AURORA, Ill. – It was an icebreaker. Literally.

As Rev. Matt Mull concluded his sermon Sunday, Oct. 18, he pulled out a sledgehammer and smashed an ice block stationed on a table on the altar. 

The senior pastor at Aurora Advent Christian Church surprised congregants as ice chips went flying. The moment was one that few will ever forget. It was part of his sermon titled “A Forgetful Church.”

Encased in the block was a red, heart-shaped cloth. During his sermon, Rev. Mull commented that Christians sometimes develop ice-covered hearts. 

Covered by a cloth, the block sat on a table in front of the altar until being pounded by Rev. Mull. Then he used a mini ice pick to reveal the heart figure. He said he froze the block over a two-day period.

Congregants came forward to clean up scattered ice chips after the demonstration.