The “I AM” Stained-Glass Windows of Faith United Lutheran Church
The stained-glass windows on the North-side, the Oak Grove side, of the church were designed by Robert Berg, and installed by City Glass Specialty of Fort Wayne, IN. Collectively, they represent the great I AM statements of Jesus found in the writings of St. John.
#1 “I Am the Bread of Life” John 6:35, 48
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. I am the bread of life.
The first window from the back shows three loaves of bread, surrounded by a “nimbus”, which is an artistic rendering of holiness and used frequently in portraits of Jesus. The metaphor of “the Bread of Life” is heightened by the stalks of wheat, which are the beginnings of bread. They are a reminder that Jesus was also “in the beginning.”
#2 “I Am the Vine” John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”
The next window to the right depicts a vine entwining from the bottom to the top of the window, finally growing into a Cross. Note the fruit=bearing branches (clusters of grapes) growing out of the vine. Jesus also said, “You are the branches.” Our lives are in Christ.
#3 “I Am the Resurrection” John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live…”
Moving right again, third from the back, shows the cross of life bursting forth in Easter glory about ¾ of the way up. The lower right is the empty tomb. Twelve lilies scattered throughout the window trumpet the Lord’s resurrection. Another symbol of the resurrection is the butterfly. From the cocoon of death (the grave) comes a beautiful new life form. The flowers at the base of the cross are yet another symbol-spring flowers growing out of the dead of winter.
#4 “I Am the Good Shepherd” John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
In the middle window, Jesus is portrayed humanly rather than symbolically. The figure of the shepherd dominates the window. He holds the lamb. To the left is the ewe (mother) who also looks to the shepherd. At the top, grazing peacefully, are three more lambs. “We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hands.” (Psalm 95:7)
#5 “I Am the Light of the World” John 9:5
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Moving right toward the chancel, the next window is dominated by the Christ candle burning brightly. Other images of light in the window include the Epiphany star in the flame, a swirling orb, and twelve stars scattered throughout the window.
#6 “I Am the Living Water” John 4:14
“…but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
The cross again dominates our next window, for we are baptized into Christ’s death (Romans 6:3). The cross alone is the fountain of our salvation. From it flows the living water – water which refreshes the children of God represented as doves (the peacemakers of Matthew 7:9, and the earth itself, making it sprout and bring forth (Isaiah 55:10), represented by the flowers.
#7 “I Am the Alpha and the Omega” Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
The last window depicts the Alpha, which looks like the letter A, which is the beginning of the Greek alphabet. The Omega is the end. Jesus is the first and the last. Jesus, the lamb once slain, is now the triumphant Lamb of God at rest. Within this image are a number of other images growing out of the Revelation to John, including the Book of Life, the seven seals, and the seven torches burning before the throne of God.
Thank you for viewing this page about the beautiful stained-glass windows in our church. They help provide a calming, reflective atmosphere before, during and after worship. Our worship services are every Sunday at 10:00 am. We are almost entirely handicapped accessible, and welcome everyone in and around our community.
