Stained Glass Windows Tour: Ministry of Jesus Windows
[Each Window at the left with a blurb to the right]
Side Aisles, lower level: The Life of Jesus (Left side, back to front): 9. Son of God (Funds for this window have not yet been donated. To learn how to support the building and installation of this window, click here) The design for the Son of God window depicts three scenes from the life of Jesus. Each scene illustrates various aspects of Jesus’ nature as both human and divine. Featured in the central lancet is the story of Jesus among the teachers of the Temple. Twelve-year old Jesus stands in the foreground listening to the Temple elders and asking them questions (Luke 2:41-52). In his hands, Jesus holds a scroll symbolizing Holy Scriptures. In the background, Mary and Joseph, who had been searching for him, stand at the Temple entrance. At left, the scene of Jesus in the Carpenter Shop depicts Joseph instructing his faithful son the trade of carpentry. On the right, Jesus is in the wilderness, tempted by the devil, later tended by an angel (Luke 4:1-13). The upper symbols include a lamb, symbolizing Jesus’ sacrifice, and an oil lamp revealing a flame of fire, symbolizing the inspiring word of God. 10. Friend of Sinners (Funds for this window have not yet been donated. To learn how to support the building and installation of this window, click here) This window shows Jesus’ mission to save sinners. “Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32). In the center, Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well, who later brings the whole town to Jesus (John 4:1-30). At the left, Jesus forgives and cures the paralyzed man, lowered through the roof to Jesus amidst the crowds (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17–26). On the right, Jesus eats dinner with Simon the Pharisee. A woman known to be a sinner weeps and washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and anoints his feet with costly ointment. Jesus tells Simon that her actions are her response to the forgiveness of her sins (Luke 7:36-50). At the top, a hand picking up a stone recalls Jesus’ words to those who would condemn a sinner to death in John 8:7, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” The olive branch, at right, is a traditional symbol of the peace and forgiveness that Jesus offers the sinner. 11. The Teacher This window depicts aspects of Jesus’ teaching ministry. In the center is Jesus preaching the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). On the left is represented the parable of the Good Samaritan, who helped the man who had been robbed and beaten on the road, while the priest and the Levite passed by (Luke 10:30-37). On the right is represented the parable of the prodigal son. The repentant younger son returns home, embraced by his father, while the older son in the background comes in from working the fields (Luke 15:11-32). At the top, on the left is a bag of money (what does this mean?). On the right at the top is a shirt and a pair of shoes (what does this mean?). Given in thanksgiving for Hope, Alison and Caroline Game, and Carl, Will, Kevin and Stephen Runge. 12. Intimate Ministry This window depicts scenes of Jesus’ affection for those he served. In the center, Jesus gathers little children around him and blesses them (Mark 10:13-16). On the left, a boy brings Jesus five loaves and two fish, which Jesus uses to feed the five thousand (John 6:1-13). On the right, Jesus eats at the home of Martha and Mary. Martha works to provide hospitality, and Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listening to him (Luke 10:38-42). At the top are symbols relating to the side scenes: five loaves and two fish that the boy brought, and a table with a cup, symbolizing the hospitality of Martha and Mary. Given by the following: Craig and Neeahtima Dowdy, in thanksgiving for their children: Emma, Carsten and Regan; Deacon Chip Faucette, to the Glory of God; Earl, Amy, Gwen and Josie Rahn, in loving memory of their dear friend Alice Hadley; Jim and Barbara Squire, to the Glory of God. (right side, front to back): 13. Leader of the People This window shows Jesus leading and calling people to lead. In the center, Jesus calls the fishermen Andrew and Peter, “come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:18-22). At the left, Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector to follow him (Matthew 9:9). At the right, the risen Jesus greets Mary Magdalene, and sends her with the news of his rising to the other disciples (John 20:11-18). For this, the church has called her “the apostle to the apostles.” At the top left are three bags of something (what are these? What do they mean?) Stalk with head full of grain at the top right (?stewardship parables? The sower?) Given by Roger and Susan Sherrard, in thanksgiving for their many blessings, especially their children: Lori Elmore, Lisa Wogon, and Lynne Vaught; and their grandchildren: William Elmore, Olivia and Charles Wogon, Jackson, Jordan and Jillian Vaught. 14. Great Physician The Great Physician window features three scenes of Jesus’ healing ministry. “Jesus went all about Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23). In the center, Jesus heals the paralyzed man whose friends lowered him through the roof because they were blocked by the crowds (Matthew 9:2, Mark 2:3 and Luke 5:18). Flanking this central scene are two scenes of healing by Jesus described in Matthew 9:18-25, Mark 5:22-43, and Luke 8:41-56. On the left, the woman who suffered with chronic bleeding for twelve years was healed by Jesus when she touched Jesus’ garment. On the right, Jesus raises from the dead the daughter of Jairus, the synagogue leader. In the upper tracery, two symbols recall Jesus’ role as a physician: the medical symbol of the pole entwined with snakes (recalling Numbers 21:9), and the mortar and pestle. Given by Charles and Carol Lade in thanksgiving for life, love and family. 15. Miracles This window shows miracles associated with Jesus. In the center is the transfiguration. Jesus goes up a mountain with Peter, James and John, where he is transfigured before them, shining in bright light, and speaking with two great prophets of Israel’s history: Moses on the right and Elijah on the left (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2–10, Luke 9:28–36). John is the younger disciple. In the scene on the left, Jesus changes water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. The steward pours the wine, while Jesus looks at his mother, Mary (John 2:2-11). In the background are the married couple. In the right hand scene, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus comes out of the tomb wrapped in the burial clothes toward Jesus, and Martha, the sister of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Above the scenes are related symbols: two rings and a candle, symbolizing marriage, and a butterfly, symbolizing resurrection. [which is Peter and which is James in the transfiguration? Who is the white one (and why is he white)?] Given with this message: May our faith continue to grow as we witness God’s miracles in this life. Praise and Glory to God. |