Window meanings
Creation
God creates all things: land, water, and skies.
Harmony with God
The window recalls humanity’s original perfection and harmony with God. A hand representing God reaches down toward humanity’s outstretched arms.
The Fall
The sword marks the separation between God and humanity after humanity yields to temptation. The serpent represents Satan.
God’s Promise to Abraham
Brightness at the top represents God making His promise to Abraham and his descendants: through them, many people would be blessed.
The Law Given to Moses
God gives the written Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. A lightning bolt signifies God’s power as His will is recorded on two stone tablets.
Sacrifice and the Lamb
The sacrifices prescribed in the Old Testament point ahead to the Messiah and His sacrifice for all people. The lamb represents Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Kings and Temple Worship
The crown and Star of David represent the period of the kings among God’s people. The menorah represents the beginning of formal temple worship.
The Scattering of God’s People
This window recalls the dispersion of God’s people as they repeatedly departed from His will and way. The brochure places it in the period of the prophets.
Jonah and Nineveh
God commissions Jonah to preach to Nineveh. The large fish recalls Jonah, with the city shown in the background. The brochure presents the story as an early call to bring God’s message to the Gentiles.
Waiting for the Messiah
The eyes portray the period between the Testaments. A few bright, joyful eyes turn toward the chancel in expectation of the Messiah; the other eyes look away, illustrating those who had lost sight of the prophetic promise.
The Birth of Christ
The crib holds a brighter light representing Christ. The Star of Bethlehem and the shepherd’s staff recall those who first worshiped the infant Savior.
The Baptism of Christ
Christ’s baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry. Three drops of water represent the three persons of the Trinity, present at His baptism and named in Christian Baptism.
The Temptation of Christ
The window recalls that Christ was tempted as we are. The sword represents the temptation of power, while bread and stones recall the temptation of the hungry Jesus.
Gathering the Disciples
The Chi Rho and fishnet signify Christ gathering His people into the Church. Twelve green squares represent the twelve disciples, to whom the keys of the kingdom were given as a sign of the authority Christ gives His Church.
The Last Supper
The window recalls the Lord’s Last Supper with His disciples and the institution of the Sacrament of the Altar. Wheat represents His body, and the chalice represents His blood.
The Crucifixion
Thorns and a cross draped with a shroud represent Christ’s suffering and death for His people.
The Resurrection
The victory window tells of Christ’s resurrection. An empty coffin and a victory banner appear in a field of brightness and white, which the brochure connects to the purity believers receive in the resurrection.
The Ascension
Christ ascends at the completion of His earthly life to prepare a home in heaven for His people.
Pentecost
The dove represents the Holy Spirit, and the flames represent the gifts of God’s Spirit to His people at Pentecost.
Christ Will Come Again
Bright, joyful eyes all turn toward the chancel. They express the expectation of Christ’s return shared by His people.
Matthew and Luke
The man represents Matthew and the ox represents Luke.
Abraham and Isaac
The offering of Isaac by his father Abraham depicts love toward God, the first of two portrayals of the Law.
The Means of Grace
The central panel brings together Baptism, represented by the dove; Holy Communion, represented by a chalice and grapes; and the Word of God, represented by a sword and shield.
The Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan depicts love toward our neighbor, the second portrayal of the Law.
Mark and John
The lion represents Mark and the eagle represents John.
