Stained Glass

Sacramental Windows

Windows on the south entrance.

This series of four windows begins with the Alpha and the Omega in crystal, which are the Greek letters for “I am the beginning and the end.” Passing from the blues of creation, sweeping across the window is the dove representing the Holy Spirit and the colors below the dove are in blue-greens and aquas, representing the Waters of Baptism. There is also above the dove and to the right a silhouetted crucifix reminding us of how we die in Christ in our Baptism. In the next panel over is the theme of the Eucharist, wheat symbolizing the bread of life and the grape the blood of Christ. The upper left has a lamb with a crown on its head, with a crown of thorns below and then the banner symbolically representing the resurrection. Amongst the bread, or wheat, is a chalice, the cup of life, and behind that in crystal a type of Risen Christ, arms celebrating the Risen Lord. And as we move to the next panel there is a scroll representing the Word, thus as Lutherans our three sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist and Word. Throughout the window there are large trees of life that have a motion to them that gives the sense of the wind, which is another symbol of the Holy Sprit. To the left, from the blues of creation, we move to the Lentin colors, violets and purples, the passion of Christ. And then to the glorious golden colors, the throne of God, the glory of God, which ties us into the crucifix window, which also sweeps in golden colors, all centering on the table of the Lord at the altar. There is a natural environment throughout the window which includes the palms laying in praise throughout the windows and then the lilies, which are the picture of the Resurrection, in crystal pinks and violets, all colors of Christ’s precious love.

Crucifixion

Window at above the choir area

The inspiration for this window came while listening to Handel’s Messiah. The central theme of the Crucifixion, Christ with a golden crown of thorns upon the cross with the INRI representing King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The hands of the Father above offering His son as a perfect sacrifice, the vines reminding us of “I am the Vine, you are the branches.” On either side of the crucifixion are angels, a type of host, with further shapes off into the background. At the base of the cross is the spear, and the sponge in scarlet at the base of the cross also representing His spilt blood. Also represented are the two crosses of the thieves, one lighter than the other suggesting the hope of salvation to the one who confessed Jesus as Lord. Below the angels, a type of palms, reminding us of that triumphal entry praising Him as Lord and King. Colors are dark to the right and left so as to control the direct southern exposure with a golden ray passing through the Lord, the glory of God.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd/Christ and the Children.

Window at is above the alter

This design is unique in that it has the dual purpose of representing Christ the Good Shepherd with the staff and the lamb looking on to him from green pastures. There are two children to the left of Jesus as we look at the window. One child holds a canister around her shoulder, a type of vat to be filled with living water from the Savior. The other child looking to the right is a type of young person trapped in the thistles of life holding her head and hand in such a way that she is looking down at a more subtle cross on the ground, revealing to her the power of the cross. There is also, if you study the window, a type of upside down heart wrapping around this cross, which crosses from left to right across the lamb’s head and then comes back up around the cross. This takes a bit of study, but it is there as a type of mystery. Christ’s garment is red to remind us of His shed blood and there is a type of tree of life on one side and the vine hanging to the left. The blues remind us of the creation and also the color of truth. The greens on the bottom are the color of life eternal in Christ Jesus, our Savior.