Lent 1

Minister: "The Lord spoke to Moses: ... you shall set up the tabernacle ... And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:1, 2, 34). "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel saying: ... lasting seven days, there shall be the festival of tabernacles" (Leviticus 23:33f).

Youth: Why do we have this decoration in our sanctuary today?

Reader 1: This is a model of the tabernacle, booth or temporary hut built by each Jewish family in Jesus' time for Sukkot or the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths. Every family took part. It was a holiday like Christmas - full of joy and excitement.

Reader 2: Over the years, the Christian Church lost sight of this important Festival. Yet signs of the Festival shimmer through the Holy Week events of Jesus' life.

Reader 1: The …