First United Methodist Church

The Windows First United Methodist Church P H I L A D E L P H I A, M I S S I S S I P P I

The Windows Dedicated T O The Glory of God A N D In Loving Memory O F William Gully Yates, Sr. 1 9 1 3-1 9 9 2 First United Methodist Church 2 Abraham & Isaac Isaac & Rebekah P H I L A D E L P H I A, M I S S I S S I P P I 36

Acknowledgements S H I R L E Y M O L P U S 1940-1998 Chairperson of the stained glass committee whose tireless efforts made this project a reality. The Artist L E S L I E W I C K E R The Stained Glass Supplier S T A T E S V I L L E S T A I N E D G L A S S, I N C. Statesville, NC Foreword In 1956, the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Philadelphia, Mississippi, moved from its previous location at 521 Main Street to a new structure located at 563 East Main Street. The magnificent new church was built according to the latest trends by William Gully Yates, Sr. The congregation was pleased with the new facility, but missed the stained glass windows from the old church. Through the years, the idea of replacing the windows in the sanctuary with stained glass grew into a heartfelt desire of the congregation. Finally, in 1997, a committee was formed to investigate this possibility and later chose to proceed with the project. This committee was dedicated to a dream that one day the doors of the sanctuary would open to reveal the most glorious and inspirational stained glass windows possible. In 1999, this dream became a reality. The Windows are now in place. Described by many artists as the most beautiful of all art forms, stained glass has transformed the sanctuary into a radiant source of beauty and inspiration. How amazing that a material as common as glass could combine with light and create this masterpiece. It is hoped The Windows will be an inspiration to every person who enters the sanctuary. The Contractor 2 W. G. Y A T E S & S O N S C O N S T R U C T I O N C O M P A N Y Philadelphia, MS Abraham & Isaac Isaac & Rebekah A WINDOW LOCATOR MAP IS LOCATED ON THE INSIDE BACK COVER OF THIS KEEPSAKE BOOKLET.

1 Creation The Flood Creation In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV) And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1: 31 KJV) With these majestic words, the greatest book ever written began the story of God s relationship with His creation. Genesis tells us the order of creation, beginning on the first day with light and ending on the sixth day with the pinnacle of His creation man and woman. Window #1 portrays Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden among all the wonders of God s handiwork. A vivid picture fills the senses and imagination. Included in this picture are trees that are pleasant to the sight and animals that are not afraid to approach the man and woman. One can almost smell the gentle perfume of flowers and the appetizing scent of ripening fruit. The foliage in the window includes wisteria hanging upon branches of an apple tree. There are also rhododendrons and azaleas surrounding Adam and Eve. Dressing the edge of the stream are lady slippers, trillium, and water lilies. Comprising the animal life are doves, a fawn, a turtle, a pair of rabbits, a pair of horses, a butterfly, and unfortunately, the serpent. There were two important trees in the midst of the garden. The first (in the window behind Adam) is the tree of life. Adam and Eve were told that they might eat freely of this tree. The second tree, placed across the stream, is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the forbidden fruit. The serpent tempted Eve and she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6 NRSV) Then came the flood of consequences: shame, guilt, fear, and finally expulsion from the garden. The Flood The lower panel depicts the great flood. As mankind multiplied on the earth, they became increasingly wicked and unrepentant. God sent a great flood to destroy all people except Noah and his family, who were saved in the Ark. After the flood, God put the rainbow in the sky to remind himself and mankind of His covenant; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. (Genesis 9:11 NIV) 1

2 Abraham & Isaac Isaac & Rebekah Abraham & Isaac This window focuses on the sacrifice Abraham intended to make of his own son, Isaac. God tested Abraham in a way that prophetically foreshadowed His own pain for redeeming mankind. In Genesis 22:1-18, the story is told of how God instructed Abraham to take Isaac, his son of promise, to a mountain in the land of Moriah and present him as a burnt offering to the Lord. As they approached the altar, Isaac, unaware of his impending fate, asked his father, where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered, God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son. (Genesis 22:7-8 NIV) Abraham answered the question for Isaac while simultaneously foreshadowing God s own plan of sacrificing His only son, Jesus. Abraham was stopped by the angel of the Lord, and Isaac s life was spared an instant before the deed was done. God witnessed Abraham s faithfulness to Him. One can see in the window the knife, in midair, dropping to the ground in a cross-like shape. Providentially, a ram is caught in the thicket by its horns. The ram replaced Isaac as the offering and this father of faith walked back home with his son by his side. Isaac & Rebekah Pictured in the lower panel is the love at first sight story many years later of Isaac and Rebekah. God, having prospered Isaac s servants, brought a bride to Isaac from among the descendants of his own people. To Isaac and Rebekah are born Esau and Jacob. To Jacob (Israel) are born twelve sons including Joseph. God used Joseph by interpreting dreams through him to preserve the children of Israel in Egypt during the seven years of famine. (Later, a new pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, would enslave the Israelites and they would remain in bondage for 400 years.) 2

3 Moses The Pharaoh, s Daughter Moses God called Moses to deliver the children of Israel from bondage to the Egyptians. After a series of plagues, Moses miraculously led the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the wilderness where they would remain for forty years. It was during their stay near Mount Sinai that Moses would receive from God the Ten Commandments. The Israelites grew impatient waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain and convinced Aaron to take their gold and make a god in the image of a golden calf. It was at this point that Moses descended the mountain and found the people singing and dancing around the golden calf. The upper panels show Moses as his anger grew to rage and he hurled the stone tablets to the ground and smashed them. He took the golden calf, burned it with fire, and ground it into powder. He mixed it with water and made the people drink it as a sign of their guilt. The descendants of Abraham wandered in the wilderness for forty years. They witnessed the death of Moses and Joshua leading the Israelites into Canaan, the Promised Land. Finally, Israel was ruled by Judges and then by the kings Saul, David, and Solomon. The Pharaoh, s Daughter The story of Moses begins in the lower panel. The baby Moses was hidden in a basket on the banks of the Nile River to escape the cruel order of the Pharaoh to kill all male infants of the Hebrews (Israel). The Pharaoh s daughter, who had come to bathe in the river, discovered the basket containing Moses and took pity on the baby. Miriam, Moses older sister, was watching from the reeds in the river. She came out of her hiding place and asked the Pharaoh s daughter if she would like a nurse from among the Hebrew women to care for the child until he was older. Miriam brought Moses own mother to care for him. 3

4 David King Solomon David The scene in this window signifies the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to the city of David to show God s presence and His blessing on the reign of David. The Bible describes the event as one of great reverence and celebration. The words in the banner at the top of the window are from a psalm David sang at this event. (I Chronicles 13-16) David was a handsome, gifted, and brave young man who quietly tended his father s sheep on the hillsides of Bethlehem. David s great musical gifts brought him into King Saul s royal court to soothe the king during a time of sorrow. This was where David first became aware of the giant, Goliath. David became famous as a warrior of heroic proportions when he answered Goliath s threat and resolved to fight the giant using only his sling and small stones. He defeated the mighty giant with one blow to the forehead. As king of Israel, David united the kingdom, made the captured city of Jerusalem his capital, and pushed back his enemies on all fronts. Israel became recognized as a powerful nation, and David became the most respected and celebrated earthly king of all time. David reigned for forty years, and although he had his faults, he is described as a man modeled after God s own heart. King Solomon The lower panel of the window turns to King Solomon. Solomon was one of David s sons by Bathsheba and was the third king of Israel. In his youth, Solomon prayed for wisdom and understanding. Well-known events in his life include his wise judgement concerning two women who claimed the same baby, the glamorous visit of the Queen of Sheba, and the building of the Temple. This panel shows Solomon dedicating the Temple with offerings. In addition, Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and is credited by some as the author of Ecclesiastes. Immediately after the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided into two states. In the north was Israel and in the south, Judah. Consequently, the economic and political power became weakened in the following years. 4

5 Isaiah Daniel Isaiah Isaiah is seen in this window as he beholds the seraphim with six wings that cried, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. (Isaiah 6:3 KJV) The post of the door moved at the voice of the seraphim. Then one seraph flew down with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar. He touched Isaiah s mouth with it and said, thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin purged. Then Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Isaiah responded, Here am I, send me. (Isaiah 6:7,8 KJV) The story continues as Israel was weakened and Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. The Hebrews were taken as slaves. The Temple was razed and its treasures looted. The leading citizens and skilled people were taken into captivity. Select young men were chosen to live in the king s palace, where they would learn the wisdom and language of the Chaldeans (Babylonians). Among these young men were four sons of Judah Daniel, Hananian, Michael, and Azanah. Daniel Daniel grew to be a strong and wise counselor to the king and maintained his faith in God even when he was tested by fire. After Nebuchadnezzar died, Beishazzar, his son, became king. His kingdom was overthrown by Darius, the king of the Medea, who appointed Daniel to high office. Other officials in Darius court were jealous and had Daniel thrown into the lions den. God sent His angel to shut the lions mouths and as pictured in the lower panel of Window #5, Daniel was not harmed. Those who plotted against him were thrown in and immediately eaten by the lions. This window concludes the Old Testament story as a remnant of the Jews returned from captivity to their homeland and reestablished their national life. God gave no further revelations to the Jews for four hundred years as they anticipated the coming of the Messiah. The silence was broken when the central figure of all human history was born in a stable and laid in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem. 5

6 Annunciation Zachariah Annunciation Six months after Elizabeth conceived John in her old age, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the city in Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin named Mary. The angel came to her and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women Fear not, Mary for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and, bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:28-33 KJV) Written in the banner are the words of the angel Gabriel, With God all things are possible. These words were in reference to both Mary, a virgin conceiving a child, and Elizabeth, an elderly woman conceiving a child. Mary s response to these wondrous greetings was of complete humility and submission. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. (Luke 1:38 KJV) Mary is shown going about her daily work, surprised by this heavenly visitor and astounded at the glorious events to come. The lilies in Gabriel s hand are traditional symbols of purity often found in paintings of the annunciation. The dove represents the Holy Spirit which would overshadow Mary. Zachariah The New Testament story opens in the lower panel with an old priest performing his duties in the Temple while a multitude of people are praying outside. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, standing beside the altar and striking fear in Zachariah the priest. The Angel spoke and said, Do not be afraid, Zachariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John, (Luke 1:13 NRSV) Zachariah was struck dumb by the angel Gabriel because of the doubt in his heart. 6

7 Nativity Jesus in the Temple Nativity Joseph and Mary had made their way to Bethlehem but were unable to rent a room anywhere in town. Their only choice was to seek the shelter of a stable. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 KJV) Some shepherds that were in the fields that night were frightened when a glorious angel appeared to them. The angel told them of good tidings of great joy. Suddenly there was a great multitude of heavenly hosts with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men. (Luke2:14 KJV) The scene in this window takes place after Jesus was born. Wise men from the East were seeking the newborn king. A star went before them until it stopped over where the young child was laying in a manger. When the men came and saw the child with his mother, they fell down and worshiped him and presented treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Jesus in the Temple The story in the lower panel is taken from Luke 2:41-52. Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem after the Passover feast was over. He remained in the Temple, in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions. Everyone that heard him speak was astonished at his understanding and knowledge. The rest of his family had started back home, travelling with a group, supposing Jesus to be among them. When his parents discovered he was no longer with them, they returned to Jerusalem. They found him in the Temple and asked him why he was there. He said to them, Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father s house? (Luke 2:49 NRSV) 7

8 Sermon on the Mount The Wedding in Cana Sermon on the Mount This window portrays Jesus teaching from the mountaintop. Jesus Sermon on the Mount provides insight into the essence of His earthly ministry. He laid out for us the fundamental characteristics of a citizen of the kingdom of God. He also taught us what it means to be a disciple primarily the attitudes of the heart, cultivated by love for God and man. He moved on to include righteous actions that constitute genuine faith and favor in God s sight. The section of scripture portrayed in this window shows Jesus in Matthew, chapter six, when He says, Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30 KJV) Then the summary of this scripture is found in verse thirty-three, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV) In the space of about three years, multitudes had heard Jesus teaching and seen His miracles. Many people believed, but many of the religious leaders were more and more jealous of His popularity so much so that they began to plot his capture. The Wedding in Cana The lower panel depicts the wedding in Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed His first miracle. (John 2:1-11) The guests had run out of wine. Mary, the mother of Jesus, instructed the servants to do whatever He said. Jesus told the servants to fill six large pots with water and then to draw some out and give it to the governor of the feast. When the governor tasted the water that Jesus turned into wine, he exclaimed that the best had been kept to the last. 8

9 Crucifixion The Garden of Gethsemane Crucifixion The upper panel depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ between two criminals. Before His death, He said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34 KJV) Gathered close around the cross were Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the apostle John. Others standing about mocked Him saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, and offered him vinegar, saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. (Luke 23:35-37 KJV) After these insults were made to destroy the heart of Jesus, literal darkness filled the earth. During this time, Jesus cried, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me? (Matthew 23:46 KJV) Later, as He breathed His last breath, He spoke, Father, into Thy hands, I commend my spirit. And, finally, It is finished. (Luke 23:46 KJV) Then He died. At that moment the curtain of the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in two. The earth trembled, rocks broke apart, graves opened and many bodies of saints arose. Now when the Centurion saw these things, he feared greatly and said, Truly this was the Son of God. (Matthew 27:54 KJV) The Garden of Gethsemane The lower panel actually depicts a scene that preceded the crucifixion. On the night of Jesus betrayal, He led His disciples into a place called Gethsemane to pray. In the face of His impending death, Jesus knelt and prayed, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me: yet, not my will but yours be done. (Luke 22:42 NRSV) Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and gave Him strength. In His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. (Luke 2: 43-44) 9

10 Ascension Pentecost Ascension This window pictures the ascension of the Lord. This was the last time the Lord was with the disciples in Jerusalem. He had promised them that when He left them He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen, and lead them into all truth. He also told them not to leave Jerusalem until this happened. Then He led them out of the city to the town of Bethany where He lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was taken into the clouds and carried up into heaven. While His followers watched in awe and reverence, two angels appeared to them promising that, This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11 KJV) This prediction, which Jesus Himself also made, is one that Christians everywhere are waiting patiently to see fulfilled. Pentecost Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples gathered for a harvest feast known as Pentecost. This gathering is shown in the lower panel. Suddenly the house was filled with a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and the Holy Spirit descended on them as of fire. (Acts 2:2-3 KJV) The disciples received the power to speak other languages they had never studied or learned. People of all nations heard the Gospel in their language and believed. Through this the Church was born. The numbers grew daily as more were saved by God. The image in the lower panel is inspired by the words of Jesus, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV) 10

11 Resurrection Resurrection This window is described by the artist as the resurrection window. Although the events of the resurrection happened before the ascension, this window has become the focal point at the front of the sanctuary symbolizing, in the shape of a circle, eternity. Death had claimed the body, but was not strong enough to hold it. Early on Sunday morning, something wonderful happened. Life came back to that lifeless form within the tomb. This was not a weak, tortured, shell of a body, but rather a gloriously renewed body. He is not here. He is risen. (Luke 24:6 NIV) These were the words spoken by the angels to the women who brought spices to anoint the body. The women hurried to tell the eleven apostles the amazing news. The bodily resurrection of Christ is the most important event in human history. Jesus entire ministry, the suffering, and cruel death were dependent on His resurrection for confirmation and validation. The round window shows the resurrected Jesus in a simple pose with flowing, graceful lines, exclaiming calmness, peace, power, and sovereignty simultaneously. He stands victorious, encircled by glory so great that the dark tomb behind Him is overcome with light and only the stone, rolled away, may be seen on the right. He is flanked by two mature angels reflecting the symbolic completeness of the previous window chronologically using childlike angels. Now all is complete finished and fully accomplished. The banner reads, I am the Resurrection and the Life, taken from the words of Jesus in John 11:25. Other elements in this window include the peacock, which symbolizes the resurrection. As a peacock grows, it sheds its feathers only to grow back one more breathtaking than the last. This speaks of the physical body being sown and the glorified spiritual body rising. Lilies, morning glories, and butterflies are also traditional symbols of the Resurrection. The trillium blossom represents the Trinity. A shield, helmet, and spear left by the fleeing Roman soldiers in fear of the awesome event are also symbols of the armor of God spoken in Ephesians 6. The spear reminds us that a Roman soldier pierced Jesus side. The palm branches are standing vertical in conclusive victory behind the Alpha and the Omega, to symbolize that Jesus is the First and the Last. 11

A The Alpha & The Omega The Alpha and the Omega are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet. They are used to refer to Christ s person and work in the book of Revelations, and they are often depicted as a monogram or emblem of His comprehensive revelation. His eternal reign is expressed in the phrase: I am the Alpha and the Omega. (Revelations 1:8 NIV) B The Latin Cross The Latin Cross is perhaps the fundamental symbol in Christianity representing the whole meaning of Christ s saving death and resurrection, life and ministry, incarnation and coming in glory. There are many forms of the cross, including the crucifix with the suffering figure of Christ, and a cross with a triumphant Christ upon it, reigning and exalted. On the Latin cross, lower arm is longer than the others arms. A B

C IHS IHS are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek (IHSOUS). Various letters were used from early Christian times to identify Christ, or to stress the identity of some individual or object with Christ. The Chi-Rho The Chi-Rho is the chief form of sacred monogram signifying Jesus Christ by using the first two letters of the Greek word Christos. It has appeared in many forms since the fourth century, occasionally without the P, or in an elaborate combination with the Alpha and the Omega. Sometimes it was surrounded by a wreath of leaves signifying victory. C D

E The Descending Dove The descending dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, originating from the account of Jesus baptism in Matthew 3:16. It sometimes refers to the peace of God. The dove, in ancient and modern Christian art, has been the symbol of purity and peace. The most important use of the dove in Christian art, however, is as the symbol of the Holy Ghost. This symbolism first appears in the story of the baptism of Christ. Then John gave this testimony: I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. (John 1:32 NIV) F The Lamb The lamb is often depicted standing with a banner of victory flying from a cross held by its front leg. This emblem signifies the victorious nature of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; but it is also a figure of the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8 KJV) It is a symbol of the eternal redemptive work of Christ. The lamb, as a symbol of Christ, is one of the favorite, and most frequently used, symbols in all periods of Christian art. Many scriptural passages give authority for this symbolism. One scripture is: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29 KJV) E F

L O C A T I O N 11 10 1 9 2 8 3 7 4 6 5 UPPER A C UPPER LOWER B D LOWER E F G G The Fish The symbol of the fish is derived from the first letters of the Greek words for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, which would spell fish in Greek. The figure of the fish was first drawn by Christians in the time of persecution as a mark of identity, and it appears in early Christian iconography. The fish is also used as a symbol of baptism, for just as the fish cannot live except in water, the true Christian cannot live except through the waters of baptism. The three fish are joined to represent the Holy Trinity. WINDOW #1 CREATION THE FLOOD WINDOW #2 ABRAHAM AND ISAAC ISAAC AND REBEKAH WINDOW #3 MOSES THE PHARAOH S DAUGHTER WINDOW #4 DAVID KING SOLOMON WINDOW #5 ISAIAH DANIEL WINDOW #6 ANNUNCIATION ZACHARIAH WINDOW #7 NATIVITY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE WINDOW #8 SERMON ON THE MOUNT THE WEDDING IN CANA WINDOW #9 CRUCIFIXION THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE WINDOW #10 ASCENSION PENTECOST WINDOW #11 RESURRECTION WINDOW A THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA WINDOW B THE LATIN CROSS WINDOW C IHS WINDOW D THE CHI-RHO WINDOW E THE DESCENDING DOVE WINDOW F THE LAMB WINDOW G THE FISH G

First United Methodist Church P H I L A D E L P H I A, M I S S I S S I P P I 563 Main Street Philadelphia, MS 39350 601-656-1376