Parson to Person by Pastor Eckman:
Liberty! Independence! Freedom! 205 years of it in America! Thank God for the Washingtons, Jeffersons, Franklins and others who proclaimed liberty throughout our land and won it for us. What is this liberty we now possess in America? 1 Peter 2:16 states: “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as servants of God.” Liberty never gives a person the freedom to do wrong. You and I, in the eyes of God and our government, have only the freedom to do right. You are using your liberty as a “cloak of maliciousness” when you use it to do evil. Our freedom-fighting forefathers won and protected our right to read the Bible, pray in public, go to church, teach our children to love and fear God and live an honest and pure life.
Jesus Christ preceded our nation’s freedom-fighters by many years and He won for us the greatest freedom of all – freedom from the penalty of sin. John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed.” It is only when we are freed from sin by Christ that we are free to please and serve God, free to live righteously, free to understand the Bible and free to have our prayers heard. We are an independent nation, we are guaranteed liberty by our constitution, but are we really free in God’s eyes? We can be made free by trusting Christ.
Junior Conquerors by Miss Mary Hugg:
Have you been to Junior Conquerors lately? We have had a change. Mr. Tim is at Camp Joy on Sunday evenings now, so he cannot help us anymore, but now we have someone new – Mrs. Debbie. She is Mr. Jerry’s wife! Mr. Jerry was away from us for a couple of weeks because he went up north to get married. We are glad he is back and also glad to have Mrs. Debbie Wilhite with us. Soon Miss Mary will be leaving, too, because she is moving to Illinois to be a teacher.
Mr. Jerry always has something exiting for us to do and tells stories of people in the Bible. Come Sunday evening at 6:00 PM and meet us in the church basement.
News from the Pews by Pastor Eckman:
- Meetings with Evangelist John Goetsch were held June 14-19th. Each evening an average of 110 people attended to hear good music and strong preaching. Mrs. Goetsch had an average of 30 youth (age 4 – grade 4) each evening in her children’s meetings. We certainly appreciated their ministry and that of Joe Good who is working with Brother Goetsch for several weeks.
- Camp Jackpine – Pastor, LaVonne, and Peggy Wright taught, preached, and counseled at Missionary Clarence Ecker’s Bible Camp from June 7-13th. It was a greatly rewarding experience.
- Wedding Congratulations – Jerry Wilhite and Debbie Backland were united as one in Christ at Debbie’s home church in International Falls, Minnesota on June 6th. The ceremony was beautiful and a clear testimony of the Lord’s dealing in the lives of two people. A reception was held here at Emmanuel on Sunday, June 21st since only Peggy Wright, Pastor and LaVonne Eckman were able to attend the ceremony.
- Canoe Trip – Approximately 36 men and boys paddled their way 35 miles down the Wisconsin River for their annual canoe trip, June 25-27. Thanks to Jerry Schwarten for all his hard work in organizing the trip.
Message of Music by Jerry Wilhite:
Although King David did not build the great tabernacle in Jerusalem, he was responsible for preparing servants, equipment, and materials for the construction of and service within the house of God. 1 Chronicles 25 lists several aspects concerning the service of music within the tabernacle. The first aspect is the importance of music. The entire chapter is specifically dedicated to the topic. Verse one tells that music was a service. Verse three states that music was for giving gratitude and glorifying God. Verse five shows that God blessed Heman because he honored Him with his music.
The second aspect is the instruments of music. Verse one lists the harp, cymbal, and psaltery (harp with longer strings). Verse three mentions the harp and verse five notes the horn. David, the one choosing these servants, himself played the harp while serving the king over him. So must we who have instrumental talent play our instruments for our King.
The final aspect concerns the involvement. This choir had 288 voices. Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were God-honoring fathers and willing musicians at that. Not only were they involved but their sons and grandsons were as well. May we as adults be challenged in this area. When our children see our participation they too will be encouraged to be involved – especially in the area of music. My thanks goes out to all those who have helped in our ministry here at Emmanuel.
Praise and Thanks Corner by Virginia Wright:
The most tragic time in history will come at the Great White Throne Judgment. It will be a time when unrepentant sinners who have rejected Christ as their Savior will be separated from God forever! There is then no second chance. Does this worry you and give you cause to think? It should. The time to accept Christ as your personal Savior is now. The decision must be made today – tomorrow could be too late, for we know what a day will bring. Plan now to spend Eternity where peace and love forever will reign, with our Lord. Your soul is a door at which Christ is knocking. The lock is in the inside and only you can open it. Come as you are, a guilty sinner in need of a forgiving Savior. By faith let Him in to rule your life then know the safety and surety of forgiveness of sin and of everlasting life. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). I praise God for giving us the way of salvation through His Son and thank our now living Christ for dying in our place. God’s day of salvation and His mercy are now. How tragic for some if His mercy and grace were withdrawn today!!!
