EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
June 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,
2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come” (NIV). The New Living Translation says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” This verse tells us how God identifies someone who places faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. God views the believers as being “in Christ”, as “a new creation” or as “a new person.” Not only does God view us differently but something dramatic has happened spiritually in our relationship with God that has bought about a transformation within us. We are not seen by God as the same person: “the old has gone; the new has come.” Instead of being unbelievers, we are now believers. Instead of being alienated from Christ; we are in Christ. Our relationship with God has changed because of our faith in Christ. And our relationship with other believers has changed: we are members of God’s family. We belong to each other, because we belong to Christ. Eph.4:24 tells us that “the new self (is) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” When we were converted to Christ by faith, God gave us a new nature with the spiritual capacity to live like God in true righteousness and holiness. From God’s perspective, we are transformed people through faith in Christ!
Why is this important to know, believe, and live out? Our identity in Christ is foundational to our life before God and others! If we have a distorted view of our spiritual identity, it will create all kinds of problems in relationships to God, to self, and to others. How we view our spiritual identity impacts the way we think, feel, and act and influences how we conduct ourselves in relationships and how we make decisions.
It is vital that we know and understand how God sees us & how He thinks about us. Our culture is struggling mightily with issues of identity. The Bible teaches us that we are made in God’s image. The persistent desire to redefine identity apart from the image of God will always lead us into disappointment, disillusionment, and chaos. As humans, we were created in the image of God. As believers, we have been re-created in the image of Christ. God wants us to be confident that we belong to Him and to His forever family. He wants us to live out of the security and assurance of His unfailing love for us.
Being confident of God’s love for us should not lead to cockiness, but rather to humility. It was by God’s unmerited grace through faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross that saved us and caused us to experience His unconditional love! Gracious gifts should bring humble gratitude and compel us to worship, serve, and obey the Lord sacrificially! As Lauren Daigle’s new song, Thank God I Do, says,
I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know You.
I’d probably fall off the edge
I don’t know where I’d go if You ever let go
So keep me held in Your hands
You’re my safe place
My hideaway
Your’re my anchor
My saving grace
You’re my constant
My steadiness
You’re my shelter
My oxygen
I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know You
Thank God, I do
Shepherding you in Christ’s love,
Lance
National Day of Prayer
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking you hung my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another.
When you thought I wasn't looking you fed a stray cat and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking you baked a birthday cake just for me, and I knew that little things were special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking you said a prayer, and I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from you eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt-but that it's alright to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking you smiled, and it made me want to look that pretty, too.
When you thought I wasn't looking you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking - I looked... and wanted to say thanks for all those things you did when you thought I wasn't looking.
- Molly Brose Mulligan -
Mother's Day
The FBC men hosted a breakfast for the women on Mother's Day! It was a delicious meal of Ham, scrambled eggs, fruit, muffins and more! Thank you to all who helped!
During the breakfast, and during church service, Lance shared a touching song and a couple of stories. Others shared favorite memories about their mother. Some funny and touching stories were shared including mothers who rescued their children from chickens and snakes and mothers who demonstrated their love for Christ through prayer, service and reading the Bible.
BUNCO Night!
BUNCO night was held on May 18! There was approximately 27 in attendance - many of which were not associated with FBC ! We played one full game with numerous prizes handed out and when that was done most stayed for a second game!
Lance started the evening with prayer and Gerry explained the rules. Many snacks were brought and enjoyed by all. Pam Hodges hired Lexi and Karizma for child care although there were no small children so they had an easy task and enjoyed the snacks! Shirley Bearry closed the evening with prayer.
This activity was sparked by the fun that was had at the New Year's Eve family game night playing Bunco. Carol Rainey and Gerry Knight suggested a monthly game night and through encouragement via the monthly women's group meeting, Gerry Knight headed up a team to pull it all together. Gerry provided most of the prizes with Brock and Carol Rainey supplying many as well. The event was marketed on social media, as well as through the church, with the intent of drawing in not only FBC individuals, but also others from the community as a fun pre-evangelism effort. Gerry made signs to put on the lawn on the event night!
Thank you to all who helped to make this event a success!
Serve Emmett
Serve Emmett is sponsored by Emmett Compassion which represents churches and ministries within the Emmett Valley of Idaho partnering to help people who have needs in our community. The desire is to help those in our community with projects that they cannot do on their own.
City Park
Sr. Center
Sr. Center
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Women Unite!
Monthly Women's Group - the first Monday of every month (excluding July 3rd). Women of all ages are invited to meet at 6:30PM in the FBC Fellowship Hall for fun, fellowship, prayer, etc. New activity each month. Bring a friend!
Knitters/Crocheters are invited to learn, or just join together, at Janet Holland's house the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30pm. All levels welcome! Janet is willing to teach the beginning knitters & furnish equipment if needed! More info. at the back of the church or contact the office.
Women's Bible Study - The Faithful - Heroes of the Old Testament
5 week study on Wednesday nights beginning June 14. 6:30 - 8pm at Jolene Zagaris' house. Study will be on The Faithful - Bible Study Book: Heroes of the Old Testament.
Let Jolene know if you want a study guide: $16
Using excerpts from best-selling studies by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lisa Harper, Kelly Minter, and Jennifer Rothschild, this 5-session video study explores crucial moments in the lives of five Old Testament figures.
Through their stories, discover how God uses the lives of ordinary people for His glory and the good of His people. Strengthen your faith as you walk alongside these larger-than-life figures who all chose to obey God no matter the circumstances.
Used by God
Taken from DavidJeremiah.org
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9
Recommended Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-8
When the pilot of a Cessna 208 traveling from the Bahamas to Florida became incoherent and fell against the controls, one of the passengers, Darren Harrison, radioed traffic control for help. Darren wasn’t a pilot, but suddenly he was responsible for flying and landing the plane. Thankfully, one of the air traffic controllers was also a flight instructor and calmly helped him safely land the plane.1
I’m certain the air traffic controller didn’t anticipate walking someone through how to land a plane when he arrived at work that day, but he was “in the right place at the right time” to help.
Whatever God has for you today, whether it’s teaching children or running errands, He has placed you exactly where He wants you to be. You are “in the right place at the right time” to make a difference for Him through your words and actions. You never know how or when He will use you to encourage or help those around you. Be ready to be used by Him today!
God’s plans for you are better than any plans you have for yourself.
Greg Laurie
1 “Untrained Passenger Lands Florida Plane After Pilot Falls Ill,” BBC News, May 12, 2022.
Read-Thru-the-Bible: Job 25 – 30
Whats Missing In Church? . . . . . CH_ _CH
Middle School Ministry
By Doug Holliday - Son life Ministry
Are 12 year old's capable of following Jesus?
As a 22-year-old, fresh out of Bible college and ready to take on the world, I was thrown into jr. high ministry with the promise of “real” ministry opportunities down the road. I had visions of being a “real pastor” and eventually planting a church. It didn’t take long for me to discover that jr. high ministry was as real as ministry gets.
At first, I defined success in jr. high ministry as getting through High Voltage (our 2-hour jr. high program on Saturday mornings) without having to call an ambulance, a parent, or the senior pastor. My job was to entertain (read: babysit) the students and give them a dose of the Bible to file away in their knowledge banks. If the students had fun, wanted to come back, and even brought friends, I was doing my job. But real ministry? Beyond evangelizing the students, I doubted it went any further. After all, they’re just jr. highers!
Twenty years ago, what we now call middle school across most of the US was still known as jr. high school. There was a lot being written about jr. high ministry. There were even seminars, conferences and breakouts specifically targeted to this age group. When I type in “middle school ministry” on Amazon today, the top resources that pop up are all over ten years old. Have we forgotten this age group? Do we think they’re not capable of following Jesus yet?
What do you think? Be honest. Is a middle school student, an 11-14 year old, capable of:
…full devotion to Jesus Christ?
…maintaining a vibrant, daily walk with God?
…compassion for lost or hurting people?
…selfless sacrifice?
…authentic worship of God?
…praying for deeper needs than Aunt Eunace’s gall bladder?
…using spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ?
…impacting peers?
…leadership?
…real ministry?
My honest answer now (but not when I started out) is YES!
I eventually did help plant a church. While being the teaching pastor, preaching every Sunday morning, I also started the youth ministry. And I began with jr. high students. Even after we grew to over 500 and were able to bring on a youth pastor, I kept leading the jr. high ministry. Totally Outrageous grew to 120 students and 25 volunteers. Jr. highers were being reached with the gospel and discipled to follow Jesus and reach their friends. Then, we left New Jersey and moved to Florida, where I became Sonlife’s southeast regional coordinator and national jr. high ministry multiplier. We jumped into another church plant, where I became the volunteer youth pastor. Again, we began with jr. high students. That ministry we started, Wildfire, is still thriving to this day. And oh, by the way, it’s being led by one of my former jr. high students!
When we began Wildfire, one of our initial students was an energy-laden, obedience-challenged, loud-mouthed sixth grader. I had recruited five adults, and we began with eight students. Not a bad ratio for middle school ministry! By the time our initial sixth graders had become eighth graders, they had become the heart and soul of our ministry. That energy-laden, obedience-challenged, loud-mouthed sixth grader was now a natural leader among her peers. She wanted to see her friends know Christ like she did. I remember the night she brought four friends with her to WIldfire, our weekly high-energy outreach. That night, during their small group discussion, all four girls prayed to trust Christ as their Savior. Two weeks later, they all said they wanted to be baptized. That eighth grader had brought more friends to Christ that year than 98% of the adults in our churches. But she was just a jr. higher…
Through the years, I have traveled and spoken to thousands of middle school students across the country. I’ve had the opportunity to see groups of all different sizes and styles, and it never gets old. I am still humbled and amazed each time I am with a group of authentic worshiping middle school students. I still have the image in my mind- standing in the back of the room, waiting to speak, watching the students worship. The middle schoolers had crowded the stage, jumping, singing, doing hand motions. It was a worship frenzy. Total chaos. Standing toward the back of the room though, still at their seats, were two boys sitting apart from the rest of their friends. Their arms were outstretched, lifted high, heads tilted heavenward, singing passionately to their Savior. They were truly worshiping! But they’re just jr. highers…
My wife served as a middle school small group leader for almost twenty-five years. She would journey all through middle school with a group of girls, then begin again with a new group when they moved on to high school. She did this over and over and over again. One of the girls in her small group years ago had recently trusted Christ. Within a few weeks, she was already bringing friends with her to Wildfire. She was so eager to grow, I wanted to give her a Bible. She didn’t have one of her own. When I handed it to her, she responded, “Thank you so much! I’ll give it back to you when I’m finished reading it.” She actually intended on beginning to read it immediately, and reading it from cover to cover. But she’s only a jr. higher…
While at a youth retreat, I shared with the middle school students about Jesus’ desire for us to be others-centered, to love and serve others, and share Jesus’ love with them. I shared the example of traveling to Haiti and being deeply impacted by the impoverished conditions. I shared about bringing money to help feed the children while we were there, and how we were motivated to start a school feeding program so the kids could eat even when we weren’t there. I wanted to share my own example of seeing needs and responding with Christ’s love. My point wasn’t “give to Haiti” but rather “open your eyes” so you can see the needs of those right next to you and meet those needs. The next day, I had a thirteen year old boy come up to me with a baseball cap filled with cash. He said he and his friends wanted to help the kids in Haiti too, so he took off his hat and passed it around his small group. Many of the boys were giving the rest of the spending money they had brought for the weekend retreat. These twelve and thirteen year old boys had given over $100 to help the children in Haiti. I hadn’t asked them to give. We didn’t take up an offering for Haiti. They were responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit with obedience and sacrifice. This was their own idea! But they’re only jr. highers…
Middle Schoolers in the Bible
The Bible has several examples of God using youth to accomplish His purposes. How old do you think David was when he defeated Goliath? We know that his three oldest brothers were in Saul’s army. Young men were expected to serve in the army from the age of twenty. But David was the youngest of eight brothers, which means he had four older brothers who weren’t yet twenty years old. This would be a strong indication that David was 12-15 years old when he fought Goliath. David took down the giant and won a great victory for Israel! But David was just a jr. higher…
We have every reason to believe, both culturally and biblically, that most of Jesus’ initial disciples were just teenagers, some maybe as young as 14, when Jesus said, “Come, follow me.” There’s the account in Matthew 17 where Jesus sends Peter to the water to catch a fish and remove a coin from its mouth. The purpose of this command was to pay the tax the religious leaders were demanding of Him. Even though all Twelve were with Him, Jesus only paid the tax for Himself and Peter. The tax was to be paid for those over twenty years of age (Exodus 30:14). These teenagers were chosen by Jesus to carry His message to the ends of the earth. But what if John, the youngest, was just a jr. higher…
Jesus as a Middle School Student
We don’t have much recorded from Jesus’ life before the age of thirty. We have the birth narrative and the escape to Eqypt. We have nothing recorded of Jesus in His teen years or His twenties. All we have in between His birth, Egypt, and His baptism is Luke 2:41-52. Jesus was twelve, the age of a modern middle school student.
“When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.”
Luke 2:42Is this story recorded because it would have been the age of Jesus’ recognition by His family and the community of becoming a man, similar to a modern Bar Mitzvah. We’re not told that, but the age generally fits. Jewish boys celebrate their Bar Mitzvah today at age thirteen. Growing up in a New Jersey town that was 50% Jewish, and being the only non-Jewish family on my entire street, I attended a few Bar Mitzvahs growing up.
Before their Bar Mitzvah, Jewish boys are quizzed by their Rabbi and must “pass the test.” All my Jewish friends went to Hebrew School a few days a week to learn everything they needed to know before being quizzed by their Rabbi. Is this what’s happening in Luke 2?
What we do see in Luke 2 is Jesus’ grasp of the Scriptures. He had a depth of knowledge and understanding. The teachers of the Law were amazed by Him.
“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”
Luke 2:46-47At this young age, Jesus would have memorized Torah, like His classmates. He would have studied the Scriptures and meditated on them. Jesus loved God’s Word, studied God’s Word, and knew God’s Word.
It was through His study of the Scriptures, I believe, that He came to understand His identity. He knew that He was God’s Son.
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
Luke 4:49At this age, as a middle schooler, Jesus was growing in spiritual maturity.
“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
Luke 2:40“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Luke 2:52At the age of twelve, Jesus was described as being “filled with wisdom,” having “the grace of God on Him,” and growing in “favor with God and man.”
But Jesus was just a jr higher…
I learned a long time ago to never use the word JUST and jr. higher or middle schooler in the same sentence. They are not JUST middle schoolers! They are energetic, passionate revolutionaries capable of changing their world! Let’s get serious about middle school ministry. God 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
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 * (Pastor Lance plans to attend with two of his grandsons!)
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.
Save the Date! ***** 5 Day Club! August 14 - 18
Crispy Oven-Roasted Breakfast Potatoes
Ingredients
2 1/4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, and quartered
6 cups cold water
4 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
scant 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
a pinch of cayenne
Onions and Peppers (optional):
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup diced peppers
salt to taste
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
Combine water, 4 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and baking soda in a large pot over high heat and bring to boil. Add potatoes, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until just barely tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and let sit for 30 seconds.
Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ground pepper, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl.
Transfer potatoes into the bowl of seasoned oil and toss with a spatula until potatoes are evenly coated, and are roughened up a bit on the surface.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread out potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and smear any excess mashed potato bits in the bowl over the tops of the potatoes. Season with a pinch of salt.
Roast in the preheated oven until potatoes are browned, and the edges are very crispy, 45 to 60 minutes. For best results, turn potatoes over every 15 to 20 minutes until done.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, peppers, and salt and cook, stirring, until onions are soft and translucent and peppers have softened and sweetened, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in green onions to be cooked by the residual heat.
Serve hot, topped with sautéed onions and peppers.
Chuckles
A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers with his mother:
"Lord, bless Mommy and Daddy, and God, GIVE ME A NEW BICYCLE!!!"
Mom: "God's not deaf, son."
Boy: "I know, Mom, but Grandma's in the next room, and she's hard of hearing!"
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Calendar of Events at FBC
June 25 ..... Dominic Bunting sharing on his YWAM Cambodian Mission during service
June 28 ..... Women's Bible Study @ 6:30pm (Jolene Zagaris' house)
June 28 ..... Prayer Meeting at the church at 7pm
July 5 ......... Prayer Meeting at the church at 7pm
July 6 ......... Knitters/Crocheters meet @ 10am (Janet Holland's house)
July 12 ...... Women's Bible Study @ 6:30pm (Jolene Zagaris' house)
July 12 ...... Prayer Meeting at the church at 7pm
July 19 ...... Women's Bible Study @ 6:30pm (Jolene Zagaris' house)
July 19 ...... Prayer Meeting at the church at 7pm