Parson to Person by Pastor Eckman:
I’d like to share with you some lessons learned from a weed patch. My garden was a garden to begin with. However, it soon became a weed patch. Now after much tedious labor it is a garden again. Please focus your attention on the garden of your life and acknowledge that there are 2 gardeners standing ready to plant and till your life: Satan and the Lord. Satan desires to plant a cultivate weeds (evil) and the Lord, good plants (good works). When I see all the weeds in the garden, I wonder where they all come from. Guess what! I found out that most of them are already there in the soil. In like manner, the seed of sin is planted in the heart of everyone born into the world! David said: “In sin hath my mother conceived me,” acknowledging sin since conception. Satan continues to plant seeds of sin. Matthew 13:25 “But while the man slept his enemy (Satan) came and sowed tares (weeds) among the wheat and went his way.”
Weeds have some unique characteristics. They look like plants in the garden. My boys found weeds that look like corn, carrots, beans, beets, and several other plants. Satan has his counterfeits! He deceives us into thinking that what looks good is good. Weeds grow faster than plants and have a larger root system. They steal food, water, and sunlight from other plants. Sin robs the goodness of God from you, dear friend. It will lead you down a path of pleasure that ends in heartache and remorse.
You can treat weeds in several ways: leave them and they’ll continue to grow, hoe them up and they’ll re-root in the soil, pull them out and they’ll break off and grow again. The best remedy is to dig them out carefully and discard them outside the garden. In like manner, repent of sin, forsake it, and seek God’s forgiveness.
Feature Article by Jan Kraft:
So far we have had 1 primary and 6 juniors go to camps this summer. 3 went to Camp Joy. The Primary program (grades 1-3) last for 3 days and are packed with a lot of things to do. This year Chad Eckman went and found out that the super slide was great fun, that Mr. Tim was a good counselor, but he missed Mom and Dad. The Juniors have more to offer. Super slide at Camp Joy was the biggest hit, next they were gone for 6 days and just sort of missed Mom and Dad. The classes were all fun and they met new friends and saw a couple of school friends. They stayed in the same cabin with the favorite counselor, Mr. Tim. A good time was had by Rod and David Eckman, too, so if you have any questions see them.
4 juniors went to Camp Chetek: Linda Pratis, Charity Kraft, Paul and Laura Olivas. They came back talking non-stop. There is so much happening in just one week it’s hard to remember everything. Some of the comments were: “Funny skits, good speakers like Pastor Suh and Pastor Stanley, fun games, delicious food and good counselors.” Paul’s cabin, the Spy Glass Mountain, found the treasure. Some not so pleasant remarks were: “Had to sit by the boys” and “Had to get up early.” Now these are all comments from 9 and 10 year olds who came back in a much better spiritual mood than when they left. Both camps preach the word of God. Camp is a tremendous opportunity for children and should be taken advantage of. It is worth every penny – start saving for next year.
News from the Pews by Pastor Eckman:
- New Arrivals – Our congratulations go to Wayne and Barb Pratis on the arrival of twins: Jeremiah (8lbs., 3oz) and Sarah (7 lbs.) on Thursday, July 9th.
- College Ensembles – The ministries of the Pensacola Christian College Ensemble and the Maranatha Baptist Bible College “Messengers” were greatly appreciated during July. We appreciate the firm stand of both schools and are confident the Lord is using them.
Beginner’s Church by Marge Pinne:
Each Sunday morning while most of you who are able to read this are upstairs enjoying the Sunday morning service, there are about 15 of us downstairs in one corner of the basement having a service all our own. We are from age 2-6 and Mr. and Mrs. Pinne help us to have a good time. We play games (because usually we are pretty ‘antsy’ after sitting through Sunday School), then we have cookies and juice. We all take turns bringing the treat and sure like it when it’s our turn. Mr. Pinne tells us a Bible story and teaches us a verse and we sing songs about Jesus. Every week we color a picture or make something that goes with our story. We love to come to church and hope you do, too.
Toddlers by Sue Oakes:
Hi, my name is Sue Oakes, and I’m the toddler’s new teacher. This age (2-4) is a real challenge, but even the very young can learn about the Lord Jesus Christ! A young child accepts Christ without reservation (Matthew 18:3). 2 Timothy 3:15 says, “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures.”
Spotlight on Members by Janine Varga:
Since this member of our church will be leaving us soon, I want to fit her in before she goes. Mary Hugg was born and raised in Elkhorn and has attended Emmanuel Baptist for seven years. At the age of 14, Mary surrendered her life to God and accepted Him as her Savior. She is actively involved in children’s church, Junior Conquerors, and the King’s Servants. While attending Maranatha Baptist Bible College Mary traveled home each weekend on extension, to serve the Lord at Emmanuel. She graduated in May 1981 and will be starting to teach the third grade at South Side Baptist Academy in Oaklawn, Illinois this August. She has claimed as her life verse Matthew 19:26: “…with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Good luck, Mary! We will miss you!
