EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
July 2020
Discover Christ's Transforming Love
126 S. Hayes Ave. Emmett, Idaho 83617
Lance Zagaris, Pastor
Pam Hodges, Worship Director
A Word From the Pastor
Dearly Beloved,
Coronavirus, racism, and riots are hot topics in our culture. The pandemic brought a booming economy to a screeching halt. Reopening stages along with protests and rioting have caused positive COVID-19 cases to sharply increase. People are tired of being bottled up. They are tired of having events cancelled & sports seasons suspended. Its hard to make confident plans. At best, whatever events we seek to hold, fall under the category: a definite MAYBE!
As we approach our Declaration of Independence Day, we feel that our freedom isn’t as free as it used to be. Speech is not as free as it once was. People need to be careful what side of controversial topics they land on. If they choose the “wrong side”, others from the opposite side may verbally assault them. For some, their free speech has led to cancelled friendships, cancelled jobs, and cancelled Twitter accounts.
People who have sought to participate in peaceful protests against police brutality and racism have seen their protests hijacked by those who want to destroy... America, capitalism, our history and its monuments, the police, our president, our constitution, and the rule of law. One leader, Shaun King, wants to destroy statues and stained-glass versions of Jesus, because he claims it represents white supremacy!
In John 8:31-32, Jesus tells the Jewish listeners who are interested in believing Him what true freedom entails: holding to Jesus’ teaching, and thus be a true Jesus follower! “Then you will know the truth” (Jesus’ teaching), “and the truth” (Jesus’ teaching) “will set you free”. Truth is knowing Jesus by faith and holding to His teaching! That’s what sets people free!
The listeners react by saying we don’t need to be set free. We’re already free. We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves (33)! Non-slaves don’t need Set Free Sermons! But Jesus tells them that they are slaves, slaves to sin (34)! And this has serious implications: slaves aren’t permanent family members, but a son belongs to God’s forever family (35)! And this is very important: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (36)”! Jesus, God’s Son, can redeem one’s enslavement to sin!
Jesus bursts their spiritual bubble. Jesus says, I know you are physically linked to Abraham. But that by itself does not free you from your enslavement to sin. Your bondage is manifested in the following ways: 1) you are wanting to kill Me (37); 2) you have no room for My word (My teaching) (37); 3) you do what you heard from you father (38); 4) your spiritual father is the devil, not God the Father (38-47); 5) that’s why you want to fulfill your father’s, the devil’s, desire – he was a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies (44)! How disheartening!
To possess freedom, one must be rescued from their spiritual bondage to sin and to the devil! Only Jesus Christ can go into the slave market of sin and purchase one’s life from Satan through His death and resurrection and set them free.
But their freedom is not to do whatever they like, but to have the right to do what Christ set us free to do... to hold to His teaching! Before we trusted in Christ’s redemption, we could not hold to His teaching. We were bound by sin and chained by the devil! But now we are free from spiritual enslavement and free to follow Christ!
We are pressured by the world to conform to its standards of “correctness” and of “free speech”. But Jesus Christ did not call us to Himself in order to fit in with the world, but to stand out with and for Him. With wisdom and compassion, He wants us to speak and live out the truth of His Person and His teaching before a very lost, confused, chaotic, and destructive culture! May the LORD give us courage and grace and wisdom to live for Him! May the Lord continue to chisel the image of His Dear Son into your life!
Shepherding you in His love,
Lance
P.S. An article worth reading: A Reasonable Take On Confederate Flags, Monuments, And Statues by Peter Heck (The Resurgent).
Independence Day!
A Prayer for America
Father in Heaven,
We, the people, in the land of the free
and the home of the brave,
desperately need you.
Oh that we would leave our ways
of seeking to be blessed
and instead seek to bless others.
We beg for your guidance and wisdom
for our leaders.
We ask you to protect our land
from enemies, both within and without.
And we praise you for the freedom
we have through the blood of your Son.
May you plan be the desire of our nation.
Amen
FBC Holding Public Services In The Sanctuary
FBC has opened up for public worship service in the sanctuary. No Sunday School will be offered at this time. We are seeking to take precautions to make our setting safe. Pews are sectioned off to help us comply with 6 feet social distancing. Face masks are optional. Offering plates are stationed near the entrance/exit doors to the sanctuary, as well as in the front of they church by the organ and piano. The church pew, doors, etc. will be sanitized prior to and/or during services as needed.
We are excited to worship together again. We recognize not everyone will feel comfortable to join us at the beginning; and that is understandable and acceptable.
A video recording of the messages are posted online (Emmett FBC YouTube, Facebook and www.fbcemmett.org). Audio of each message will still be posted on the church website and CD’s will continue to be available.
God bless and keep you safe and healthy!
The Practice of Extraordinary Love
A PRAYER GUIDE
BY KIM BUTTS
CO-FOUNDER OF HARVEST PRAYER MINISTRIES
Today’s culture is desperate for a fresh infusion of extraordinary love. The Lord’s Church has been uniquely designed to provide it. Yet many of us are distracted or even paralyzed by the negative, angry, polarizing climate surrounding us.
This prayer guide examines what Scripture says about love, and then encourages God’s people to pray and boldly demonstrate that extraordinary love in action. May we as believers be known as people who love completely and without reservation or hesitation so that many will be drawn to Jesus, the source of such great love.
FBC Honored Fathers on Father's Day!
Father's Day Special by Dave Hodges
Dave sang "This Old House"
Backup singers sang chorus and the "ooo's"
Goodbye to the Ayres' Family
John and Rachel served the church in various ways including Treasurer/Board of Trustees and organizing and working the Cherry Festival Cleanup the past couple of years. Brooke's battle with ongoing medical issues has shown us all once again that God is in control and He answers prayers. Kelly's beautiful gift of singing and her willingness to share her talent through specials and singing with the worship team was appreciated and will be missed.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope you never forget your church family here in Emmett!
When You Feel Empty - Encouragement for Today by SHARON JAYNES
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (NIV)
I don’t know about you, but the quarantine has left me feeling sort of empty, and I’ve had a difficult time filling back up.
We’re not alone, though — the Bible, holds a story of a woman who felt the same way.
Jerry Barber Celebrated 13 Years of Sobriety!
On June 3, 2020, Jerry celebrated 13 years of sobriety! Jerry started drinking in the 70s while in Vietnam. He said he mainly would drink at night just for something to do.
Jerry Barber is a long time Emmett resident. He was born and raised in McMinnville, Oregon and worked his way to Emmett after living in Ontario, Payette, New Plymouth and finally Emmett. He worked for Concord Mobile Homes out of New Plymouth for 12 years with 11 of those as a line supervisor. He then worked for Johannesen Motors for a few months before being swayed away to work as a head custodian for the Emmett School District. After 22 years with the Emmett School District, he retired in 1995.
Jerry has 3 grown boys, 4 adopted sons and one grandson. He has been an active member of the VFW for 25 years. He has performed community services in conjunction with the church and/or VFW being called upon to use his painting expertise on more than one occasion.
On June 3 of 2007, Jerry had been drinking and had a horrible car accident with his 2 boys in the car. All three of them sustained injuries, with Jerry and his boy Jason being hospitalized. Jerry said that accident and being close to losing his life or his boy’s life, was what made up his mind to stop drinking. After getting out of the hospital, he spent 11 months in jail, attended AA meetings and after talking with Wayne Redford and reading the bible, he came to know the Lord as his Savior. These all attributed to his now 13 years of sobriety.
Jerry went to a Baptist church as a kid until his early teen years. After the accident and his talks with Wayne, Jerry started attending the Emmett First Baptist Church (FBC). On January 27, 2008, the day prior to his going to jail, he was baptized! He has served as usher, served as a member on the Board of Trustees, had done odds and ends around the church and puts the message on the reader board each week.
Jerry explained that the support and prayers, of Lance, Wayne, Patty, Dorothy and the rest of the church family helped him get through a tough time in his life and that he appreciates everything everyone has done for him.
Jerry feels the Lord spoke to him after the accident, wanting him to grow closer to him and continues to speak to him routinely. He said he sometimes knows the Lord is trying to tell him something (like to stop smoking), but he doesn’t always listen. At night, he sometimes feels the Lord is saying “are you forgetting something?”, and he gets up and kneels to pray.
Thank you, Jerry, for sharing your story. Your church family is still here to support you as you continue your walk with the Lord and as you push on for another 13 years of sobriety!
Ella Grace Mathews Attends Her First Church Service at FBC!
Ella Grace Mathew's First Worship
Isn't She Lovely!
Patty was first in line to hold baby Ella Grace!
Summer Camps!
- Teen Camp (6th -12th Grade): July 19-24 - $250;
- Kids Camp (4-6th Grade): July 26-30 - $200
Shiloh Bible Camps (Donnelly):
- Day Camp (K-5th): Cancelled
- Family Camp: Cancelled
- Jr. High Boy’s Outdoor Camp (6th–completed 9th): Aug 2–8; $225
- High School Camp (9th–12th): July 12–18; $225
- Jr. High Camp (6th – 8th): July 19–25; $225
- Boy’s Camp (4th – 6th): Aug 2–8; $225
- Christian in Training: Cancelled
- JR. CIT (7th – 8th): July 12–18; $100
- Internship (Application process): June 15–Aug 9
- Music camps: Cancelled
Fellowship of Christian Athletes: 2020 Camps
- Ada County Baseball Camp: July 14-16
- Canyon County Baseball Camp: July 21-23
- Total Athlete Day Camp: July 28-30
Check websites for most current dates and/or information changes.
Chuckles
The man moaned but did't budge.
"Sir, if you don't move, Ill have to call the manager, : said the usher more loudly. The man moaned again but stayed where he was.
The usher left and returned with the manager, who, after several attempts at dislodging the fellow, called the police.
The cop looked at the reclining man and said, "All right, what's your name, joker?"
"Joe," he mumbled.
"And where are you from, Joe?"
"The balcony."
2-Ingredient Shredded Zucchini Casserole
This casserole is delicious hot, or at room temperature, which makes it a great summertime veggie dish.
PREP TIME5 MINS
COOK TIME30 MINS
TOTAL TIME35 MINS
Servings: 3
Calories: 148
Author: Hallie Harron | Simple Nourished Living
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini, shredded (about 3 cups)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (I used a Mexican blend)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat the oven to 350F degrees. Spray an 8-inch baking or gratin pan.
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together thoroughly.
Spoon into pan and bake for 30 minutes.
Serve hot or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
All colors of zucchini are fine. I used the standard green, however yellow would work or a combination of the two would be just as good.
Nutrition Facts
2-Ingredient Shredded Zucchini Casserole
Amount Per Serving (1 /3 casserole)
Calories 148Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Carbohydrates 7.3g2%
Fiber 1.8g7%
Protein 14g28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Find this recipe online: https://simple-nourished-living.com/skinny-easy-cheesy-shredded-zucchini-casserole/
Birthdays and Anniversaries!
Birthdays:
July 9 ........ Jerry Barber
July 12 ...... Pat Scott
July 16 ...... Patty Chapman
July 20 ...... Josh Mathews
July 21....... Kenny Keene
July 21 ...... Joe Spears
July 25 ...... Diane Moats
July 27 ...... Abbey Humphries
July 29 ...... Robin Humphries
July 30 ...... Margaret Castle
July 31 ...... Bob Bales
July 31 ...... Megan Keene
Anniversaries:
July 23 ....... Lance & Jolene Zagaris