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The St. John's Logo
Many people see St. John's Logo every week when they drive by our road sign or they see it on mailings they receive but don't really know the symbolism of our congregations Logo.
The Cross in the background is called a Greek Cross. It is also known as the crux immissa quadrata. It has all arms of equal length and not much longer than the width. The word cross comes ultimately from Latin crux, a Roman torture device used for crucifixion, via Old Irish cros. The word was introduced to English in the 10th century as the term for the instrument of the torturous execution of Jesus as described in the New Testament, gradually replacing the earlier word rood.
Superimposed on the face of the cross are three symbols of the two sacraments; Baptism and Holy Communion, (a sacrament is defined as "an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.") celebrated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which St. John's is in ministry partnership with. The first symbol on the left side of the cross are four stalks of wheat and in the center of the cross you will see a second symbol, grapes and grape leaves, stating that St. John's believes in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. These two symbols; wheat to signify bread and the grapes and grape leave to signify the wine wherein Jesus instructed us "Take this bread and eat it; this is my body." and "Everyone of you drink this. This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many to forgive their sins...) Matthew 26: 27, 28 The Everyday Bible.
The third symbol to the right of the cross signifies water reminding us of our Baptism by water as told in Matthew 3:13-17 when John the Baptist Baptized Jesus. This was when the spirit of God entered Jesus like a dove from heaven. This was when God's voice came from heaven saying "This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him."
This logo was selected by a large group of congregational members and approved by the congregational church council during the time we began the relocation project from South Main Street to our new home on Buckhorn Road. It was selected from many different designs to show the people of the Three Rivers area that there had been a change at St. John's, to symbolize that we were a re-born congregation, that we believed in the forgiveness of our sins by Jesus' death on a cross and his glorious Resurrection three days later and we believed in the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as true gifts from Jesus Christ.
