Among the sobering elements included in the newfound memorial inside First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, is a Bible that is open to Psalms chapters 149 and 150 as well as the first three chapters of Proverbs.
And that’s not the only scriptural presence inside the house of worship after the community came together to transform it into a memorial to the 26 people who were killed inside on Nov. 5.
Text from Psalm 100 is also reportedly posted on the wall at the front of the church, as this was the scripture that was going to be read when the shooting started, Fox News reported.
The following text is presented before the biblical text in question: “This passage was to be read the morning of November 5, 2017, and was never heard. It will now be heard by all.”
Psalm 100 reads:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
It is unclear why the Bible is open to the Psalms and Proverbs pages, though some media reported that verses from the relevant chapters were also slated to be read during service when the shooting happened.
Additionally, a loudspeaker features scripture being read aloud by church staff.
Read more about the stunning renovation here.