The Windows of Christiania

Created by Lucky Rimpila and

 Dedicated to the Glory of God

June 15, 2003

Pulpit Side

 The Holy Trinity

God the Father, Creator

            The First Person of the Trinity is represented by the Hand

            of God, extended in blessing. The Creator’s relationship

            with the creation is fatherly, providing physical needs as

            well as spiritual. The right hand of God (Dextra Domini)

            blesses with three extended fingers suggesting the unity

            of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The blue sphere

            represents our earthly home.

 

God the Son, Jesus Christ

            The Second Person of the Trinity is represented by the

            Latin Cross, remembering His suffering and death for

            the forgiveness of our sins. The empty cross remembers

            that Christ is risen and living. The gold crown reminds

            us that Christ is the King of Kings, but also that eternal

            life is promised to All who believe and trust in Him.

 

God the Holy Spirit

            The Third Person of the Trinity is represented by a

            descending dove. As the Spirit descended upon Jesus

            at His baptism, so did the Holy Spirit come upon the

            disciples at Pentecost, empowering the Church to “go

            and make disciples of all nations…”  By the Holy

            Spirit, we are given faith, strength to do what God

            commands, and peace. Again, the blue sphere represents

            our earthly home under the peaceful dove.

 

Lectern Side

          The Means of Grace, by which God’s Love and

          Forgiveness reach us

The Word of God, the Holy Bible

            “God’s Word is our great heritage,” revealing God to us,

            and is the source of divine authority over our lives. The

            inspired Word of God contains the history of God’s

            people, the Law and the Prophets, the Psalms, and also

            the Gospels of Jesus Christ and the New Testament story.

            God speaks to us through the books of the Bible and

            inspires us to be faithful witnesses too.

 

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

            This window depicting a shell and drops of water reminds

            us of how we were washed of sin and claimed to be

            God’s child. As Jesus was baptized by John to identify

            with us, we are baptized by God to be identified with

            Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. His innocence became

            our innocence through forgiveness, and by the Sacrament

            we became members of the ‘body of Christ,’ the Church.

 

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

            This window depicting the Bread and Chalice reminds us

            of the body and blood of Christ, given and shed for us

            for the forgiveness of sin. With ordinary elements made

            from wheat and the fruit of the vine, God gives us the

            extraordinary privilege of communion with Divinity.

            Also called the “Lord’s Supper,” Jesus commanded His

            followers to “do this in remembrance” of Him.