EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
August 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
2 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:
“This is what the Lord says:
“‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown. 3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,’” declares the Lord. 4 Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel.
5 This is what the Lord says:
“What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. 6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and utter darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’ 7 I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. 8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols. 9 “Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the Lord. “And I will bring charges against your children’s children. 10 Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar[a] and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this: 11 Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. 12 Be appalled at this, you heavens, and shudder with great horror,” declares the Lord. 13 “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Dearly Beloved,
In this passage, God calls Jeremiah the prophet to speak on His behalf to Israel. God remembers Israel’s youthful devotion and love for the LORD and she followed Him through the wilderness after He redeemed her from Egyptian bondage (1-3). The LORD protected her from her opposition.
But Israel eventually turned away from the LORD and pursued idols. The LORD asks a crucial question: “What fault did your fathers find in Me, that they strayed so far from Me?” (2:5) What flaw had they seen in His character? What weakness had they spotted in His authority and power? God tells Jeremiah that Israel’s fathers did not ask, “Where is the LORD Who “freed us from Egypt and guided us through the barren and dangerous wilderness and brought us into the rich, fertile crescent of the Promise Land?” (2:6-7). Israel’s priests did not ask, “Where is the LORD? (2:8). The scribes and teachers of the law did not know the LORD and the leaders rebelled against Him. The prophets prophesied by the idol Baal, following worthless idols (2:8).
As a result of Israel’s pursuit of worthless idols, the LORD planned to judge Israel (2:9). “My people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols” (2:11). “My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken Me, the Spring of Living Water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (2:13)
It doesn’t make sense. It is downright confusing, because people are not thinking clearly. The LORD is living and real, “yet they (Idols) are not gods at all” (2:11). Idols are created from man’s imagination and hands. They don’t speak or feel or act. The LORD on the other hand thinks, speaks, feels, and acts with great power, authority, love and truth. He is holy and He is faithful. When He created us, He made us in His image, with the ability to communicate with Him and make wise decisions. How can mankind stoop so low as to choose worthless idols over God in all His Awe and Glory??!! And yet, we still do it today over and over again… we choose idols over God…
We choose spouses over God
We choose children over God
We choose friends over God
We choose jobs & careers over God
We choose sports over God
We choose hobbies over God
We choose money over God
We choose drinking & drugs over God
We choose the American dream over God
An idol is anyone or anything that we place as being more important than the LORD. Idols ruin our relationship with the LORD. They rob God of: our sole focus, our complete affection, and our full devotion. He desires our entire commitment. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind, body and soul. Jeremiah says, “They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves”. The object(s) of our worship and service determines the worth of our lives (in God’s sight)! When we worship and serve the LORD… the GLORY (2:11), He says we are precious in His sight. We take on His worth and exhibit His glory. May we be found worshipping & serving Him alone!
Shepherding you in His love,
Lance
"Anyone who thinks the art of conversation is dead ought to tell a child to go to bed." - Robert Gallagher
Women's Bible Study -The Faithful
The Faithful, was an inspiring 5 week study of some of the individuals of the old testament. It offered the ability to get a feel for 5 different women bible study leaders with excerpts from their more in-depth studies. An average of 13 women attended on Wednesday nights, visiting, listening to the studies and discussing the lessons. Jolene Zagaris was a great host and some of the ladies shared delicious treats! Jolene is considering offering a full study by one of these great Bible Study leaders in the future.
Women Unite!
The Women met on August 7th for our monthly get-together. Kathy Osborn led a devotional discussion on God Signs, beginning with a music video, I Saw God Today, sung by George Strait. Various documents and discussion items were shared regarding how the Lord speaks to us, and uses earthly object lessons, through nature, animals, people, dreams and the Word of God.
Although several regular attenders were unable to make it, 9 women made their way to the church on a stormy summer night and shared stories, laughter and some delicious brownies made by Carol Rainey! Gerry Knight and Margaret Castle awarded gifts to 4 fortunate individuals. Margaret closed in prayer and Pam Hodges led us in the song, Every Move I Make, which which includes the words... "everywhere I look I see Your face..."
Our next get together will be September 4th. Shirley Bearry will lead a discussion on God's Love.!
The Monthly Women's Group meets the first Monday of every month. 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!
We are stronger together!
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
In His footsteps
When someone does a kindness, it always seem to me
That's the way God up in Heaven would like us all to be.
For when we bring some pleasure to another human heart,
We have followed in His footsteps and we've had a little part
In serving Him who loves us for I am very sure it's true
That in serving those around us we serve and please Him , too.
~Helen Steiner Rice
Painting on the Church Is Completed!
Thank you to Espinoza Painting for for their work on the church! They painted the doors (inside and out), trim on windows, the Stucco Railing and steps, and the signage above the front entrance door. They donated $2,300 of their work!
BUNCO Night - September 21!
Join us September 21 at 6:00 pm in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall for BUNCO Night!
Fun, snacks and prizes!
Bring a friend, get a prize!
Childcare available!
15 Engaging Questions to Ask Your Kids After School - The Godly Parent
For many families, school has either just started or is about to get underway soon.
This means back to the hustle and bustle of getting up early, getting back into a scheduled routine, and living another round of the school year life with your family.
In the 365 days of the year, approximately 180 of those days for your kids will be spent in a classroom with authorities and friends other than you. That’s a lot of time and a lot of influence that other people are having in your children’s everyday life.
For the parent who wants to be intentional and stay engaged in their child’s day-to-day school life, it’s important that the conversation that follows each day of school is more than just “How was school today?”, and a robotic response of “Eh, it was okay.”
Yet, unfortunately, that’s often the extent of the conversation in many families. Little is said. Very little if anything is really known by the parent about what’s going on in their child’s daily life at school. And the gap of disengagement throughout the school year widens as oftentimes kids naturally develop stronger loyalties at school with their friends than they do at home with their families.
So here are 15 random yet engaging questions to ask your kids at the end of a school day throughout the year. They’ll help you keep your kids in check, keep yourself in check, and hopefully help you to get more of a response than, “Eh, it was fine.” 🙂
- Who did you spend the most time with at school today, and how did you two become good friends?
- What subject do you feel you are doing the best in, and which subject are you struggling in the most?
- Are the other kids in your class showing respect for the teacher and their rules? What about you? How would your teacher respond to this question?
- How do you decide who you’ll sit with during lunch? Who did you sit with at lunch today? Have you ever tried looking for someone else who might need a friend at lunchtime?
- What were one or two favorite parts of your day today? Tell me specifically what you liked about them.
- Is there anyone in your class that’s being treated unfairly? Have you been treating anyone unfairly?
- Do you have any homework? If so, how much and in what subjects? Is it anything I can help you with?
- What’s one way that you helped someone out, or showed kindness or respect for someone else in your school today?
- Can you think of anything you did today that would make your teacher proud to have you in their class, or that would have made us proud of you?
- If I were to ask your classmates to give me a description of you and how you treat others in the class, how do you think they would describe you?
- What is one thing your teacher said today that you remember most?
- Was there anything that happened today that made you laugh?
- What are some of the names of new kids you’ve met this year? What can you tell me about them and their families?
- Can you tell me something out of the ordinary that happened to you today, and I’ll tell you something out of the ordinary that happened to me?
- If you could change one thing about your class, what would it be?
These are just a sample of the many questions you could ask, and no doubt many more with some thought. Just make sure that your questions are specific and open-ended, and you’ll be on the road to having better and deeper conversations.
So the next time you’re on your way to pick up your kids from school put the phone on vibrate, turn off the radio, and take a few moments of silence to think about how you’re going to engage with your child as soon as they’re in your presence.
Because your initial response every day when first seeing your kids after school will inadvertently speak your value of them or lack thereof. Be on the lookout for your child’s arrival… Smile and look them in the eyes when you see them… And show them that you really do care about the details of their day.
Mason Gaskill - Passion for Serving Others
Mason Gaskill started coming to church with Jim Foster in November 2019. Mason is 11 years old and moved to Emmett when he was approximately 4 years old. His family moved from California to get away from the fires and the negative environment. The smoke from the fires would make Mason sick. He and his family like the small town and getting to know people.
Mason explained that Jim Foster was one of the first people he met when he moved to their home on Waterwheel Rd. Mason was riding his bike and stopped and asked Jim if he needed help. He said no, but after that they became friends, and they kept hanging out. Mason enjoys doing woodwork with Jim and helps him with yard work. Jim helped him with his reading; first Jim would read with Mason, then Mason would read. Jim challenged him to improve his reading by rewarding him with a walking stick that he had made. This walking stick had grooves and light and dark colors. Jim will often pay Mason for jobs but recently when Jim called Mason to help him set up a canopy, Mason told Jim not to pay him. Mason expressed that he is extremely grateful for his friendship with Jim and considers Jim as his best friend/boss. Jolene would also tutor Mason to work on his reading and reward him with small toys or gifts if he did all his reading. They would go on little trips together like on the Easter egg hunt for Easter or just going to the park. He also has shoes on that Jolene had gotten for him. Mason now reads with his mom.
Mason likes coming to Emmett First Baptist Church (FBC) because it is a lot smaller than his church in California. His church in California was “giant”. He likes people from FBC. Wayne was the first person he met at church and Mason said, “he was really cool”. Suzi was the nurse at Carberry and so he knew her and “she is really nice and always checked up on him”. He likes singing at FBC. He likes to sing and tries to sing. Mason has helped bring food out at potlucks, helped Jim F. outside, he has helped hand Sunday bulletins and helps Jim F. count attendees on Sunday. Mason believes he will continue to go to church and someday become an usher. Mason is currently considered an “Usher in training" at FBC. 😊
When asked about a time when Mason needed God to help him, he talked about a time in 3rd grade when he was playing tetherball, and the tetherball hit his friend. He had to catch his friend and he skinned his leg and arm.
Mason likes to play kickball, and sometimes football, but Tetherball is his favorite. He is going on to Middle School this school year and he explained that he was sad to leave Carberry. He said he knows 2 people who will be at the Middle School. Before school ended he had asked his teacher to play a game of teachers vs students kickball. The teachers won but it was fun.
Mason attended the Good News Club and liked it (“except the standing up and down a lot”). Sometimes he couldn’t go because of football which kept him from getting the songs down. Getting prizes was his favorite part… they would get prizes for things like bringing their Bible or bringing a friend. One day Jolene was talking about believing Jesus and Mason raised his hand and went to the table. They showed the wordless book and prayed with him. “It felt good.” He told his parents and his brother, Harley, and Pastor Lance and they were excited for him.
Mason explained that he doesn’t really know if he has changed much since then, but he does try to make the right decisions. He does think maybe others see a difference in him. His mom and dad have told him he is doing better. He explained a couple of instances where he was doing something he probably shouldn’t have been doing but stopped. He also says he thinks he gets along better with his brother and spends more time with him. Mason explained that he has a fear of heights. One day he was on top of a trailer ripping gutters for a family friend that was moving her fifth wheel trailer. He got scared. He prayed and then did better. Mason shared about his grandpa who lives with them and is battling cancer. Mason said he prays for his grandpa because he takes a lot of medicines which costs a lot of money.
Mason’s older brother, Harley, described Mason as a caring person. He said Mason always tries to get you to like him. He knows everyone within a 10-mile radius. He likes animals and always offers a helping hand. Harley explained that Mason has always loved to go to church and that he would go to church with a neighbor when he lived in California. Harley had a smile on his face as he talked about his little brother and explained that he and his brother are close.
Mason wants people to know that if anyone needs/wants help with anything, he is always willing to help. He said he knows people struggle from time to time and he doesn't like to see people struggling so he wants to help them. He likes to see other people happy. It makes him smile to know that they aren't struggling anymore because he helped them. John 3:16 is Mason’s favorite verse:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
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Mason, thank you for visiting and talking about your story. Your contagious smile and happy, helpful personality are a blessing to all who meet you. I pray that you continue to grow in your faith and use your fun personality to share Jesus with others.
~ Kathy Osborn
Cathedral Pines Camps
September 15-17 - ABW Retreat - Weekend Ladies Retreat
September 30-October 1 - ACTS Camp - Fall Service Weekend
October 13-15 - Youth Fall Rally - Weekend Retreat for 6-12th Graders
January 26-28 - Winter Camp- Snowy Weekend Camp for 6-12th Graders
Click here to Find out about Cathedral Pines camps or copy and past the following into your URL: https://www.cathedralpines.org/events
Shiloh Bible Camps
Family Camp - September 1st - 4th
Shiloh’s annual family camp is aimed at children, parents and grandparents. Our desire is to provide a fun and relaxing retreat where families can study the Word of God together.
Timothy Kickoff - October 7 - 8, 2023
One of Shiloh main principles is discipleship. We do this through discipling and training our youth to serve Christ, both at camp and in their communities. This year-long discipleship program is geared at youth who will be between the ages of 12 and 18 come summer 2024.
Discipleship Retreat - November 10 - 12, 2023
If you're looking to deepen your faith in Jesus Christ and are in 6th grade through college age, then this retreat is for you. Come meet with peers of your age, experience age appropriate teaching, and worship along side other Christians.
Click here to Find out about Shiloh Bible Camp or copy and past the following into your URL: https://www.shilohbibleconference.com/camps-retreats
Stanley Tucci's String Bean Soup
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ white onion, diced
- 1 zucchini, roughly chopped
- 3 potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
- 6 ounces string beans, halved
- 3 tomatoes, diced
- ⅓ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ cup water
- Salt, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot over medium heat.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and tomatoes have cooked down. Add more water, if needed, to reach desired consistency.
Chuckles
A painter, out of work for many months, finally was contracted to repaint a nearby church. To boost his profit margin, the painter watered down the paint. As he was applying the thin mixture to the old church, the sky darkened, there was a clap of thunder, then rain. The watered-down paint was washed off the building.
Then a voice from the sky thundered, "Repaint... and thin no more."
Want to read past newsletters?
All newsletters are posted to the FBC Website. Go to www.FBCemmett.org and click on the 'News' dropdown, then 'Church Newsletters". There you will find a list of all the past newsletters that have been posted to the website.
Note: you can click on any picture within the newsletter to enlarge it!
Calendar of Events at FBC
Aug 7 ........... Women's Monthly Gathering 6:30pm
Aug 9............ Prayer Meeting at the church at 7pm
Aug 14-18 .... 5 Day Club 9am-noon
Aug 14 ......... Knitters/Crocheters at 10am (Janet's house)
Sept. 4 ......... Women's Monthly Gathering 6:30
Sept. 7 ......... Board Meeting 6:30pm
Sept. 11 ...... Knitters/Crocheters at 10am (Janet's house)
Sept. 21 ...... Bunco Night 6pm