O Lord Open My Lips: Beautiful People: Encouragement For Textile And Floral Art In Worship

In this warm and creative session, Angie Schubert shares the story behind two hand-crafted quilts she made for her church, St Petri. The first, a vibrant colour-wash quilt featuring a cross, butterflies, and the image of hands breaking free from chains, was created to reflect the yearly theme of freedom drawn from the book of Galatians. Angie walks the group through how the quilt came to be, inviting everyone to share what they see in it and how it speaks to them personally. The conversation that unfolds is rich and spontaneous, with people calling out themes of resurrection, new life, light breaking through darkness, and the freedom that comes from being centred on the cross. The second quilt, still in progress, is designed around a sunset silhouette of a stable and a star, created for the Advent and Christmas season with the message “born to set us free.”

From there, Angie shifts to the equally beautiful world of church flower arranging, exploring why flowers have a place on the altar and how they can be used as a quiet but powerful act of worship and creativity. She talks through the practical side of creating altar arrangements, from choosing flowers that last, to working with liturgical colours that reflect the church calendar, to understanding shapes like the triangle and fan that naturally draw the eye upward toward the cross. With humour and generosity she shares tips on everything from avoiding leaves in the water to using oasis foam, and even offers to share dahlia corms and cuttings from her own garden with anyone who would like them.

This video will be a delight for those who love creative arts and are looking for ways to connect their creativity with their faith. People who enjoy quilting, sewing, gardening, or floral arranging will find plenty of practical inspiration here, while those who are simply curious about how art and handcraft can become a meaningful form of worship will come away with a fresh perspective. Those interested in contributing to their church community in a hands-on, creative way will find Angie’s approachable and encouraging style a wonderful entry point, and people who watch will leave feeling inspired to look more closely at the beauty already around them and consider how their own unique gifts might be offered in service to others.