Silent Sentinels: Symbols at Centenary

Residing within Centenary is a legacy of religious art in architectural detail, needlework and stained glass. These decorative elements are silent witnesses to our faith. They serve as inspirational teachers in the present and will stand as guides for the future. None more so than the stained glass that bedecks our sanctuary.

Worship at a Glance

April 2: Palm Sunday

April 9: Easter Sunday

April 16: Carillonneurs

April 23: Children’s Choirs

Symbolism has played an important part in proclaiming the Christian message throughout the millennia. In the early Christian Church, images were used to communicate the faith. During times of persecution, marks such as the fish were employed as a secret language. The symbols of Centenary are silent sentinels, recalling the rich heritage of our faith and leading us into moments of worship.

The stained glass window in the north balcony tells the story of Christ, progressing from the middle of the lowest section upward and outward beginning with the nativity scene. Mary and the baby are guarded by two of the heavenly hosts. At

Mary’s feet a lamb foretells Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God. Above Mary’s head is a six pointed star, the Star of David, representing Joseph’s house.

From the birth of Jesus, move upward to view a depiction of the Last Supper. Jesus’ cup, larger than the disciples’, is the chalice. Eleven disciples are fully visible, but Judas is not altogether missing. His foot can be seen as he flees the room, having dropped the purse containing the thirty pieces of silver. Jesus’ words, “This do in remembrance of me” (I Cor. 11:24), appear above his head along with a branched grape vine. “I am the true vine” (Jn. 15:1).

Above the vine are two symbolic birds. The Pelican-in-her-Piety (left) is a Christian symbol of atonement. Because the pelican allows her young to feed from her mouth, the fable arose that, during times of food scarcity, the pelican would tear a hole in her breast to feed her young with her own blood. This draws a significant parallel to Christ’s sacrificial death and the communion symbols of body and blood. The Phoenix (right) is a legendary bird signifying the resurrection. Above the birds, on left and right, are the angels of death and life — sorrow and joy.

The emerald rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant with man. Following the flood, the rainbow was the sign of God’s covenant promise to Noah — the first covenant (Gen. 9). The rainbow now appears to represent the New Covenant sealed by Christ: “I will not leave you comfortless” (Jn. 14:18). The descending dove illustrates the Holy Spirit among us. It holds a shell in its beak, emblematic of baptism.

The four gospel writers are depicted on the rainbow typifying the Word. Each writer is symbolized by his emphasis: the winged lion (the kingly nature) represents Mark; the winged bull (the sacrificial nature) represents Luke; the winged man (the human nature) represents Matthew; and the eagle (the spiritual nature) represents John.

The next progression upwards shows the heavenly King of Kings and different symbols are used to illustrate his authority. While the nail holes are still visible in his feet, he wears a crown. In his hands, the cross now appears as a scepter and atop the orb. This use of the cross would have been considered a paradox during biblical times, as it was then seen as a symbol of submission, death and defeat. The red of both his and the seraphs’ robes indicates the power of the ministry of the Church. The “A” (alpha) and “Ω” (omega) signify that Christ’s reign is everlasting. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13).

Extending beyond the rayed nimbus around Jesus’ head are the arms of a larger cross (red), the foot of which extends below the descending dove. The quote “Holy, Holy” (above his head with the heralds) trumpet a reminder of our communion liturgy. The very top of the window reveals the heavens twinkling with starry hosts, encompassing the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem.

As we celebrate the Resurrection, please take a moment to reflect upon the messages of our silent sentinels.

8:30 AMS AVE THE D ATE O CTOBER 15, 2023 C ENTENARY U NITED M ETHODIST C HURCH

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