Rusk County Singing Convention, 13th Year

Old Pine Grove Church
Henderson, Rusk County, Texas
Saturday, April 24, 2021 and Sunday, April 25, 2021

Saturday, April 24

The Rusk County Singing Convention met for the 13th year on the Saturday before the fourth Sunday in April at Old Pine Grove Church near Henderson, Texas. Due to the COVID pandemic shut downs that have been going around in the past year, this class was ready to sing. The tune book for Saturday was The B. F. White Sacred Harp (Cooper Book), 2012 Revision. With the absence of the Chairman, Vice Chairman Ellen Ray called the class to order leading 32t, I'm Not Ashamed of Jesus (Corinth).
Robert Vaughn offered the opening prayer.

A business meeting was held and the following officers were elected: Chairman—Ellen Ray; Vice-Chairman—Chris Nicholson; Secretary—Gaylon Powell.

Leaders: 416t, My Native Land - Ellen Ray
422t, A Song of Texas - Chris Nicholson
422b, The Grieved Soul - Chris Nicholson
53, Jerusalem - Gaylon Powell
126, Babel's Streams - Gaylon Powell
477, Let the Saints Appear - Robert Vaughn
142, Stratfield - Robert Vaughn
143, Playel's Hymn Second - David Rousseau
341, The Lone Pilgrim (The White Pilgrim) - David Rousseau
268t, Restoration - Janie Short
276, Bridgewater - Janie Short
450, Leaning on Jesus' Breast - Thom Fahrbach
433, Rejoice - Thom Fahrbach
507b, The Glory of the Cross - Tony Souther and Margaret Wright
122, All Is Well - Tony Souther and Margaret Wright
133, John 4:14 - Daniel Allcock.
268b, Texas - Daniel Allcock.

RECESS

Leaders: 558, I'll Praise My Master - Ellen Ray
470, There We Our Jesus Shall Adore (Sardis) - Cheryl Foreman
486, No Night on That Golden Shore - Cheryl Foreman
505, Cleansing Fountain - Erin Fulton
163b, Marysville - Erin Fulton
503, That Beautiful Land On High - Ann Jett
515, When the Lord Shall Come for Me - Ann Jett
60, Saints Bound for Heaven - Ellee Curren
367, Dear Name! The Rock on Which I Stand - Ellee Curren
235, The Resurrection (Easter Anthem) - John Huffman, for Ed Walton
343, Long Sought Home - Garrett Powell
543, Consecration - Garrett Powell
388, The Happy Sailor - Hoss Curren.
146, Hallelujah - Hoss Curren.
Gaylon Powell asked the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Ellen Ray called leaders back leading 331t, The Father's Boundless Love (Columbiana).
She then appointed Robert Vaughn and Janie Short to serve as the memorial committee. Leaders: 38t, Sessions - John Huffman and Katie Huffman
563, Jesus Is Mine - John Huffman and Katie Huffman
54t, Palmetto - Margaret Wright
38b, The Road to Life and Death (Windham) - Margaret Wright
404, He Died on the Cross - Danny Creel
196, Alabama - Danny Creel
348t, Happy Land - Abigail Curran
571, Not Made With Hands - Abigail Curran
48b, Thou Man of Grief (Kedron) - John Berendzen
416b, Vernon - John Berendzen
472, The Sinner's Friend - Lloyd Wright and Elijah Wright
319, Religion Is a Fortune - Lloyd Wright and Elijah Wright
438t, Missouri - Prisca Rice
384, Longing for Heaven (Panting for Heaven) - Prisca Rice
464, Hocutt - Scott Curren
98, Glory Shone Around - Scott Curren
140, Chicago - Betsy Jeronen
46, The Fountain of Life - Betsy Jeronen
330t, Love Divine - Sonya Kirkham.
208, Little Songs and Little Ways (Louisiana) - Sonya Kirkham.

RECESS

Leaders: 96, Mercy Seat - Ellen Ray
47b, Idumea - Kristie Powell
482, Amazing Love - Kristie Powell and Gaylon Powell
520, Rest for the Soul - Michele Curren
470, There We Our Jesus Shall Adore (Sardis) - Michele Curren
86, Guiding Spirit - Emily Brown
355, Hinder Me Not - Emily Brown
508, Amsterdam - Rick Foreman
514, Wiley - Rick Foreman and Robert Vaughn
553, The Hill of Zion - Tammy Powell and Garrett Powell
95, ?No such tune? - Tammy Powell and Garrett Powell
61, Sweet Rivers - Lisa Matt
463, Angel Band (Land of Beulah) - Lisa Matt
220, Mount Zion - Scott, Michele, Hoss, Ellee, and Abigail Curran
48t, Devotion - Lloyd Wright.
After some announcements, Ellen Ray lead 275b, Roll On for the closing song. Robert Vaughn lead the closing prayer.

Sunday, April 25

The Sunday session of the convention was held in conjunction with the Pine Grove Cemetery Homecoming. The tune book for Sunday was The Christian Harmony, 2010 edition. Ellen Ray called the class to order leading 61t, North Carolina.
The morning prayer was offered by Robert Vaughn.

Leaders: 61b, Gaines - Ellen Ray
419t, Rockingham (First) - Chris Nicholson
225b, Martin - Chris Nicholson
155, Solemn Call - Gaylon Powell
203, Cumberland - Gaylon Powell
256t, Pleading Savior - Robert Vaughn
221b, Poor, Weak, and Worthless - Robert Vaughn
43, The Heavenly Throng - Janie Short
255, Watchman (Second) - Janie Short
130b, Passing Away - Lisa Matt
16, The Finest Flower - Lisa Matt
81t, Maitland - John Huffman and Katie Huffman
172, The Grand Highway - John Huffman and Katie Huffman
67t, Peterboro - Rick Foreman
67b, Dundee - Rick Foreman
19, The Day of Days - Henry McGuire
184, Where We'll Never Grow Old - Henry McGuire
133, Juniata - Prisca Rice
286, Ganges - Prisca Rice
54, My Trust - Todd Derstine and Regina Derstine
231, Indian's Farewell - Todd Derstine and Regina Derstine
58b, Primrose - Garrett Powell.
59t, Mear - Garrett Powell.

RECESS

Leaders: 72t, Jordan - Ellen Ray
142, The Solid Rock - Charles Whitmer
540, Funeral Anthem - Charles Whitmer
35b, Boylston - Sonya Kirkham
128t, Hester - Sonya Kirkham
111t, Fleeting Days - John Berendzen
546t, The Holy Spirit - John Berendzen
193, Kay - Erin Fulton.
244b, The Christian's Conflicts - Erin Fulton.

MEMORIAL LESSON: Janie Short read the list of names for the sick and shut-ins: Texas—Landis Powell, Charlotte Powell, Ruby Morris; Alabama—Lucy Heidern, Nate Green, Norma Green, Elder Ricky Harcrow; Arkansas—Lloyd Caldwell; Louisiana—Baron Powers; Maine—Jesse Vear; Ohio—Clara Herr. She made some comments and lead 30b, Dennis.

Robert Vaughn read the list of names of individual who passed away since we last met. Since we did not meet in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic shut down, it was a two-year list. The names were: Texas—Curtis Owen, Sonny Erwin, Myrl Jones, Burl Russell, Margaret Rounsavall, Bob McLemore, Elder C. B. Anderson, Dale Redmon Jr., John Beard, Dorothy Price, Lorraine McFarland, Mac Hargrove, Marilyn Burkland, Max Berendzen, Gloria Berendzen, Floyd Nicholson, Patricia Blevins, Margret Rowell; Alabama—Velton Chafin, Ottis Sides, Margaret Spurlock, Bill Windom, Kenneth Sandburg, Jewel Wootten, Mike Jones; Arkansas—Lela Schiefer; California— David Fetcho; Georgia—Harry Eskew, Brooke Webber; Indiana—Rev. Douglas Simpson; Iowa—Barbara Matt; Kentucky—John Pickow, Tierre Quantrell Williams; Maine—Peter Golden; Michigan—Bill Beverly; Missouri—Mort Whitman; New Jersey—Gustine Matt; Ohio—Glenda Walton; Recent Burials in Pine Grove Cemetery—Cathy Whitehead, Josephine Roberson. After making some remarks, Robert Vaughn led 204t, What a Day.
The memorial lesson closed with prayer by John Huffman.

Leaders: 149, A Good Time Coming - Ann Jett.
180, The Sinless Summerland - Ann Jett.
The noon prayer was offered at the dinner tables.

LUNCH

Leaders: 417b, Zanesville - Ellen Ray
316, This Heavy Load - Thom Fahrbach
186, Lord Remember Me - Thom Fahrbach
59b, Dove of Peace - Cheryl Foreman
64, Youthful Blessings - Cheryl Foreman
65, The Golden Hill - Charlie McGuire
69, Rocky Mount - Charlie McGuire
120, Home in the Sky - Betsy Jeronen
355, Homeward Bound - Betsy Jeronen
354, Summer - Danny Creel
308, The Happy Time - Danny Creel
138, Rest in the Kingdom - Kristie Powell
548, Macedonia - Kristie Powell
51, Lonsdale - Emily Brown
1, Weary Rest - Emily Brown
168, ?No such tune? - Tammy Powell
421b, Caddo - Tammy Powell
332, Babylonian Captivity - Thom Fahrbach
372, I Won't Turn Back - Erin Fulton
245, Bozrah - Prisca Rice
515, Olive Shade - John Berendzen
91, There is a Fountain - Henry McGuire
258, Thorny Desert - Todd Derstine and Regina Derstine
166, What Can I Do? - Danny Creel
470, Duke Street - John Huffman
465t, Breaker - Charlie McGuire and Will McGuire
21, Webster - Betsy Jeronen
170, On My Way - Ann Jett.
After announcements, Ellen Ray led 32b, Zellville for the closing song. Robert Vaughn led the closing prayer.

Chairman—Ellen Ray; Vice Chairman—Chris Nicholson; Secretary—Gaylon Powell.