Title: The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus
1The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus
Chancel Window Explained The great chancel
window, which is 26 feet high and 13 feet wide,
is designed to emphasize the Gospel and the
Office of the Holy Ministry. The window is
composed of faceted glass, which differs from
stained glass in that it is much thicker and
therefore more durable all colors are fused
within the glass and not applied through paint
and the glass pieces are intentionally cut more
roughly, allowing light to be refracted at many
angles. Another difference between stained glass
windows lies in the epoxy (rather than lead)
grout and fill which hold individual pieces of
glass together as a window.
2The First and Second Tiers
This first and second tiers depicts God, the God
who made us and redeemed us and sustains us
throughout our daily lives. Lamb of God - At
the top of the window is the Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the world. All other panes
in the window flow from this Gospel truth. Hand
of the Father - We discover the full extent of
the goodness of God, our Father and Creator, in
the gift of Christ's redemption of fallen
mankind. Dove - The Holy Spirit, here
represented by the dove, proceeds from the Father
and the Son. We are brought into the redemption
of the Son and fully grasp the handiwork of the
Creator through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit.
3The Third Tier
The third tier depicts the Means of Grace, those
physical elements by which we encounter God and
receive His grace. The Holy Ministry was given by
God to administer these Means of Grace to His
people. Shell - We are brought under our Lord's
redemption through the sacrament of Holy Baptism.
In the ancient church, and in many churches
today, a shell is used to apply the water of
baptism. Book with Seven Seals - St. John
describes a book sealed seven times which only
the Lamb was worthy to open. Contained in the
book is the salvation of all creation. God's Word
tells us our salvation is true and completed. Our
redemption has already been accomplished by the
sacrifice of the Lamb. Chalice and Host - We
encounter our Lord's redemption through the
Sacrament of Holy Communion.
4The Crucifix and Globe
Crucifix and Globe - This crucifix is turned
toward the globe, stained black with sin. But
Christ has taken the blackness of the world's sin
upon Himself, winning redemption for the entire
world.
5Saint Timothy and Saint Titus
St. Timothy - This young pastor was the recipient
of two letters by Paul that are found in the
Bible. He is vested in the homophorion from the
Eastern tradition as well as the stole from the
western tradition. St. Timothy holds a palm
branch, indicating that he was martyred. Beneath
his feet, we see the instrument tradition tells
us was used in his death a stone. St. Titus
- The other recipient of Paul's "pastoral"
letters, St. Titus is vested in the same
East/West fashion as St. Timothy. Each of these
pastors also hold onto a shepherd's staff,
reminding us that pastors are God's
undershepherds.
6The Side Lancets
The side lancets of the chancel window depict the
two main segments of the Church East and West.
The cities, top to bottom, left to right,
signify the spread of the Gospel from its Old
Testament beginnings to its New World
manifestation.
Rome The capital of the Empire, Rome served as
both bane and blessing to the church. Initially
the center of some of the worst persecutions,
Rome eventually grew into the most influential
congregation in the Church. WittenbergIn
the early 16th century, the Gospel again emerged
and was proclaimed to God's people. Martin
Luther, professor in Wittenberg, posted 95
theses, or topics for debate, based on the Word
of God. Through the efforts of this monk and
those like him, God again freed his Word to the
joy and edifying of His holy people. St.
Louis "How can they preach unless they are
sent?" (Romans 1015) Concordia Seminary stands
as an institution for training men for the Office
of the Holy Ministry, that divine office God has
given His Church for the proclamation of His Holy
Gospel.
JerusalemThe temple at Jerusalem was the Lord's
first house. There, He established His priesthood
to proclaim His news of salvation to His
people. Antioch This government seat
in Syria is where the followers of the "Way" were
first called Christians. Corinth This
major seaport was the center of a large church
founded by Paul. This center of travel also
served as an integral hub in spreading the Gospel
throughout the Roman Empire.
7The Bottom Lancets
Lois and Eunice This scene shows St. Timothy as
a boy receiving instruction in God's Word from
his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. It
was their great faith that Paul could see had
been passed on to this young pastor to whom he
was writing (cf. 2 Timothy 15).
Ordination This scene depicts an ordination.
Paul had instructed Titus to ordain pastors where
Paul had not yet been. This scene is placed next
to the Seminary seal to illustrate the purpose of
Concordia Seminary in preparing men for the Holy
Ministry.