STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF NEW HOLLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AS ORIGINALLY PRESENTED ON HERITAGE SUNDAY – MAY 6, 1990 Updated for June 25, 2017 Presentation by Patricia Williams Note: With special thanks to Jane Frybarger who saved a copy of the 1990 presentation and preserved it for us to be reminded of the great gifts that were given to us from our fore fathers and mothers. Windows will be presented in consecutive order from the right front side w indow (NE corner), clockwise to the front w indows.
WINDOW # 1 IN MEMORY OF: John Sr. and Florence Sweigart and Janet Sweigart Scotten DESCRIPTION: IHS - "S" with three vertical lines interwoven between horizontal lines of "S". Centered between the two outside lines and on the middle part of the "S" are 5 gem-like circles of the same size. 3 gems in graduated smaller sizes continue on both sides outside the vertical lines. SYMBOLISM: "S" stands f or the Greek word f or Savior. But more likely we should look at it altogether which would be one of the symbolized ways of portraying IHS. “Jesus” in Greek is spelled “ιησυς” and when capitalized it becomes “ΙΗΣΟΥΣ”. If we take just the first three letters of this word then we have “ΙΗΣ”. These are the Greek letters “iota”, “eta” and “sigma”. When these letters are converted (“transliterated”) into our alphabet it becomes “IHS” (sometimes “IHC”, “JHS” or “JHC”). “IHS” is a shorthand for “Jesus”. It was used in the Early Church, popularized by St. Bernardino of Sienna in the 15th Century, adopted as the seal of the Jesuits in the 16th Century and can now be found in Christian art and architecture throughout the world.” https://thisrestlesspilgrim.wordpress.com
There are 11 gems imbedded in the S. They were not found in research; although, they could likely be representations of the 11 remaining disciples following Judas Iscariot’s death.
WINDOW # 2 IN MEMORY OF: Annie M. Hull Mentzer, March 25, 1850 - March 17, 1903. DESCRIPTION: Face of Jesus with the crown of thorns. SYMBOLISM: Reminder of the passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion of Christ, from the Latin patior meaning "suffer," refers to those sufferings our Lord endured for our redemption from the agony in the garden until His death on Calvary.
WINDOW # 3 IN MEMORY OF: Jacob Mentzer DESCRIPTION: Harp in front of palm branch and scarlet rope. SYMBOLISM: Harp - Reminds us of the musical talent of David, "the sweet psalmist o f Israel," who played the harp to dispel King Saul's dark moods. He glorified God with the psalms he sang, accompanied by his harp. In a more general sense, the harp stands for praise, joyful worship and for joy in heaven. Revelation 14:2-4 states that the voi ce John heard from heaven "was like the sound of harpers bef ore the throne." The harmony of sweet music reminds us of the kind of harmony that should characterize our relationship with God and with one another in the unity of faith. Palm branch - Symbol of Jesus’ triumphant entry into .Jerusalem (Matt. 2 1:8), victory, peace, joy, martyrdom, and prosperity (Ps. 92: 1 -2). The branches were plucked from palm trees in gardens along the way, and they were plaited or twisted into a kind of matting or green welcome carpet. Historically, Xerxes, Alexander the Great, and other notabl es were greeted with tree branches and a generous outpouring of flowers. John 12:13 implies that the people, as they moved along in the procession, would continue to cut and scatter the branches. Palm trees are mentioned often in the Bible. The type of palms growing in the Mideast with edible fruit were date palms and were also incorporated as decorative designs in Solomon's temple. Scarlet rope - Many writers including the UCC church embrace the scarlet cord as a symbol of Rahab who due to her belief in the Israelite’s God and for helping Joshua’s spies in Jericho, was saved along with her family from the total destruction of Jericho. According to Dr. Eliezer Gonzalez in her blog www.goodnewsunlimited.com the scarlet cord is also a symbol of the Cross of Christ – His blood and his sacrifice which stretched from heaven to earth, from where
you are to safety. It can take you from death to life, from corruption to joy, from violence to safety.
WINDOW # 4 IN MEMORY OF: Jacob and Rebecca Geist DESCRIPTION: The crown and the cross. SYMBOLISM: The crown and the cross stand f or the great truth that Christ is King and those who are faithful unto death will receive the ultimate reward, "the unf ading crown of glory". Placed on the head of a person, the crown stands f or authority, royalty, power, and dominion. When we see a crown and cross pictured, it stands for victory over death through Jesus Christ our King. We are his subjects. We must be obedient to him.
The Good Shepherd Painting DESIGN: The Good Shepherd painting is an original artwork painted for our church by Harold Weber in 1948. Mr. Weber came to visit our church a few years ago to visit the painting. He was a delightful person who said that he was a young artist at the time he did this composition, and like most young artists was not totally pleased with his result. However, it has had a place of honor in our sanctuary all of these years since and was carefully removed, then rehung when our church had major renovations done to the sanctuary in the late 1990s. SYMBOLISM: In John 10:11 Jesus speaks of himself as the good shepherd. The Good Shepherd has represented Jesus since early Christian times. Our shepherd is seen carrying a lamb in his arms, in keeping with the sayi ng of Jesus that the searching shepherd, having found the lost sheep, lays it on his shoulders and carries it home with rejoicing. Also, as a shepherd would lay down his life for a lost lamb, Jesus laid down his life f or his church - his flock.
WINDOW # 5 IN MEMORY OF: John and Mary A. Mentzer DESCR IPT ION: The open Bible. SYMBOLISM: T wo symbols f or the Bible are an open book and a lamp. The word "Bible" comes from the Greek byblos, and Latin biblia, both which mean books. The opened book
indicates that the Bible is accessible throughout most of the world – according to Biblica, the International Bible Society, the Bible is translated fully into 553 languages, the New Testament into 1,333 languages. (www.biblica.com) We are reminded that our Bibles should be opened, and not closed; that God guides us in its understanding and that it is "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
WINDOW # 6 IN MEMORY OF: R. K. Wright by his wife DESCR IPT ION: The Lyre. SYMBOLISM: The lyre is an anci ent, small stringed instrument of the harp family. The lyre is a symbol of divine harmony and of the harmonic connection between Heaven and Earth
WINDOW # 7 IN MEMORY OF: M o t h e r Harriet M. Wright DESCR IPT ION: The 10 Commandments. SYMBOLISM: The tablets, with Roman numerals numberi ng to ten, symbolize the Ten Commandments which constitute the fundamental moral law f or both Jews and Christians. They are sometimes called the Decalogue, or the ten words. They are also called the tables of the covenant. The original Decal ogue probably had short sentences so that they could be written on the two tables of stone. Exodus 20:2-17.
WINDOW # 8 IN MEMORY OF: The Epworth League, Chapter 11928 DESCRIPTION: Variation of the Cross Pattée. Inscribed in the left arm of the cross is the letter E and in the right arm of the cross is an L, presumedly standi ng f or the Epworth League. In the middle of the cross is a circle with a Latin cross. Al so inscribed on the window are the words, "Look Up, Lift Up". The Epworth League is a Methodist association for young adults. In their website at www.epworthleague.org, they said in a May 9, 2010 release that “after a 70 year disappearance, Epworth League is back providing a unique opportunity for young adults to connect with each other and make a difference in the world.” The EL was founded in 1889 at Cleveland Ohio and took the name from John Wesley’s birthplace, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. SYMBOLISM: Some 400 different forms of the cross have been created. About fifty types have been devised f or church use. The Cross, along with many other symbol s, remind us of Christ's Passion, or suffering between the Last Supper and his death. Jesus predicted that if he were lifted up, on the cross and into heaven, he would draw all men unto him. A comprehensive interpretation of the cross is that it is the symbol of true Christian faith the l ove of God f or sinful man, and triumphant hope. St. Paul said that "we shoul d boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6: 14).
WINDOW # 9 IN MEMORY OF: John L., and Mary A . Jacobs DESCR IPT ION: The Anchor cross. SYMBOLI SM: First century Christians carved it on the walls of the catacombs. Like the fish symbol, the Anchor cross was meant to hide its true identity to all but Christian eyes. The pagan who saw an Anchor cross would see only an anchor; the Christian would see a cross. Hebrews 6: 19 also ref ers to hope as a "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul." Therefore as an anchor holds a ship in place, so the Christian's hope gives stability and support amid the winds o f adversity, and holds the believer to Christ.
WINDOW # 10 IN MEMORY OF: Annie L. Houser, October 17, 1824 - April 1, 1900. DESCR IPT ION: Jesus knocking on the door. SYMBOLISM: The theme of the picture is from the familiar scripture, Revelation 3:20, "Behold, 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.� The window also contains other symbols. Let us remember that many symbols are used to represent the same thing. Designs representing the Trinity have three equal parts. The most popular is the triangle. At the bottom of the window, framing Annie Hauser's name, is a border comprised of a quatrefoils and triquetras. The Triquetra is made by placing 3 arcs of a circle together with the center of the design forming a triangle. The arcs are of equal size, symbolizing the trinity. The quatrefoil is a leaf having four foils, like a four-leaf clover. This design stands for the four Gospel writers. Inside the Quatrefoil are four fleur-de-lis or perhaps three petal lotus flowers with a circle in the center. At the top of the window, we see cathedral towers topped with the fleur-de-lis. This floral design is very common. It looks like the iris flower and its three divisions make it a fine symbol of the Trinity.
WINDOW # 11 IN MEMORY OF: Augustus and Margaret Buck. DESCRIPTION: Sacred Heart of Jesus with the crown of thorns enci rcling it. At the top of the heart is a neck resembling the neck of a flower vase and surrounding the neck are tongues of flames. Above the center of the heart neck and the flames is a cross. The Sacred Heart of Jesus has been a Catholic symbol from the 1600’s. It was shown as an apparition to a Roman Catholic nun Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Aside from catholic roots it has been used in Anglican and Lutheran homes for centuries. SYMBOLISM: It presents a very powerful image which might be interpreted in the following way. The wounded heart is a very moving reminder of the Passion of Jesus (some sacred heart paintings actually show a pierced wound in the lower left of the heart). By using the heart, the artist helps us
remember that it was because of God's infinite love for us that he chose to sacrifice his son on our behalf. The flames signify the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It may also suggest the purification of our being. Just as fire burns away impurities, God has forgiven and purified believers through the death of his son. The empty cross at the peak of the design represents our victory over sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus and the resulting eternal life for believers.
Let us continue to share our own LIGHT with those who come after us and especially with our family, neighbors, friends and strangers. Those who were once us, continue to bless us each time we enter this sanctuary. These pieces of art are very special in the way we can repeatedly enjoy their beauty as they continue to give us artistic reminders of our great Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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