Psalm 111:1-10 and Revelation 1:1-8
This sermon series has developed from a suggestion Doris Bakker made a while ago. She thought people in church would like to be reminded of what all the different symbols in our windows mean. There is a story in each one. You may have heard the story that back in the Middle Ages worship was conducted in Latin. The average worshiper couldn’t understand what was actually being said or read from the Bible. But most churches had stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible or illustrating spiritual truths. So, no matter what was said on any Sunday a worshiper could get something out of worship by simply looking at the windows.
I don’t know if that is why you installed these windows back in 1996 or if there was another reason. But we are glad they are here. Each Wednesday during Lent we will look at one or two windows and seek to learn something from them. Since we can’t see all the windows we will be projecting them on the screen. The topics include:
1. Alpha and Omega
2. Lamp
3. Lamb
4. Ship
5. Butterfly
6. Grapes
7. Praying Hands
8. Crown
9. Lily
10. Fish
11. Rainbow
12. Wheat
13. Trinity - 3 circles
14. UCC crown, cross & orb
The windows were dedicated October 27, 1996.
Steve Meurett designed the windows.
They were made by Ray Woods of Thorp whom I met at one of the first weddings I performed here. He is the father of former police chief Tom Woods.
Steve Meurett designed the windows to match elements that were inside the church, especially the two banners that hang in the front. He used a lot of triangles. Inside each group of triangles is a circle with a special Christian symbol. Steve knew they had to be simple because they had to be workable for stained glass and lead. Pastor Gene gave Steve a list of different symbols. Then he went to work on sketches that would match each other in style and color. Steve gave Ray the drawings and Ray and his wife adapted them for stained glass and lead. He had to change some curves in order to cut the glass. This was the biggest project he ever did, but he has better equipment now. He really enjoyed doing our windows, but found the grapes to be a special challenge. They are not just a bunch of round balls. It took artistry to make them look like grapes!
Ray Woods is now 76 and owns a radiator shop in Thorp. Stained glass is a hobby for him. He has done work for many individuals and a few churches. Often he is asked to match the broken part of an old stained glass window in a cupboard and restore it to its original form. His son Tom helped him install the windows in our church, a few at a time. One time Tom broke part of a window and had to replace it. It is interesting that Ray combines his work as a mechanic and artist. His wife also teaches ceramics and several of his grandchildren are involved in art. Right now he is casting silver.
Tonight’s window is the “Alpha and Omega” window.
Alpha-Omega: Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet, became a symbol for Christ due to His being called "the First and the Last." The roots of symbolizing these attributes of God go back further, all the way to the Old Testament where, in Exodus 34:6, God is said to be "full of Goodness and Truth." The Hebrew spelling of the word "Truth" consists of the 3 letters "Aleph," "Mem," and "Thaw" -- and because "Aleph" and "Thaw" are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, the ancients saw mystical relevance in God's being referred to as "Truth." At any rate, the Greek Alpha and Omega as a symbol for Christ has been found in the Catacombs, Christian signet rings, post-Constantine coins, and the frescoes and mosaics of ancient churches.
Alpha and Omega. A to Z. First and Last. Beginning and End.
Rev. 1:17 - Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one.
Rev. 2:8 - These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life.
Rev. 21:6 – It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
Rev. 22:13 – I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
Isaiah 41:4 – Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, am first, and will be with the last.
Isaiah 44:6 – Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
Isaiah 48:12 – Listen to me, O Jacob, and
Ultimate source and ground of existence.
Christ’s primacy in creation.
Christ’s life and work have neither beginning nor end.
During Lent we especially remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. We recognize his humanity. But we also recognize that his humanity is beyond our humanity. His suffering is beyond our suffering. His wisdom beyond our wisdom. His life beyond our lives.
During this Lenten season we are going to try and put Christ as the priority in our lives. We are going to try to say that Christ is number one. We are going to try and follow the lonesome road of integrity and trust that he walked. Each of us will do this in our own particular way. Some of us will establish a special Lenten discipline of Bible reading and prayer. Some of us will deny ourselves some luxury to show that we are not ruled by the powers of this world. Some of us will make sure we engage in specific acts of goodness and generosity. Through all of this we look toward the goal of Easter, recognizing that Christ is with us at the beginning of Lent on this Ash Wednesday, will be there at the cross on Good Friday, and will welcome us near the empty tomb on Easter morning.
Alpha and Omega. Beginning and End. First and Last. This is our Lord Jesus Christ.
