SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
Back in September, in the posting I wrote, I mentioned the church we were members of in Wiesbaden, West Germany. As it turned out, while we were in Heidelberg, Immanuel Baptist Church in Wiesbaden, was celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary as an established church (in 1957). Since we were only one hour away from Wiesbaden, we took the girls with us and attended that celebration.
If you remember another previous posting, you might remember Immanuel Baptist Church had built a new building after we rotated Stateside. It was in this building where the celebration was held.
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wiesbaden, West Germany Photo by Fred Wills
Photo by Fred Wills
Photo by Fred Wills
It was a joint celebration with the Americans and Germans together. There was music by the German choir, there was preaching by the very first pastor of that church, Herman Dee Stout.
Photo by Fred Wills
Pastor Herman Stout – first pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church
German choir behind him
Herman and his brother, Herbert L. Stout, had been military (U.S. Army, we think) at one time in Wiesbaden. After they got out of the military, Herman came back to Germany and Wiesbaden to start that first church in Wiesbaden. (Herbert was called as pastor to Bethel Baptist Church in Frankfurt the following year, 1958). All the former pastors of the Immanuel Baptist Church were in attendance, except the gentleman who was pastor when we were there. He was in ill health at that time and was unable to attend.
Fred was able to stand and bring greetings from our family – who were members 10 years before – and from the Grace Baptist Church in Heidelberg.
Following the upstairs festivities, there was cake, punch, and coffee downstairs. It was a joyous time for us, as well as the Immanuel Baptist Church. We felt blest to be able to attend that meeting, and be in Germany during that time.
Photo by Fred Wills
Downstairs, at the tables
Photo by Fred Wills
In another vein, I would like to tell a humorous story about our Heidelberg pastor, Greg. In this picture, you will see a man with a very full beard – a former pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church who was pastor in Wiesbaden the same time we were in Heidelberg.
Photo from IBC webpage
Greg so admired that beard, that he determined to grow one for himself. Unfortunately, Greg’s beard was not anywhere near as full or thick – or black! One Sunday morning, he decided to shave it off. All of us in the congregation were surprised to see him clean-shaven that morning, when he got up to preach. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what the sermon was about, but I do remember that, in the middle of the sermon, he said, “folks, as you can see, I’ve shaved off my beard this morning. As I stood looking at myself in the mirror, I realized that it was the first time in my life I’ve had hair on my chest!”
As you might imagine, we in the congregation erupted in laughter! And that statement might just as well have illustrated a point in his sermon. I just don’t remember – I only remember the laughter it produced!
WE….ARE THE CHURCH!
~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 
Sweet Memories
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