The Stained Glass Windows of St. John's United Church of Christ
The Congregation of St. John’s United Church of Christ wishes to thank each family that contributed a window.
The windows were created by Mrs. Wilma Stratton a kind, gentle and talented lady.
We hope that these windows have spoken to your heart as they speak to all hearts that take the time to set and truly feel the Holy Spirit move as they gaze upon the symbols.
The windows were created by Mrs. Wilma Stratton a kind, gentle and talented lady.
We hope that these windows have spoken to your heart as they speak to all hearts that take the time to set and truly feel the Holy Spirit move as they gaze upon the symbols.
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The top left window pictures Moses the lawgiver on Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments. Moses was born at Goshen, Egypt in B.C.1571. Moses died at the age of 120 years looking out over the Promised Land. The Old Testament features the books and laws given to Moses, particularly the Ten Commandments.
On the top right is Jesus Christ, our savior, born to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem, six miles south of Jerusalem. Christ came to save us from sin if we believe and follow his teachings. He lets the Holy Spirit help strengthen and guide us. Christ's life and teaching are mostly in the New Testament.
The Star of David is generally assumed to have hung over Bethlehem guiding the Wise Men to Christ's birthplace. In Revelation 12:15 it is stated, "I Jesus, have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches, I am the root of the offspring of David, the right morning star."
The rainbow and dove holding a olive leaf represents the time that God Destroyed the World only saving Noah and his family in the Ark. The rainbow was God's promised to never again destroy the World by flood.
The picture of St. John's UCC was used on the cover of the centennial book. The church is considered the bride of Christ. In Revelations 3:6 it is stated, "If you have heard, then listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."
The angel playing an instrument is in the remembrance of John and Meta Daume and their musical families. This pane is dedicated to all who have played the organ or piano, sang in the choir, or lead Christmas and other musical programs since 1877.
In our worship we honor Christ who left a crown of glory to be humbly born in a manger, carried his own cross and sits on the right hand of God.
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This window is dedicated to Dolly and Fred McLain and Elane Moonier's Family in Texas, the McGary's.
The top two panes show the Tree of Life & the Living Waters, which remind us of God's promise of eternal life for those who believe in him. They are in memory of their two younger brothers who have passed on, James and Donald, both of whom loved the outdoors, enjoying the water & nature.
The diamond symbol reminds us of strength, love & eternity. The four points of this emblem are dedicated to Fred and Dolly, along with their daughters Cindi and Lisa.
The torch is the symbol of passion from spreading the word of God and for our personal enlightenment. It symbolizes the eternal flame that burns forever as our lives with God continue forever.
The Holy Bible is the symbol of the word of God and this image reminds the family of their mother, Violet. This is because she always had an open Bible in the house, most of which were well-worn and tattered with years of use.
The wooden cross symbolizes the death and rebirth of Christ. The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit and the peace he gives to us. They remind the family of their father, David, who was a carpenter and worked with wood. He was a quiet, gentle man who was always the family peacemaker.
The sunset and the cross signify that these members of our family ad others have passes into the setting sun to be with their heavenly father, where we will once again reunite with them one day.
The angel has always been recognized as the messenger of God. This symbols is very appropriate for the families's sister Ollie Miller. She spent much of her life touching the lives of everyone she met with her passionate love of God. She was an encourager, she said, who always helped to lift people up and help them on their life's journey.
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This window was presented to the church by Glenwood and LaDonna Blechle.
The top left pane is a symbol of new life in Christ. The green leaves represent the new life that is promised through the cross on which our Savior died.
The second pane represents the Ten Commandments. These commandments were handed down by God to Moses and are a basis for law and order to the present day.
The third pane is a Bible imposed upon the tree of knowledge. On the Bible are Glenwood and LaDonna’s favorite scriptures.
The fourth pane contains a familiar Christian symbol of the praying hands. We are taught that prayer is the direct communication with God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. This pane reminds us to place our faith in God.
The fifth pane is the fish with the name of Jesus in it. ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys) is an acronym for , (Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates into English as "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior". Ichthys translates to fish. This symbol has been used for centuries as a symbol of Christianity.
The sixth pane is Jesus knocking on a door. Revelations 3: 20 states, “Lo! I stand at the door, and knock; if any man heareth my voice, and openeth the gate to me, I shall enter to him, and sup with him, and he with me.” No door knob is pictured in this window as a symbol that we as human beings must open the door.
The seventh pane is an angel singing. LaDonna carries with her a love of music. Nothing could be more appropriate to that love than a representation of an angel singing praises to God.
The final pane represents John 6:35 which states, “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
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This window was given by the Pensel Family in honor of Harold Pensel.
Harold lived and worked on a farm just north of the church all of his life. He spent many mornings watching the sun rise and many evening watching the sun set. Psalms 113: 3 states “from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name be praised. “ May the time between our sunrise and sunset allow each of us to touch the lives of others.
The multi-colored star is symbolic in many ways. The six points each have a difference color and these points represent Harold and Donna Pensel, Jerry and Patti (Pensel) Siemers, and Rodney and Pam (Kirk) Pensel. The star also represents a significant piece of scripture from the book of Matthew2: 2 “For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 5:15 states, “Neither do men light a candle and hide it under a bushel, but they put it on a candle stick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” The Lighthouse was one of Harold’s favorite songs and represents God’s light shining into the world.
The Nativity scene represents Harold’s love of Christmas. This pane reminds us of the faithfulness of a man who spent almost every Christmas Eve in this sanctuary. It is especially appropriate that there are cattle looking in at the baby Jesus as Harold cared for cattle all of his life.
The resurrection scene is a reminder that Jesus sacrificed himself for our salvation. It is also a reminder that Harold often sacrificed things that he would have liked to have had for the good of his family and friends. Harold always said, “If the Lord asks you to walk a mile, you walk two.”
The vine and the branches are symbolic of the long line of the Pensel Family that remains with St. John’s UCC. Wolfgang Pensel was a charter member followed by Christian, Louis, Harold, Katelynn and Lydia who are all members of St. John’s along with their families. The vine represents the line of the generations in the church. The wheat represents the farming background of that the family shares. The grapes represent the abundance of the extended family and their contributions to their churches.
The final pane is Jesus with the children. Luke 18: 16 states, “But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me.” Harold loved children especially his five grandchildren. Justin, Jared, and Jonathan Siemers, and Katelynn and Lydia Pensel. There are five children in the pane, one with blonde hair symbolizing Katelynn, one with orange hair symbolizing Jonathan, and three with shades of brown hair symbolizing Justin, Jared and Lydia
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