All of the furniture in the worship space at Messiah New Hope was designed and built by world renowned pipe organ builder, JF Nordlie. Machine precision comes together with handcrafted quality in these timeless pieces. Anchored by a sparkling black granite, the baptismal font, communion table, and pulpit each feature a triune woven cross pattern in a mission style. Several small tables and an elegant predieux complete the collection, but are not featured here.
Communion Table
Processional Cross |
Baptismal Font
Pulpit |
Stained Glass
Designed and crafted by renowned liturgical artist, Bob Aldern, this stained glass piece catches the eye as you enter the worship space. Christ, arms spread wide is showered in the light of heaven. A cross marks each of the wounds of his torturous death. The Spirit descends like a dove. And, the net gathers fish at the bottom. In the middle, two medallions capture the centrality of baptism and holy communion for our community.
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In April of 2020, MNH completed a dream that originally began in 1993. Built into the worship space are three upper windows. The intention was to have each of them be stained glass. The outer windows would contain thematic elements for baptism and communion while the central window would bring together Jesus' baptism, crucifixion, and resurrection. Unfortunately, as the larger construction project neared completion the congregation was forced to make a series of decisions to reduce costs that included removing two of the three. Local artist Bob Aldern was asked to combine the elements from the outer windows into the central window. Having already begun construction on the glass, he proposed inserting two medallions into the center window. Those two medallions were removed by his personal friend, local artisan, and congregation member, John Nordlie, in the summer of 2018 (and are hung in the MNH office suite). Using Bob's original design, John restored the center window. Then, work began on bringing his vision to life in the other two windows. Artist Romy Klessen designed the windows paying special attention to the thematic elements and colors of the central window and Aldern's reredo tryptic that hangs above the entrance to the worship space. Design complete, it was time to get bids and find funding. Steve Spencer of The Stained Glass Craftsman, was chosen for the work. It was Roger and Joyce Lunstra who made it possible. Their gift covered all costs involved: design, crafting, and installation. Work began in May of 2019 and were installed in April of 2020.
Of particular note in the windows themselves are the use of two specialized techniques and one important design choice. The first is glass "fusing". Glass fusing is a process wherein pieces of glass are laid next to each other in the kiln and melted together. Fusing allowed for gentler transitions between colors and the use of much less lead, meaning a greater overall strength and durability for the nearly four feet tall windows. The second technique that sets these windows apart is "layering". Of particular note in the communion window, layering creates depth and dimension in the leaves and grapes on the glass. The design choice was to use a very rare glass from Italy in the central elements of the baptism and communion windows. This glass is made in such a way that as the light changes throughout the day, the visual impact of the glass changes, as well. As you visit these pieces you'll notice that striations visible in the morning are gone in the evening. What looks pink at one time of day, is a soft blue in another. All of that time, effort, thought, care, and cost was a dream deferred, and a dream come true. Come to the worship space to see for yourself!
Of particular note in the windows themselves are the use of two specialized techniques and one important design choice. The first is glass "fusing". Glass fusing is a process wherein pieces of glass are laid next to each other in the kiln and melted together. Fusing allowed for gentler transitions between colors and the use of much less lead, meaning a greater overall strength and durability for the nearly four feet tall windows. The second technique that sets these windows apart is "layering". Of particular note in the communion window, layering creates depth and dimension in the leaves and grapes on the glass. The design choice was to use a very rare glass from Italy in the central elements of the baptism and communion windows. This glass is made in such a way that as the light changes throughout the day, the visual impact of the glass changes, as well. As you visit these pieces you'll notice that striations visible in the morning are gone in the evening. What looks pink at one time of day, is a soft blue in another. All of that time, effort, thought, care, and cost was a dream deferred, and a dream come true. Come to the worship space to see for yourself!
