Easter Sunday in 1991

Girls in the Sunday School class I taught
on Easter Sunday 1991 were standing -Carrie
Wills, Misty Kimbrell, Lesley Mitchell, and
Shannon LeGrand, and Lori Mitchell kneeling.

As Easter approaches, my memories are always associated with the glorious worship of the resurrection of Jesus. These pictures archive a time when the church was in a weakened state after a pastor's resignation, but as Dad liked to say, "God always has a man." Charles and Jean Welch had such a heart for our small congregation. This Easter celebration was not marked by huge crowds but by wholeheartedly realizing apart from the Resurrection of Jesus as Paul said, "...if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" May this little reminiscence, add to your daily worship of the risen Savior as we approach Easter. 

Brother Charles helps Colin
West Lowe count his eggs.
Brother Charles had coached
and taught math at Marland
 and Newkirk in the early days
 of his marriage to his beloved
 wife, Jean. He loved numbers
 and any process associated
with them!

            That joyous Easter season found us without a fulltime pastor, but not without a shepherd. Charles Welch, a corporate employee of American Airlines, and his wife, Jean, faithfully guided and lovingly cared for us until we called another pastor. To this day, Jean, now a widow, continues to hold a special place in her  heart for the small Ralston Baptist Church.

         At that time, I taught the upper elementary girls’ Sunday School class. What joy to see girls grow, learn, and mature in the Lord! The week before Easter, Barbara Rice helped me host a party for both upper elementary boys and girls Sunday School classes. My father taught the boys class each Sunday but was glad Barbara readily agreed to help with the party. The students dyed eggs to place in decorated containers with specially- made cards for a few elderly people.   

            

Background -Carrie Wills putting the
finishing touches on a basket for an 
elderly friend. Samantha Kimbrell and
Barbara Rice encourage her as Tyler 
Rice prepares to attach a sticker to the
basket.

Judy Lowe watching Brendon West
Lowe spotting an egg.

            Recently, someone asked about the era when the church held fifth Sunday dinners. The photos proved March 31, 1991, one of the fifth Sundays of the year, also was Easter Sunday. So of course, a small egg hunt followed the shared fellowship dinner.

            As I perused the 1991 Easter photos, I discovered a photo from the Sunday evening service. Following a lesson plan from my March/April issue of Evangelizing Today’s Child, I created an edible tomb of Rice Krispies and marshmallows. We had the best time celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus together and then devouring the Rice Krispies treat tomb.

Back - Cortney Keil and  Destanee Robertson
Front - Michael Widener, Caleb and Tyler Rice, 
and Brendon Lowe. with the Rice Krispie Tomb. 

            It seems perfect to end this blog post with the announcement of the 125^th

Buddy Colvin and Rusty Bentley designing 
cards for the Easter basket recipients.

anniversary of the Ralston Baptist Church. It will be observed on November 13, 2022. For all who have ties to the church, save the date for a wonderful marking of God’s blessing on Ralston Baptist Church by preserving a congregation in such a small place for a century and a quarter. Also the anniversary celebration will be a perfect opportunity to see and visit with old friends from the church and community.

Tom Britt and Colin Lowe get help
from Edmund Gates with egg hunting.

Carrie Wills and Samantha Kimbrell excited about
the Easter basket as Barbara Rice looks on.