History of the Altar, Credence Table, and Ambo

St. Mark is blessed with a beautiful worship space. The beautiful stained glass, the chancel where the altar, lectern, choir, acolytes and pastors sit, and beautiful paraments that change with the seasons. 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an altar as a raised structure or flat-topped table used for worship, prayer, sacrifice, or spiritual rituals.  Altars vary in style and design between churches and denominations; from very simple to very ornate. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), altars serve as the central focal point for the celebration of Holy Communion and corporate worship, reflecting a blend of historic liturgical tradition and contemporary flexibility. The altar in the sanctuary at St. Mark is simple and placed in the center towards the back of the chancel. The altar in the fellowship hall is placed in the front of the chancel and is also centered. Both the sanctuary and the fellowship hall worship spaces have different paraments for each season of the church, which for me helps enhance each season and adds to the beauty of the worship space.  

Behind the altar in the sanctuary there is a table called the credence table. In the fellowship hall the credence table is along the wall by the windows. The credence table holds the elements for Holy Communion. During the offertory the pastors move the elements from the credence table to the altar in preparation for Holy Communion. Sometimes during the 11am worship service the children help us move the elements to the altar.  After everyone has received communion, the elements are placed back on the credence table.  You may not be able to see the credence table in the sanctuary during worship, but if you would like to see it, please feel free to take a look before or after worship. 

St. Mark has an ambo in both worship spaces where the scriptures are read and the sermons are preached. Traditionally, churches used a pulpit strictly for preaching sermons and a lectern for scripture readings and announcements.  In modern ELCA architectural practice, many congregations utilize one combined ambo to serve both functions, emphasizing that the scripture reading and the sermon are part of a single continuous proclamation. 

We have learned more about the albs and vestments worn by pastors and deacons, the colors of the paraments and their meaning, the candles in the worship space, and the altar, credence table, and ambo.  At St. Mark you will see these things each week depending on which worship service you attend.  There is history behind much of what happens in the church, but that is not what makes worship special and no the sermon doesn’t make worship either.  What makes worship special is the community gathered together. A community sharing in a simple meal, singing songs, and praying together.  St. Mark is blessed with an amazing community who loves and cares for each other, and the community outside the church walls.  

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber