Stained Glass Windows

The Stained glass in the sanctuary..." pro Deus sic diligo orbis terrarum ut is gave suus unus quod tantum Filius , ut quisquis puto in him vadum non pereo tamen have eternus vita. Pro Deus did non transporto suus Filius in orbis terrarum judico orbis terrarum , tamen ut servo orbis terrarum per him. Quisquis puto in him est non reprobo , tamen quisquis does non puto sto reprobo iam quoniam is has non puto in nomen of Deus's unus quod tantum Filius. Is est verdict : Lux lucis has adveho in orbis terrarum , tamen men diligo obscurum instead of lux lucis quoniam suum res erant malum. Sulum quisnam does malum contemno lux lucis , quod mos non adveho in lux lucis pro vereor ut suus res ero patesco. Tamen quisquis ago per verum adveho in lux lucis , ut is may exsisto seen videlicet ut quis is has perfectus has been perfectus per Deus. "                                                                   

Nave Windows

    South Side Methodist People

    North Side Biblical People

Clestory Windows

John Wesley (June 17, 1703 – March 2, 1791)

was an 18th-century Anglican clergyman and Christian theologian who was an early leader in the Methodist movement. Methodism had three rises, the first at Oxford University with the founding of the so-called "Holy Club", the second while Wesley was parish priest in Savannah, Georgia, and the third in London after Wesley's return to England. The movement took form from its third rise in the early 1740s with Wesley, along with others, itinerant field preaching and the subsequent founding of religious societies for the formation of believers. This was the first widely successful evangelical movement in the United Kingdom. Wesley's Methodist connection included societies throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland before spreading to other parts of the English-speaking world and beyond. He divided his religious societies further into classes and bands for intensive accountability and religious instruction.

Methodists, under Wesley's direction, became leaders in many social justice issues of the day including prison reform and abolitionism movements. Wesley's strength as a theologian lay in his ability to combine seemingly opposing theological stances. His greatest theological achievement was his promotion of what he termed "Christian perfection", or holiness of heart and life. Wesley insisted that in this life, the Christian could come to a state where the love of God, or perfect love, reigned supreme in one's heart. His evangelical theology, especially his understanding of Christian perfection, was firmly grounded in his sacramental theology. He continually insisted on the general use of the means of grace (prayer, Scripture meditation, and Holy Communion, etc.) as the means by which God transformed the believer. Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the Church of England and insisted that his movement was well within the bounds of the Anglican Church. His maverick use of church policy put him at odds with many within the Church of England, though toward the end of his life he was widely respected.

John Wesley combined his keen intellect, vital religious experience, tireless energies to preach Fatherhood of God and Lordship of Jesus Christ. When doors of his own church were closed to him, he stood on his father's tomb and preached. Because of his church (the Church of England) would not listen, he did not shout defiantly "burn, baby, burn," but he preached "let us unite the two o long divided, knowledge and vital piety." The purpose of this life is expressed on the Wesley table in Westminster Abbey: "I look upon all the world as my parish." The power of his life was revealed in the moment before his death: "the best of all is, God is with us."

Charles Wesley (18 December 1707 - 29 March 1788)

was a leader of the Methodist movement, the younger brother of John Wesley. Charles Wesley is chiefly remembered for the many hymns he wrote.

Like his brother, he was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, where their father was rector. He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, where his brother had also studied, and formed the "Oxford Methodist" group among his fellow students in 1727 which his elder brother, John joined in 1729 soon becoming its leader and moulding it to his own notions. George Whitefield also joined this group. Charles followed his father and brother into the church in 1735, and travelled with John to Georgia in America in the entourage of the governor, James Oglethorpe, returning a year later.

Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother did not always agree on questions relating to their beliefs. In particular, Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had been ordained.

In 1749, he married the much younger Sarah Gwynne, daughter of Marmaduke Gwynne, a wealthy Welsh squire who had been converted to Methodism by Howell Harris. She accompanied the brothers on their evangelistic journeys throughout Britain, until Charles ceased to travel in 1765.

Charles and Sarah had 8 children together (only three of whom survived infancy), including Samuel Wesley (1766 – 1837), an organist and composer.

A statue of Charles Wesley stands in the Chapel yard at Bristol, beautifully renewed after the last war, and on its base are the most appropriate words that could ever have been selected from his hymns to represent the spirit of the great poet and hymn-writer: "Let me commend my Saviour to you."

John the Baptist

John the Baptist, a cousin and forerunner of Christ, baptized Jesus at the River Jordan.

St. Luke

Luke was born a slave in the household of Theophilus, a wealthy government official, in the city of Antioch. He was converted, along with his master, who set him free. He moved to Troas where Paul found him and took him to Philippi where he was in charge of a church for 7 years. In 58 A.D., Paul was on his way back to Jerusalem; Luke joined him and stayed with him as a personal physician and friend. When Paul wrote his last letter, the only friend to remain loyal and to support him in his loneliness was Luke. "Luke alone is with me," he wrote to Timothy. Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts. Tradition has it that at the age of 80, he went to Greece, and met martyrdom by being hanged from an olive tree.

St. Paul

Paul was found by Christ and his life was changed. He won converts, founded churches, endured hardships as he moved in the area from Jerusalem to Rome north of the Mediterranean Sea. Nearly half of the New Testament was written by Paul. Acts tells us most of what we know about his activities. Paul was put to death as part of the general protest against Christians in the reign of Nero. The purpose of Paul was summed up when he wrote: "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

St. Peter

Peter was twice-called, the first and last word Jesus spoke to him (Mark 1:17, John 22:22) was "follow me." Peter made the great confession and the tragic denial. He received forgiveness and was gloriously restored and was the leader of the disciples and a strong man of God.

William McKendree

William McKendree was elected a Bishop of the Methodist Church in 1808. He was the first to have a Bishop's cabinet, and instituted the office of Presiding Elder, now known as District Superintendent.

Lydia

Lydia provided prominent leadership for Paul's ministry in Philippi. She was a businesswoman; furthermore, she was a successful business woman, above all, she was deeply religious. Lydia provided capable leadership and cordial hospitality for the work of Christ.

Francis Asbury

Francis Asbury was the first Bishop of the American Methodist Church, elected at the famous Christmas Conference, Friday, December 27, 1784, in Baltimore.

Martin Ruter

On his arrival in Texas in November, 1837, this remarkable man, who was the real founder of Texas Methodism, embarked on a six-month's effort which saw him ride 2,000 miles, preach almost daily, founding societies, making provision for building churches, mapping out circuits for preachers to travel and making plans for a college.

Hosea

Hosea confronted the infidelity of his wife even as God confronted the infidelity of his people. Hosea's wife, the mother of his children, was unfaithful to her vows and sold herself to a life of harlotry. When he found that his love for her would not let her go, he was willing to take her back, forgive her, and love her into a new fidelity. Then a window was opened for him into heaven and he saw the heart of God.

Isaiah

Isaiah was a prince among men. About 750 B.C., he proclaimed that God is Holy and good, that human events have Divine purpose, and that man is called to serve. His experience of conversion revealed a sense of unworthiness, the experience of forgiveness, and the dedication of a life redeemed.

Chapel Windows

The lovely stained glass windows in the chapel were brought over from the old sanctuary and will remain a part of the tradition of First United Methodist Church.