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 The
symbols adorning our special Anniversary Banner are representations
of the symbols in the stained glass windows of our sanctuary. This
description begins at the bottom of the cross and goes to the top,
telling the Old Testament story and leading up to modern times.
At the base of the cross,
the black arc represents the darkness which "covered the face of the
deep." The beginning of the story of Creation is depicted by green
living things which God created. Adam and Eve are seen being
expelled from paradise. The rainbow is arching over Noah's ark.
Moses is represented by the Tablets of Law. The fleur-de-lis
symbolizes the purity of the Virgin. The six-pointed star of David
topped with a crown refers to the old testament prophecy that the
Saviour would come from the lineage of David. The manger with the
child is flanked by three shepherd's crooks. To the left of the
manger are three crowns under the rays of the star. To the right of
the manger is the symbol for Jesus' Baptism which combines a fish in
water, a chi rho (XP) and the white dove. The cross of Jesus
is purple, encircled with a crown of thorns and flanked by the
lesser crosses of two thieves. To the left of the cross of Jesus is
the lighted lamp symbolizing Jesus' teaching in the temple at the
age of twelve. To the right of the cross two miracles are
portrayed: His first miracle of turning the water into wine and the
miracle of feeding the five thousand. The left part of the cross
beam contains the cup with a cross emerging from it. This is the
cup of suffering. Next, the bread and chalice of wine and the wheat
and grapes represent the Last Supper. In the center of the cross
beam we see Jesus the Lamb of God bearing aloft the banner of the
Victory of Life over sin and death. The right part of the cross
beam shows Pilate's hands being washed in a basin which is a guard's
axe. Beneath the basin is the empty tomb. To the right of the
basin is the cock which crowed when Peter denied Jesus. Above the
Lamb of God, Luther's rose typifies the Reformation. To the right
of the rose, the east and west hemispheres are combined in peace
under the shelter of the cross. Above the cross is the 20th Century
symbol for peace. Above the rose, a dark hand and a light hand are
clasped in brotherhood. At the top is the Ship of the Church with a
cross-topped mast.
We would like to thank
Mrs. Alice Pollock for her vision, insight, and artistry in creating
this banner which is truly unique to Our Saviour Lutheran Church.
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