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That
we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and
administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and
Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works
faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel. (Augsburg Confession, Art. 5)
Word & Sacrament is the central and foundational activity of the
Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU. Christian faith is created,
strengthened, and sustained by the Holy Spirit's operation encountered
and experienced through Word & Sacrament. Nowhere is Word
& Sacrament more obviously adminsitered to God's children than in
the context of corportate worship, and corporate worship is most often
conducted in the sanctuary.
The sancturary of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU was dedicated in
1968. Its unusual double convex, Scandanavian styled ceiling and
support beams combined with clearstory windows, unadorned brick walls,
and general minimalism contribute to the atmosphere of a sacred
space. Using an open floor plan with movable furnishings, we have
been able to create appropriate layouts for a wide variety of worship
gatherings. Small prayer services of fewer than a half-dozen can
experience the space as intimate and peaceful, yet large gatherings up
to more than 120 can be accommodated. Ancient forms of worship
are equally at home as newer post-modern forms. Individuals can
also find in the sanctuary a refuge from the noise and frenetic pace of
the campus for quiet prayer and meditation.
When necessary, the sanctuary can be and has been converted for use as
a recital hall, lecture and workshop venue, and even art gallery.
In recent years, we have added some features to enhance our worship
life. A baptismal font sculpted by a WVU student
was commissioned in 2002. A 5' tall icon of Christ the King was deditcated in 2005 and commands the central visual
line. Most recently (Fall 2007), a pipe organ was
installed.
At the time of its construction, the 1968 sacntuary offered many
advantages over the original St. Paul sanctuary, but that was forty
years ago. Several factors compel us to make improvements.
The demise of the air conditioning system early in this decade can
result in sweltering conditions during worship, usually at the start of
the school year, precisely the time we want to encourage students to
develop a pattern of church attendance. Flooring is worn and most
likely asbestos. The orange and teal folding chairs are cold in
the winter time and visually unappealing.
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