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Union County Easters from the past: A look back
50 years of Easter memories
church was located at 900 N. Mosby and the pastor was Dan Harden.
Immanuel Baptist Church hosted an Easter musical drama, “Can It Be?” The 14 singers were directed by Gary Glasgow.
Noonday Holy Week talks were sponsored by the downtown churches of El Dorado. On Monday, Keith McCaffety spoke on “Christ in the World” at the First Baptist Church. Tuesday’s address at the First United Methodist Church, “Christ in the Home,” was by the Rev. William J. Fitzhugh. On Wednesday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Dr. J. Edward Dunlap spoke on “Christ in the Marketplace.” The Maundy Thursday topic was “Christ in the Church” by the Rev. Richard Cerney at the First Presbyterian Church. On Good Friday, the sermon at the First Christian Church was “Christ in Vocation,” deliv- ered by the Rev. C. Michael Anders.
Easter 1967: March 26
A community sunrise ser- vice was held at Parkers Chapel Methodist Church, along with Galilee Baptist Church and Bethel Chapel Assembly of God.
See PAST, Page 4
IBy Shannon Curtman
n Union County, local churches have creat- ed an enduring tradi- tion of sharing both
the joys of Easter and the solemn meditations of Holy Week with the entire com- munity.
Here is a brief sampling of some Easter services announced in the El Dorado newspaper in past decades. These selected highlights are a reminder that such events have involved gen- erations of area residents, a tradition that will be renewed this coming Easter.
Special presentations, such as musicals and plays, are a staple of Easter cele- brations. Although the per- formances listed here, and even some of the perform- ers themselves, are now gone, one thing is certain: Easter has always been a very special time in Union County.
Easter 1987, April 19
An Easter gospel con- cert was held at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. The St. John Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir included singers from New Calvary Church of God in Christ in Camden, and the Camden Area Wide Music Workshop. The sing- ers were directed by the Rev. Derik Slaton and Charles Johnson of Camden.
The Sanctuary Choir at
Second Baptist Church
performed “The Highest Place,” the Easter story in song and narration. Soloists were Regina Smith, Sally Baldwin, Preston Marks,
Mary Pat Cook and Joe Nixon, with director Richard Gates and accom- panists Mary Clark and Regina Smith.
The Sanctuary Choir and Youth Ensemble of the First Presbyterian Church presented an Easter can- tata, “On the Passion of Christ,” with soloists Clara Nelson, Hub Mook and Rick Robinson.
Dr. George Wayne Martin was named Holy Week guest speaker for revival services at St. Mark United Methodist Church.
The musical at Immanuel Baptist Church, “Crown the King With Praise,” featured Brad Griggs as Jesus, Ray Bromley as John, Carlotta Houston as Mary Magdalene and Stan Littleford as the Scribe. Additional soloists included Sharon Robinson and Scott Phagan. Mike Houston was the drama director, and Jim Warnock Jr. directed the orchestra.
Easter 1977, April 10
Willow Grove Missionary Baptist Church held its Easter sun- rise service at 6 a.m. with breakfast following at 7 a.m. The message was delivered by the Rev. Pete Lambert.
An Easter program was presented by the Usher Board of New Hope C.M.E. Church in Junction City. The special speaker was thr Rev. Lovell Thompson.
Bethel Chapel Assembly of God welcomed an Easter guest speaker, evangelist J.C. Nichols of Hot Springs, at the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. ser- vices.
File Photo
Holy Week: This advetisement from April 1977 stresses ‘every- one in the church, the church in everyone.’
A community Easter ser- vice was scheduled at the Norphlet High School football field.
A sunrise service was shared by six differ- ent churches: Bethel,
Temple Church of God in Christ had a sunrise service with Bishop Bouldware pre- siding.
The Church of the Open Windows had a sunrise service with music by the “Good Friends” group. The
Marysville Hill United Methodist Churches, Salem and Midway B a p t i s t Churches, and Mount Holly Presbyterian Church. The sermon was by the Rev. Bob Johnson.
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