Stained Glass in the Sanctuary
All the windows in the sanctuary have stylized borders made up of two symbols: the square cross representing Christ and His Passion; and, the butterfly, representing the Resurrection
At the front of the nave, are two completely symbolic windows:
The Tree of Knowledge Window on the left represents the wisdom of the scriptures as the path to eternal salvation. The birds in the tree are the faithful abiding in Christ. The six-pointed star is known as the Star of David, the Star of the Old Testament, or the Creator's Star. Combined here with the Tree of Knowledge, it represents the Creator’s Star (Genesis 1: "In the beginning God created.") The other symbol, the Ark of the Covenant, contained the sacred articles of worship in ancient Israel and is here a symbol of Old Testament worship.
The Tree of Life Window is on the right. It symbolizes the life of believers here on earth and in their eternal relationship with God. The gifts of the spirit as recorded in the Old and New Testaments are written in Latin. The Old Testament verse is Isaiah 11:2 &endash; "Wisdom and Understanding, Counsel and Might, Knowledge and Fear of the Lord." The second verse is from the New Testament, Revelation 5:12 &endash; "Power, Riches, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Blessing."
The middle three windows on each side (going from front to back on the left and from back to front on the right) tell the story of Christ's life. There are three symbols in each window. The symbol below the picture emphasizes a facet of Christ's life. The other two symbols are for individual disciples.
The Nativity Window is a picture of the Birth of Jesus. The Christ symbol is the Three Crowns symbolizing the Wise Men in the Christmas story. The symbols for the disciples are: The Keys and Inverted Cross for Peter, and the Staff and Purse for James (brother of John). The Keys are the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:13-19), and the inverted cross is the kind tradition says was used in Peter's martyrdom. The staff and purse for James the Great represent his missionary travels. He is believed to have traveled spreading the Gospel for 14 years after the crucifixion of Jesus.
The Christ in the Temple Window depicts Jesus at the age of twelve carrying on a discussion with a learned rabbi in the Temple. The Candle refers to the insight and understanding of the boy Jesus. The Chalice and Snake refers to the Apostle John who was given a poisoned cup of wine to drink several times, and each time was prevented from drinking it. The Cross Saltire and the Great Boat-Hook symbolize Andrew. The Cross Saltire is sometimes called the Andrew's Cross. Tradition states that it was while preaching the Gospel in Greece that he was martyred on this kind of cross. The boat-hook refers to Andrew's life as a fisherman and as a fisher of men.
The Palm Sunday Window shows Jesus riding into Jerusalem in triumph. The symbol of the Cross and Crown point up the true Kingship of Jesus as realized on the cross of Calvary. The symbol of the Slender Cross and Carpenter's Square represents Philip. Bartholomew is represented by an Open Bible and a Flaying Knife, referring to his life as a missionary and to the method of his death.
The Gethsemane Window shows Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane with the sleeping disciples in the foreground. The Lantern is symbolic of Christ's arrest at night. A Lance Stone is used as a symbol for Thomas because he was stoned to death in India. The Windmill represents James the Less who was martyred at the age of 96 years. He had worked in and about Jerusalem.
The Crucifixion Window shows Jesus in the agony of death on the Cross of Golgotha. The large "J" and MoneyBag reminds us that it was Judas who betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew is represented by a Battle-Ax and Chest. The chest refers to Matthew's work as a tax collector before he became a disciple. The ax symbolizes the method of his death. Jude is symbolized by a Boat. He traveled far: to Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia.
The Resurrection Window beautifully portrays the victory of Christ over death. The Butterfly again symbolizes Christ's resurrection. Simon is represented by a Fish on the Hook as a reminder that he was a fisher of men. Matthias, who was chosen to take the place of Judas Iscariot, has the symbol of an Open Bible and Double Battle-Ax. This apostle is said to have been stoned and then beheaded after missionary work in Judaea.
The Ascension Window in the chancel completes the story. The central figure is that of the ascending Christ, rising from earth to His Father in heaven. The Sun moon and stars represent God, the Creator. The Phoenix represents Resurrection. The Rainbow symbolizes the Covenant and Promises of God. The Alpha and Omega (first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) is God as both the beginning and the end of all (eternal). The two Feet on the Globe represent Christ's impact on earth, on history, and on people of all time. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John represent the Gospel message. The Rays Surrounding Christ symbolize God's pleasure with His Son. The Crown at the top center refers to Christ's victory over Sin, Death and the Devil and of his ascending to rule with His Father.
The Martin Luther Window is at the back left. It symbolizes the Great Reformer with the Luther Seal or Coat of Arms; though it not accurately represented (it should be a black cross within a red heart within a white rose set in a field of blue and enclosed in a circle of gold.) There is also a Lion to represent Luther's courage and a Harp to symbolize his love of music and contributions to it. The Swan is a symbol of John Huss of Bohemia who was burned at the stake for his attempts to purify the Church.
The St. Paul Window is at the right back of the chancel with its central cross and sword (… of the spirit: the Word of God /Ephesians 6:17) as symbols of Paul and his ministry. Two Old Testament symbols are also included: Stone Tablets with the Ten Commandments, and the Fiery Chariot in which Elijah was taken into Heaven.
The Rose Window is located in the balcony (choir loft) and is now framed by raised organ pipes. It is a simple stone cross set off by elaborate wood tracery and colored glass.
The Transom Window over the Narthex front entrance contains the Trefoil, three lobes of equal size yet forming one figure. This figure is one of the traditional symbols for the Holy Trinity. Embedded in the trefoil is a Cross and Orb proclaiming the triumph of the Gospel in the world.
The Window of the Ministry in the vesting sacristy features the bust of Dr. Martin Luther, sixteenth century Protestant reformer. The window also contains the traditional symbols of the ordained ministry: Chalice and Bible, Stole, and the Keys of the office of ministry.