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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church

City: Livonia

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1980

Subject/Title of Window: From Creation to New Creation Set 3

Brief Description of Subject: A set of six windows, entitled "From Creation to New Creation," was designed for this Church and installed in 1980. This is the third of that series, and was originally located on the south side of the sanctuary. Due to alterations to the Church in 1992, it was moved to the coat room off the narthex.

This set covers covers Martin Luther --- The Reformation.

Panel 1: Martin Luther, an Augustinian Monk, was appalled by the selling of indulgences, and in 1517 wrote 95 arguments against their sale and use. The Church's response of excommunication would lead to the Protestant Reformation. According to Church records, this panel was given by Mrs. Gladys Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Meitz, and Georgina Aletha Shilling, in memory of Gerald Ward.

From the Church brochure: "We see pictured the door of the Castle Church at Wittenburg with the 95 Theses posted to it. On the evening of October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed these 95 Theses, statements which he wanted to debate with the officials of the church concerning some of the teachings of the Church. This event set in motion a new era which was to come to the church, one which would reform the teaching of the church and restore to all Christians throughout the world the pure Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which alone is able to bring us salvation. Central to all of Luther’s teaching was the doctrine of justification through faith that we are saved only by the undeserved mercy and love of God which becomes ours through our faith in Jeus Christ."

Panel 2: According to Church records, this panel was given by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Klink in loving memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs Charles Klink, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Krejeski.

From the Church brochure: 'It is a seal called a “Luthern Rose” developed by Martin Luther. This seal he himslef describes in the following words: “The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross-black within the heart to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saves us. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. Now, although the cross is black- mortified and intended to cause pain- yet it does not change the color of the heart- does not destroy nature- that it does not kill- but keeps alive. ‘For the just shall live by faith’ by faith in the Savior. But this heart is fixed upon the center of a white rose to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace. The rose is white, not red, because white is the ideal color of all angels and blessed spirits. This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky colored ground to denote that such joy of faith in the spirit is but an earnest and beginning of heavenly joy to come as anticipated and held by hope tho not yet revelaed. And around this ground base is a golden ring to signify  that such bliss in heaven is endless and more precious than all joys and treasures, since gold is the best and precious metal, Christ our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life. Amen.”'

Panel 3: Sheet music from "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott," (A MIghty Fortress Is Our God). This song, based on Psalm 46, was composed by Martin Luther circa 1527. According to Church records, this panel was given by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Routzahn in thankfulness for their granddaughter, Chelsea Routzahn.

From the Church brochure: "This window depicts the great Hymn of the Reformation, sometimes called “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation”, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. It is set there to the music as originally written by Martin Luther, both the words and music are Luther’s own and it continues to this day to remind us of the Reformation of the Church."

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 7'

Width: 5'6"

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