EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
September 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
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Heb. 12:14-15).
Dearly Beloved,
I shared these verses as I prayed at our City Council meeting Aug. 25. They include two longings for mankind: to see the Lord and to experience the grace of God. But the author to Hebrews warns us that it is possible to miss out on these tremendous divine blessings! Both blessings are not unconditional but conditioned upon a lifestyle of godliness before God and the people in our lives. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. Prior to that, we are called to make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy. Being holy is linked to how we relate to people: how we treat them, how we work through conflicts and make decisions. God calls us to be spiritual negotiators and peacemakers, not conflict escalators!
The command here for holiness is similar to Peter’s: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy!” Our holy God cries out for holy living. He wants His people to reflect His holy character! We know that it is only by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we can be holy before God (2 Cor. 5:21). The Righteous died and rose for the unrighteous and imparted to us His righteousness!
In Christ, believers are holy. As a result, He calls us to live out that holy character in daily relationships. He gives us His grace to empower us to live in holiness and peace with others. But we confess it is hard. We want to win the arguments. We want our agenda to be followed. We want to have our plans fulfilled in our time and in our way! When others fight us and say and do things to hurt us, we get angry and allow resentment to set in. We refuse to forgive. We refuse to cooperate. We gossip and talk about them behind their backs. And we let bitterness develop and grow within our hearts and minds. Bitterness left unchecked causes trouble not only for ourselves, but its venom spreads like COVID-19 droplets and begins to infect the people in our lives!
Unfortunately, our nation is experiencing whole groups of graceless people who are extremely bitter and causing all kinds of trouble and chaos in the streets of our cities. They are supposedly taking justice into their hands and making reparations as they see fit. In many cases, they are jumping to conclusions before they have received all the facts of the conflict. In the wake of their evil, many lives and properties and businesses have been injured, defiled, and destroyed.
As we watch and hear these stories, we must be careful to pursue the presence and grace of our holy God and ask Him to help us to be peacemakers instead of troublemakers, to help us point people to the Prince of Peace, the One Who brings reconciliation between God and us, and us and other people. We need to ask: If Jesus was in our circumstances, how would He respond?
Shepherding you in Christ’s love,
Lance
"Mask Only" Option Now Available For Sunday Worship Service
Thanks to Kris Waller, the service is now being live-streamed downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. This area has been reserved for "masks only" for those who feel more comfortable in an environment where masks are required.
We continue to hold public worship in the sanctuary practicing CDC guidelines with masks being optional.
Sunday school is not being offered. However you and your family are encouraged to pursue safe ways to study the Word of God through on-line resources such as Right Now Media and/or via CDs, Videos, and reading material (many resources available at the church), as well as Zoom and/or phone conferencing with one another.
We continue to take precautions to make our setting safe. Pews are sectioned off to help us comply with 6 feet social distancing. 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.
We are excited to worship together again. We recognize not everyone will feel comfortable to join us during this time of uncertainty; 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 upon request.
God bless and keep you safe and healthy!
The Human Conflict:
Being a human is a wonderful existence,
And holds many emotions.
We list just a few:
We are loving, but sometimes hateful.
We are giving, but sometimes selfish.
We are truthful, but sometimes we tell lies.
We are honorable, but do not always do the honorable thing.
We are intelligent, but do not always act like an intellectual.
We are strong, but have many weaknesses.
We are human, but do not always show it.
Are You Ready to Be the Answer to the Prayers You Pray? By Kim Butts
What if God wants to use you and your family to be the answer to your prayer? Are you prepared to back up your prayers with action if the Lord directs? I believe that our Father wants us to learn how to be the hands and feet of His Son to hurting or lost people...
The Return of "The Bostocks"!
The concert was held at the Emmett City Park Bandshell. There was approximately 67 in attendance from FBC, the community, and even from out of town! CDC guidelines were followed and a good time had by all!
Many from FBC donated door prizes to include personally crafted items from Jim Foster, Bob Kaiser, and Wayne Rexford; a co-authored, signed book by Amanda Weers (aka Amanda Tru); items from Bear's Knight Out Toy Store & Gift Shop (Gerry & Steve Knight), a book and Gift Certificates from Cindy Smith; CDs & DVD from Greg & Glenda Bostock; and various Gift Certificates from the Zagaris', Hodge's, Morgan's.
All in all, it was a success!
Thank you to Lance Zagaris and volunteers: Kris Waller, Roma Careaga, Gerry Knight, Cindy Smith, Margaret Castle, John Morgan, Bill Buticci and any and all who helped!
Kikongo and International Ministries
Rev. Glenn Chapman shared in the article with International Ministries (IM) about a newly constructed foot-bridge over the Yasa river in Kikongo, which brings people together.
About 5 years ago or more FBC donated money through Advent Conspiracy to help with a project in Kikongo concerning satellite availability. This article may be of interest to those of you who remember that ministry as well as others.
Since its inception, the Short-Term Mission (STM) office has been in the bridge building ministry. STM has been intentional in facilitating connections between requests from missionaries and longings from volunteers to go and serve. Thousands of them discovered or renewed their calls to ministry on short-term missions. Others found their purpose in life while serving cross-culturally.
Dave Hodges Retiring After 17 Years with Channel 2!
Dave Hodges, a prominent member of the FBC Worship Team, retired on August 19, 2020 from his career as Master Control Operator for Channel 2. Prior to that he had worked 10 years with Boise Cascade. When Boise Cascade shut down and offered schooling for those losing their jobs, Dave took them up on it. He went to school for Broadcasting technology and within 2 years he graduated with an Associate degree and applied for the job with Channel 2 and got it! Dave like this job as it provided him the flexibility to work at his own pace… “nobody bothered you as long as you got the job done”. He had “climate control” since he had to make sure the equipment never got too hot or too cold. Therefore, he got to wear shorts to work. He liked the people he worked with and the boss liked him.
In his first couple of weeks on the job, he was the solo guy on the night shift. After getting instructions from the previous shift worker, which include “just press this button…”, he was good to go. Until he went to “press the button” and nothing happened. The screen was black, and he had to figure out why. This was live TV and was quite stressful, especially with only two weeks on the job. The next day the boss called him in and Dave thinks he would have lost his job if they weren’t so desperate for help. Dave recalls waking up a lot at night yelling “Roll the tape!” Things changed a lot over the years with fiber optics enabling much of the job to be done out of Seattle. With that they let people go. Even though others had more experience, they kept Dave. Dave figures it was because of his “witty” personality and the boss liked him. (I’m thinking someone was watching over him 😊).
Dave is now enjoying his first few weeks of retirement by spending time with the grandkids. He takes Davey to karate and recently went to splash pad and played in the water. He plans to be “papa”, work around the house and do some traveling. He wants to go to Washington DC and Custer’s Last Stand and take a cruise in January if the COVID situation cooperates. He promised Pam he would take her to Hawaii. She has waited 39 years and he figures he should make good on that promise but fears that God may take him once he fulfills that promise 😉.
And speaking of Pam, his wife of 39 years on September 19… Dave commented: “Next to my salvation, she is the best gift I got”. He met Pam while visiting his grandpa in the hospital at St. Luke’s. He noticed this cute little nurse and he would just freeze up whenever she would come around. His grandpa was already on it and introduced them when all Dave could say was “Hi”. His grandpa told him since he couldn’t marry her, Dave had to. One day Dave dressed up to go visit his grandpa hoping he would see Pam and she wasn’t there. His grandpa got her number and made Dave call her while he was there in the hospital room. Six months later they were married!
Dave was raised in the Mormon church. He said he had some weird ideas/thoughts, but he grew up with his own picture of who Jesus was... more friendly. One day he finally realized his whole concept was flawed. He credits some of that realization to Pam. They would have conversations that would sometimes get heated. He was even known to follow her into the shower with his street clothes on just to continue the conversation. Pam would drag him to church, and he would go just to keep peace. His faith and understanding grew gradually, over time… not lighting bolts or “wow” moments. He went from sitting at the back of the Four-Square Church, not participating much to where he is now, and singing at the front of the church with the Worship Team although still sitting in the back of the church due to the kids.
Dave has been coming to FBC for approximately 16 years and recognizes how much he has grown in his faith but also says he has a way to go yet. We discussed how most men have that “macho” exterior, but it seems as they get closer to the Lord, they lose some of that. Dave enjoys coming to church and loves singing on the Worship Team. He likes, Lance, the church and everyone in it.
When asked if his faith in the Lord influenced his career in any way, Dave reiterated the time when he could have lost his job but instead 5 others, more qualified than him, were let go and he stayed.
When asked if he recalled any specific time in his life that the Lord spoke to/touched him, he said, “He has always been there for me, even when I didn’t know it.”
Dave informed me that he is now talking to Lance about getting baptized! He explained that he’d been talking about doing it for a long time but decided it is time.
Thank you, Dave, for taking the time to share your story! It has been great to share in your faith journey and to have you as part of the FBC family. Your “witty” personality, great bass singing voice, and awesome acting abilities we’ve seen over the years have been a blessing! We are excited to share in your upcoming baptism! We Love You!
Enduring Love - A Ministry Dan & Sarah Chetti Serve
As I have watched and re-watched footage of the Beirut explosion from this past week, the only word that I can think of is the word URGENCY.
In the midst of a global COVID pandemic that is coupled with the worst economic crisis in Lebanon’s history, many experts are suggesting that Lebanon will never be the same. As the base for our Enduring Love ministry, and as the home to many of our missionaries, Lebanon represents what has been true of much of the Arab world over the last several decades: war-torn, economically unstable and desperate for hope. With the death rate continuing to climb in Lebanon, again, the only word I can think of is the word: URGENCY.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul reminds us that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:5). War, oppression and economic instability are tactics Satan often uses to veil the minds of unbelievers in this part of the world. And many people die every day (just as they did on August 4th) without ever seeing or hearing the truth of the Gospel.
But in the very next verse, Paul reminds us of an even greater truth that the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone an even greater light in our hearts in order to display an even greater light through the face of Jesus Christ (4:6). He continues, “We [the church] have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (4:7-10).
Despite the turmoil that is continually seen in the Arab world, the church continues to shine and, in many ways, the darkness gives an even greater backdrop for the light of the Gospel to shine. People are hurting, they are looking for hope, and they are in desperate need of the Gospel. The time to respond is now. This past week reminds me of the needed URGENCY. Will you join us in praying for the Arab world?
Will you join us in praying for our Enduring Love missionaries? May God use us during this time to shine the light of the Gospel in a way that it has never been shone before!
Your fellow laborer,
Todd McClure
Associate Director
Tough Times Don't Last
I said "Sometimes I fail."
He said, "I'll see you through."
I said, "But what if I fail?"
He said, "I will carry you."
I said, "My fears are great!"
He said, "Trust Me alone."
I said, "But I'm depressed."
He said, "I'll cheer you on."
I said, "Life isn't easy."
He said, "Please let Me help."
Remember, I love you."
I said, "Lord, I accept."
Chuckles
A teenager was sitting in church, and when the collection plate was passed around, he quickly pulled a dollar bill from his pocket and dropped it in.
Just then, the person behind him tapped him on his shoulder and handed him a $20 bill. The boy smiled, placed the $20 in the plate, and passed it on, admiring the man's generosity. Then the boy felt another tap from behind and heard a whisper:
"Son," the man said, "that was your $20 bill that had fallen our of your pocket."
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Ingredients
Original recipe yields 4 servings
Ingredient Checklist
4 slices bread, cubed
¼ cup melted butter
2 cups cubed zucchini
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 egg, beaten
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Instructions Checklist
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 2
Place bread cubes in a medium bowl and pour melted butter over the bread. Add the zucchini, onion, garlic salt and egg; mix well. Transfer the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and top with the cheese.
Step 3
Bake, covered, in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then uncover the dish and bake for another 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving:
437.4 calories; protein 18.9g 38% DV; carbohydrates 18.7g 6% DV; fat 32.4g 50% DV; cholesterol 136.3mg 45% DV; sodium 1076.4mg 43% DV.
Birthdays and Anniversaries!
Birthdays:
September 1 ........ Jonah Campbell
Spetember 3 ........ Karizma Gragg
September 9 ........ Nakya Buck
September 13 ...... Ryan Humphries
September 14 ...... Bailee Grant
September 18 ...... Doneta Perrigo
September 19 ...... Steve Knight
September 23 ...... Cyndi Butticci
September 26 ...... Adam Frasier
Anniversaries:
September 4 ....... Dave & Pam Goff
September 8 ....... Steve & Patty Chapman
September 19 ..... Dave & Pam Hodges