STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH Windows serve several purposes: admitting light and air, and for beauty. The windows of First Lutheran Church made of faceted glass 1 1/2 - 2 inches thick embedded in epoxy and produced by Phillipi Art Studio of Manford, Oklahoma, are here also for several purposes: for light and beauty, but also to tell a story-40 preach a sermon to all viewers.
SYMBOLISM IN THE WINDOWS The symbolism of the church windows centers around God's plan of salvation for man. Entering the nave the pattern begins to the left following a clockwise plan.
The Creation window pictures the creating hand of God with symbols of the universe: the sun, the waters, the fish, and the rainbow. Superimposed on the hand is the cross indicating that the plan of salvation began already at creation.
The Giving of the Law window shows the two tables of stone given to Moses. The cloud and lighting were symbols of God's presence on Mt. Sinai.
The Messianic Rose is used as a symbol for the Savior throughout the Old Testament. Christ, the Rose of Sharon, was promised to Israel for four thousand years. The rays foretell that He would be the Light of the World.
The Christmas window-- "Unto you is born a Savior." The Chi Rho over the manger is a symbol of the name Christ. The Alpha and Omega reflect the statement that Christ is the beginning and the end of all things.
The Passion window-- "It is finished." The prophesies were fulfilled in the death of Christ on the cross. Items involved in the crucifixion are included: the bag of silver paid to Judas, the spear thrust into Christ's side, the crown of thorns, and the inscription written by Pilate. The INRI are initials for Jesus of Nazareth—the King of the Jews.
Here we come to the chancel with the focal point of the altar and the cross. Throughout the history of the Christian church the altar has symbolized the tomb of Christ emphasizing the great sacrifice for us. Above the altar we see the empty cross flooded with natural sunlight. This is a beautiful symbol of the resurrection and the glorious light of Easter morning. God's light of mercy shines down upon mankind, and we look upward to Him for all things. His mercies are new to us each day through our new life in Christ.
The Resurrection window shows the cross now surrounded by the Easter lily. The next three windows depict the means of grace whereby God calls us to salvation and strengthens our faith in Christ. The Holy Scriptures window shows the Bible inscribed with the letters IHC-the abbreviation for the Greek word for Jesus. The Bible reveals God's plan of salvation to us. It is through hearing the word that the Holy Spirit enables us to receive Christ as our Savior. The Holy Baptism window reminds us that by the washing of Baptism we are made members of God's family and receive forgiveness of sins. The shell of baptism pours out the gracious water of life. The Holy Communion window shows the elements of the second sacrament of the church--the wheat standing for bread and the grapes for wine. With the bread and wine we receive Christ's body and blood to strengthen our faith and assure us of forgiveness.
In the Heaven window we find the climax of God's plan of salvation. The crown indicates that God rules in all His glory, and that the Christian will receive the crown of life. The three stars are a symbol of the Trinity. The palm branches remind us that we shall forever sing our Hosannas to the King in heaven.
The large windows in the narthex are to be viewed as a unit as well as separately. In these we find the symbols of the Trinity: the creating hand of the Father; the Son, the conquering Lamb of God; and the dove of the Spirit. In the center is the cross--the center of all Christianity. Around the cross are swirls symbolizing the life and light that emanate from Christ to all the earth below.
Our prayer is that these windows serve as a source of inspiration to all who worship in this sanctuary, a gospel message to all in our community who view them, and a perpetual memorial to the glory of our almighty God and His everlasting grace and love for all mankind.
Thanks to God for Stan Hoffmeyer Designing these windows for First Lutheran—Ponca City, Oklahoma