Mary Mitchum spent hours sanding, stripping and varnishing the pastor's lectern and other furniture for her church, Jubilee Fellowship in south Augusta.

When she brought the refinished lectern into the church, someone claimed to see an image in the wood grain: the face of Jesus.

It had been hidden by the pale wood stain that had previously coated the lectern, Ms. Mitchum said. The darker oak stain she had applied to match the pews brought out distinct lines in the grain that looked like a face. There were two eyes, a nose, hair and maybe even a halo.

"It looks just like the picture on the Shroud of Turin," church member Dianne Griffin said.

The lectern and other furniture had been donated three or four years ago and had sat in storage until the pentecostal congregation finished its sanctuary last year.

"I don't think they know what they had," Mrs. Griffin said.

SEE IT YOURSELF: Jubilee Fellowship, 2034 Boykin Road, has services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays.

MORE ONLINE: Do you see the face of Jesus? See what others saw at faith and values reporter Kelly Jasper's blog at blogs.augusta.com.