SYMBOLS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS and the TRANSFIGURATION       

Matthew: At the top we see the Christian symbol for Matthew, the Winged Man. This symbol was chosen because Matthew gives the genealogy of Jesus, often speaks of him as the Son of Man, and includes discussion of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mark: To the left is Mark's symbol, the Winged Lion. Mark's gospel begins with a voice crying in the wilderness (1:3).

Luke: To the right is the Winged Ox, Luke's symbol. Oxen were sacrificed in great numbers to Jehovah (I Kings 8:63). The gospel of Luke speaks often of sacrifice.

John: While the other three gospels begin with Jesus as a human being who is later recognized as the "Son of God," John begins his story of the life of Jesus with an echo of Genesis, "In the beginning." In this gospel, Jesus comes down from heaven and lives with his people. John's symbol is the Eagle.

Transfiguration: The center panel of this great window shows the transfiguration of Jesus. To the right is Moses, the Lawgiver, to the left is Elijah, the prophet. These biblical figures are included to illustrate the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and prophesy. Below Jesus is John, the beloved disciple, James who later was a martyr and Peter the rock-solid man. These are the inner-circle of Jesus' disciples.

The graphic of this windows is purposely small to allow you to observe the entire window and read its description without having to move the screen. Click on the window and you will be able to observe larger, clearer views.

The writers of the gospels are also illustrated in the windows found in the library.

Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), professor of Greek at Wittenberg University, assisted Luther in his composition of teaching documents about Luther's theology and with the writing of the Augsburg Confession (1530), the main Lutheran statement of belief.

JESUS, the boy. Luke 2:40-51 tells the story of Jesus at twelve teaching in the temple of Jerusalem.

Jesus is often portrayed as the GOOD SHEPHERD, illustrated here tenderly carrying the little lamb who may have wandered into danger. John 10:7-18, 25-29; Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7.

JESUS AT GETHSEMANE in prayer just before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Matthew 26:36-40 and Mark 14:32-36.

 
The graphic of this window is purposely small so you may observe the entire window and read its description without having to move the screen. Click the photo above and you will be able to observe a larger, clearer view of each of the four large portrayals in the life of Christ.
 

The events chosen for this window are used in other church windows. Jesus birth is illustrated in a window in the church office and in a window in the entryway to the office. Christ as the Good Shepherd is the theme of one of the library windows. Jesus praying at Gethsemane is seen in a narthex window and in a Passion window in Fellowship Hall.

 ALTAR WINDOW

WOMEN AT THE TOMB

Above the altar is an artificially lighted window of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb where Jesus had been buried.

Matthew 28:1-6

"Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow...The angel spoke to the women, "You must not be afraid, I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying.'"

WEST WINDOWS

JESUS AND THE LITTLE CHILDREN 

Jesus talking to the little children reminds us of the scripture, Luke 18:15-17.

 "Some people brought their babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. The disciples saw them and scolded them for doing so, but Jesus called the children to him and said. 'Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.'"

Jesus is also seen with children in a more modern style window in Fellowship Hall.

RICH YOUNG RULER

Actually, this work of art is a painting that adorns the wall to the left of the pulpit. The rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to receive eternal life. In Luke 18: 18-23 the discussion ends when Jesus says " Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven: then come and follow me." In the picture we see the young mans eyes looking away from Jesus for he could not follow this advice.

NARTHEX WINDOWS

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Revelations 3:20.

"Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him and he will eat with me."

This window is based on a painting by Holman Hunt. The two originals are in Oxford, England and in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England.

Hunt's painting shows Jesus knocking at a door without a handle. If Jesus is to get into the house, someone inside must let Him in. This reminds us that he does not force His way on us, we must choose.

He wears a crown of thorns on His head, the breastplate of a priest and carries a lantern. These signifying that Jesus is King and Priest.

JESUS PRAYS IN GETHSEMANE

This window is patterned after an original picture painted by Johann Hoffman.

Jesus is in prayer just before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. It was a Thursday evening. A light comes from heaven to comfort Him. It is a very lonely place and His upturned face shows Him looking to God, His Father for help.

Matthew 26:39 (and Mark 14:36)

"...My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want."

In the Life of Jesus window in the balcony of the sanctuary this theme is restated. The theme of this window is repeated in the Passion windows on the north side of Fellowship Hall.