SYMBOLS OF THE SANCTUARY
Welcome! Take a tour of our campus—available in both audio and written formats—with 18 stops along the way. Discover the stories behind our buildings: how they came to be, how they have evolved over the years, and how they’re used today.
STOP 1:
Narthex
Our congregation first enters the Sanctuary through the narthex—a term that traces back to the early church. The word narthex comes from Greek and literally means “giant fennel”, likely referring to the hollow stem of the plant. Originally, it represented a space of preparation, repentance, and transition from the ordinary world into the sacred space of the nave, or the main body of the church. It served as a gathering place for those preparing for baptism or repenting of their sins, who could listen to the sermon but were not yet allowed in the nave.
Today, the narthex continues to be a space where we first step in from the outside world—a space for greeting, gathering, and preparing our hearts as we move into worship together.
STOP 2:
Walk through the main glass doors and pause as you enter the main Sanctuary. Give yourself a moment to take in the overall design.
Hal Whittemore, our architect, often said this was his favorite church—and he didn’t just design it, he came back to worship here with us.
The sanctuary speaks through its strength. The stained glass, communion table, pulpit, cross, and organ aren’t just features—they anchor the space, each one pointing to the power and presence of God. From its solid, stony foundation, the sanctuary rises upward, echoing the life of the Church itself—rooted here, yet always reaching toward heaven.
The space itself seems to lift your eyes the moment you walk in. Overhead, great wooden arches stretch nearly 70 feet high, crossing like the canopy of a forest. The darker ceiling lets the light shine through in a way that naturally draws your attention forward and upward toward the heavens and God. Surrounded by rich, natural tones, there’s a quiet sense of awe that settles in—something that invites both reflection and wonder.
At the same time, it’s a space that brings people together. The pews gently curve around the communion table at the center, and the floor slopes so everyone can see and feel included. It’s designed so that no one feels far away—because here, we gather as one community, one family, centered around the table.
STOP 3:
Walk to your left down the aisle, stopping midway to admire your surroundings.
The sanctuary gently weaves a forest theme throughout, creating a space that feels both peaceful and alive. The green carpet stretches beneath your feet like soft grass, while the tall support beams rise like trees reaching skyward. Overhead, the skylight filters light in a way that feels like sunshine breaking through a canopy of leaves. Even the smallest details carry meaning—the chandeliers are cut to resemble stars, and the softly tinted side windows hint at mountains in the distance.
And then there are the large windows facing 17th Street. They’re a beautiful reminder that the church is not closed off, but open to the world around us. We are connected to our neighbors, called to be present beyond these walls. As the sign in the parking lot says when you leave, “You are now entering the mission field”—a gentle but powerful reminder that ministry begins the moment you step outside.
STOP 4:
Walk to the front of the Sanctuary, stopping at the base of the steps.
The baptismal font, sitting to the right in front of the wooden cross, features the Holy Spirit as a dove, a simple and beautiful reminder of Christ’s baptism. Nearby, the wooden cross—added about 25 years ago—stands prominently beside the communion table, drawing our focus and complementing the larger cross revealed in the stained glass.
The colors of the drapes on the cross and communion table reflect the seasons and significant moments of our worship life. Each color is intentionally chosen for a particular time or occasion and carries its own meaning, as outlined below:
From Christmas Eve through Epiphany Sunday (the 12 days of Christmas), the color is white. Between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, green is used. From Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday, purple marks the season. On Good Friday, no color is displayed.
From Easter through Pentecost (50 days later), white returns. On Pentecost, red becomes the dominant color. On the Sundays between Pentecost and Reformation Sunday in late October, green is seen once again.
On Reformation Sunday, red is hung. At the beginning of November, on All Saints Sunday, white is used. Between All Saints and Advent, green returns, and during Advent, the season is marked by the deep, regal color of purple.
There’s a timelessness to this space that reflects who we are. Our theology isn’t new—our roots run deep—but our faith is alive, always growing and reaching outward. You can feel that balance here. The building is grounded and steady, yet full of movement and light. Even the roofline seems to float above a band of glass, giving the whole space a sense of openness—like it’s always lifting, always inviting, always reaching toward something greater.
STOP 5:
Walk up the steps and stand in front of the stained glass.
The dramatic stained-glass window, designed by Josh Maes of Laguna Beach, is the sanctuary’s chief adornment and an aid to worship. It was planned as an integral part of the building — cut across by a concrete bridge and framed by exterior walls. Using true stained glass, the artist drew on centuries-old traditions while expressing creative freedom.
But the window doesn’t demand attention—it is a controlled, intentional expression of joy. It serves as a vibrant backdrop—bringing beauty without overshadowing Scripture, the sacraments, or the ministry unfolding before it. Rich in color yet sober, full of energy but peacefully balanced, it is designed to support and deepen our worship year after year.
Themes include God’s search for us and our need for Him, new life in Christ, loving service, the splendor of creation, God’s family at worship, the communion of the saints, the majesty and sovereignty of God, and the redemptive power of Jesus. The most prominent symbol is the great cross, teeming with life and light, centered on the open Word— a Bible. Many also see hands raised in praise and offering, human figures, heavenly bodies, the cosmos, nature patterns, a dove that doubles as raised hands, and a sunset.
The window shifts with the light—changing with the weather, the seasons, even the place where you stand. It can never be taken in all at once. Its symbols are not fixed; instead, you are invited to engage, to interpret, and to discover meaning for yourself—just as we do with the life of the church.
STOP 6:
Walk down the steps and stand in front of the pipe organ, looking up to the pipe chambers.
Installed in 1976, our pipe organ remains an integral part of our worship life. Several years later, Bob Gillon donated the rear trumpets in memory of his wife, Glenna, further enriching the instrument’s voice and presence in our sanctuary.
The organ features 2,541 pipes, 37 stops, and 48 ranks, crafted from tin, lead, zinc, and oak. The 12 largest pedal pipes—some stretching up to 30 feet—are tucked and lying down within the arches. Each pipe produces its own voice, with no amplification or speakers—only air, moving through carefully shaped forms to create sound.
The organist shapes the instrument’s sound through “stops,” which direct air to different sets of pipes. Each set, known as a “rank,” shares a distinct tone and is controlled by a single stop. By combining various stops and ranks, the organ can produce a wide spectrum of sounds—from soft and delicate to full and powerful. Adjustable shutters in the swell chamber further refine the volume, opening and closing to shape the dynamics.
Together, these elements create a remarkable depth of sound—complex, expressive, and unified—filling the space with richness and resonance.
Now, look slightly to the right of the pipe chambers on the stone arch.
Above the choir loft, among the front pipes, you’ll notice a small mounted Zimbelstern—German for “cymbal star.” When engaged, this metal star rotates, creating a soft, continuous tinkling sound. It was a popular feature on German organs during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, adding a touch of brightness and charm to the music.
We’ve come to the end of the tour.
As you’ve walked through the sanctuary and taken in its symbols and beauty, we hope you’ve gained a deeper understanding of what this space represents, how it was intentionally designed, and how it’s used. Every Sunday we have worship, and you are always welcome.