Stained Glass Rose Window

The Trinity Window
A significant feature of the chancel is the seven foot diameter rose window in the east wall. The symbolism of the window is more universal in nature than distinctively Presbyterian. The nine petals, beginning at the one o’clock position, represent the unfolding of the revelation of God. They surround a central Trinity symbol derived from three interlocking symbols. The concept of the Trinity has always been an attempt to understand the fullness of God.

We call the window at the front of the sanctuary a Trinity Window. The window tells the story of God beginning at the 1:00 O'clock position and moving clockwise.

The first picture of mountains, trees, and river represents creation.
The second picture with the menorah, or seven branch candle stand represents the faith of Abraham.
The third picture with the scrolls represents the Law - Ten Commandments.
The fourth picture with the burning bush represents the prophets.
The fifth picture with the manger represents the birth of Jesus Christ, "the Word made flesh."
The sixth picture with the shell and droplets of water represents the Baptism of Jesus.
The seventh picture with the wheat and chalice represents the crucifixion of Christ and the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The eighth picture with the phoenix rising out of the ashes is an ancient symbol for the resurrection of Christ.
The ninth picture with the descending dove represents the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Further Description of Each Petal

First Petal
The first petal is a nature scene. Human beings first perceived God through creation. The opening chapters of Genesis tell of God as the author of creation. Many of the Psalms, 104 being a good example, extol the God of creation.

Second Petal
The second petal depicts a seven-branch menorah, the symbol of the faith of Abraham. The Reformed Faith traces the lineage of the church all the way back to the faith of Abraham through the nation born of Abraham and Sarah. Through Abraham’s call and faithful response, the Hebrew people were related to God (Genesis 17:1-8).

Third Petal
The third petal is a scroll representing the law. The giving of the law and its keeping (Exodus Chapter 20 and Deuteronomy Chapter 6) was the basis of the covenant. God cares how people relate to him and to one another.

Fourth Petal
The fourth petal is a burning bush. The image is taken from Moses’ experience recorded in Exodus Chapters 3-4. We have used the burning bush to symbolize the call and work of the prophets. The burning bush is the symbol of the Church of Scotland and was one of the symbols in the seal of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Fifth Petal
The fifth petal is a manger. Christ, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, was born of a human mother. “So the Word became flesh; he came to dwell among us, and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Sixth Petal
The sixth petal is a baptismal shell. Jesus’ call was confirmed through his baptism (Matthew 3:13-17) and his public ministry begun. In that baptism, Jesus identified with us. Through baptism, we publicly confess him as Savior and Lord, and enter into his body, the Church.

Seventh Petal
The seventh petal depicts symbols of wheat and the cup. The giving of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23) and the command to do it often in remembrance of him gives us a perpetual reminder of the great love that he has for us and for all sinners.

Eighth Petal
The eighth petal pictures the phoenix rising from the flames, an ancient resurrection symbol. This image represents, therefore, the central truth of the Christian gospel. In the Resurrection (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20) we are confronted with the power of God, even over death itself (John 11:25).

Ninth Petal
The ninth petal is a descending dove. The Holy Spirit is often symbolized as a dove in Scripture. After the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). The Spirit is the means by which the word is illumined to our understanding, and the power by which God works in and through people. With the manifestation of the Spirit, the revelation of God is complete.