If our government gurus can roll back and spring forward the nations clocks, how about doing it for each of us, to a favorite time of the past? Not an hour for me, but THIRTY-EIGHT years! In my work with young people in a church this was the most exciting day of my life. Let me explain.
In 1972 I took a bus load of young people to Glorieta, New Mexico for a Youth Celebration. It was there the musical, "Celebrate Life" would makes it premier performance. Seven of our kids from Wharton gave up their time to rehearse and then perform in this wonderful musical written by Ragan Courtney. The music was by Buryl Red. With our kids having seen it, and some of them performing in it, we decided to present "Celebrate Life" in Wharton. It took loads of work and rehearsals. Mrs. Ron Goelzer was our organist. We also had a tape to sing with. It called for four characters to play the roles of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We had the perfect guys! Charles Ries played Matthew, Roger Roecker was Mark. Luke was Joe Cook and John was Ross Arth.
After many hours of rehearsals our Youth Choir arrived at their first performance. It was MARCH 11, 1973!!! Thirty-eight years ago tomorrow! The presentation was great! They brought "Celebrate Life" from the printed page and breathed life into it! I was never so proud of the group. Later that spring we presented it at First Baptist Church, Bay City.
I know where those four guys are today. They are like my sons. I love each one dearly. That's where I would wish to return if that were possible. I know it isn't. We cannot go back except in our memories. This is a great one for me. One number that came from "Celebrate Life" was "In Remembrance Of Me". It is in The Baptist Hymnal, and often used when celebrating The Lord's Supper.
Sorry, guys, but "We Are Three Kings" didn't make the cut.
