Our Worship Space

Fifty years and several renovations have yielded a flexible sanctuary (worship space) that provides for God-centered worship and growth of our congregation. The image of the cross is built into several elements of the achitecture, starting with the wooden timbers that support the ceiling. Our center stained glass window enhances worship with its rich symbolism (not to mention its beauty) and both the east and west windows reflect stories of Scripture. In addition, we are blessed with a seven foot concert grand piano and a digital-pipe hybrid organ that assist us in our worship and attest to the beauty and magesty of the triune God.

Our organ is a digital-pipe hybrid, the first organ designed and built from the ground up by the famous organ companies Reuters and Rodgers. The console is a custom designed Rodgers three manual with twelve audio channels. Reuter and Rodgers worked closely together in designing a stoplist that includes a principle chorus with mixtures in each of the three manual divisions, various flute ranks, string and string celeste, and two trumpet ranks, one of which continues in the pedal to a full length 16’.The organ has 72 stops, unlimited piston memory, MIDI record and playback, and 1000+ additional organ and orchestral voices via a MIDI sound module. (View organ specs)

The pipe work consists of 27 newly built ranks in four divisions, including separate Swell and Choir divisions under expression. The façade is the flamed copper 16’ Pedal Principle, blending beautifully with the churches wood, brick and stained glass windows. The result is an instrument that is beautiful to look at and listen to, with all the modern features essential to traditional and modern worship styles.

The Stained Glass in the center of the Chancel Area

Twelve separate pieces of stained glass make up this panorama of Christian symbolism. The central theme is a Celtic cross which enhances the cross that already was incorporated into the design of this south wall window. The Celtic cross emanates from and open Bible just above the rock altar, which represents the solid foundation of the Christian faith. The open pages of the Bible are marked with the letter "I" , for the book of Isiah which proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and the letter M, for the book of Matthew where the prophecy was fulfilled.

The upper right hand of the window depicts the angel of the Lord announcing the birth of Christ, while the upper left shows the large bright star of Bethlehem beaming its light down on the baby Jesus .

The four figures of an angel, a lion, an eagle and an ox surrounding the intersection of the cross are early Christian representations of Matthew, Mark, John and Luke respectively.

On the right side of the cross, the chalice and bread symbolize the sacrament of Holy Communion. The three fish below the chalice represent Christ's enlistment of his early disciples from fishermen, the miracle of feeding the multitude from five loaves and two fish and Christ's words that we are to be "fishers of men."

To the left of the cross is a large palm frond reminding us of Christ's re-entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Below the frond the Sacrament of Baptism is depicted by a dove representing the Spirit of God descending into the holy water flowing from a sea shell. The baptismal water flows into the river of life, which flows across the window. By the stone altar are also the traditional flowers of Christmas, poinsettias, as well as Easter lilies pointing heavenward to symbolize the risen Lord's ascension into heaven.

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and omega remind us that Christ is universal, the beginning and the end. The vine work that borders the window remind us of Jesus' saying, "I am the vine, you are the branches.."

Stained Glass Windows on the East Wall represent the six days of Creation from Genesis Chapter 1. Clicking on the day will take you to that passage at BibleGateway.com.

When God created the universe, the earth was formless, desolate and the ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the earth. Genesis 1:2

Day 1: God commanded, “Let there be light” and light appeared. Then he separated the light from darkness creating “day and night.” The equilateral triangle, with its apex up wards, is one of the oldest of the Trinity symbols. The equality of the three sides and angles expresses the equality of three distinct persons. Their union, resulting in but one figure, suggests the one and inseparable Divine Essence.

Day 2: God commanded that there be a dome to divide the water and keep it in two separate places. He named the dome “sky.”

Day 3: God commanded that land would appear. The land he named “earth” and the water he named “sea.” Then he commanded that the earth produce all kinds of plants.

Day 4: God commanded that light appear in the sky to separate day from night and to shine in the sky to vie light to the earth. He created the sun, the moon and the stars.

Day 5: God commanded that the water be filled with many kinds of living things, and that the air be filled with birds.

Day 6: God commanded that the earth produce all kinds of animal life. Then God created human beings in his likeness, both male and female. He put these in charge of the birds, the fish and the animals, and provided all kinds of grain and fruit for humans to eat, and grass and leafy plants as food for the birds and animals.

Stained Glass Windows on the West Wall of Sanctuary depict episodes from the Old Testament arranged in chronological order from rear to front of Sanctuary. Clicking on the name of the Bible story will take you to that passage at BibleGateway.com

Noah’s Ark based on Genesis chapters 6 -9. The rainbow is a sign of God's promise to Noah to never again flood the earth.

Baby Moses in the bulrushes based on Exodus chapter 2 verses 1-10

Moses sees the burning bush based on Exodus chapter 3, verses 1-6

God sends food to the Israelites in the desert based on Exodus chapter 16, verses 12-16)

The Ten Commandments based on Exodus chapter 20 verses 1-17 & Exodus chapter 31 verse 18

Ruth with her mother-in-law Naomi picking up heads of grain based on Ruth chapters 1-4