LM1 Sermon in Glass

Inspiration & Meaning: “SERMON IN GLASS”

If you've had the opportunity to spend time in our sanctuary, you undoubtedly have seen the beauty of the stained-glass windows. They are lovely and they contribute a great deal to the worshipful atmosphere of our church.

These windows do more than please the eye and satisfy the soul. The images depicted have been carefully chosen to tell a story – or preach a “Sermon in Glass”. It is in order that you may understand this message as it is executed in symbol and picture by the artistry of the stained-glass craftsmen who made them.

As you stand in the rear of the church and may gaze first to the left and then to the right and will observe that the first windows on each side are arranged in groups of two. These four windows depict themes selected from the Old Testament, or Hebrew texts.

Beginning on the left we see first a six-pointed star – the “Creator’s Star” – symbolizing our belief in the assertion made in the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The next window depicts a pot of coals, split wood for an offering and a knife – symbols of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son Isaac when he thought it was God’s will. This great act of faith has lived through the centuries and still challenges us today. You can read the entire story in Genesis 22.

Turning to the right-hand group of two windows, we find a scroll which represents the Jewish Torah or Law – a vital contribution of Judaism to Christianity (Exodus 20). The next window contains tongs, coals of fire and the words “Holy, Holy, Holy.” This symbol portrays the call of the prophet Isaiah as found in Isaiah 6. We pay tribute, in this win- dow, to all the prophets and the messages they have for us.

The first unit of three windows on the left might be termed the “Nativity Group,” for all three present themes from the Christmas story. The center window portrays the nativity scene; the window on the left contains a shepherd and lamb, symbolic of the shepherds who heard the angels and visited the baby (Luke 2); the window on the right depicts the gold, frankincense and myrrh – the gifts of the wise men who followed the star (Matthew 2).

The next group of windows portrays the “Early Life of Jesus.” The left-hand window contains a young boy with a scroll – symbolizing the visit of Jesus to the temple when he was twelve years old. (Luke 2) The right-hand window contains a T-square, plane, and saw – reminiscent of Jesus’ early years as a carpenter before he began his public ministry. The center window portrays vividly his baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, which marked the beginning of his years of preaching, teaching and healing (Matthew 3).

Next, we find depicted “Jesus’ Ministry of Teaching.” This is forcefully done in the center window. The left-hand window contains a cornerstone, symbolic of the fact that Jesus’ teachings are the cornerstone of our faith. The window on the right holds a lamp and a book in recognition of the fact that the Bible provides the light by which we live.

“Jesus’ Ministry of Healing” is the theme for the next group. The center window contains an exceptionally appealing pose of Jesus in the act of ministering to the sick. The window on the left contains the outstretched hand of God; operative in all acts of healing. The right-hand window contains a prayer lamp, which symbolizes the healing power that the prayers possess. Both the healing hand of God reaching downward and the fervent prayers reaching upward, are essential to a whole and healthy body, mind and spirit.

The last unit of windows on the left depicts “Jesus and the Children.” The center window is an endearing portrayal of Jesus blessing the children. (Matthew 19) The window on the left contains daisies – a symbol of the innocence and purity of children. The right- hand window portrays seven doves around a heart. This is an ancient symbol of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, counsel, moral strength, knowledge, true devotion and love of God. These gifts our church attempts to teach to all children of God.

The first group of windows on the right nearest the chancel might be entitled “The Nature of Jesus,” for it contains picturizations of some of his teachings concerning himself. The left window contains a vine with a cluster of grapes – depicting Jesus’ teaching, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:15) The right window holds a shock of wheat, symbolic of Jesus’ statement, “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35) The center window portrays the prodigal son being received by his father – a vivid reminder that Jesus taught us of God’s forgiveness as of a parent who yearns to be reunited with all wayward children. (Luke 15)

The next windows bring us to the “Last Week” of Jesus’ life. The center window portrays his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. (Matthew 21) We see in the left-hand window a whip, scattered coins and an overturned table, reminiscent of Jesus casting the money changers out of the temple – an act that did not endear him to the religious leaders of his day. (Matthew 21:12) The right-hand window symbolizes, via the chalice and the cross, Jesus’ last supper with his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem. (Luke 22)

The following trio contains a portrays of the “Climax of Jesus’ Life.” First, the crucifixion, represented by a crown of thorns surrounding three nails. The center window depicts the angel’s appearance to the women at the tomb on the first Easter morning. We catch their incredulous wonder as the angel informs them, “He is not here - He is Risen.” The final window presents, via the symbol of the cross above an orb, our certain knowledge that the risen Christ is the hope of the world.

Because we could recognize the tremendous contributions that the early followers of Jesus made to the establishment of the Christian church as an enduring institution, we have devoted two groups of windows to two of the most beloved – Peter and Paul. We first see Peter, in the center window, as he responds to Jesus’ call to discipleship. The symbol of the descending dove found in the window on the left represents the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – the birthday of the Christian Church. (Acts 2) The inverted cross found in the right-hand window is symbolic of the traditional manner of Peter’s death and the keys represent the keys of the kingdom which Jesus gave to him. (Matthew 16:19)

The last group of windows is devoted to Paul, the first Christian missionary. Vividly portrayed in the center window is his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) In the left-hand window we see symbols of the suffering he endured in his proclamation of the gospel – shipwreck, stoning and imprisonment. The window on the right contains an anchor, cross and heart – symbols of faith, hope and love, his best-known teaching as found in the 13th Chapter of First Corinthians.

It is most fitting that the circular window in the rear of the balcony should be termed the “Benediction Window,” for it is seen by the wor- shipers as they turn to leave the sanctuary. We find there, beautifully executed in richly colored glass, the everliving Christ with hands out- stretched in benediction and the words, “Go in peace and may the peace of God go with you.”

A word should be included in description of the tower windows, seen by worshipers as they ap- proach the sanctuary. Their message is two-fold – first, on the left, is Jesus with arms outstretched, inviting all people to “Come unto me.” This we do, but as we leave the sanctuary after our period of worship, we are reminded by Jesus in the win- dow on the right, “Go ye into all the world.” This has been termed the “Great Commission” and should be a personal challenge to each of us to go forth and witness for our faith in all areas of our daily living.