The original printed booklet is available in the vestibule.
A Brief History of
Stained Glass Windows in Churches
Although colored glass was discovered in the artifacts of ancient Egypt, the art became popular in the Middle Ages when stained-glass windows became an important feature in churches.
The windows where not only necessary sources of light and works of artistic beauty, they portrayed the stories of biblical teachings. Books, and the ability to read them, were not commonly available. The means to teach the lessons of faith to both children and adults found an important solution in the windows of their churches.
Originally built as the “new Presbyterian Church” over 100 years ago, our St. Luke’s church building is part of Dahlonega’s Historic District. The stained glass images you see in our church replaced plain colored glass panels as part of an expansion and renovation in 2001.
The Child Jesus In The Temple
The boy Jesus amazes the teachers in the Temple with His questions and understanding.
Only our patron St Luke gives us this story of Jesus’ early awareness of His mission on earth. When found by Mary and Joseph He gives us a lesson with an example of obedience to parental authority.
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount clearly and simply set forth the expectations for Christians in the New Covenant.
Christ’s words to the crowd are in plain language, not open to misunderstanding. They are as meaningful today as they were to the disciples in describing the path we must follow.
The Holy Family
The Holy Family provided a supportive environment as the young Christ prepared for His mission of salvation.
All parents have a similar responsibility to their children as they prepare them to follow God’s plan for their salvation.
Divine Mercy
Jesus described the Divine Mercy image in an appearance to Saint Faustina Kowalska. The red and white rays symbolize the “Fountain of Mercy”, blood and water, from which flow inexhaustible graces of charity, forgiveness and love of God.
“Before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice”. Choose wisely now and run to His generous mercy.
The Immaculate Conception
To prepare the perfect mother for the Child Jesus, God allowed Mary to be conceived without original sin.
Thus the Immaculate Conception, the Mother of God, becomes and remains our most powerful intercessor among the Saints for our prayers.
The Road to Emmaus
Jesus’s journey to Emmaus only a few days after his crucifixion ends with a meal and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Just as His companion disciples were strengthened in their faith by Christ breaking bread with them, He makes the same reassurance and strengthening graces available to us every day in the celebration of the Mass, the same mass He celebrated with the disciples in Emmaus.
Jesus In The Garden of Gethsemane
Our life is full of hard choices. Our Lord showed us how to respond with “Thy will be done” as He prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Only by developing a firm habit of human virtues will we be able to make a sincere statement of “Thy will be done” when faced with the “hard stuff” decisions. We are to imitate our Savior in obedience to the Father and all He commands.
The Holy Eucharist
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Holy Eucharist as “the source and summit of the Christian life.”
Graces of our Christian spirituality flow from the Eucharist as light streams forth from the Sun, and we find in it the high point to which all our actions should ultimately be directed in a holy communion with Christ.
The Sacred Heart
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
Journey to Egypt
When the Angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph he began the difficult journey to Egypt and safety for Jesus and Mary without hesitation or question.
We are faced with decisions of right and wrong every day. Do we hesitate, giving temptation the opportunity to influence our actions? Or, if we know “the right thing to do”, do we respond to God’s way immediately?
The Good Shepherd
Our Lord, Our Shepherd
A good shepherd will risk his life to protect the sheep, but Jesus goes beyond that. He laid down His life for His sheep. But he does not leave us defenseless. He dies to save us from death. It is His Resurrection, His victory over death, that insures our victory over death, if we but follow Him in obedience.
Christ Knocking At The Door
Christ is knocking at the door of your heart! But there is no handle . . . you must invite Him in.
We must decide to open the door . . . to let him into our life with the graces He has promised as a necessary help in proceeding toward our eternal reward.
The Ascension of Christ
Having achieved the purpose for His humanity, Our Savior rises to His home with the Father.
Will we be counted among his flock when He returns for the final judgment?
Mary Magdalen Meets Jesus
The Risen Christ reveals Himself to Mary Magdalene and asks her to tell the good news to His disciples.
As believers we all have a “good news” obligation. We must not close our hearts and minds when God opens an opportunity to spread His Word.
The Crucifixion
Jesus is crucified and dies for ME!
When was the last time I reflected on those last words of Jesus on the cross and their impact on my soul and my eternal resting place? Jesus shed every last drop of His blood out of His obedience to His Father and out of His perfect love for each and every one of us.
Jesus Before Pilate
Pilate says, “I find no guilt” . . . the leaders of the Jews say, “Let Him be crucified!”
What do we say when we are faced with temptation? Our decision to give in to temptation was accounted for on the steps of Pilate’s mansion in Jerusalem. How do we react when we are unjustly condemned? Do we respond with humility?
The Woman At The Well
Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water and reveals Himself as the Messiah.
Christ used this opportunity to restate His mission from the Father and to make it clear that its lessons will apply to all humanity, down to us and to the end of time. Are we as spiritually thirsty for the Living Water and as eagerly willing to share the coming of the Messiah with our community, as the Samaritan woman was with hers?
The Sower
With the parable of the seeds Jesus taught us how we are to prepare our souls to be receptive to His word.
He left us His Church to guide us, the Sacraments to keep us strong through grace, and the promise never to leave us, as help in preparing our souls for the “good seed” to bear fruit. Are we tilling our “soil” with these instructions, to make ours the “good soil”?
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph was trusted with protecting Our Savior and His Blessed Mother in the very holiest of families.
Parents are the foundation upon which Our Lord built His Church and His lessons for salvation. They must take the challenge day by day, as did Joseph!
The Nativity
Fulfilling hundreds of years of Old Testament prophesies, a few shepherds in a stable in Bethlehem celebrate God’s promise of a Savior.
God chose this humble setting for the “Word made Flesh” and a New Covenant for all humanity, truly “tidings of great joy”! When they had seen Him, they “spread the word” concerning what they had been told about the Child . . . and all who heard it were amazed!
The Bapstism of Jesus
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit.” (CCC No. 1213).
This joining of membership to His Mystical Body provides the light to guide us in our spiritual journey to salvation.
Jesus Cures the Blind Man
Jesus cures the man “blind from birth” as proof that He is the “Light of the World” who came to earth to bring new light to God’s truth.
The light Jesus brought to us still provides the light to guide us in our journey to salvation. He promised it would remain with us for all time in His Church as members of His Mystical Body.
The Storm On The Lake
Jesus showed He would be there for his terrified disciples and calmed their fears as easily as He calmed the forces of nature. His saving hand as Peter’s faith waivered told us He would be there if we needed Him and our faith was strong.
Christ’s words “It is I. Do not be afraid.” reassured His followers and they remain for all time to reassure us.
The Prodigal Son
The Father welcomes his Prodigal Son back into his home with freely given love and forgiveness.
The parable is both a promise of God’s mercy in welcoming us back when we have strayed, and an example to us of how we are to show love and forgiveness.
Martha and Mary
Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to his words. Martha was busy preparing and serving the meal for the group. When she complained that her sister was not helping, Jesus confirmed Mary’s priorities.
Does prayer, spiritual reading, or meditation have any priority in an overly busy day?