EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
January 2021
Discover Christ's Transforming Love
126 S. Hayes Ave. Emmett, Idaho 83617
Lance Zagaris, Pastor
Pam Hodges, Worship Director
A Word From the Pastor
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Colossians 1:20-22; 3:15-16
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Dearly Beloved,
On Dec. 27, I preached on the theme “What Happens When The Prince Of Peace Rules!” Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah Isaiah wrote about 700 years before Jesus’ birth (Isa. 9:6). When He came, He was on a rescue mission from heaven to reconcile people with God. We had rebelled against God by disobeying His commands. We were God’s enemies, and we were helpless to save ourselves. We were caught in the bondage of sin and were members of the kingdom of darkness. We were separated from God.
But God reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death (Col. 1:22) “by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross” (Col. 1:20). When we trusted in Christ as Savior; God brought peace where there used to be enmity. He brought union with us where there once was alienation. He caused us to be transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light and to be members of the kingdom of the Son He loves (Col. 1:13). As a result of Jesus’ reconciliation for us, God views us as “holy in His sight, without blemish, and free from accusation” (Col. 1:22)! Our sin and its penalty was placed on the holy Son of God at Calvary, and His perfect righteousness was given to us at our conversion (2 Cor. 5:21).
So how can we in practical ways experience this peace from the Prince of Peace? We all experience guilt and shame from our sins. We struggle with accusation coming from our own self-talk as well as others pointing their fingers at our sins and failures and reminding us how far short we fall in their eyes, let alone in God’s eyes.
When we sin, we need to confess it before God and others. We need to seek to make right any wrongs we have committed in word or in deed.
And we need to practice what Col. 3:15-16 teach:
1.) Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (3:15)
2.) Be thankful (3:15
3.) Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (3:16)
- As you teach one another with all wisdom (16)
- As you admonish one another with all wisdom (160
- As you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (3:16)
Instead of us ruling our hearts, let the Prince of Peace rule our hearts. He will be far kinder, more truthful, far more merciful and loving than we could ever attempt to be with our hurting hearts. And instead of allowing the thoughts and accusations of other sinners rule our hearts, let the peace of Christ rule our hearts! And be grateful” (3:15)! Yes, be grateful instead of being filled with shame, guilt, resentment, bitterness, and depression. Say thank you to the Lord Jesus for dying on Calvary’s cross for your sins! Say thank you to Jesus for taking away your ungodly words & behavior, for removing all your blemishes caused by sin, and for setting you free from the accusations of the devil, your own self, and others. Gratitude stemming from faith in the work of God through Jesus Christ has a powerful way of removing guilt, shame, bitterness, and depression. It helps us focus on Who and what we truly possess in Christ!
And let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly! Spend quantity and quality of time in God’s Word, allowing it to permeate into your heart, soul, and conscience and speak peace into the portions of your life that are restless, worried, and ashamed. Keep spending time in Christ’s word until His peace is breaking through and calming the stormy seas and blustery winds of your life! Let His word be the dominant voice you hear and respond to!
Happy New Year!
Shepherding you with Christ’s love & Peace,
Lance
Public, In-Person Worship Services
Public worship service will be offered at 10:45am in the sanctuary with masks optional and in the Fellowship Hall via live feed with masks required. No Sunday School will be offered at this time. We are seeking to take precautions to make our setting safe. Pews will be roped off to help us comply with 6 feet social distancing. Face masks are optional (we will seek to have extra masks available for those coming wanting one). Offering plates will be stationed at the entrance/exit doors to the sanctuary.
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.
As we begin public worship, either livestream or a video recording of the message will be explored. Audio of each message will still be posted on the church website and CD’s ore DVD's will continue to be available upon request.
Thank you to those who gave of their time to pre-record worship services during the weeks of closure in December (some, but not all (i.e.; sound booth helpers, pastor Lance, etc.) pictured below)!
Pam - Worship Leader
Kris - Organist & Videographer
Dave with help from Margaret
Brian at the Pulpit
The Weers' with Dave
Margaret & Maggie with Dave
Christmas Eve Services
Lexi Humphries - Noel Noel on Christmas Eve
Little Drummer Boy - Humphries' - Gragg's
The Weers' Testimony of Basketball Giving
Three Sore Thumbs
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” —Isaiah 43:2
Bow or burn. That essentially was the choice that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced. King Nebuchadnezzar had a 90-foot golden image of himself erected in Babylon and then commanded everyone in the kingdom to bow down to it. If they didn’t, they would burn.
But sticking out like three sore thumbs were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who stayed on their feet. They knew from the first two of the Ten Commandments that God told them specifically not to bow before another god.
When King Nebuchadnezzar heard about what they did, he gave them one more chance. But they still refused. They were from Nebuchadnezzar’s court, so this was an embarrassment to him personally. He was so angry that he gave the order for the furnace to be heated seven times hotter. Then his soldiers tied them up and threw them in.
However, Nebuchadnezzar couldn’t believe his eyes when he looked in and saw four—not three—figures walking around in the fire. I believe this was an Old Testament appearance of Christ walking with them.
Nebuchadnezzar called them out of the furnace and said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him” (verse 28 NLT). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had the resolve to make their stand because of the decisions, commitments, and resolutions they made years earlier.
Do you have character? Are you compromising as a Christian? Are you doing what is right, even in the little things? Every Christian will face the temptation to compromise. But character is not made in a crisis; it is only exhibited.
As you approach the beginning of a new year, it’s a good time to have some resolution—not a bunch of hard-to-keep resolutions. It’s a good time to have purpose, commitment, and a dedication to doing the right thing.
Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO)
The Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) was taken during the month of December resulting in a total of $305 to date.
The RMMO originated in the mid-1930s, when American Baptist congregations received a Communion Fellowship Offering on the first Sunday of each month to support retired ministers, missionaries, their widowed spouses and elderly clergy within their churches. In 1977, American Baptist Churches USA launched RMMO to continue this appreciation of God’s service. Click here to view a video or click on the picture above to view the website.
Advent Conspiracy
We were asked to consider buying one less gift this Christmas and to use the money you would have spent on that gift and give it to First Baptist Church. FBC will use it to support our missionaries in Beirut, Lebanon, Daniel & Sarah Chetti. A total of $320 was collected to date and will be sent to the Chetti's with our regular gift of support. In addition, the Diaconate approved to send an additional $100 for a total or $420! Thank you!
Seasons of The Heart
The heart has many seasons just as this good old earth,
And they all combine together to comprise what we are worth.
There is a childhood innocence in which we dream and play,
There is a time for growing up and making our own way.
There is a time for learning and a time for teaching, too,
And there is a time for resting when all the chores are through.
We all know joy and sorrow, Tis written in the plan,
But Heaven waits beyond life's gates for every earnest man.
Each life has many pictures and all a work of art,
But what a silver symphony...the seasons of the heart.
~Grace E. Easley
Desks For Students
Remember John and Alice Mason
FBC recently received the letter below from Mike Mason, son of John and Alice. John and Alice came to FBC around 1967. While John attended church regularly even before coming to Emmett, he accepted Christ at FBC and was baptized by Rev. Harry Granger - records show that was in 1989. Lance shared some information from John’s eulogy with me including a story Rev. Granger told him regarding John’s decision to publicly accept Christ and be baptized. One day, after Pastor Harry had preached a good sermon, John came forward with the alter call. Pastor Harry later asked him what he had said in his sermon that influenced John to come forward and John replied that it was nothing he had said. John had promised his mom years ago that he would be a Christian and go to church and had woke up that morning and decided to keep his promise.
Wayne Rexford once told Mike that John and Alice sat in the same row and same seats at the church for almost 40 years. John continued to attend church regularly even after Alice passed away in 2005 until he could no longer due to health concerns. Mike not only attended church from time to time in his younger days, he also brought John to church when John could no longer drive himself.
I remember seeing John in church every Sunday, a tall, white haired, quiet man. However, I never had the opportunity to meet him or talk with him or his wife Alice. Mike says John loved the church and all who attended. I assumed the feeling was mutual so I inquired of some of those who may have known them.
John was described by all as a very nice man. Alice was described as quiet, but also very nice. It was evident that John and Alice love each other dearly. They were married 60 years. Francis Granger explained that Alice went wherever John went during his military career to keep the family close. Vi Rexford shared that at Alice’s service, John pointed out a ribbon that was displayed on the picture board that said “#1” on it and he told Vi “that is what I meant to her”.
John was very active at FBC. He was a deacon for many years. He taught Sunday School. He helped lead mid-week prayer meeting at times. He served on the By-Law committee for 2-3 years. Vi Rexford, having chaired the By-Law Committee, stated that John was a very bright person and was very helpful on the committee. She said he tried to resign a couple of times due to loss of hearing and health concerns but fortunately he hung in there. Vi shared that John was “one nice guy” and very complimentary - encouraging her by always saying “good job, Vi”.
Lance shared that he always enjoyed hearing John pray. Matthew 22:36-40 was a passage that was close to John’s heart because its contents were often prayed over as he talked with the Lord. Loving God and loving our neighbor was important to John because it was important to the Lord.
John was a retired USAF Colonel. A story is told that John lived across the street from Earl Lilly, both of them being retired military officers. Each morning they would go out in the yard and salute the flag, then turn and salute each other. Mike verified this story as fabricated but added that both John and Earl shared the experience of being WW 2 bomber pilots and were very grateful to this country for all it had provided to them and their families.
John was a retired teacher at Emmett High and also served as principal. Mae Blaylock shared that John taught her boys in high school and was a wonderful teacher for her boys. Her boys were around the same age as John’s son, Mike.
John had a passion for ministering to the youth and was a charter member and instrumental in the inception of the Christian Education Relief Time (CERT). He had told the congregation that he prayed for CERT daily. Al Cinnamon shared that while a Youth Minister at the Christian Church, he had started CERT. One day, in 1992, John came and introduced himself and told Al his story. After retiring from the USAF, he came to Emmett. As a teacher in the 60s, he wanted to teach the Bible but was told he couldn’t. He prayed. He then became the principal of the High School and still couldn’t. He prayed. He served on the school board for two terms and still he couldn’t and he prayed some more. For 30 years he prayed to teach the Bible as Literature in HS and they wouldn't let him. He told Al, “You are the answer to my prayer”. John was a great advocate for everything Al tried to do. Al has stated that it was a humbling experience for him. He thought God used him to start CERT, but he was just a piece… a part of God’s plan. Whenever Al went to John and Alice’s house, they treated him like a king. Al saw John as a kind, gentle and strong man who knew what he wanted and accomplished it … “He was a gracious, godly man”.
Evidently, this gracious, godly man and his loving wife, raised a son who is also kind and gracious, and we are very thankful to Mike and the family for the contribution from their estate to the church in John and Alice’s memory.
William Dorahush (convicted church arsonist) Being Released From Prison
In April 2013 our church and Community Bible Church experienced robbery and arson. Restoration costs were between 1.25 and 1.3 million dollars to FBC. One of the criminals committing the arsons was William Dorahush Jr. He was sentenced for 5 years minimum and 25 years maximum. This week we were notified that he will be released from prison on Jan. 20, 2021. He will be paroled via Interstate Compact to Claremore, OK. For COVID reasons they may be required to quarantine locally (no Emmett) before transferring to Oklahoma.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” ~Eph. 4:32 – 5:2
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ~Mt. 5:43-45
God’s Word calls us to forgive people who have wronged us. Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who have persecuted us. These are tough commands to live out, especially if we try to do it in our own wisdom and strength. Our human nature tells us that following Jesus’ commands is absurd and impossible! I urge us to do the following:
- Meditate (that takes time) on what Jesus has done for you. Remember how He has forgiven you your sins when you were underserving of His love and kindness.
- Thank Jesus for His unconditional and unfailing love for you.
- Remember how Jesus has given you new purpose and opportunities to start fresh with Him.
- Ask the Lord to give you faith, courage, power and wisdom to forgive people like William Dorahush who have wronged you and acted like an enemy toward you. Ask the Lord to give you what only He can give you so that you can honor the Work of His Beloved Son!
- Pray for William Dorahush - a) For his salvation if it has not yet occurred; b) For his remorse toward those he has wronged; c) For his transition back into civilian life – that he would be responsible, trustworthy, hardworking citizen who seeks to give back to society and make it a better place.
- Pray for people of FBC and CBC to be able to trust God and genuinely express Christ’s forgiveness, love an prayerfulness! Ask the Lord to help any who struggle with anger, bitterness, resentment, fear, or anxiety.
The Life Book (for the Youth)
So will my word be that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish that which I purpose, and will succeed in the thing for which I sent it. ~Isaiah 55:11
THE MISSION
The Gospel in the hands
of every teenager in America.
THE MISSIONARIES
Students Giving Students
the gift of The Gospel.
In mid-2009, God called youth ministry veteran Carl Blunt to lead a new Gideon-funded venture. The goal was to develop an innovative ministry designed to help local churches mobilize their students to put the Power of the Gospel in the hands of their peers.
"One of the most significant mission fields in the life of students is their school campus. Students will spend approximately 180 days and 1,000 hours a year in school. They develop close friendships and experience rapid intellectual, emotional, and social growth. They establish an identity primarily influenced by the world around them at school.
For this very reason, students are uniquely positioned to become a strategic force in this unreached mission field by giving the gift of the Gospel to their classmates and peers."
By CARL BLUNT
The Life Book contains a short recap of the Old Testament, the entire Gospel of Mark (ESV), scriptural answers to issues teens face, and an opportunity to trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Throughout The Life Book, the margins are filled with handwritten teen reaction ranging from an agnostic to a strong believer.
Read more about this mission at https://thelifebook.com/about/
The church ordered several copies at no cost to the church. These are available to all youth in the quantity they can distribute.
Chuckles
Postcard to the Weather Bureau: "Sirs: I thought you would be interested in knowing that I have just shoveled three feet of partly cloudy from my front steps."
Delicious Ham and Potato Soup
Ingredients
Original recipe yields 8 servings
Ingredient Checklist
· 3 ½ cups peeled and diced potatoes
· ⅓ cup diced celery
· ⅓ cup finely chopped onion
· ¾ cup diced cooked ham
· 3 ¼ cups water
· 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
· ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
· 1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
· 5 tablespoons butter
· 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
· 2 cups milk
Directions
Step 1
Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
Step 2
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 3
Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving:
195 calories; protein 6.1g 12% DV; carbohydrates 19.5g 6% DV; fat 10.5g 16% DV; cholesterol 29.9mg 10% DV; sodium 393.7mg 16% DV.
Birthdays and Anniversaries!
Birthdays:
January 04 ......... Freida Knepper; Robbie Matthews
January 05 ......... Gideon Gragg
January 06 ......... Jason Humphries; Suri Frasier
January 10 ......... Kathy Osborn
January 14 ......... Dave Goff
January 17 ......... Alexis Hull
January 18 ......... Sherry Wright
January 23 ......... Larry Castle
January 24 ......... Brooke Ayres
January 26 ......... Spencer Keene
January 27 ......... Ivan Perrigo; Lincoln Chapman
Anniversaries:
January 25 ......... Jason & Cassie Humphries