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History/Traditions
Reverend Hildebrandt Memorial Window 
The design for the Reverend and Mrs. H. M. Hildebrandt Memorial Window is a combination of the traditional and the contemporary. This window was a gift from the congregation to honor the beloved ministry of the Hildebrandts who labored for Christ in our community for more than half a century. Color has been used as a means of teaching as well as for the sake of design. Under this concept blue can be considered to be the symbol of the universality and truth of the Gospel teachings. Red is the color of youth, love, and fervor. Gold is the color of goodness and glory. Violet is the color of penance and sacrifice. Green is the color of hope and the Trinity Season. Since the preaching tradition from our pulpit has been “about our Lord Jesus. . . the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit,” this window is a Christ centered window. Christ is shown as the Redeemer, whose sacrifice that Christians must make is presented by the “S” shaped path that winds up the hill behind the figure of Christ. The hill represents Calvary with two Tau Crosses flanking the central figure.
There has been a great emphasis on the Sunday School at Third Presbyterian Church. The teaching emphasis is shown by the torch in front of the open book. The torch, the symbol of enlightenment and knowledge, symbolizes both the learning process and the teaching of the Gospel, which occurs in the Sunday School. The Gospel and the Bible are shown by the open book.
Another characteristic of Third Presbyterian Church has been a commitment to Bible Study. A missionary spirit has also been in evidence. Both of these attributes are symbolized by the globe with a Cross through it. Flame shapes flank the Cross at the lower right of the window. This symbol represents the Christian witness for Christ, both in the church and throughout the world. At the lower left of the window two open hands with a Cross between them represent Christian service seen in the role of the layperson in the organization of the church and calls each of us to greater service. In addition to the actual depiction of the Trinity by the figure of Christ, the hand of God, and the dove, the Trinity is symbolized by the triangular kite shaped forms that are found in three places in the design.
This window was designed as a unique work of art for Third Presbyterian Church, never to be duplicated.
May the beauty and spiritual message of this window continue to inspire this congregation to serve the Lord with thanksgiving and joy. Last Updated ( Friday, 03 July 2009 21:25 ) |
Christ the Redeemer is shown here as a figure in invitation. In the left lancet is an invitation to enter the church, shown by the gothic arched doorway. Through entry into the church we reach salvation, which is shown by the ark in the background.
In the upper transom section of the window at the left, a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit flys over a Babtism
al Font. This symbolizes Babtism at Third Presbyterian Church. At the extreme right top a sheaf of wheat and a bunch of grapes symbolize communion. The upright of the Cross extends above the heavy horizontal transom division, where the banner with the crucifixion inscription is shown. Above this is the hand of God bestowing blessings.
Presbyterian History
What is a Presbyterian?
"Presbyterian" comes from the Greek word "presbyteros" meaning "elder." Used 72 times in the New Testament, it refers to the custom of choosing leaders from the wisest members of the church. Presbyterians are a group of Protestants whose church is founded on this democratic rule under the Word of God. The denomination is a form of Christianity democratically organized to embrace the faith common to all Christians. A Rich and Exciting History The Presbyterian Church traces its roots back to the early church in Jerusalem, to Augustine and to Paul. The Protestant Reformation moved forward in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 94 Theses to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. John Calvin, called the father of Presbyterianism, converted to Protestantism in 1533, and it spread from Calvin in Geneva throughout Europe. The Scottish Protestant, John Knox, studied with Calvin in Geneva and returned to Scotland in 1559 to establish Presbyterianism. The first Presbytery in America was established in 1705. At least 14 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Presbyterians. Presbyterians are worldwide. What Presbyterians Believe Like other Christians, Presbyterians believe in God the Father and Creator of the universe; Christ the incarnation of God on earth; the Holy Spirit, the presence of God in the world and in the believers; the Bible, the inspired word of God; forgiveness of Sin made possible by the crucifixion of Jesus. The Two Sacraments The two Sacraments as described in the Bible are: Baptism, the ceremony symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and Communion, also called the Lord's Supper. The bread and wine symbolize the new covenant between God and all people. The Sacraments
Holy Communion is normally administered the third Sunday of each month. Special communions are administered on Good Friday, World Wide Communion, and New Year's Eve.
Home Communion is also served for the hospitalized, homebound, and those in nursing homes on the Saturday prior to regular Communion Sundays. Baptism is administered to children during the worship service after arrangements are made with the Pastor. Adult Baptism takes place on the Sundays on which new members are received or children are baptized. A Historical Sketch of Third Presbyterian Church
When the Third Presbyterian Church was organized, Springfield was a town of 4,500. It had a history of nearly twenty-five years, and had been the seat of the state government for more than ten years. The First Presbyterian Church was more than twenty years old and had a fine building on Third Street, between Adams and Monroe. The Second Presbyterian Church - now called Westminster - had been organized in 1837 as a New School Church in a new denomination, which did not reunite with the Old School denomination until 1870; it had a great edifice on the northwest corner of Fourth and Monroe.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 02 May 2009 20:22 ) Past Pastors
Last Updated ( Monday, 11 May 2009 22:14 ) |
