EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
February 2023
Discover Christ's Transforming Love
126 S. Hayes Ave. Emmett, Idaho 83617
Lance Zagaris, Pastor
Pam Hodges, Worship Director
A Word From the Pastor
The Bible teaches that when we became Christians we were not only united to the LORD by faith in Christ, but we were also joined to fellow believers. In Cor. 12:12-13, Paul says: "The body is a a unit, though it is made of many parts; and though all it's parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ! For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jesus or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." At our conversion, we were all placed by the Holy Spirit into one body...the body of Christ believers...the church. I Cor. 12:27 says: "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one is a part of it." Believers are designed to be members of the church. I Cor.12:14-26 shows that just as our physical body parts have functions and roles to play for our body to be healthy and growing, so we as individual members of the church have functions and roles to fulfill so that church can develop spiritually and fulfill it's potential for Christ! Each member has importance and value, individually and corporately. God has designed us, not only to need Him, but to need fellow believers. We were designed to be interdependent. We were made to work together and help one another. We need to appreciate the way the Holy Spirit has gifted people. We need to encourage people to use their God-given gifts and abilities to serve others. Each person's gifts and skills are needed and to be honored in the church.
So recently, Jolene and I battled COVID-19. We had to isolate, so we wouldn't spread our germs. We had to focus on getting healthy. Brian Weers preached in my absence. Wayne Rexford led small group while I recovered. Connie Walker taught Junior Church for Jolene. Some ministry was cancelled and rescheduled. Margo Moodie taught the main lesson at Good New Club for Jolene. Goffs and Osborns brought meals to us.
Suzi Morgan had knee replacement surgery. Gerry Knight sang in her place on the Worship Team. The Butticcis, Hodges, Bearrys and Osborns brought meals to the Morgans. People prayed for healing and worked together to serve and meet needs.
What is critical for the body of Christ to be healthy and mature is that we exercise love in all that we say and do (I Cor. 13:1-13)! We need to grow in relationship with God and with one another. We need to grow in love toward each other, learning to be patient and kind, putting aside envy, boasting, and pride, being compassionate instead of rude; being others-oriented instead of self-seeking; being forgiving instead of being easily-angered and keeping lists of other's faults and mistakes.
For us to grow in relationship with each other, we must spend time together regularly, worshiping the Lord, serving, sharing meals, praying, and playing together. We must talk to each other and care for each other. Relationships cannot grow in isolation. We must devote time together for our relationships to blossom and bloom. Do not allow commitments to lesser things crowd out devotion to a blood-brought brother and sister in Christ.
Shepherding you in Christ's Love,
Lance
All Brothers and Sisters
God, do not let me fail to see the part in each one made in the image of Thee. Let me overlook the cut of hair, the oddities in things to wear, differences in accent or color of skin. Let me be aware how we all are kin. Let me love each one as Jesus would, counting all brothers and sisters, as Christians should.
Ruth Cox Anderson
TRUE LOVE GIVES AND FORGIVES
New Year's Eve Party (A Day Early)
The 2023 New Year's Eve party was held a day early. We had snacks, played games and visited. Thank you to Lance and Jolene who hosted the Bunco game and provided direction to those who had played and prizes for the first and last place winners.
Rene Espinoza won 1st Place"at Bunco!
Rene shared his prizes with daughter Delasa
Mike Sturman won "Last Place" at Bunco!
The Church Kitchen Floor Has Been Repaired!
Visit from Mike & Ranada Hassemer from Alaska
Note from the Hassemers
It was so good to see you a few weeks ago! Thank you for the warm welcome you always give to us!
We thank you also for your continued support of the ministry we do here. Right now we have an airplane mechanic staying upstairs He is working on planes for MAC which fly CEF groups and others around the state doing ministry. Keeping the places safe & working is obviously key to the ministry.
We are stating to get requests for housing during the salmon run in July. The daylight is rapidly lengthening which brings lots of joy for sure. This is truly a dark place for many who live here. We thank you for being a part of spreading the light of Christ to those who need Him most.
Blessings,
Mike & Ranada
Roma Shares God's Work In Progress
Roma Careaga shared one Sunday about her experience with a close friend of her who was suffering from a terminal illness. She explained that she shared about Jesus with her friend, and while her friend nodded, she just prays for her salvation.
She also shared what they are teaching in the Good News kids. She explained how she used the tools from the GNC to talk with her grandkids, explaining to them how we all have sin but that Jesus did not. She told them that Jesus died on the cross so we can be forgiven. She then asked if they wanted to ask Jesus into their heart and her youngest grandson did! Roma explained that she is learning through the GNC herself and how great it is!
Jim Foster - Vietnam Trip
Jim Foster, and his son recently took what he claims will be his last trip to Vietnam. He shared pictures, stories, videos and artifacts, as well as supplying a delicious lunch of chili beans, soups, and deserts. (Jim was appreciative to those that helped him with this by bringing soups, etc. and with the set up).
If you have missed my previous newsletter articles regarding Jim's last trip to Vietnam, I'll give you a little history, but I would really encourage you to talk with Jim about his "return to Vietnam story".
After serving in the Vietnam war, Jim decided to return to Vietnam and look up a gentleman by the name of Lee, who he had met (as a kid) while there. With the help from a local guide, Jim found out that Lee had died in a car accident, but he was able to locate Lee's wife, daughter and grandchild. After coming home from his first visit and seeing pictures the poor conditions Lee's wife and daughter were living in, he decided to help them out. With this last trip, Jim was able to see how his assistance we was able to benefit her. He was able to see the improved home she was living in as well as meet her and her family and share some customary fermented drink with them during a visit. In an effort to be social, Jim shared with them even though it was not to his liking. :)
Jim will try to stay in contact with the friends he has gotten acquainted with, however he does not intend to return.
Women Unite
On the first Monday of every month, women of all ages are invited to meet at 6:30PM in the FBC Fellowship Hall.
Our first meeting was held on Feb. 6. Eight women attended. Shirley Bearry opened the meeting with a prayer, we shared a devotion (led by Margaret Castle), and also shared laughter and prayer requests.
These monthly meetings are designed to touch base and share a devotion, prayer and/or a lesson as well as a time of communing with each other.
The hope is that smaller groups and/or partnerships come out of the monthly meetings to do studies, ministries, etc. as suggested through the lady’s brainstorming session held in May of last year. The top 5 areas of interest that came out of the brainstorming and follow-up surveys were:
- Bible Study/Small Group (in-depth/i.e. Beth Moore/Pricella Schirer, etc.)
- Craft Ministry
- Ladies Retreat (Get away to study, fellowship and have fun!)
- Coffee Club/Prayer (Meet on a regular basis for coffee, teas, soda, etc.)
- Ladies Tea
The Feb. 6 meeting included a discussion of what future meetings and other small groups, partnerships, etc. could look. A sign-up sheet was passed around for those to express their interest in helping with future meetings and/or participating or leading other get-togethers, events or small groups. If you interested, please let Kathy, Margaret, Shirley or Lance know. Once we know the interest, the planning can begin!
Recognizing we are all busy, we have designed this so you can choose your level of commitment. You are not required to attend every session; you can just show up! Or, you can dive in whole heartedly and/or even lead a separate small group/ministry.
We hope you will come check it out!
If you have questions, contact Margaret Castle (208-369-6986) or Kathy Osborn (208-921-7938) or Shirley Bearry (208) .716-4096.
ESCAPED GNOME FOUND!
Karizma Gragg found Sydney, the escaped Gnome after seeing the following plea from Jim Foster in the bulletin. She said since she knew Jim hangs around by the elevator, that was where she looked and found him hiding in the corner. Jim is pleased to get Sydney returned and Karizma will receive the reward offered!.
--------------------------------------------------------
Last seen entering First Baptist Church at First St. and South Hayes Ave. in broad daylight.
Description:
- Short and more short.
- Elongated nose… (Don’t say “funny” he don’t like that.)
- Hat is… (Don’t say “funny” he don’t like that.) Squatty.
- Left-Handed: (only because he lost the right arm in battle.)
- Distinguished Full Beard: Of a rather nice brown with grey comin’ in fast.
- Pleasant fellow: But don’t irritate him.
- Royal Blue Eyes
REWARD OFFERED
For the “ONE” lucky (or unlucky) person.
For the “safe” return of Sidney.
To: Jim Foster on a Sunday morning. (he is running out of crying tissues)
------CAUTION-----
Even though he has only one arm, he carries a sharp ax, watch your
FINGERS!
Amanda Weers' Blog Post "To Be Seen"
So I haven’t written a blog post in a very long time. I intended to… just like I have intended to use Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Bookbub, Facebook ads, Amazon Ads and a few others authors swear by. But I have very limited time, and usually, all my best writer-y intentions go out the window when teaching a little girl to tie her shoes is my most important task for the day. I have been sending out a monthly newsletter, and I’m super proud of myself for that. I can’t brag that I have the best (or any) advertising for my books, but every month, people around the world get a real-life, encouraging, and hopefully inspiring email from me. That’s where a lot of my potential “blog posts “have gone. My newsletters are personal, and I guess I feel more comfortable writing my personal experiences and thoughts to be read by my “reader friends” rather than an open letter for all the internet to read.
However, something happened this week. I intended to write about it in my newsletter. Knowing what to write is a huge relief just about every month. But then I felt the strong conviction that what I wanted to write needed to be shared in a blog post, and I needed to do it sooner rather than later. I feel the Lord saying that someone needs to hear the words I need to write. So I’m putting aside my long-to-do list and all of my “shoulds.” I’ll have to figure out my newsletter topic later. If you’re a subscriber, we can be surprised together by what I will write. For now, I’m sitting on the floor of a basketball gym with my laptop while my son practices, and I’m listening to the insistent whisper urging me to tell the story you need to hear.
Earlier this week, I dropped my son off at basketball practice at his school and was driving home around 4:30 in the afternoon. The elementary school had released about forty minutes prior. As I drove down the road, I noticed a group of students walking down the sidewalk. That’s pretty typical. A lengthy sidewalk extends from the elementary school, past fields, eventually leads into town. Though it’s definitely not a short walk, students often walk home this direction. However, I noticed that a small girl trailed behind the other kids. As I passed her, I saw her tiny frame and estimated that she was a kindergartener, probably around five years old.
And I saw she was crying.
After I passed, I literally said aloud, “Nope, I can’t do that.” I couldn’t go on my way and pretend I hadn’t seen her. It’s almost like I had a conversation with God right there. “I guess you want me to turn around, God, because You know I can’t unsee that.” God knew that I couldn’t ignore a child. If God asked the question of who would pass by a crying child and turn around, I’d raise my hand and say, “Me. It’s me.” I couldn’t continue home without making sure that little girl was okay. You see, I once wrote a book called A Cinderella Christmas, and its message convicts me on almost a daily basis. I try to notice those on the sidelines of my life. And if I see someone in need, I try to never walk away. Especially a child.
Of course, the doubts immediately attacked. There was no place along the road to pull off. How could I check on her? I didn’t know her. Even if I managed to stop and approach her, would she freak out that I was a stranger? Would my efforts make it worse? Would it be considered creepy to stop my car and address a child I didn’t know?
But I couldn’t walk away. I went to the next street and turned around, still doubting myself and having no idea what to do. I made another pass, wondering what to do. As I passed this time, I saw one of the older kids walking back to her, and I was so relieved. There! The other boy was going to help her. Everything would be okay, and I wouldn’t need to do anything after all. I went down the road and turned around again. Now I was worried that the kids would notice my minivan passing them multiple times and freak out!
But I told myself this would be my last pass on my way home. Unfortunately, I saw that the older boy was still a ways away from the little girl. My gaze fell to her face one last time. And I saw her tears still drawing her features in heart-wrenching sadness.
“Nope. Can’t do it.”
I went back to my previous turn around spot and swung around once again. This time, I drove back down the road with determination. I found a slightly wide section of dirt on the right, and I pulled my minivan off the road as far as I could. Without hesitation, I hopped out of my car and crossed the street.
“Is she your sister?” I asked the boy.
“Yes,” he answered.
“She is crying. Is she okay?”
“She just doesn’t want to walk anymore,” he explained. “She wants me to give her a piggyback ride, but I can’t because I have my backpack.”
I approached the little girl and spoke gently. “I saw you were sad, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”
She looked up at me. My goodness, she was adorable! Her teary dark eyes blinked up at me. Her downturned mouth curved up. She tipped her head back and looked up at me, her face transforming with wonder. It was like seeing the sun come out from behind the clouds when you’d just experienced a storm so bad you doubted its existence.
“You saw I was sad?” she asked, her little voice mixing with wonder and profound relief.
“Yes. Are you okay?”
I looked down and saw that snow boots encased her little feet. No wonder she couldn’t walk! I bent down and tried to adjust the boots, but there was nothing I could do. They weren’t going to fit her better, and there was no way I could fix them to be more comfortable.
I brainstormed with the kids, trying to figure out what to do. I found out that they lived in the subdivision at the end of the road. Looking down the long sidewalk still ahead, I knew it was way too far away. The little girl’s feet must be hurting so bad. I knew she was telling the complete truth when she said she couldn’t walk anymore. It wasn’t practical for the boy to give her a piggyback ride for that distance either. I asked if they knew their mom’s phone number and I could give her a call. But they didn’t.
I felt that the only option was to give them a ride. But in this day and age, I had no idea if that would be considered okay and if they would be comfortable with that.
“I’m a mom, and I help out at the school,” I began.
“I know you,” the boy said proudly. “You’re Levi’s mom!”
Such relief. “Yes, I am!” I finally looked at him enough to recognized him as being in my son’s fifth grade class. I’m a regular volunteer in the classroom and the school. I’m probably a familiar face to many students. “So you know me. Do you think it would be okay with your mom if I give you a ride home? I’m not sure how else to help your sister. I don’t think she can walk anymore.”
The boy eagerly agreed. “Oh, we’ve gotten rides before.”
Right then, the few other kids who were ahead finally came running back to see what was going on. Turns out, one of them was another sister. And I recognized her immediately.
“I know you!” she said with a toothless grin. “You’re Brielle’s mom!”
I also volunteer frequently in my daughter’s class as well, and this little girl was in that class too!
They were all eager and comfortable with me giving them a ride home. So I loaded them carefully in my minivan, made sure all seatbelts were properly clicked, and we set off.
The boy directed me to his house, and they soon happily hopped out. I talked to the mom very briefly, explaining that I saw her daughter crying because she couldn’t walk anymore, and since the kids knew me from school, I gave them a ride home. She didn’t say much, but I did get an enthusiastic hug from one of the little girls.
I finally made it home myself, but I couldn’t get the kids off my mind. I’d helped today, but what about tomorrow? Did the little girl even have shoes to walk? What if the snow boots were all she had? I sent a message to one of my teacher friends, explained the situation, and asked her if she could check to make sure the girl had shoes. Thankfully, she assured me she’d take care of it.
I’m not sure how long the little girl would have had to try to walk home if I hadn’t come along. I’m so glad I didn’t look away and mind my own business. I’m glad I was able to help. But that little girl gave me something of greater value in return.
I will forever remember the look on her face when I said, “I saw you were sad, and I want to make sure you’re okay.” She didn’t know who I was. She didn’t know how I saw her. To her, it probably seemed like I had just appeared. But in that moment, she truly felt seen. Someone saw and cared. Someone cared that she was sad and wanted to help, and that was wondrous. I think that she would have followed me anywhere simply because I had seen her, recognized she was sad, and cared enough to ask her about it.
Just a few days before, I had read the Biblical passage in John when Jesus calls Nathanael. Jesus told Nathanael, “Before Phillip talked to you, I saw you under the fig tree.” (John 1:48) I think we often gloss over that, thinking of it as the equivalent of, “Hey, I saw you standing over there on the street corner.” But I don’t think that was it. It had to be more than that. Others hadn’t seen Nathanael, otherwise it wouldn’t have been a significant thing to say. Something about Nathanael and the fig tree couldn’t have been known by others. Maybe Nathanael had been praying, confessing the secrets of his heart to the Lord. Maybe he’d been where no one else could have possibly seen him. Whatever it was, what Jesus told Nathanael was personal to him. It was significant and personal enough that it changed Nathanael’s life. Because of that one phrase, Nathanael followed Jesus, dedicating his life and his work in service to someone he’d just met.
Nathanael felt seen.
What I did for that little girl is what the Lord does for us. He sees us—every little insignificant detail, thought and feeling. All of the stuff we think no one else can possibly know? He sees that too. He knows when we are sad and when we can’t walk anymore. And He cares.
The message came to me at the perfect time. I’ve been wrestling with a few things, often feeling that my prayers were meeting silence. Frustration was my companion on multiple fronts. And I heard the message: Even though it seems like I’m stuck on a very long road and my feet can’t take another step, God sees me. He sees that I’m sad. He sees all the reasons and all the frustrations. And He cares.
He cares enough to arrange things for me and for you exactly as He did for that little girl. Even before her feet started hurting, he arranged for my son to have a 4:30 practice. He arranged for me to be the one to drive down that road at exactly the right time. He caused me to look and recognize sadness on a little girl’s face while traveling at 35 mph. He created me with a love of children, and He sent me knowing I would notice and not ignore. He gave me the idea for a book that I wrote several years ago—a book that haunts me enough that I turned around even though it would have been easier to mind my own business. He gave me the courage to be a rescuer even though I didn’t know how it would be perceived by others. He sent me to her at exactly that moment, knowing that I would meet her need—arranging things even before the need existed.
Know that He’s working in that same intricate detail for your needs.
Whereas I spoke to the girl within the confines of my limitations, the One speaking to you is limitless. He has provided the answers to your prayers even before you knew to pray. Just because you haven’t seen them yet does not mean they aren’t there. When you are exactly at the right spot in the road, your answer will appear even when you never saw it coming.
This is the message He wants you to hear:
“I see that you’re sad, and I’m going to make sure you’re okay.”
May we look up at Him with the same wonder and relief of a five-year old little girl. And may we, in turn, notice those around us, not walk away, and give that same gift of making someone else truly feel seen.
(Click here or on the picture above to go to Amanda's website)
Note from the Bostocks
News from Cathedral Pines Camp
JANUARY NEWS
With the start of a new year, 2023, Cathedral Pines will begin a new emphasis toward our mission of being a special place for people to meet with Jesus. In order to make camping at Cathedral Pines accessible to more attendees, the registration fees have been reduced to just the cost of food service. Our intent in doing this is to bring down the financial barrier for anyone who wants to attend a Cathedral Pines sponsored event. Camp has always said that finances should not be a reason for someone to not attend an event. Here is another way of making attendance possible.
For any Cathedral Pines Camp sponsored event, the cost of coming to Camp will be the fees for food service:
Winter Camp for the youth will be $40.00,
The Men’s Retreat will be $40.00,
The Women’s Conference will be $70.00
Teen Camp will be $160.00,
Kids Camp will be $130.00,
The Women’s Retreat will be $70.00
The Fall Youth Rally will be $40.00.
God has set it on our hearts to take this step of faith in absorbing the overhead cost of our programs. You can be an active part of campers meeting with Jesus by donating directly to support this endeavor. In allowing a camper to be removed from the distractions of life, you’re setting the stage where campers have received Jesus as their Savior; where campers have responded to God’s call to follow Him closer; where life-long relationships have developed; where lives are changed!
Please partner with the Camp Board, staff, churches and individuals in underwriting our program costs:
$26 covers the cost of one camper for one night at Cathedral Pines.
$52.00 covers the cost for one camper, for a retreat.
$130.00 covers the cost for one camper, at Teen Camp.
$100.00 covers the cost for one camper, for Kids Camp.
Today, please join Cathedral Pines Camp in changing lives for Jesus by being a sponsor in meeting the program costs. A small donation can have a big impact. For example, with only $1,300.00 you can cover the overhead costs for a cabin full of teen campers, and your donation of $ 3,700.00 would have covered the overhead cost for Kids Camp last year. Know that your gift of any size will communicate your desire to see that as many campers as possible attend this year’s events.
Please memo your gift for “Program Support” and send it to Cathedral Pines Camp, HC 64, Box 8296, Ketchum, Idaho, 83340 or go to paypal.com/donate and enter “Cathedral Pines Baptist Camp” in the search line.
Rev. Rudy Bauder, Executive Director
Cathedral Pines Camp
Easley Hot Springs
HC 64 Box 8296
Ketchum, ID 83340
208-726-5007
MAPLE BACON CRACK
Recipe by
Ingredients
8 slices bacon
1 tube crescent rolls
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup chopped pecan pieces
Directions
Cook bacon until soft; not crunchy. I baked mine in a 400 degree F. oven for 18 minutes. Drain bacon and chop; set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray.
Roll out crescent roll dough onto parchment paper. Pinch seams to make a single sheet. Prick crescent roll dough all over with a fork.
Spread half the maple syrup on top of the dough using a pastry brush.
Evenly spread 3/4 cup brown sugar on top.
Top with chopped bacon and chopped pecan pieces.
Drizzle with maple syrup.
Bake in oven 22-25 minutes.
Chuckles
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? "They're hushers."