Abraham

Considered to be the "Father of the Faith", Abraham was commissioned by God to establish a nation on the land which God would show him. He led his family into this land and established the nation of Israel. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments Abraham is recognized as being one of great faith in God. By faith he was willing to leave his settled shepherd life in Ur and go to the new land God promised him. By faith he trusted God to fulfill his promise through a son, even though Sarah, his wife, had been barren for many years. Then, most importantly, it was by faith that he began to obey God's command to sacrifice Isaac, the long awaited son. Abraham's willingness to make that sacrifice proved his faith, making him acceptable to God and worthy of inheriting God's promise.

The Window

Abraham is shown with his shepherd's staff symbolizing his role as a shepherd to the future people of God and as a sojourner and wanderer, willing to go where God would lead. The knife in the shield below represents the knife with which Abraham would have sacrificed Isaac had the angel not intervened. Beams of light shining on the knife from above symbolize the holiness of our willingness to trust God even in times of apparent sacrifice.

Given in Honor of Jeff Hanna by Donna B. Hanna

The Abraham window was given in honor of Jeff Hanna by his wife, Donna. It is the only window openly given by a spouse in honor of a living spouse. Jeff Hanna was an executive with Prudential and Donna taught at John Marshall High School in Richmond and then became a professor at Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University) teaching courses in business. Both were very active members of the church.