Peace Lutheran Church Stained Glass Windows
The simple, beautiful language of symbolism has been known and used by humankind since the beginning of time. It is the outward, visible expression of inner thought and inspiration. Symbols are “eye-words” designed to appeal to mind and heart with meanings which go beyond the mere depiction of an event. The Christian Church, from its beginning, has recognized the devotional and educational value of symbols; the use of symbolism in church is a long-established tradition.
The sanctuary with our beautiful stained glass windows was dedicated on October 25, 1970. These stained glass windows in the sanctuary of Peace are rich in symbolism. It is hoped that the following pictures taken by Nicholas “Nick” Smith (November 2023) and explanations updated November 2023 by Pastor Carey Hovland will serve to increase the observer’s awareness of God’s Salvific History and our place in God’s story. The stained glass windows are divided into two categories; The Narrative Windows and the Non-Narrative Windows.
THE NARRATIVE WINDOWS
THE DRAMA OF SALVATION
(Windows on west side, beginning at the front)
1. CREATION:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Although God spoke creation into being, we see God’s very real presence with us as the Hand of God reaching into the world God created. with the creation of the world; Day and Night, the sea and sky, dry land and vegetation, sun, moon, and stars, birds and fish, animals and humankind.
2. NOAH AND THE ARK:
God destroyed a wicked generation with the great flood. Only Noah, his family and 2 of every kind of animal, the inhabitants of the Ark, survived. In giving the rainbow, God said to Noah: “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations.” (Genesis 9:12). “Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” (Genesis 9:11).
3. MOSES AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS:
In the burning bush, Moses was called into the service of God. At Mt. Sinai, God descended as fire and smoke enveloped the mountain. Moses went into the smoke and up the mountain and there God gave him the Ten Commandments, a Covenantal law between God and God’s people which begins: “I am the Lord your God…” (Exodus 20:2)
4. NATIVITY:
“Lo, how a rose e‘er blooming from tender stem hath sprung. Of Jesse‘s lineage coming as seers of old have sung. It came, a flow’r so bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.” (ELW 272) Isaiah had foretold it; the shepherds, crooks still in hand, witnessed it; the Christmas star announced it to the world: “for unto you is
born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
5. MINISTRY OF JESUS:
There was once was a man who said such amazing things and did such wonderful things that people followed him. They couldn’t help it. They wanted to know who he was. When children can to see Jesus, some tried to shoo them away but he said: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) To the paralytic, whose friends lowered him through the roof, Jesus said: “‘Stand up and walk” (Luke 5:23). Crutches thus become a symbol of Jesus healing ministry. Jesus brought the Good News of God to everyone.
6. CRUCIFIXION:
Jesus was a different kind of king than the world expected, he was the kind of king who died on the cross (an instrument of Roman torture and shame) in order to save the world from sin. To shame Jesus and his followers, a crown of thorns was placed on his head, a purple garment was placed around him and a sign which read “INRI” was placed on the cross over him. INRI are the first letters of the four Latin phrase Jesus Nazarenus Rex Ludaeorum which would have read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:38, Mark 12:26, Matthew 27:37, and John 19:19-20)This king took with him to the cross the sin of the world so all might be made righteous through him.
7. RESURRECTION:
“Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here. He has risen from the dead as he said he would.” (Matthew 28:5-6) On the third day after Jesus’ death, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, concurring once and for all, sin, death and the devil. Jesus lives as the victorious Lord and King. The cross now radiates with new life as the whole window appears to be bathed in an Easter morning sunrise. Lilies, once “dead” in the ground, spring forth with new life and bloom to remind us of the resurrection.
8. ASCENSION:
We confess in the Apostles Creed: “Christ ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and dead” The Chi (Χ) Rho (P) symbol is an ancient monogram of Christ, derived from the first two letters of the Greek word Χριστός, “Christos” which means the “Anointed One.” “IN HOC SIGNO VINCES” is the Latin phrase: “In his sign thou shall conquer.”
9. PENTECOST:
The gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of faith to humankind. At Jesus’ baptism the Holy Spirit descended from heaven as a dove. (Matthew 3:16) On the Day of Pentecost “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:3-4) In baptism, “by water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God and made members of the church, the body of Christ.” (ELW p 227) The fire of Christian faith and life now rests on all of the people of God.
THE DRAMA OF LIFE
(Windows on East Side, beginning at the rear)
1. BIRTH:
The flames of life emerge from the cone, and God allows humankind to share in the process of creation. The cross in the background reminds us that God desires that all people be God’s people, for Christ died and rose from the dead to bring salvation to all of God’s creation living in brokenness. “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
2. REBIRTH - BAPTISM:
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” (John 3:5) The scallop shell with three drops of water is the symbol for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, administered in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Again the cross in the background offers the assurance of our Lord: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)
3. CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION IN THE WORD:
Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum “VMDA” is the Latin for “The word of the Lord endures forever.” This is the first part of 1 Peter 1:25; “The Word of the Lord abides (endures) forever. That word is the good news which was preached to you.” This passage became the motto of the Lutheran Reformation, a confident expression of the enduring power and authority of God’s Word. The open Bible standing in front of the cross is an invitation for all to come to the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
4. CONFIRMATION:
The Holy Spirit, represented by the dove, is especially active in the lives of confirmands, when in Confirmation they affirm their relationship to God which began in Baptism. Luther’s Coat of Arms has become a symbol of the Lutheran Church, and can best be understood by Luther’s words: “The Christian’s heart should be set in the midst of a white rose, to show that such faith yields joy, peace, and comfort.”
5. MARRIAGE:
The two rings entwined, are symbolic of the marriage relationship as described by God, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. So they are no longer two but one.” (Matthew 19:5-6) Within the marriage relationship exists the flames for new life. The cross stands as our Lord‘s blessing upon the marriage relationship.
6. FAMILY:
The People of God are grouped into families. It is here in relationship with the Church that parents and children experience the true meaning of the Christian faith and life; of forgiveness and compassion; of giving and loving.
7. OUR WORLD:
“The heavens declare the Glory of God and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) It is a great world that God has provided for our dwelling place. With the sun for heat and light; wheat for food; trees for shade; and water for refreshment.
8. OUR WORK:
In creation, God told humankind that they are to have dominion over the world; and great things have come as a result of this work. The microscope is symbolic of all the medical discoveries. The compass suggests all of the design and engineering accomplishments of our age. The computer opens up a whole new world for humankind. The rocket is our means of exploring the realms of space.
9. OUR WORSHIP:
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises to your name, O most High.” (Psalm 92:1). From the lyre come our songs of praise, and from our uplifted hands come our prayers to God. We worship God the Father who has given us His son, Jesus Christ, symbolized by the cross and small Chi (X) Rho (P) (Χριστός/Christos) in the background.
1O. HOLY COMMUNION:
The loaves and the cup of wine are those used by our Lord Jesus Christ in which he gives us his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Early Christians used a simple drawing of a fish to identify themselves to each other, and as a sign in the catacombs showing the way to where Holy Communion would be offered. The letters (IXOYC) are the Greek word for fish (ἰχθύς) and are the first letters of the words that spell out the confession: “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” “Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Υἱός Σωτήρ”
11. DEATH AND RESURRECTION:
When the sands of time run out in the hour glass of our life, we know that our earthly life comes to an end. But, through the cross, and Jesus life, death, resurrection and ascension, we do not fear death because we have been promised eternal life. Therefore, the hour glass of our life takes on wings, symbolizing our resurrection into the eternal Kingdom of God. “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26)
For the drama of life and the gift of salvation, we respond,
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.“ Amen.
THE NON-NARRATIVE WINDOWS
STAINED GLASS WINDOW IN THE SANCTUARY BALCONY MUSIC:
Music is at the heart of how we worship and praise the Lord our God, how we exult and find joy in the Lord our God. This window is in honor of all our musicians and vocalist. “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. (Psalm 33)
STAINED GLASS WINDOW ABOVE THE ENTRANCE LEADING INTO THE NARTHEX. LATIN CROSS WITH A CIRCLE:
The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, representing his sacrifice and redemption for humanity. The ring surrounding the cross symbolizes eternity, signifying God’s omnipresence and the eternal nature of the Christian faith.
STAINED GLASS WINDOW ON THE SANCTUARY FRONT WALL DOVE WINDOW:
The dove was the sign of salvation, dry land, and new beginnings for Noah after the flood. (Genesis 8:11) The Dove was the symbol for the Holy Spirit inspired by its presence at Jesus’s baptism. (Mathew 3:16) The dove has also been used as a symbol for peace, purity, and new life.
STAINED GLASS WINDOW ON THE LIBRARY WALL
STAINED GLASS WINDOW ON THE LIBRARY DOOR
STAINED GLASS MARTIN LUTHER ROSE
First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.
(From: Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain)
