History of the Stained Glass in Messiah Lutheran Church
When our present church building was dedicated on August 27, 1950 our congregation moved from a church with windows of plain glass covered with colored paper to our present church with windows of real stained glass. In the August 1950 Messiah Messenger newsletter, Pastor W. Stoeppelwerth briefly explained the symbols on the new windows.
The center of the large circular window above the altar is the chalice, or cup, with a wafer above it, wheat to one side and grapes on the other, all representing the bread and wine of Holy Communion. The following quote from the newsletter explains why this subject was chosen for the window: The subjects that are suitable for stained glass, and their location, are thoroughly well fixed by tradition. Over the altar we have but one subject, and this is Our Lord's Sacrifice for the sin of the world. This may be either in the form of an actual representation of the Crucifixion…or it may be a representation of the Blessed Sacrament, in which Our Lord offers the believer His True Body and His Holy, Precious Blood under the outward veils of the bread and wine.
Here are the symbols in nine windows of the nave, beginning with the window closest to the pulpit and continuing down the east side and up the west side:
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THE SHIELD OF THE TRINITY. This triangular symbol illustrates the nature of the Holy Trinity as expressed in the Athanasian Creed. At the center is the word God; at the corners are the words Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The separate phases of the Godhead, are indicated by the words, is not on the lines between the Persons of the Trinity. The unity of the Godhead is shown by the word on each line starting at the corners and leading to the center---one God. |
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THE HAND OF GOD. The hand, appearing in various forms, represents God the Father. This window symbolizes the Hand of God raised in blessing, surrounded by the tri-radiant nimbus, or three-rayed light (a symbol used only for the persons of the Holy Trinity). The three extended fingers refers to the grace of our Lord, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. |
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THE MESSIANIC ROSE AND CANDLE. The Messianic Rose is a favorite Christian symbol of the promised Messiah (Isaiah 35:1) When the Messianic Rose is combined with a candlestick, it becomes a symbol for the prophecy and fulfillment. Christ, the Light of the World, is the fulfillment of Old Testament promise. |
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THE DOVE DESCENDING. The most true and authentic symbol of the Holy Spirit is taken from the account of Jesus' Baptism - the Dove descending, which always has the three-rayed nimbus indicating divinity. In our window the Dove is surrounded by the outline of three interlocking circles with a triangle enclosed, symbols of the Trinity. |
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ATONEMENT. Our atonement is based only on the suffering and death of our Lord. In this window, the Crown of Thorns and the Cross are symbols of Christ's Passion, that is of His suffering between the Last Supper and His death. |
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THE SEVEN CANDLES. The Menorah, or seven-branched candlestick, is a symbol of Jewish origin and is used by Christians to symbolize the Old Testament and New Testament Church. The seven candles also symbolize the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit : 1. Wisdom; 2. Understanding; 3. Counsel; 4. Might; 5. Knowledge; 6. The Fear of the Lord; and 7. True Godliness of Piety. |
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PASCHAL CANDLE. The early church called Easter Pascha, a word derived from the Hebrew for Passover. The Paschal (or Easter) Candle and "Alleluia" are signs of the joy of the Christian over Christ's victorious Resurrection. The candle symbolizes Christ the Light of the World. Traditionally, extinguishing lights on Good Friday symbolizes Christ's death, and lighting a new light signifies the new life in the Resurrection. |
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PRAYER. The petitions that are read in the service usually have their origin in the ancient liturgies and agendas and are, therefore, indicated by this book with the cross on its page to show its sacred character. The open book symbolizes the Word of God, accessible throughout most of the world. God speaks to us through His Word, and we speak to Him through prayer. |
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THE CROSS ON THE ROCK. The cross on the Rock, from which living water flows, symbolizes the bounteous gifts of God which flow constantly into the life of the believer through Word and Sacrament. When St. Paul wrote, "the Rock was Christ" (1Cor.10:4), he was referring to the rock which Moses struck in the wilderness to obtain water for the Israelites. The Rock reminds us of the Divine Presence. |
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