glory to God Alone). As one looks up from the Seal, one sees the font, the altar, and a statue of the Ascended Christ (after all, we are Bethany Lutheran) behind the altar.

Walking down the center aisle, there are seven crosses in white tiles leading to the font. Bethany’s new font is eight-sided for the sure hope of eternal life in Christ. The exterior is marble. Each of the eight sides has a marble picture. The front is Christ Crucified; the back is Christ as the Alpha and Omega; the organ side is the Agnus Dei Christus Victor; and the pulpit side is the symbol of the Trinity emphasizing Christ as the Son of God. The diagonals of the font show the Word and the Sacraments: Baptism, Confession, Sacrament of the Altar, and the VDMA (“The Word of the Lord Endures Forever”).

The interior of the font is blue with a gold cross. In the waters of baptism, we are baptized into Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection (Rom. 6; Col. 2). The water flows continually in the font. Since the font is in the center aisle, adults and children alike can touch the water of baptism and make the sign of the cross as they approach the Lord’s Table.

Coming soon will be the refurbished organ. When that is fully voiced, Bethany’s renewal of the sanctuary will be complete. The intent of all these renovations has been to create a space which clearly points to Christ and His salvation freely given in Word and Sacrament. Throughout history, Christians have built sanctuaries to the glory of God to help convey to all who worship there the hope of eternal life. Having been blessed with our clear Lutheran doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, delivered to us sinners through Word and Sacrament, Bethany now proclaims this Jesus with our renovated sanctuary that includes a new font and a new mosaic. An opportunity presented itself, and Bethany used it to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim His gracious salvation.

WORD: Helping congregations be more centered on a rich life of Word and Sacrament, with congregational support in transitions, as well as time of joys and sorrows.