The stained glass windows at St. John’s each tell a unique story. To see a larger image, click the stained glass window.

Altar Window

Rising almost to the ceiling of the chancel, the Great Altar window becomes the crowning beauty of our Sanctuary. The thrilling beauty of stained glass fills us with awe and wonder. Like a mighty symphony caught in blazing color, this window shows us the Risen Christ in all His majesty, power and compassion. With outstretched arms He welcomes all, and sends us on our way with His gracious benediction. Behind Him is seen the cross over which He has triumphed. Above Him is the Dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit. Beneath Him are symbols of the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lamb of God, the Book with the Seven Seals. The Alpha and Omega, the XP, and the IHS are all symbols of Christ’s names. The side panels portray the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as the Winged Man, Lion, Ox and Eagle. At the top of each panel is an ornamental angel, reminding us that the angels of God are ever watching over us, guarding little children, serving as God's messengers. The background of the entire window is an artistic portrayal of the Vine and Grapes, and we are reminded that Jesus said: “I am the vine; ye are the branches.” This is the theme of the entire chancel of St. John’s (John 15). The art of this magnificent window will always amaze and delight us, as its message inspires and comforts our hearts.

The Temptation of Christ - Matthew 4:1-11

After His Baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted three times by the Devil. Our window portrays the third temptation in which the devil promised to him Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship the devil; i.e. use Satan’s methods to accomplish His purpose. Now Jesus came to win the world, and here was a quick and easy way to accomplish this mission. But our Lord quickly rejected it when He said: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” The week of the crucifixion, Jesus stood on a hilltop over-looking Jerusalem and wept for what He saw. For this was the Holy City of God’s chosen people. Yet they had rejected Him, their only hope. Because of their refusal to accept Him as Lord and Saviour, they would go down in terrible desolation. You and I are faced with the very same choices, and the same consequences. Constantly, we are tempted to act according to Satan’s methods, using his tools to gain our selfish ends. Unlike Christ, we do not reject this temptation. And when we choose the devil’s ways, we reject the Lord Christ. Let this window be a constant reminder of the choices that are always before us. And with Him, let us also remember to worship God alone and to serve only Him.

Calling of the Fishermen - Matthew 4:18-22

In this familiar picture we see Jesus making a passionate plea for discipleship, as He calls the Fishermen to follow Him. His call is to all of us. He comes to find us where we live, work, play. He declares that His way of life is far superior to all other ways. He makes clear that it begins, and finds its strength, in our personal relationship to Him. Each time you come to worship, this beautiful window proclaims the words of a favorite hymn: “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult Of our life’s wild, restless sea.” Like the apostles, may we hear this call and follow Him who is Redeemer, Friend and Brother.

Trial before Pilate - John 18:28-37

Here we see Jesus before Pilate as the Roman Governor points to Him and says: “Behold, the Man.” “Behold, your King.” In spite of the injustice and cruelty of the so-called trials of Jesus, He remains your King and Saviour. It is so easy to be carried away by the noise of the crowd. We become a mob without knowing it. Reason is forgotten. Justice and love and mercy are pushed aside. Men act like beasts. Pilate is gone, though. The mob is gone. But in our hearts the vacillation of Pilate and the unreasoning of the mob still exist. Yet when we see this window we also see the Son of God, our only Saviour. When Jesus stood before Pilate He said that He came to this world to bear witness to the truth. He is the truth we need to know. And by Him we must measure all things. Actually, it is we, not Jesus, who are on trial.

The Crucifixion - Mark 15:33-47

The center of our Christian faith and hope is in the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord. Our window here reveals the terrible agony of Christ’s death upon the Cross. It also shows us that all creation was torn asunder by this horrible deed. We have this window as a constant reminder of what sin does to men and to all of God’s creation, including His Beloved Son. It also proclaims to us the wondrous fact that by the Cross Christ redeems us from the power of sin. “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” I Cor. 1:23-24

The Nativity

The windows in the Nave follow a sequence from the life of Christ. It begins with the great window on the north above the entrance door. This window portrays the Nativity, or birth of Christ. The Wise Men have come to worship the newborn King and bring their gifts. Bethlehem’s Star shines upon the infant Christ, as all bow in admiration. On either side panel are portrayed the traditional symbols of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These symbols are supposed to remind us of the special characteristics of each of the Gospels, and to the special emphasis that is given in each one. In these panels you will also see the Greek letters THS and XP which are the first letters in the Greek spelling of the names Jesus and Christ. Above the Nativity scene are two candles, reminding us of Christ, the Light of the World. The Wheat and the Grapes, of course, stand for the elements of Bread and Wine in the Lord’s Supper. Our Lord Jesus not only came once as a tiny Babe, He also comes to us each time we receive the Bread and Wine at His Table. This beautiful window is best seen just as you leave the Nave, reminding you of the wondrous fact that Christ has come to you, but He will also go home with you, with all His blessings. He came to save us from our sins, and so His name is Jesus. He came to let us know that God is with us, and so His name is also Immanuel. The windows on the sides of the Nave carry on the story of our Lord’s coming to us. Each window portrays two scenes from the life and ministry of Christ. They are best appreciated if looked at one at a time.

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:1-7:29

Every time we look at this window we should call to mind the marvelous teachings of Christ which we call the Sermon on the Mount. They were given to show us what life really can be like if we truly hear and heed Jesus’ words. Moreover, our window portrays an audience consisting of people of all races to remind us that Jesus is the Savior of all mankind. His Word is for every man. His redemption is offered to all who will accept it. And since there are so many aspects to His Way of Life, each time we see this window we should be challenged to enter still another area of Christian Living.

The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:29-37

Although this picture is not a scene from the life of Christ, it does remind us of two tremendously important facts: one is that Jesus is indeed God’s Good Samaritan to us. This is how He deals with us. The other is that we are to “Go, and do likewise.” Perhaps no single parable of Jesus makes more clear what we are to do for our neighbor than this one. All of us recognize endless opportunities to fulfill it. The one thing lacking is that we have not the will nor the love to obey. In too many of use there is still the spirit of the Priest and the Levite who walk by the man in need and hasten on their own selfish ways, not wishing to get involved. Yet “getting involved” is the first requirement of the Christian life. Jesus is involved in our every need. “As I have loved you, even so ought ye to love one another.” Surely this beautiful window will be a constant challenge tolls to go forth among men with a determination to demonstrate that love.

The Good Shepherd - John 10:1-21; Matthew 18:12-14

This window portrays the terrible cost to our Saviour to seek and to find His Wandering, lost sheep. There are many references to this in the New Testament, as well as the rich meaning found in the twenty-third Psalm, and in many passages of Isaiah. In our window we see clearly that the sheep is caught in brambles and in grave danger because it has wandered into places it has no business being. If the Good Shepherd does not save it, the soaring eagle will sweep down and destroy it, or it will fall to the jagged rocks below. We are also in desperate danger whenever we wander into ways of life that separate us from our Good Shepherd. May this beautiful window remind us of the dangers of our own waywardness, as well as the passion of our Lord to seek and to find us.

Jesus Walking on Water - Mark 6:48-51

Here we see our Lord as Master of wind and wave. He is indeed the King of the universe and quite capable of handling any situation. He is able to still the storms of the sea and to quiet the torments of our hearts. To each He says: “Peace, be still.” The fact that Peter began to walk toward Jesus indicates the direction of his faith. The fact that he soon began to sink indicates his doubt and inadequate faith. So he becomes a picture of our own hearts. “Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief.” Only we must not expect to walk on water or to do other tricks that seem like magic. This is also made clear in Jesus’ teaching. Christianity is not magic. It is our relationship to Christ. If Christ walked on the water once, it was simply because the urgency of the moment required it. He still meets each urgent moment with the needful thing. But He, not we, determines the urgency of the moment and the thing that is needed. Therefore we must keep close to Him to learn His Will and understand His Way. This is the road of faith.

The Lord’s Supper - Matthew 26:2-29

Each time we look at this picture we are reminded that our Lord comes to us in His Holy Supper. We are to remember all that He is and has done for us. By the very arrangement of the picture we feel drawn into the fellowship of Christ and His apostles. And this is the Holy Communion promised us in the Sacrament. Here our Lord gives us pardon, peace and strength. Here we are assured of the full blessings of His Presence in our daily lives. Surely we will come often to His Holy Table to receive from our Lord’s own hands His Body and Blood given so freely for our salvation!

Christ in Gethsemane - Matthew 26:36-46

The portrayal of Christ in Gethsemane is a powerful and stirring picture Our window reveals the intense agony experienced by Jesus in this struggle in the Garden. It shows us that this agony centered in the Cross which is seen in the upper right-hand corner. Under the trees in the background we see the sleeping disciples. They are a constant reminder that all of us are in danger of missing the greatest moments of life and communion with Christ. Jesus commands us “To watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” Meanwhile, He struggles in agony for our redemption. As we behold this scene, let us ever remember that our Lord’s prayer must ever be ours: “Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine, be done.” And then He arose to go forth to do that will, even though it meant a cross.

Baptistry

Our Lord gave us two Sacraments, means by which He conveys His most precious heavenly gifts to us. In St. John’s we have set aside a definite portion of the building to be used only for the Sacrament of Baptism. It is known as the Baptistry. Through Baptism we enter the Christian Church, usually when we are little children. Therefore the window above the Font portrays Christ welcoming and blessing the children. “And he took them up in His arms and blessed them.” Mark 10:16.

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