Parson to Person by Pastor Eckman:
“Christ our Pilot, the Bible our Answer.” That has been the theme of our recently completed vacation Bible school.
Is Christ your pilot in the storms of life? The prophet Isaiah records “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” James describes the man without faith in God as “The wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” My friend, if you’ve not yet anchored your life in Jesus Christ by inviting Him to become your Savior, you are described in the above verses. In times like these you need a Pilot (Savior) for your life. You may be able to “go it on your own” through life, but just remember you’ve also an eternity to consider.
Psalm 48:14 declares: “For this God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death.” Anchor your life, my friend, in Jesus Christ. He’ll take your sins away and give eternal life. Christ wants to guide your life, your Pilot be, so let Him take the helm and lead you on into eternity.
Church News by Pastor Eckman:
- Vacation Bible School was a success. A total of 173 were enrolled with a high attendance of 140 and a daily average of 118. Thanks to all who helped make it possible. Thanks especially to Jerry Wilhite & Roger Luiken who worked in VBS and also helped in a youth rally each evening.
- Congratulations to Marge Kammeraad and Frank Pinne who became one on Saturday, August 4th at 2:00 PM. They are residing at 119 ½ North Wisconsin Street in Elkhorn.
- New Church Members admitted since January 1st have been:
- Lupe Flores
- Maria Rameriz
- Peggy Shaul
- Mr. & Mrs. Jose’ Martinez
- We welcome into our church fellowship Tim Anger and Jerry Wilhite. Both fellows are students at Maranatha Baptist Bible College and are working with our music program.
- Congratulations to Peter and Susan Brock on the arrival of Rebecca Kathleen. She was born on August 30th, weighed 8 lbs and 4 oz and was 21 inches long. Mom and Dad are doing fine!
Sunday School by Darold Alderman:
1 Corinthians 12:17 “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?” Consider our church building. The entire building was not completed alone by a plumber, nor a cement contractor, nor an electrician. As the church building was constructed, God used the abilities of many people to provide His finished work.
Now when thinking of the people of the church the same is true. God’s work needs the ability of good thinkers, teachers, musicians, able singers, good talkers, listeners, and willing workers. If we are “willing to serve,” God may bless by showing us abilities we didn’t know we had. Be willing to serve.
An exciting month for Sunday School is coming. It begins with Promotion Sunday on September 2nd, with new classes and new class material. Promotion Sunday is followed by Round-up Sunday. Gregg Kraft and Bill Shaul are now working on the contest rules. Bring a neighbor to Sunday School.
Praise and Thank You Corner by Virginia Wright:
So many people say, “If I could live my life over and know what I know now, I’d do things a lot differently.” I guess we’d call those years wasted years as this song says: Is your life filled with long wasted years? Wasted years, wasted years, oh, how foolish! As you walk on in darkness and fears, turn around, turn around, God is calling; He’s calling you from a life of wasted years. How thankful we can be that our faithful, merciful God continues to call us from sin to service for Him. That service could be in many ways which will bring glory to His name. Colossians 3:5 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankful.”
Parson to Person by Pastor Eckman:
Fall is usually house cleaning time. How much house cleaning do you have planned this fall? I would encourage you to concern some house cleaning of a different sort. Think with me for a few moments about the things you have in your home that you’d be embarrassed for the Lord to find. Count them already found – He knows all. Check your bookcase. What does your collection of books say about you? Your children, your spiritual well-being and your testimony (as a Christian) is worth more than your books. How about your record albums and your children’s records? Are you careful to play wholesome music or do you carelessly have and play rock music? Clean out those things which stand for Satan and not God: ouiju boards, horoscopes, alcohol, immodest clothes, etc. Don’t just clean around things but carefully consider what God would have you clean out.
When the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, God clearly instructed them to clean house. Deuteronomy 7:25: “The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it on to thee, lest thou be snared therein…” This fall, why don’t you as a family dedicate your house to God and clean out your house for God’s glory and your good?
Membership Spotlight by Janice Clement:
Mrs. Evelyn Merry comes into our membership spotlight. Her birth place was Spring Prairie township, Walworth County, Wisconsin. She has lived in this area all her life and now lives in rural Elkhorn with her daughter and family. Mrs. Merry came to know Christ as her Savior several years ago upon the death of her husband. She had been invited by Pastor Eckman to go to services at Emmanuel. This lead him to call on her at her home and she was led to the Lord. She then attended Emmanuel and became a member. She is a member also of the ladies fellowship, a worker in our nursery and a reporter for the church paper.
