FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NEWS
April 2020
A Word From The Pastor....
Colossians 1:27-29 (NIV)
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Dearly Beloved,
When the apostle Paul penned these words, he was writing from a Roman prison. We are in a lock-down in Idaho as a result of the Corona virus. But Paul was locked up in prison. We are more isolated than we used to be before COVID-19. But Paul was even more isolated and confined than we are today! He was in prison for seeking to teach about Jesus Christ and the good news He offers people who would trust in Him as Savior and Lord! Despite his confinement, he wrote with hope and conviction. Even in jail he pointed people to the glorious riches of God's mystery - Christ in you, the hope of glory!! Jesus Christ is the answer to peoples' questions. He is the answer to our doubts. He is our Bright Hope amidst a dismal pandemic! He is the Savior to our sin problems! He is our Protection against life-threatening illnesses! He is our Provider during economic downturns as well as economic booms! He is our Storehouse of wisdom and knowledge amidst life's complexities and confusion! He is our Loyal Lover Who will always minister for our good and His glory no matter how we struggle in our faith toward Him!
Paul says we proclaim this Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so we may present everyone complete in Christ (28)! I listened to a conference call that President Trump, Vice-President Pence and Secretary of Housing, Ben Carson, had with 700 pastors. Vice President Pence shared that the gospel of Christ was made for times like these as we face the threat of the Corona virus Pandemic. Christ and His good news are able to minister powerfully and meaningfully in people's lives! Let's ask God to give us wisdom and courage to minister to others with grace and kindness and truth during these times. Let's call and text and email people and listen to them and talk with them and pray with them. I encourage you to sign up with BlessEveryHome.com. It will give you the names and addresses of the people who live near you and encourage you to pray for them!
Shepherding you in Christ's love!
Lance
FBC and the COVID-19 (Corona Virus)
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be meeting for Sunday School, Worship, Small Groups, or Prayer in person through April 12 and perhaps through the month of April.
While we want to meet to show our adoration to the Lord and fellowship and serve one another, there is a need to protect each other from the potential spread of COVID-19 germs. A number of our own church family fall into the vulnerable category, because of age and other health issues, so we want to proceed with caution.
At the same time, our desire is to seek creative ways to continue to preach and worship and fellowship with and care for one another.
- We plan to record and upload Worship Songs and a Message each week andpost them on our church website (www.fbcemmett.org).
- Jolene will plan to offer a lesson for elementary students on our church website.
- Lance will seek to offer one as well for adults and/or families.
- We are looking into online communication to have small group studies, prayer, and meetings. We will let you know more as we make progress.
- We plan to use the church website to the extent possible so bookmark it if you haven't already and check it out frequently.
- We will seek to organize groups of people with a leader to work at communicating and caring and praying for one another. If there are needs where people need help of getting groceries or prescriptions at the store, one of our people could be notified and pick it up and deliver it for the family.
Some other options:
- You can watch a message from Right Now Media (https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/fbcemmett). They have lessons geared for age groups like kids, youth, and adults. You can watch a message and talk about it as a family. If you don't have access, contact Kathy or Lance.
- You can use television to watch pastors like David Jeremiah and Charles Stanley.
- You can use the internet to watch/listen to pastors like Tony Evans or Alistair Begg or John Piper etc.
- You could FB Livestream a sister ABC church like the Summit Church or True Hope in Boise.
We want to encourage you to continue to support the ministry of our church as God blesses and provides for you during this health crisis. We do not yet have online giving. You can send contributions by: sending it in the mail to First Baptist Church, 126 S. Hayes Ave., Emmett, ID 83617, arranging with your bank to send your contribution via methods such as bill pay, or by dropping it off at the church office or the church mail slot on the door.
Continue to pray for the church leaders. We encourage you to be intentional more than ever to be contacting each other and lost family and friends in meaningful, safe ways in the next few weeks. One of the ways we can be loving is to be protecting one another.
Taking The Opportunity During the Pandemic to Pursue Family Discipleship!
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. - Deut:6:7
The Ayres' family shares how they see this extra time we now have as a blessing for generational family discipleship!
- We are working to identify and affirm children's spiritual gifts. Then training how they can use them and who can benefit from their gifts.
- We are working to identify their witnessing style. Then training who can benefit from their witnessing.
- We are equipping kids to defend their faith. Then understanding who can benefit from Gods principles.
- We are learning from debate videos. This is to show and practice the wisdom learned from God's Word with non believers.
The tools we are using are from Right Now Media (D 6 conference), YouTube (Lee Strobel), and the gifts & witness style tests from inter varsity Christian fellowship & Lifeway.
God has called all generations to lead, prepare, and strengthen the next generation of His army!
In the midst of a pandemic, we can work with and train the ones He has entrusted to us.
Lance attended the Pastor's Prayer Summit in Cascade in February!
BlessEveryHome.Com
Pray for your Neighbors
It's free and confidential. And it aligns with FBC’s mission!
Pray for your Neighbors
It's free and confidential. And it aligns with FBC’s mission!
Blesseveryhome.com gives you the tools to become a Light for Christ in your neighborhood. Join an ever-growing community of Christ followers who are devoted to being a Light in their neighborhoods through praying for, caring for, sharing the gospel with, and discipling their neighbors.
CPR CLASS WAS HELD ON MARCH 16TH
Laurel Whittemore presented CPR for friends and family.
Participants learned how to operate and AED and practiced life saving techniques.
RightNow Media - a Netflix for Christian Bible Study
Overcoming Anxiety During COVID-19 is just one of many videos you can view on Right Now Media. If you haven't signed up for RightNow Media, click here to get signed up.
B.L.E.S.S.
We encourage you to pursue the Bless Missional Practices as the Lord opens doors for you!
The Pilgrim's Progress—for FREE!
Churches and schools have been closed. Families are home. And there is no better time to gather together and watch the CGI-animated version of The Pilgrim's Progress. RevelationMedia, and its ministry partners, are making this opportunity available for FREE, for a limited time. Simply use the link below to register to watch right now.
The Pilgrim's Progress, based on John Bunyan's timeless allegory, is filled with creative characters like Giant Despair, Worldly Wiseman, Evangelist, Legality, the Good Shepherd, and whimsical worlds like the Forbidden Forest, Swamp of Despondency, and Vanity Fair. Viewers follow Christian Pilgrim on his journey to rid himself of a dreadful burden on his back and find the Celestial City, which is ruled by a good and faithful King! However, he must stay on the straight path, and when he doesn't, the most interesting and dangerous adventures ensue. Be encouraged by the Christian story considered second only to the Holy Bible!
A reading from "Jesus Calling" Devotional Book
This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved one, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of My Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into My care.
You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of my continual Presence. The One who never leaves you is the same One who never changes: I am the same yesterday, today and forever. As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand. Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance can take from you.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord - PSALM 89:15
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - HEBREWS 13:8
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." - ISAIAH 41:13
CHUCKLES....
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque.
It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it.
The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, 'Good morning Alex.'
'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque.
'Pastor, what is this? '
The pastor said, 'Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.'
Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.
Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked,
'Which service, the 8:30 or the 11:00?
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR APRIL
Birthdays:
6th Jolene Zagaris
18th Gloria Hill
24th Amelia Keene
No Anniversaries for April
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 9, 6:30pm - All Board Meeting by Zoom Conference
Most events have been cancelled due to COVID-19:
- April 12: Good Friday Community Service Cancelled
- April 25: Youth Appreciation Day - Cancelled
- April 26: New Life Drama Youth Appreciation Service - Cancelled
- May 1-3: Boise Harvest Crusade - Postponed
Upcoming Ministry
- April 12: Easter Sunday Music and Message
LET THE RISEN LORD AND THE LIVING WORK TRANSFORM YOUR DOUBTS
- April 12: Missionary Story of Amy Carmichael, Part III
- Pending: Additional videos, bible studies as well as music and messages via YouTube, Zoom, and RightNow Media.