We, The Chapel Creatives, are pleased to open an offering to the Lord— expanded and accessible spaces for the worship arts—a visual arts gallery and a virtual stage for singer songwriters. We hope these new spaces will inspire more authentic worship and creative energy for the glory of Christ. Our prayer for the future is that art will be displayed in calendared shows and concerts sometimes highlighting the vision of artists in and around our faith community, sometimes complementing a sermon series and sometimes focusing on a challenge or blessing in our current experiences. We’ll be learning along the way and welcome feedback. If you’d like to learn more about why we were inspired to start this project, click here.

May the creative God we serve lead us in our arts as worship and our worship as an art.

Matthew 6

GIVING TO THE NEEDY

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

PRAYER

“And when you pray, do not be like hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

FASTING

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

But hone you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two master. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

DO NOT WORRY

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life moree than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than the? Can any one of you by worrying dd a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek firs this kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

"Father in Heaven”

By Robb Esperat

Song notes: I love to write scripture songs. They are a fun creative exercise, and they help me hide God’s word in my heart. I happened to see Claudia as she was preparing the gallery for the show based on Matthew 6, and she asked if I had any songs that I could contribute. To my astonishment, I didn’t! The next morning , I wrote this tune.

In a recent sermon, we examined the Lord’s Prayer as an introduction to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9-13). But really, the whole chapter serves as that introduction. We learn, for instance, that he is the one who “sees in secret” (vv 4, 6, 18), that he knows what we need before we ask (v 8). We learn also that since he is our provider (vv 26, 30), we can be released from our anxious worry (vv 25, 28, 31, 34) to rest in him. What a good Father!

You are my father who in secret sees

Before I ask you know of all my needs

And to the secret place you beckon me

You are the father of my daily bread

it’s by your hand that I am clothed and fed

I lay my worry down and trust instead

let your name be hallowed

Your kingdom come

As it is in heaven

Let your will be done

Keep us from temptation

Deliver us

Father in heaven

Let your kingdom come
you are the father who’s forgiven me

I brought my burden and you set me free

The blood of Jesus is my only plea

Treasures

Verse 1

I met a man who said my brother
take my robe for there ain’t no other
Covering for my children
That won’t be eaten, torn, destroyed, will you believe it?

Verse 2

Through work and beauty, I cried accept me!
To wealth and lovers, said won’t you save me!
But oh these treasures, they kept rusting
Oh time and time again, His voice was haunting

Chorus

To not lay up treasures, where moth and rust destroy
Or put em where, thieves break in and steal
To make me your treasure, and find your greatest joy
And find for what all along, you’ve been searching

Verse 3

I used my gifts, for my own satisfaction
How I relied, on fading passions
I looked to these, to save me!
As they were eaten, torn destroyed, I started believin

"Matthew 6:26-32”

Adele Loomans

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin 29 yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these 30 if that is how God clothes the grass of trees field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or "‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.

"Consider the Lillies”

By Mike Lane

In Matthew 6 Jesus challenges us to “consider the lilies of the field.” That said, it is a point of some debate as to what kind of flower he was actually referencing as he was teaching in the rolling hills leading down tot he shore of the Sea of Galilee. Some say scarier poppies and others just say, well we’re not sure— just envision a field of beautiful wild flowers and even include some flowering weeds, like the Butterweed on the right.

Brushed Ink and Watercolor

"Matthew 6:25-27”

By Mandy Poe

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Canall your worries add a single moment to your life?”

This passage has always been a comfort to me, and I picture the tiny birds fitting around my garden, being cared for by my Heavenly Father who knows and sees all. The verses both affirm our great value to Him and remind us to surrender the tendency to strive and over-plan in order to secure what we think we need. Our Heavenly Father knows our deepest needs, the ones we can’t even perceive beneath the surface, and He has met them all in Jesus!

Watercolor, gouache and ink

"Our Secret Place”

By Dennis J Borgerding

Lord I am so hungry

So I come to you for food

You have asked me to fast

While my heart is strong

My body is weak

Yet I know you will feed me

Here in our secret place.

Lord I am in need

So I come to you in prayer.

You have asked me to talk with you.

While my heart wants to meet

My mind is so distracted.

Yet I know you will meet with me

Here in our secret place.

Lord I see so many in need

So I look at how you blessed me.

You have asked me to bless others.

While my heart wants to be compassionate

My fist is holding so tight

Yet I know you will direct my giving

Here in our secret place

Lord I so seek man’s glory

So I come to you in humility.

You have asked me to serve in secret.

While my heart seeks your glory

My person wants man’s praise.

Yet I know you will glorify me

Here in our secret place.

"Matthew 6:26”

By Jeanette Thorpe

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Birdhouse: Styrofoam, fabric, wood, beads, metal plate, cardboard, tissue paper, paint, commercial materials such as bird nest, egg, leaf garland, bird, fabric and fibers, beads, antique glass inkwell, waxed linen thread

"Matthew 6:11/Matthew 626-29"

By Sean Choo

Give us today our daily bread.

Look at the birds of the air…the flowers of the field they do not labor or spin.

"Matthew 6:28-31"

By Claudia Finn

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. IF that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying “What shall we eat” or “what shall we drink?” or “what shall we wear?”

Oil on Canvas

"Matthew 6:13"

By Jeanette Thorpe

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Found metal objects

"Matthew 6:28-29"

By Tom Schultheis

“See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. IF that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith”

"Matthew 6:25-34"

By Keith McCune

Do not worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more Han clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. IF that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the first, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink'?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Calligraphy pen on paper

"Matthew 6:19-21"

By Ivy Vincent

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“A Lending Hand”

3D on canvas, with plastic

"Matthew 6:27-31"

By Faith Vincent

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”

“Getting dressed”

Watercolor

"Matthew 6:3-4"

By Kailey Krause (12) and Cynthia Krause

Matthew 6 verse 3-4 says “When you give in secret… your heavenly father will reward you.”

Verse 6 says “When you pray in secret…your father will reward you.” Verse 18 says “When you fast ins secret…your father in heaven will reward you.” Matthew 6 verse 21 says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Our project shows our heart as a locket, and that Jesus is the key to our hearts. That our real treasures come from heaven and God. You must store your treasures in heaven instead of trying to collect them on earth to get other earthly things. God is the real treasure and the only treasure we will ever need.

"Matthew 6:28-30"

By Lupe Santa

“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the even, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

Acrylic paint on cardstock

"Matthew 6:28"

By Sharon Williamson

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.”

"Matthew 6:25-26"

By Lupe Santoya

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the bird of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Acrylic on cardstock