It is true, from every point in the universe, all one can see is the past. Since only the past is visible and we are relying on radio waves to make first contact, one could only connect with the past.
Perhaps someday they'll find a way to communicate instantaneously. Maybe through Belle's Theorem/non-local/EPR/"spooky action at a distance"-type quantum communication. Then those distant aliens with snapshots of our past can send them to us immediately. :)