Hello!
We’re on an exploration in the church - there is so much to discover here. There are eight of us and if you read the clues, you may find us all. It might be a bit tricky to find us, but we think you can do it.
Good luck from The Baaaarnabys
Expand the arrows and read about the different sheep and where to find them.
Baaaarbara
I’ve found my way to the middle of the church to look at the big chandelier. It’s the largest one in the church. They managed to rescue it when a big fire broke out in the church almost three hundred years ago.
It’s beautiful, don’t you think? How many chandeliers do you spot in the church?
Woooolverine
I am on my way up to the top of the pulpit. Come and join me! Up there the priest may stand and preach, that means that they are talking about something that is related to God and Christianity. Not long ago the priest needed to stand a bit above the congregation to be heard.
Nowadays they can use microphones instead so it’s more common that they stand in front of the altar.
Eeeewe
Wow, these windows are so large and so beautiful. I would also like to have windows like these with windowpanes in different colors. Look, far down at the window they placed the windowpanes to make it look like sheaves with wheaten straws. These are green so they are not ripe yet.
Can you see a window with ripe wheat? (Look for the yellow ones).
Shaaaaun
In the very front of the church there is an altar. Behind it is a large altarpiece. It is a combination of a large painting and sculpture. To see the hole altarpiece, I found a place at the altar rail (it looks almost like a fence).
The altarpiece was painted almost three hundred years ago by a painter called Master Johan.
There is a rumor that he painted himself somewhere in picture, I wonder where…
Raaaamona
Here, on the right side of the altar, I have found the baptismal font. I am just looking at it from the bench because you may not touch it if you don’t work here. To be baptized means that person becomes a part of the congregation and God’s family.
Before the baptismal act they lift the lid and pour some water in the bowl inside. Then the priest scoops up some water with their hand and pour it on the head of the person that is about to be baptized. One can be baptized both as a child and an adult. Are you baptized?
Beyonsheeeep
I love music and I found a large instrument that is most common to find in churches. It is called an organ and at the sermon the musician plays hymns on it. One plays with both hands and feet at the same time, which must be really difficult.
On the stand there is an even bigger organ, you can see it from here. My favorite hymn is “He’s got the whole world in his hands”. Do you know it?
Wooooliam
Every time I visit a church I light a candle in the light bearer. It is black and made of metal and you can put small candles in it. When I light my candle, I pray that God will be with those that need love and light in their lives.
Sometimes I light a candle for someone that has passed away. It feels good to do that.
You may light a candle if you would like to.
Baaaathilda
Look, there are so many books here! There are books for both children and adults. You can find different kinds of bibles. In a bible you can read about Christians who lived a long time ago or how to treat other people.
Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a children’s book in English here but maybe you can find a nice postcard?
Did you find us all?
If you want to, you can continue the exploration on your own. Otherwise, you may sit down in the children’s corner, there you’ll find books, crayons, paper and toys.
Did you know there’s a story called “The lost sheep”? It’s from the bible and was told by Jesus. Jesus often told parables, stories to make the people understand more about God. This is the story:
The lost sheep
Imagine a big, green field with sheep in different colors munching on the grass. There is also a shepherd that takes care of the sheep. A good shepherd makes sure the sheep are safe, have enough food and water and feel loved.
This shepherd had one hundred sheep and every evening he counted them. One evening he discovered there was only 99 sheep. One little sheep had wandered off and got lost. The shepherd got very worried and knew he had to find it. He left the other sheep in
a safe place and went out on a search mission.
The shepherd searched everywhere – up on the hills, down in the valleys, behind bushes and in small caves. After several hours he heard a tiny ”baaa!”. It was the lost sheep! The shepherd got so happy, he scooped up the little sheep in his arms and then carried it all the way home on his shoulders. When he got home, he invited all his friends to celebrate that the sheep was found and well. The little sheep must have feelt so special and loved.
By telling this story, Jesus wanted us to think of ourselves as sheep that sometimes wander off and get lost. He wanted us to think of God as the shepherd that loves us very much and God will not give up the search until everyone is found and well.