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'Signs for our souls': Church marquees often carry messages meant to draw people inside

August 17, 2007|HERB BROCK

They say our eyes are windows to our souls. Then maybe church marquees are signs that give a glimpse of how our souls will be treated inside houses of worship. Marquees then perhaps could be considered signs for our souls.

In the Danville area, church marquees come in many different shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they all provide worship dates and times and most also have the name of the church's minister.

However, there are some marquees that go beyond simply providing basic information. Some also have messages, most of which come from the Bible. But some of the messages are not Bible verses but sayings meant to tease us, tickle us or test our faith.

Immanuel Baptist Church, right in the middle of farm country on Faulkner Station Road, uses an agriculture theme in its message: "Planting is our work. Reaping is God's work."

Faith Temple in downtown Danville goes right to the Christian bottom line in its message: "Put Christ first in your life."

Gethsemane Baptist Church off of Perryville Road in Danville uses a biblical verse, then adds a warning in its message: "The wages of sin is death. Quit before pay day."

And the Danville Church of God, between Third and Fourth streets, combines a welcoming and a warning in its message: Visitors welcome. Members expected."

Reflection of the times

While the marquees of other churches don't carry messages, per se, they reflect the modern era.

For example, the marquee outside the Centenary United Methodist Church Christian Life Center off of Perryville Road is a digitalized message board that flashes all sorts of calendar information about services, classes and programs but also has a message from the Bible.

For another example, the marquee at First Church of God on Harrodsburg Road has the usual service information but also includes its Web site address.

Whether modern or old-fashioned, straight-forward or, well, preachy, a marquee provides a church its first chance to welcome people - and provides people a sign of how the church treats souls.

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