God is light stained glass window
Our church window is a representation of the theme “God is Light”. Many symbols are present within the window, each of which serves a purpose.
At the bottom of the picture, the symbols represent our town of Redlands and the surrounding area. The water reminds us of the banks of the Zanja. The rocks remind us of Mentone and the wash of the Santa Ana riverbed. The mountains stand majestic in the background. The orange tree with furrowed fields and groves behind it, remind us that Redlands had its beginnings in the citrus industry.
Five tulips at the bottom left are a reminder of the Dutch heritage that provided the foundation for churches in the area. The word TULIP represents the five points of Calvinism: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints.
In the Bible, God tells us He is the vine and we are the branches. The vine in the window is fruitful, demonstrating that we, as Christians, are the branches who are called to bear fruit. The grapes and the wheat stalks are symbols of Holy Communion, one of the sacraments. Jesus, as the vine, leads us to heaven, just as the branches seem to reach the heights of heaven within the frame of the window.
The vine is planted next to a river, one that appears to begin at the trinity’s center, moving down from heaven to earth. This symbolizes that He is the living water. Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd and to us as His sheep. We see ourselves as His sheep feeding along the banks of the living water. The water also signifies the water of baptism, another one of the sacraments.
In the center, we see three doves, symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Also, the Holy Trinity symbol is visible, representing God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We recognize the glory of the Lord bursting forth from the center, omnipresent in every aspect of our lives.
At the top of the window is an ethereal depiction of heaven, hidden from our direct view by clouds. This is a reminder that we will one day, see God face-to-face in heaven.
Notice the style changes within the window. At the bottom is a border of dark blues and purples, typical of more traditional stained glass pieces. The window seems to break free of the border as the eye moves up the frame, with the border sometimes disappearing entirely, only to return in lighter shades at the top. The objects at the bottom of the picture are ones with more substance, ones that we encounter within the physical universe. As our eyes move towards the top, the objects become less defined, as is our understanding of heaven.
We pray that the stained glass window will be a blessing to you, inspiring you to an attitude of worship.
**The window was given in 1997 to The River Church by Alice Dangermond in memory of her late husband, Peter Dangermond, Sr.
At the bottom of the picture, the symbols represent our town of Redlands and the surrounding area. The water reminds us of the banks of the Zanja. The rocks remind us of Mentone and the wash of the Santa Ana riverbed. The mountains stand majestic in the background. The orange tree with furrowed fields and groves behind it, remind us that Redlands had its beginnings in the citrus industry.
Five tulips at the bottom left are a reminder of the Dutch heritage that provided the foundation for churches in the area. The word TULIP represents the five points of Calvinism: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints.
In the Bible, God tells us He is the vine and we are the branches. The vine in the window is fruitful, demonstrating that we, as Christians, are the branches who are called to bear fruit. The grapes and the wheat stalks are symbols of Holy Communion, one of the sacraments. Jesus, as the vine, leads us to heaven, just as the branches seem to reach the heights of heaven within the frame of the window.
The vine is planted next to a river, one that appears to begin at the trinity’s center, moving down from heaven to earth. This symbolizes that He is the living water. Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd and to us as His sheep. We see ourselves as His sheep feeding along the banks of the living water. The water also signifies the water of baptism, another one of the sacraments.
In the center, we see three doves, symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Also, the Holy Trinity symbol is visible, representing God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We recognize the glory of the Lord bursting forth from the center, omnipresent in every aspect of our lives.
At the top of the window is an ethereal depiction of heaven, hidden from our direct view by clouds. This is a reminder that we will one day, see God face-to-face in heaven.
Notice the style changes within the window. At the bottom is a border of dark blues and purples, typical of more traditional stained glass pieces. The window seems to break free of the border as the eye moves up the frame, with the border sometimes disappearing entirely, only to return in lighter shades at the top. The objects at the bottom of the picture are ones with more substance, ones that we encounter within the physical universe. As our eyes move towards the top, the objects become less defined, as is our understanding of heaven.
We pray that the stained glass window will be a blessing to you, inspiring you to an attitude of worship.
**The window was given in 1997 to The River Church by Alice Dangermond in memory of her late husband, Peter Dangermond, Sr.