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GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, WEST LORNE ON - STAINED GLASS WINDOWS (Kirchenfenster)

Stained glass windows were developed in the Middle Ages as windows of churches became larger to let in more light. Large panes of glass were difficult to produce and install. Smaller glass pieces, tinted with colour, were assembled into patterns and then used as a teaching tool — using pictures to illustrate bible stories and lessons to a mostly illiterate population. Even while the Reformation removed icons of saints and statuary from many church interiors, the windows often remained as inspiration for reflection.  More history, techniques.

Paster John Scharrer is generally credited with the design and choice of subject for Grace's windows which were installed during the building of the church. The intent was to continue the teaching tradition but also to avoid the distraction of complex stories and text, particularly the pride and conspicuous singling out of individuals associated with memorial windows. Simplicity was also an advantage in a congregation of immigrant families.

Although bible references are not part of the design, often a particular verse is particularly suited to the image. Citations below are from the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible (©1984 International Bible Society).

ABOVE THE ALTAR:

CROSS OF LIGHT: "...Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)

ALONG THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE NAVE AREA:

Left side from entrance toward altar (or south wall, from west to east)

Ship with cross on sail	FAITH: "...holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." (1 Timothy 1:19)	HOLY TRINITY: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)	Trinity
Dove descending	GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2: 8,9)	GOD THE SON: "..Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)	Lamb with banner
Hand of God	GOD THE FATHER: "The eyes of all look to You, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." (Psalms 145: 15,16)	HOLY BAPTISM: "...no one can enter into the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5)	Dove descending over baptismal font

Right side from altar to entrance (or north wall, from east to west):

Holy Bible	GOD'S WORD: " All scripture is given by inspiration of God." (2 Timothy 3:16)	GUIDANCE: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalms 119:105)	Lamp
Scroll	SALVATION: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)	HOLY COMMUNION: "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26)	Wafer and Chalice
Shepherd with crook and lamb	LEADERSHIP: "I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." (John 10:14)	ETERNAL LIFE: "...I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die..." (John 11: 25,26)	ICXC butterfly

UNDER THE ORGAN LOFT:

Luke & Matthew (south wall)	THE FOUR EVANGELISTS (traditional interpretation reaching back to the early church):  "...In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures... The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle." (Revelations 4: 6,7)		Mark & John (north wall)
St. Matthew (winged man)	GOSPEL OF MATTHEW Begins with the human genealogy of Jesus: "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1)	GOSPEL OF MARK Begins with the ministry of John the Baptist: "..I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way, a voice of one calling in the desert..." (Mark 1: 2,3)	St. Mark (winged lion)
St. Luke (bull)	GOSPEL OF LUKE Begins with Zechariah (father of John the Baptist) in the Temple: "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense." (Luke 1:11)	GOSPEL OF JOHN Begins in Heaven, with the eternal Word: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." (John 1: 1,2)	St. John (eagle)

OVER THE CHURCH ENTRY:

	Triple over entry  (seen from robing room behind the organ loft)
Crown	Jesus		Praying Hands