Glory of God's Creation Windows
(Side Sanctuary Windows)

Artist: Keith Malmquist
Maker: Pat Spicer
Honors: Walter & Elaine Fenske and Silas & Virginia Gladen

Using the same symbolic style as the altar windows, this series presents an interpretation of God's creation.
Appropriately, each stained glass window is located above a clear window that enables worshippers to see
the beauty of creation in our immediate location.

Each of the windows makes a statement by representation and symbol, which together form a sequence:

1. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth in all their wondrous dimensions." (Left Rear Window)
Sharp angular shapes present the explosion of creation. Represented are waves of water, falling rain, circles representing the enormous universe interlocking with the green earth, moon and stars.

2. "He made of the earth a bounteous garden, filled it with life of every kind, and proclaimed it good." (Left Center Window)
Represented are plants (upswept branches), seeds (round circles), living creatures (birds, butterfly, fish), stylized flowers (circles), stylized trees (green pointed branches), fruit (the apple).

3. "By the touch of His almighty hand He gave form and life to the first man and woman, and sent them forth to multiply, to care for and sustain His creation, and to fulfill His will." (Left Front Window)
God's hand reaches toward a human family surrounded by verdant life that gives a sense of continuous growth: hills, trees, flowers, stylized furrows and sprouts (lower left).

4. "In His incomparable love for us, He sent His Son Jesus Christ to live and die for us in order that we might be redeemed; and He provides the Holy Spirit to empower and guide us." (Right Front Window)
God's entry into the world in a special way is presented by the central cross with circles representing God's completeness, white lightning (right) rending the temple veil at the moment of Jesus' death, Jesus as the apple of God's eye with a falling tear, and the blowing wind and flame as symbols of the Holy Spirit as a continuing force in our life.

5. "He still calls us to worship Him, tell of Him, and serve Him in all that we do as His extended family of faith."
(Right Center Window)
The hill with a circle representing the empty tomb beams with increasing intensity of light toward the butterfly, symbol of the Resurrection; and to the vine (Jesus) and branches (Jesus' followers) on the right. The candles symbolize the living church, and the descending half round presents symbols of chalice, paten, Bible, and waters of baptism – primary elements of worship.

6. "Glory be to the Father; Glory be to the Son; Glory be to the Holy Spirit – all three in one." (Right Rear Window)
The Godhead theme of the altar window explodes with excitement – the triangle and interlocking circles symbolize the Triune God, Easter lilies on the left and palm fronds on the right are anchored with symbols of Alpha and Omega, the first and last (letters of the Greek alphabet). The outward pointing shapes point to the coming glory as we reach our heavenly home.