“I AM” Sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John
By Dieterich Spahn, Wayzata; dedicated 2003
Leaded glass doors to Reigstad Chapel (dedicated 2004; clear textured glass)
Symbols:
- Cross in center = we enter God’s presence through the cross
- Floral and vine motifs = growth
- Shell = baptism
- Left door: “I am the gate” (in memory of Mary Backlund)
- Right door: “I am the way the truth and the life" (in memory of Lillian Madland Cooper)
West Windows
Left Side Symbols - “I am the bread of life” (in memory of Alice Pederson)
- Hand of God
- Loaves and fishes
- Stalks of wheat
- Hand of Jesus raised in blessing over loaf of bread
Center Symbols - “I am the light of the world” (In memory of Barbara Nelson)
- Eye in the triangle = ancient symbol for God; triangle = Trinity, eye=all-seeing
- Beam of light to the earth, moon and stars
- World ablaze with the light of Christ; cross that spans the globe
- Angels singing praises; saints who have gone before us
- Bible “In the beginning was the Word...”
- Candle “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”
- Alpha and Omega “beginning and end”
Right Side Symbols - “I am the true vine” (in memory of Harold G. Kimpel)
- Star of David = Jesus is the Messiah, Son of David, God’s son
- Stone jars = changing water into wine at Cana
- Clusters of grapes, rose = Jesus’ sacrifice
- Chalice with hand of blessing = “This cup is my blood of the new covenant shed for you for the forgiveness of sins”
- Vine motif throughout window
North Window - “I am the resurrection and the life”
(Given by Kathy and Bill Fredell)
Symbols:
- Leaves and vine = life
- Fish = Jesus
- Water = baptism
- Cross with orb = salvation in Christ for the whole world
- Butterfly ascending on a rainbow from an empty tomb = new life
South Window - “I am the Good Shepherd”
(Given by Kathy and Bill Fredell)
Symbols:
- Jesus as Good Shepherd
- Shield and sword = shield of faith, sword of the spirit