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The ADVENT window (in the Parlor on the left as you enter the church)
symbolizes the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, preparation for the
celebration of Christmas, and the second coming of Christ. At the window's
center are the alpha and the omega letters of the Greek alphabet, a reference
from Revelation, chapter 22: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first
and the last, the beginning and the end." These letters are surrounded
by palms representing Palm Sunday, also an advent message. The pilgrims waved
palms as Jesus entered the holy city, crying out: "Hosanna! Blessed is
he who comes in the name of the Lord."
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The CHRISTMAS window is immediately to the left as you enter the nave.
The largest figure in this window is that of an angel with white wings, adorned
in blue raiment. The angel is looking down over the manger of the Christ
Child, reminding us of the song of the angels at Bethlehem in Luke's Christmas
story-- a song we sing in the Hymn of Praise, Glory to God in the highest
and peace to his people on earth. Above the manger, faces of gold form a
halo above the baby who is our redeemer. The Gospel of John says it all:
"The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth."
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The EPIPHANY window is across the nave on the right. In Matthew we
read of the visit of the wise men, which the church celebrates on the twelfth
day of Christmas. Epiphany is also the celebration of the revelation of Christ
to the Gentiles. The white facets in the center of the window form the star
of Bethlehem which guided the wise men. The many smaller pieces of glass
surrounding the star represent footprints of apostles and missionaries taking
the gospel message out into the world from the beginning until the end of
time.
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The window of LENT is on the left directly across the nave from the
Epiphany window. A hand places ashes on the forehead of a penitent worshipper.
Almost too large for the frame are the numerals "4" and "0" symbolizing
forty days of Lent; the forty days during which Jesus was tempted
by the devil in the desert; forty years of the Israelites' journey through
the wilderness from the Exodus to the promised land; and forty days
of the flood during which God cared for Noah and his family.
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The window of HOLY WEEK is on the left side of the nave closest to
the chancel wall. Appropriately it is the darkest of all the windows symbolizing
that solemn week. Shades of purple reference Mark's words: "And they clothed
him in a purple robe." A crown of thorns dominates the upper portion
of the window: "And plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on him."
The bright crimson pieces of glass represent the blood shed on the cross.
In the bottom left corner, these drops of blood splash on the ground.
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On the right opposite the Holy Week window, the EASTER window captures
a butterfly in flight. The butterfly is a symbol of resurrection and new
life. Here is a sign of living victory and power of the Easter Gospel which
is alive in every time and place. The Ascension of our Lord takes place forty
days after Easter. It was at that time that Jesus gave his disciples the
great commission we read of in Matthew: "Go therefore and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. And lo, I am with you always, to the close of age."
Appropriately the window of HOLY WEEK and the window of EASTER are closest
to the altar/chance area of the church since the two great events in our
story of salvation are the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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The ROSE WINDOW dominates as you enter the nave and look to the altar
wall. In the center one hand holds the host-- the Body of Christ;
another hand holds the chalice-- the Blood of Christ. One is reminded
of the words of Jesus at the last supper: "Take and eat, this is my
body...Take and drink, this is my blood." The Chi Roh (XP) in the center
of the host represents the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
The horizontal and vertical beams of light radiating out from the host symbolize
"Christ the light of the world." Along with the chalice, these beams
of light form a cross. Stalks of wheat and grape clusters symbolize the bread
and wine of the holy supper.
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