More than ever, members of Clarksville United Methodist Church are finding truth in the first book of the New Testament.
A passage from Matthew says that with God, nothing is impossible. The tiny congregation sees that happening as it nears the end of a huge project to restore the sanctuary’s original 111-year-old stained glass windows.

The parish is hosting a soup luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, as part of Clarksville Eagle Days. The menu features homemade chili or chicken noodle, hot dogs, chili dogs, chips, dessert and beverage.

Proceeds will be used to pay for the final phase of the stained glass windows renovation. The project began in October 2014, with the first three phases being completed between 2016 and last year. More than 60 thousand dollars has been raised so far through church events and community donations.

While it might seem a difficult proposition for a church that rarely has more than 15 people at Sunday services to raise such a large amount of money, Clarksville United Methodist is known for not shying away from big projects. The roof was replaced in 2007, steeple work was done during the building centennial in 2008, and basement and kitchen renovations were completed in 2013. The church at the corner of Highway 79 and Howard Street in the downtown area also has gotten worldwide publicity for opening its doors to volunteers who battle ever-more-frequent Mississippi River floods. Janie Busch is one of the luncheon organizers and says completion of the stained glass campaign is proof that God answers prayer.