These are often the words used when people look at our marvelous stained glass windows ... particularly if they are seeing them for the first time.

Did you know that we have over 65 separate stained glass windows in our Church Facility? Did you know that just one of the large windows in the front of the sanctuary has over 32,500 individual panes of glass? Did you know that each pane is held in place by a leaded bead surrounding the piece of glass? Now take just a moment and consider this: 32,500 panes of glass surrounded by lead -- can you imagine the weight of this window, and the stress it places on the frame it is suspended within? Now multiply that by 65 and imagine the stress these windows place on the entire Church structure! (Answer: Whew doggies, it's heavy!) Did you know that our windows are comprised of stained glass, art glass, rondels, marbles and painted glass? Did you know that individually, each window (and in some cases each individual pane) tells a different story of biblical and spiritual importance, and together they tell another larger story? If you looked around the sanctuary, in just a few moments you would discover the following symbolism in the windows of the sanctuary:

• Vines - Represents Jesus Christ. It can also represent the church. Any birds that are pictured In the vines tend to represent human souls.

• Crown - A symbol that holds double meaning. 1.) Jesus Christ is King, 2.) We will receive the "crown of life" (James 1:12).

• Traditional Cross - Rome's method of execution and how Jesus died. Today it would be a needle (lethal injection or an electric chair … charming images). The symbol represents Christ's sacrifice for our sins. The empty cross represents Christ's resurrection and the hope of salvation for all who believe.

• Greek Letters - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, I am the beginning and the end," says the Lord, "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelations 1:8) Christ was in existence before time began and will be present at the end of time, even after the age.

• Three Candles - symbolizes the Christian Trinity.

• The Dove - One of the oldest Christian symbols. It is almost always depicted with a three-rayed nimbus (halo) representing a part of the Trinity. The dove is usually shown descending, as it did after Jesus was baptized. (Matthew 3:16) The dove is also always white, representing purity and is also used as a symbol for peace.

• Anchor - This is one of the original, 1^st Century symbols used in Christianity. "This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for your souls." (Hebrews 6:19) The anchor is always portrayed with the crossbar, forming a cross or an X for Chi (cristos: Christ).

• Ten Commandments - The summary of the agreement between God and the Hebrew people given through Moses. Known in Hebrew as the 10 words or Decalogue, they are found in slightly different versions in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.

• The Lily - As a symbol of Mary - Represents the virginity of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It also symbolizes purity, innocence, and heavenly bliss. As a symbol of annunciation - The Lily flower comes from a bulb that must die and be placed in the earth where it decays. From this death and decay rises the beautiful Lily. From the depths of death springs new life. Therefore, it is a symbol of Christ's death and resurrection.

• Dogwood - The four petals representing the arms and legs of Christ pierced as He was crucified and with the golden center of the flower representing the crown of Christ. It blooms during the time of Easter.

• Road to Emmaus - The three figures in the window at the rear of the sanctuary depict the famous Road to Emmaus passage found in Luke 24:13-35. Emmaus was a neighboring village approximately seven miles north of Jerusalem. The story makes the distinction between perception and recognition.

Artisans, craftsmen and professionals too numerous to count, and from regions surrounding all of Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania, were part of the magnificent project to construct and install our beautiful windows. How proud they must have been as they laid each pane into place and formed an image and a story that would affect the lives of literally millions of people through the ages. These windows have stood tall and proud for over 110 years. Don't we all wish people would have such nice things to say about our beauty after 110 years of existence!

On occasion, we have touched them up and tended to their needs as we encountered a problem. But the time has come to scratch below the surface and make certain that these icons of our faith and beliefs are standing for the next century, and for the next million souls to be touched by them. It is estimated that refurbishing the large windows in the sanctuary will run nearly $60,000 each. And every window must be addressed, not just the large ones.

To do this, First Church will be embarking on a comprehensive Capital Campaign designed to maintain and sustain our beautiful and historical windows and facility. You will be instrumental in the success of this campaign.