Cowboy Church #215

 Hello my friends and welcome to a special Easter service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Easter Is A Loving Time. This recording comes from a 1955 Little Golden Record, that the husband-and-wife duo had made. Here they are backed by The Sandpipers and Mitchell (Mitch) Miller & his Orchestra.

This is followed by Gene Autry performing Peter Cottontail in a scene from the movie, Hills of Utah (1951). This song was written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, the team that wrote the Christmas classic Frosty the Snowman. Because of Gene Autry's success with such Christmas songs as Here Comes Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the songwriting duo decided that Gene Autry was the best singer to introduce a song about a holiday figure. When Gene recorded the song it went up to #3 on the Country Charts. Naturally the song would have to appear in a Gene Autry movie.

To remind us why we truly celebrate Easter, Johnny Cash will then sing He's Alive from his 1979 album, A Believer Sings the Truth. This song tells of the story of Peter and how the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus affected him. This song brings us a message of hope in the most hopeless of times. When Jesus was crucified, things seemed as dark and hopeless as they get, yet he raised from the dead and brought great joy and forgiveness to all who accept him as their lord and savior. If he can overcome the grave, how much more can he overcoming anything we might be worrying about right now.

Now comes Henry Burr with his 1911 recording of Will the Roses Bloom in Heaven. 


How can you have Christian music for Easter without having, The Old Rugged Cross? The answer is you can't. So here is Ricky Van Shelton singing it. The song itself dates back to 1913 and was written by evangelist, George Bennard. Actually, the first verse was written in 1912. It was written while Bennard was a part of a series of revival meetings in Albion, Michigan. He was worried about the complete disregard for the gospel around him and wrote this verse as a repose. Of writing it Bennard said, "I seemed to have a vision .... I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable." The song wouldn't be completed for several months, when he was leading meetings at a local church in Pokagan, Michigan. He played it for Rev. Leroy (the sponsoring pastor) and his wife, Ruby Bostwick, both of whom found themselves moved to tears. It was then incorporated into a service at that church on June 7, 1913. The song has the same effect today as it must have back then. 

Next is George Strait with Three Nails and a Cross from his 2011 album, Here for a Good Time. As well as George Strait being the main singer, this song has a top-notch line up of background singers including Chris Stapleton, Thom Flora, Marty Slayton, Wes Hightower and Faith Hill.

Then is fiddle player and arranger Craig Duncan with a beautiful instrumental version of Because He Lives. Craig Duncun has worked with artists such as Randy Travis, Billy Dean, Kathy Mattea and Roy Clark over the years. Today he performs a wide variety of music from country to gospel to Motown to jazz standards with his group of talented musicians. 

Today's musical selection ends with the Sons of the Pioneers with their 1935 recording of When I Leave This World Behind. 

Now for a message from S.M. Lockridge. 

And now one from Billy Graham. 

Let's continue with an Easter episode of Jack Benny's radio program.

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” Matthew 20:17-19

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31

A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:29-30

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” Mark 16:5-7

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews. Matthew 27:37

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Luke 24:6-7

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:2-3

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all. Acts 4:33

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34

Thank you for joining me come back in a couple weeks for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails until we meet again.