While cleaning out some of the storage areas in the church building a while back, we came across a box of old newsletters produced from 1977 to 1986. It is interesting to look back at some of the activities, concerns, and teaching at the church in those days. The following is a message from the pastor, a salvation testimony, an update from a 10-year-old girl about school at East Delavan Baptist Academy, and a youth group report from the March 1978 edition of Echoes from Emmanuel. I will reproduce the material as accurately as possible.
Parson to Person by Pastor Eckman:
A live hand grenade was cast into a fox hole in the heat of battle. A young soldier caught sight of it seconds before it exploded and cast his body over it to save his friends. A man is drowning and another dives in to rescue him. The drowning man is rescued but the rescuer dies. Periodically we hear of such occurrences in our society. God’s word says: “But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8. The words for us ring in my heart. Christ died for you and me. He died for us while we were sinners. In 1 Peter we read: “Who His (Christ’s) own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree…”. These passages and many others emphasize the beauty of Christ’s love demonstrated on Calvary’s cross. He suffered for us that He might bring us to God. Without Christ’s willingness to die in our place, not one of us would have the blessed hope of eternal life. We would never know the reality of sins forgiven. Thank God, He died that we might live.
Testimony by Harry Clement:
Psalm 34:8 says “O taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” This is a very special verse to me because it is my testimony in a nutshell. On October 1st, 1974, I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart and forgive me of my sin. I was tired of my life as it was. There seemed to be no point to it. I had searched many places for happiness but could not find it. For two years the gospel was presented to me. After I had tried everything else, there was still a void in my life that only the Lord could fill. The day I was willing to humble myself and open my heart to the Lord, He came in and gave me the happiness I always wanted. It is a great feeling to know that my sins are forgiven and that God has given me eternal life. I could tell you all day how the Lord has blessed me. If you are searching for life’s answers, why not try the Lord? The Bible says that the person will be blessed who trusts in Him.
Feature – East Delavan Baptist Academy by Cyndie Pratis:
My name is Cyndie. I go to East Delavan Baptist Academy and am 10 and am in the 5th grade. I like my school because we can work at our own rate. My teachers are real nice. Mrs. Sutton, the Kindergarten teacher is also the younger girls gym teacher. We have a very good basketball & volleyball team. So far, we played both volleyball & basketball against Janesville, Kenosha, Beloit, Whitewater & Sun Prairie. Our principal is Mr. Hacker and the supervisor is Mrs. Hacker. They are really nice even though they give us demerits.
Senior Conquerors by Bob Vyskocil:
Did you know Sr. Conquerors is a group of Jr. & Sr. high school young people? Did you know we meet together Saturday and Sunday nights? Did you know on Saturday nights we have a fun time doing various things like: bowling, golf, different games and skating? Did you know on Sunday nights we take God’s word and study it to help us live today? Did you know we need you to make these possible and profitable? Why do we have activities and training hours for these kids? Wouldn’t it be better just to leave them alone and maybe even use that time and money on other things? The reason is to keep on reaching out and sharing in the lives of teens on weekends because of the sin in our world – sin like disobedience or rebellion which all the human race is taken up in. Each day, teens as well as kids and adults are dying and going into a Christless eternity. Teens are daily faced with great pressures and problems with no place to turn. This is not necessary. The gift of salvation is offered to all. Teens can see themselves as sinners on their way to hell. But, the picture changes as we look to Christ. God’s Son died, shed His blood to take away our sins and give us a new life. He can help us with our problems and give us all a great new life. Is there a reason for Senior Conquerors? There surely is!!! Christ set it up, and He will keep it going. If you are not a part of it, you should be. He loves you. Come on and join us on Sat. & Sun. nights!