Keep your eyes on the prize

Glorified Christ tapestry - Conventry Cathedral

This morning's message comes to us from Colossians 3:1-11.  The necessity for Christians of keeping our "eyes on the prize" is reflected in the words of the spiritual (made famous as the anthem of the civil rights movement):

Chorus:
Hold on; hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize
Hold on

Verse 1:
Paul and Silas bound in jail; had no money to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on
Paul and Silas thought they were lost; dungeon shook; their chains came off
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on

Verse 2:
Freedom's name is mighty sweet; and soon we're gonna meet
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on
Got my hand on the gospel plow; won't take nothing for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on

Verse 3:
The only chains in which we stand are the chains of hand in hand
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on
Goliath may his cudgel swing; still the louder we will sing
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on

Verse 4:
And though these burdens weigh us down, we'll march on to gain the crown
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on
Dusty feet now ripped and torn will freely dance when comes the morn
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on

Verse 5:
The only thing I did was wrong was staying in the wilderness way too long
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on
The only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight
Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on

Carol Gilully Service

Pastor Charles officiated at the committal service this afternoon at the Riverside Cemetery for Carol Gilully.  Jack and Carol Gilully were married in the Stevensville church fifty years ago today.

More from the Creamery Picnic

The Apple Dumpling Gang was hard at work all day with hungry people stopping by to gobble up the dumplings and ice cream!  Even Stevensville's mayor came by to pick up one of our amazing treats!

Ready, Set, Dumplings!

The 101st Creamery Days Picnic got underway today in Stevensville and the cooler weather brought in by yesterday's rain stayed for the party (without the rain today!).

The Apple Dumpling booth was set up and ready for the first customers early this afternoon.  Thanks to everyone who has had a hand in making this project such a success already!!!

A Blessed Day in the Valley! (... Bitterroot Valley, that is!)

Bible Study at Ms. Doris' Home

Ms. Ginny Playing the Piano at Today's Senior Center Lunch

Great Food at the Senior Center Today

United Methodist Apple Dumplings:  YUMMY!

Getting Set Up at the 2013 Creamery Days Booth

RAIN!

We are blessed today with the gift of some ran in the Bitterroot Valley!  We can always use more, but we'll take what we can get and be thankful!!

Harvest Gift!

This morning, some very kind soul left this beautiful selection of home-garden-grown vegetables at the parsonage door.  Praise be to God for people who share their harvest with others!