The ImmanueLight

"PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN"

INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION
SUNDAY JUNE 30

On Sunday, June 30, immediately following a
special patriotic morning worship service, everone is
invited to a covered dish luncheon in Moody Hall.
When the luncheon is over, there will be games and
activities for the entire family. Come to church that
morning prepared to stay and enjoy all the fun. There
will be no evening activities.

Letters have been mailed out with  information about Immanuel's
93rd Anniversary/Homecoming Day on Sunday, July 14, as well as a
special greeting from Rev. William Dillenbeck as he begins his ministry
as pastor of Immanuel. This is a time of excitement for Immanuel as we
thank God for our heritage and look forward to a positive future. In
order for adequate plans to be made to seat those who plan to remain after
the morning worship service for the covered dish luncheon, you are
reminded to please send in your reservation cards by Wednesday, July
10. A large attendance is anticipated. You are encouraged to come and
be a part of this new beginning.

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Men and teenage young men, you are invited to attend the
Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday morning, July 6, at 9:00 in Moody
Hall. Those who have been attending have found that this has become
a very meaningful part of their church life when they join together as
Baptist Men for inspiration, prayer, food, and fellowship. Please come
and be a part of Immanuel's Baptist Men's ministry.

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JUNE:

                                           
28 - Mr. Jesse Harchell

                                           
29 - Mrs. Jo Blackmon
                                           
JULY:

                                           
02 - Mr. Tripp Perkins, Miss Joyce Godbold

                                           
07 - Mr. Brandon Grove, Mr. Earl Wilkes

                                           
08 - Mr. Joshua Gause

                                           
10 - Mr. Danny Thompson

                                           
11 - Mr. Rick Putnam

                                           
12 - Mrs. Anita Frederick

                                           
14 - Mr. Andrew A. Powell, Jr., Mrs. Rachel Bodie

                                           
15 - Miss Eve Tyner

                                           
17 - Miss Dora Childers

                                           
21 - Mrs. Dot Reimel

                                           
22 - Mr. Aubrey Deas, Miss Christy Gibbs

                                           
23 - Mr. Donald Ray Altman

MEMBER
        SPOTLIGHT               Mr. Jim Childers

James Lafayette "Jim" Childers was born on January 18, 1910, one of eight children born to William James and Della Dove Childers. At the time, his parents were living in a place called the Temple Building located near Evergreen. They later moved to the Pamplico area where his father continued farming. When he was barely 13, Jim had to drop out of school and go to work due to his father's poor health. He made 50 cents a day plowing for the Cole Family Farms. After several years, he left the plow to find other work and was hired by the Cherry Cola Battling Company.         In 1937, he moved to Connecticut to live with Mary, one of his sisters, and for nearly a year, he raised chickens and worked for a bottling plant. Deciding to make it on his own, he left for Jersey City with a trailer load of Watkins Products, going door to door. In 1938, Jim's father died and he returned to Florence to help care for his mother. During that year he met his million-dollar-baby in the five-&-dime where she worked at the candy counter. They dated every day for six months, and when Jim popped the question, Macie accepted. On May 27, 1939, the Reverend P. H. Bussey, pastor of Immanuel, married the young couple at the parsonage with Mrs. Bussey as a witness and only attendant.         Jim bought a tract of land off the Charleston highway where he and Macie lived for thirty-five years. During these years, they were blessed with four children. The three daughters, Della, Dora, and Evelyn, all live in Florence; and their son, Jimmy, lives in Atlanta.         In 1941, Jim and Macie opened a store on Dargan Street, Childers Beauty Supply, where they were the only employees. Business was so good that they opened a second store on Evans Street. In 1984, they sold the business to their daughter, Evelyn, who operates both stores. At age 92, Jim, along with Macie and Dora, continues to work part-time.         In 1974, they bought their second home an Eleanor Drive. Jim's activities include: repairing clippers, reading, watching the News, and playing his harmonica. His favorite food is salmon stew and his favorite president was Jimmy Carter.         He is proud of his six grandchildren, but the tragic death of thirteen-year-old Ann, in 1984 is still painful. One of his grandsons, Timmy, and wife, Kenyon, are missionaries to the Ukraine, where their two children have spent the greater part of their lives.         At age 13, Jim became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, and continues to be faithful after 79 years. Jim, we appreciate the example you have set for us. We love you and God bless you.

The Servant's Pen

"The First Step"

Matthew 28:19

"Baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Baptism is the outward sign of one's inward faith in Christ. It is an act of obedience by which a person demonstrates the reality of his salvation. Salvation is not visibly seen but is a supernatural, spiritual transaction. The fruit or result of salvation, however should be evident. In the early church, the initial fruit of obedience was baptism, and this same fruit can be expected today. It is the means by which an individual testifies to his or her union in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Galatians 3:27 says, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." The Great Commission Matthew 28 commands us to preach the Gospel and baptize others. That means we are to tell people that salvation is something they should not only believe, but also publicly confess, with baptism as the first step. When someone is reluctant to publicly confess Christ in that way, we  have reason to question the genuineness of his faith. Jesus said, "Whoever confesses Me before men,  him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32) That is the public confession we all should make, and on Sunday, July 14, the baptismal waters will be moving at Immanuel. Zany