As you enter Oak Arbor, you may notice that many details of the building have a story to tell. From the symbols at our entrance and the carved doors to the altar rock, light, and handcrafted furnishings, the building was designed to reflect a spiritual journey — learning the Lord’s truth, living it, and growing closer to Him.
The Alpha & Omega
Before you step through Oak Arbor’s front doors, you’ll notice the Alpha and Omega set into the stone walkway. These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and echo the Lord’s words in Revelation: He is the beginning and the end.
For us, they are a reminder that the Lord is present throughout the whole of our spiritual journey — from our first questions and beginnings to the ways we continue learning, growing, and living His teachings.
The Journey Through the Doors
As you move toward the sanctuary, you pass through three entryways bearing the Lord’s words:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6
Each doorway reflects part of our spiritual journey.
The Way reminds us that following the Lord begins with choosing a path and being willing to change.
The Truth represents what we come to understand and love as the Lord’s teachings bring greater order and wisdom to our lives.
The Life reminds us that truth becomes meaningful when we live it — discovering the Lord’s love, joy, and goodness in the way we treat others and make our everyday choices.
The carvings reinforce that journey. Acorns represent spiritual potential, sprouting acorns suggest growing understanding, and mature branches and seeds reflect the fruitfulness that comes from living what we learn.
You may also notice that each doorway allows in more light. This represents the growing clarity and wisdom that can come as we follow the Lord more closely.
The Altar Rock
Our altar rock was found beneath the oak trees just southwest of the church. Carried to this area by glaciers thousands of years ago, it likely originated in the ancient Canadian Shield.
Rocks are often used in the Bible as symbols of the Lord’s strength, permanence, and timeless truth. Our world changes and our lives change, but the Lord remains constant — the Rock of our salvation.
The altar stone was intentionally left unhewn, unchanged by human hands. For us, this reflects a desire to receive the Lord’s Word as He gives it — seeking to understand His truth and shape our lives around it, rather than reshaping it to fit our own wishes.
Symbols Throughout the Sanctuary
Our chancel furniture was handcrafted especially for Oak Arbor and includes symbols drawn from both the Old and New Testaments.
Among them are a lamb, lion, and vine, each reflecting different qualities of the Lord. The doves on the baptismal font represent innocence, while the seven lampstands surrounding the altar recall the seven golden lampstands described in Revelation 1.
Together, these details help make our sanctuary more than simply a beautiful place to worship. They quietly remind us of the Lord, His Word, and the spiritual journey we are each invited to take.