Window 26

Lancet windows above the western portal of the church

Through many centuries in the past, churches were normally oriented so that the altar would be at the east end, the place of the rising sun, and the main entrance at the west end, the place of the setting sun  and close of the day.  Thus, quite appropriately, the message in sculpture and/or stained glass at the west normally dealt with the end of the world and the second return of Christ in glory to judge the living and the dead.  At his feet to his left, cowering figures of the lost might be shown.  To his right would be the joyful figures of the saved.

Our three windows above the western entrance of the church carry messages in the life of the church during these grey and latter days approaching world’s end.  The figures were planned to be viewed from the inside, as worshipers were leaving the church.  From this perspective, the colors in the windows were exceptionally beautiful.  Because of the organ pipes, the windows can now be viewed only from the exterior.  The artificial lighting is less successful than natural light from the outside.

Window 26

The window on the north side of our church’s main portal illustrates the armor with which God’s saints, as they wait for the Lord’s return at the end of the world, must be equipped to fight the good fight of faith against devil world, and sinful flesh.  In Ephesians 6, St. Paul describes these weapons, six in number, as the “full armor of God.”  They have been described in the nave’s last three windows on the north side at the back.  The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, pierces the mouth of the dragon who is called the devil or Satan in Revelation 12:9.

As the eagle in the south window identifies St. John, so the sword of the Spirit identifies St. Paul.  A sword resting on an open Bible appears at the top of the window.  This symbol can also remind members of St. John’s that they are the daughter congregation of St. Paul’s in New Ulm.