EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
March 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
Dearly Beloved,
I read an article on desiringgod.org this week that shared a quote from John Piper in 1981: “What I learned from about 20 years of serious reading is this: sentences change my life, not books. What changes my life is some new glimpse of truth, some powerful challenge, some resolution to a long-standing dilemma, and these usually come concentrated in a sentence or two. I do not remember 99% of what I read, but if the 1% of each book or article I do remember is a life-changing insight, then I don’t begrudge the 99%.” I might add that certain illustrations and stories can be very eye-opening and powerful motivators for life-change as well!
John isn’t trying to discourage the reading or writing of whole books, whole articles, whole sermons, or the whole Bible. What he is trying to encourage is reading for insight & for wisdom that may transform our lives, where a truth hits home and impacts the rest of our lives.
In 1981 John Piper made these comments with Sunday School teachers in his church that he was wanting to inspire hope in their ministry. It can be hard teaching children one hour a week and wonder how impactful can this one hour in God’s Word be when these students may spend 20 plus hours a week watching tv programs (or on social media today). Can one hour in God’s Word break through and overcome the 20 plus hours of often secular programming in people’s lives? The answer is: yes, it can!
In his article John shared that we should watch programs that would build us up, not tear us down (I Cor. 14:12, 26; 2 Cor. 13:10), that would encourage us to obey the Lord and be more desirous to do good.
And he warned us not to downplay the power of God’s Word. Isa. 55;10-11 says: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from My mouth: it will no return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Heb. 4:12 says: “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
God’s word has the power to break through obstacles, errors, and deceptions. But we do not want to put the power of God’s Word to the test by continuing to watch programs that tempt us to sin or put lies or wrong thoughts into our minds. From the parable of the soils, we learn that God’s Word works best and produces the most fruitful yield in hearts where there is good soil, where the word is understood and followed (Mt. 13:1-23).
In his article, John Piper gives examples of sentences that has altered his life from Jonathan Edwards, the apostle Paul, C.S. Lewis, and Augustine. Here is the link if you would like to read what he says: Thirty Days of Easter: Invitation to Enjoy the Risen Christ | Desiring God or copy and paste the following in to the URL: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/thirty-days-of-easter
I can remember when I was studying Psalm 73 many years ago, the psalmist was confessing the damage that envy was doing on his relationship with God & his relationship with fellow believers. Because of envy he wanted what the wicked had, but he didn’t want to gain those things by disobeying God. Yet they appeared to be getting away with murder. God let them do evil to fill their bank accounts. It didn’t seem fair. He came close to throwing his spiritual towel in and voicing this injustice among his faith family. Ps. 73:16-17 says: when I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me, till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their (wicked’s) final destiny.” The rest of the psalm highlights his spiritual discoveries that altered the rest of his life and changed the impact envy was having on him. He did not deconstruct his faith. He kept it. He saw the wicked on slippery ground as they entered the judgment of God. He saw God holding him up as he was stumbling and tripping over envy. God helped him not fall. He saw a bright and glorious future for believers being with the LORD in eternity. And he saw the cure for envy: being satisfied with God and His presence: “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You!” (PS. 73:25). If we have God, we have enough! And notice what started this transformation: “I entered the sanctuary of God” (17). Let us not downplay the importance and power of attending church, Sunday School, small group, or time in the Bible! God can break through our sin, our doubts and our weaknesses and change our lives!
Shepherding you in Jesus’ love,
Lance
Have you missed the golden highway
That leads upward unto God
Over which a loving Savior
In His mercy long has trod?
Have you felt alone, discouraged,
Do your troubles seem to grow?
There is someone who can help you,
He's the someone you should know,
He's the helper of the helpless,
He's the lover of the soul,
He's the giver of salvation,
By His grace you can be whole.
Good News Club Update
The Good News Club (GNC) started the new year on Jan. 11. We taught lessons from King David's life as well as taught a Missionary Story that used the wordless book to tell the Gospel Story. It uses colors to symbolize aspects of the Good News:
- Gold: reminds us of God's love for us and has created heaven for us to be with him forever.
- Black: reminds us that we have sinned and have been separated from God. In our sin we have been barred from heaven and face future judgment.
- Red: In His love, God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and be raised again. Through His death and resurrection He makes it possible for us to be united with God and be promised eternal life with Him in heaven.
- White: I can be saved by receiving Christ by faith. His salvation is God's gift to us by trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord.
- Green: tells us to GROW in our faith by: Go to church, Read our Bible; Obey the Bible; Witness to others.
Each club, we have snacks, songs we sing, spend time learning what the memory verse means and having fun, creative ways memorizing it together. We play a game or do motions and exercises to songs like the chicken dance. We have our Bible lesson and sometimes play a game to help the students remember important parts of the lesson. We appreciate your prayers. Tell family and friends with children in K-5th grade to join us!
Monthly Women's Group
On the first Monday of every month, women of all ages are invited to meet at 6:30PM in the FBC Fellowship Hall.
The women's group met again on March 6th. Thirteen women attended. Margaret Castle led us in prayer, Kathy Osborn facilitated a game to help learn a little about each other with Gerry Knight providing prizes. Shirley Bearry led an enjoyable craft project with some ladies showing amazing artistic talent! Margaret closed the meeting by asking for prayer requests and closing in prayer.
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. Since 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 session.
We do have some interest in smaller groups and/or partnerships and the hope is those groups will be forming soon. If you are unable to join in on the monthly meetings but may be interested in one of the following small groups/events, please let Margaret, Kathy or Shirley know.
- Bible Study/Small Group (in-depth/i.e. Beth Moore/Pricella Schirer, etc.)
- Craft Ministry
- Visitation Ministry
- Lunch/Coffee Club/Prayer
- Ladies Retreat (Get away to study, fellowship and have fun!)
- Game Night
Once enough people have expressed an interest in one of the above areas, those individuals can discuss and determine the details of what, when, etc.
Our next meeting will be April 3rd! 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.
2023 FBC Valentine's Dinner
The FBC Valentine Dinner was catered by Lillie and her crew from Tom's Cabin Restaurant. The meal was delicious with a choice of Prime Rib, Beef Brisket or Chicken Parmello. 47 meals were served!
A couple of video clips were shown, followed by a brief discussion and prayer.
Pam & Dave Hodges facilitated a Newlywed game with 4 couples. The couple's marriages ranged from 13 years to 52 years. Pastor Lance referred to the game as the "Not-So--Newlywed game". Interesting that the couple married the least amount of time were the winners!
We are grateful to Robin, Jim, and Jennifer for the beautiful decorations and thoughtful gifts.
Dave and Pam Hodges surprised the Not-So-Newlywed contestants with prizes for their courage in sharing from their lives with us!
The winners: Kellie & David Heath!
Thank you Pam & Dave and willing contestants!
Thank you to the Humphries!
Jesus Revolution Movie Coming To Emmett!
Mental Floss Regularly With God's Word To Avoid Truth Decay!
More Building and Grounds Maintenance
The Well Cover has been repaired! It was getting to the point of being dangerous and the Board of Trustees voted to hire Vance Waldek to complete the work. He volunteered his time and did a great job. He will weatherproof the cover at a later date when weather permits.
Roma Careaga – Be strong and of good faith!
Roma Careaga started coming to Emmett First Baptist Church (FBC) around 2012. Roma loves working with children and has helped with Sunday School, VBS, GNC. She also assists the Social Committee with funeral dinners.
Roma had initially been going to a couple other churches but said she really started growing when she came to FBC. She said at FBC she feels more like a Christian, where previously she felt like she had to be perfect to be considered a Christian. Roma explained that she was not going to church regularly until I (Kathy) invited her to come to FBC. She liked Lance’s sermons, Sunday School, and the people. She felt like some of the people were so friendly and loving. People like Dorothy Pearce, Kathy Osborn, Cheryl Lyter and Pam Goff were so sweet and made her feel more comfortable. Roma’s favorite things and/or memories at FBC are working with VBS with the kids when it was in the sanctuary, the shoebox parties, the speaker from Cambodia who came and talked about receiving a shoebox, the parties/dinners and fellowship.
Roma was baptized at the age of 8 in the Christian Church in Gooding where her grandmother attended. Roma lived in Gooding early in her life until her and her mom moved to Emmett, where they attended the Emmett Christian church. However, she felt she really accepted Christ later in 1973, when she was watching a Billy Graham program on TV. She said after his sermon and alter call, she got on her knees and prayed and cried… she knew it was Jesus touching her heart.
Roma carried out her love for children throughout her career. She ran a daycare for 12 years, then worked for 17 years for the Emmett School Dist. with developmentally delayed children. She loved it until she got older and it began wearing on her. She recalled one day when she prayed by her washer for God to help her with one challenging child and to just get her through the day.
Roma’s best memories in her career were when she was running the daycare and the little girls she took care of through her daycare. Since she didn’t have girls of her own and she loved the skits, fashion shows and even the drama with these little girls. She recalled the girls getting off the bus all upset and when Roma asked them about it they explained that a friend was moving and was upset about it so they were upset too. She explained while she still loves the kids, its not as easy now. Kids have changed; even the preschool kids would use foul language and it just really bothered her.
Roma loves helping with the Good News Club (GNC). She originally didn’t think she would be able to because she often watches her grandkids after school. But God worked it out and it turned out she did not need to watch the grandkids on the GNC days! After mentioning it being a God thing, Roma said, “God is in everything, but you don’t always recognize it”.
Roma explained that the children at the GNC for the most part are hungry for something. She described one little girl at GNC when talking to Roma said, “I didn’t know anything about God”; then a little boy chimed in that he didn’t either. Roma told them, “I’m a lot older and even I have learned things! I guess you are never too old to learn!”. Roma explained that she has been watching this little girl and it looks like she is just absorbing everything. She believes she may be one that has gone forward to accept Christ. Roma also enjoys the adults she works with at the GNC.
Roma feels she has been blessed so much in her life, in every way… health, home, money… She thinks sometimes why is she so blessed when she sees what others go through. She doesn’t feel she has ever really been tested and wonders “has God left me alone?”
But Roma has had challenges throughout her life and times when she has recognized God was there. She explained that she is blessed with a good husband of 52 years. She met him at a Basque dance in Buhl. She commented that when she was told about this dance she said “Basque dance, what is that?” But while it is a blessing being married to a good man, it has been difficult since, being Basque, his “old time” culture is so different than hers; not to mention just dealing with the man vs woman (Mars & Venus) aspect of a marriage. 😊 Her mom helped a lot throughout their marriage reminding her to take the good with the bad, and the good outweighs the bad. And the Lord has helped her deal with it as well. One example is as her sons were growing up, her oldest son had some struggles growing up. With their dad working all the time, she had to raise the boys primarily on her own. But she sees now, looking back, that the Lord has been there. She explained that God helps you through it. At times you didn’t even ask and yet He’s been there all along. Roma wished her husband could acknowledge and give God the glory for all the blessings in their lives.
Roma has always believed in Jesus. Her mom and grandma were both Christians and her mom would tell her “I can’t be with you, but God is there and knows”. This was something her mom would say to keep Roma out of trouble. 😉
Roma recalled a bad accident she was in when she was 16 years old. She had been drinking with some friends and rolled her Ford Falcon 6 times. By the Grace of God, they lived. God got them through it. Her grandma wrote her a letter and told her, “God was giving you another chance.” That has stuck with her. She and her 2 friends that were with her are all Christians today.
Roma has 4 sisters in their 80’s and each has their health issues. Roma tries to do what she can to help them and call them. Her sister Twila still struggles with health problems and Roma’s sister in Utah has health issues too and Roma tries to call daily even though they struggle to understand the conversation.
Roma’s heartfelt prayer is that her whole family will accept the Lord and become Christians and go to heaven. Her message to others is “Be strong and of good faith!”
A couple of Roma’s favorite verses are:
“And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” ~Acts 16:31
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ~ Philippians 4:13
I have known Roma for many years. She and my sister became friends when they both worked at the hospital in the kitchen. Her husband worked at the mill with my dad and siblings, and they lived just down the road from my dad. Roma is one of the most thoughtful people I know. She is always there with a kind word, a card, delivering smoothies and gifts to the church office staff 😊. I am so grateful for her visits to my mom and dad as they approached their final days on earth.
Thank you, Roma, for taking the time to tell your story and for all you do! I am so glad you are in my life and that you chose to be a part of FBC!
All Need To Know I Learned From Noah's Ark
- Don't miss the boat
- Remember that we are all in the same boat.
- Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark
- Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
- Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
- Build your future on high ground.
- For safety's sake travel in pairs.
- Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
- When you're stressed, float a while.
- Remember the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.
- No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.
~Author Unknown
From Generatıon to Generation
Gospel-minded grandparents see opportunity in the golden years
FAMILY & SOCIETY
The Misners can hear their grandkids long before they can see them. It’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and they’re coming up from the garage two stairs at a time, calling out greetings and the day’s highlights as they go. Topping the newsreel: the loss of 5-year-old Leland’s tooth. “It was already wiggly. I put my finger in there kind of like this,” he demonstrates for his waiting grandfather, David, who is properly impressed. Walking over from the kitchen, David’s wife, Jennifer, bends down for a good look at her grandson’s changed grin.
“Too bad you won’t be able to eat the cookies cooling on top of the stove,” she jokes, breaking into a grin of her own.
Before long, the cousins are begging to go out on the apartment’s balcony, a make-do playroom hemmed in by metal railings and the limbs of a three-story water oak. There, the four youngsters can look across a bustling Birmingham neighborhood filled with parks, playgrounds, and ice cream parlors they’ve visited with their grandparents. The address is a fairly new one for the Misners, who in 2018 loaded up the contents of their former 4,000-square-foot home and moved to be near their family. It was an intentional—and influential—relocation.
Across the country, some 30 million grandparents profess to be born-again believers, but unlike the Misners, many haven’t considered their potential as spiritual influencers. Even though the word grandparent makes just two appearances in most Bible translations, verses like Deuteronomy 4:9 underscore the importance of the role. Larry Fowler of the Legacy Coalition says a central word in that verse changed the course of his life—the and in “teach your children and your children’s children.”
“Obviously, that’s a command to parents and grandparents alike, but I hadn’t seen my responsibility in Scripture before. I came to understand I have a responsibility before God to do everything I can to influence my grandchildren.”
Much like the Misners, who are in their early 70s, Fowler and his wife pulled up roots in the Chicago area and moved to Southern California to live near a son as he was starting his family. Earlier, they helped when their daughter divorced and became a single mother. “I didn’t want my grandsons to grow up without a godly role model in their lives, so that’s when I began to step it up on a personal level,” Fowler remembers. He believes few Christian grandparents have ever heard a sermon about their spiritual responsibilities. Often the only voice in their ear about what makes a good grandparent is a secular one. “Culture says if you love your grandkids and go to their activities and take care of them once in a while, you’re a good grandparent. But Scripture simply has a higher bar, and the higher bar is that we are still to be involved in the discipleship of the younger generation.”
I have a responsibility before God to do everything I can to influence my grandchildren.
For the Misners, that involves M&M’s. Their grandchildren have moved back inside where a dispenser sits on a low shelf. The two oldest are debating whether naming the persons of the Trinity earns them five candy-coated rewards or six. “It’s motivating,” Jennifer smiles, noting they’ve learned the Lord’s Prayer and an assortment of verses. Jackson takes his turn by reciting a truth about God’s lavish love. “Got an address for that?” his grandmother asks.
“1 John 3:1.”
“Perfect.”
As David watches the exchange, he admits the “grand” business came easy for Jennifer, while he had to grow into his role. “I realized I loved my privacy, my solitude. I love things being neat and orderly and quiet. It exposed a very selfish manner that I have to give up if I’m going to embrace being a grandfather.” The Misners experienced instant immersion when their daughter and her husband fostered, then adopted, a pair of sibling preschoolers. To be all in, they took an agency-required course and made lots of four-hour trips to visit. Later, when a business partnership suddenly failed, David chose to put away his career as a tennis pro and focus on a different kind of coaching.
As the culture increasingly vilifies Christianity, the importance of grandparents passing on their faith is magnified. But to be spiritual influencers, grandparents must move beyond society’s idea of grandparents as “spoilers.” At Legacy Coalition conferences, Larry Fowler often meets regretful grandparents who have squandered their golden years: “Imagine that in an ideal family situation, the parents and the grandparents actually lived out the command to disciple. There would be six people devoted to every child, longing to see them follow God. Six to one. That’s incredibly powerful.”
But ideal situations are rare. Divorce, health issues, and distance present challenges for grandparents, including the Misners. They live near four grandchildren, but three are a state away. They try to make the trip at least every six weeks, and David is purposeful about another way of investing in these long-distance relationships: He works hard to remain close to his son. Before the birth of that son’s third child, they met for a weekend at a halfway point. “It was going to be a pivotal time in his life—the pressure of being a father, the husband, the breadwinner. I just wanted to know where he was with the Lord. I wanted to be able to spend a lot of time with him and just talk about deep things, because if he’s walking in integrity with the Lord, I’m not really worried. I don’t feel like I need to tell him how to parent.”
Sometimes, though, a grandparent’s spiritual influence isn’t welcomed. How do you approach family members who have walked away from God? What if a grandchild’s identity is wrapped up in something that is ungodly? “My generation elevates truth really high, so we want to tell them the truth. But I emphasize working on the relationship,” Fowler explains, adding that it’s not the abandonment of truth but rather a strategy of leading with grace. He gives the example of grandparents, including himself, who want their families to share their political views. “My views are not the most important thing. I need to remember there is nothing in this world that I want more than to have my grandchildren in heaven with me. It means that I hold my tongue if there’s a political issue that comes up that might produce a rift in the relationship. I’m going to hold my tongue because I want something better for my grandkids, and that is to be in heaven with us.”
Bridging gaps becomes increasingly difficult as grandkids age. That’s why the Misners are leaning hard into the preschool and elementary years. Their apartment complex has a tennis court where they’ve trekked with four grands, a cooler, two rackets, a sleeve of balls, and a remote-controlled car. It’s breezy and sunny and noisy. Before long, a child announces she’s hungry, and another thinks he’s overdue for a turn with the car. “Jenn Jenn” must also contend with a toddler’s tears and the need for a Band-Aid. It’s real life, and the Misners are expending the realest of retirement commodities—time and energy. The payoff in relationship building is in the details, like knowing the little things about Leland’s lost tooth. That it happened today at school. That it’s the second one he’s lost.
The benefits can work both ways, according to a Boston College study that found strong grandparent-grandchild relationships can reduce the risk of depression. Maybe that’s because grandparents busy investing in their grandchildren focus less on their own decline. For Christian grandparents, the knowledge that they’re striving to leave behind a worthy legacy can help ease some of the anxiety and pain of getting to the end of life here on Earth.
By 2030, almost one-third of North Americans will be over age 65. Most of them will join the grandparenting ranks alongside the Misners, and hopefully some will adopt their belief that age does not impair fruit-bearing capabilities. It enhances them. As Psalm 92 notes, “The righteous flourish like a palm tree. … They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.”
David says he and Jennifer pray for that fruit: “That our children and grandchildren will love the Lord more than anything in the world. That they will see the world for what it is, and that it’s not where life truly is.”
Cathedral Pines Summer Camp for Kids
Registration opens March 20th
Click here to Find out about Cathedral Pines camps or copy and past the following into your URL: https://www.cathedralpines.org/events
Teen Camp (6-12th Grades) July 16-21 $160
Kids Camp (3rd-6th grades) July 23-27 $130
Campers will enjoy games, crafts, music, fellowship with friends, exploring the beautiful mountain campus, worship, and Bible teaching.
This year is an archeology dig theme as we dig into God's design for us as his Creation and Followers.
Shiloh Bible Camps
Click here to Find out about Shiloh Bible Camp or copy and past the following into your URL: https://www.shilohbibleconference.com/camps-retreats
Ladies & Mother/Daughter Retreat
March 31 - April 2, 2023
Our Ladies & Mother/Daughter retreat will be aimed at providing a quality retreat for ladies, mothers and daughters of all ages and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. Julie McClanahan will return as our 2023 speaker.
Cost: $70 per participant.
Explorers Camp #1 *
June 19 - 23, 2023
Our Explorers Camp is designed for campers between the ages of 10 and 12 by June 1st. Come join us for some outdoor adventure, team building activities, traditional and non traditional sports, indoor crafts, and of course, some awesome worship and chapels.
Cost: $120 per camper (includes a 2023 camp theme shirt)
Adventure Camp *
June 26 - 30, 2023
Our Adventure Camp is designed for campers between the ages of 8 and 10 by June 1st. Come join us for some outdoor adventure, team building activities, traditional and non traditional sports, indoor crafts, and of course, some awesome worship and chapels.
Cost: $120 per camper (includes a 2023 camp theme shirt)
Pathfinder Camp *
July 10 - 15, 2023
Our Pathfinders Camp is designed for campers between the ages of 12 and 14 by June 1st. Come join us for some outdoor adventure, team building activities, traditional and non traditional sports, indoor crafts, and of course, some awesome worship and chapels.
Cost: $130 per camper (includes a 2023 camp theme shirt)
Trailblazer Camp *
July 17 - 22, 2023
Our Trailblazer Camp is designed for campers between the ages of 14 and 18 by June 1st. Come join us for some outdoor adventure, team building activities, traditional and non traditional sports, indoor crafts, and of course, some awesome worship and chapels.
Cost: $130 per camper (includes a 2023 camp theme shirt)
Rafting is also available as an additional add-on of $70.
Explorers Camp #2 *
July 24 - 28, 2023
Our Explorers Camp is designed for campers between the ages of 10 and 12 by June 1st. Come join us for some outdoor adventure, team building activities, traditional and non traditional sports, indoor crafts, and of course, some awesome worship and chapels.
Cost: $120 per camper (includes a 2023 camp theme shirt)
* Add-ons: Bus transportation is available as an additional add-on of $10 per one way trip during registration.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage
Cook this corned beef in a crock pot all day, and you're guaranteed success — no more dry corned beef! Serve with soda bread for a warm and satisfying meal.
Recipe by LUSYRSGIRL
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 8
Ingredients
10 baby red potatoes, quartered
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces
1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cups water
1 (4 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet
6 ounces beer
½ head cabbage, coarsely chopped
Directions
Place potatoes, carrots, and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker; add water and place brisket on top of vegetables. Pour beer over brisket; sprinkle over spices from the packet and cover.
Cook on High for 7 hours; stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
473 Calories; 20g Fat; 50g Carbs; 24g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label
Chuckles
For years the man's wife complained about his habit of leaving the top off the toothpaste tube. Finally, on their 25th anniversary, he decided to please her, and started putting it back on. After a week, she eyed him suspiciously at breakfast one morning, and said, "How come you stopped brushing your teeth?"