EMMETT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
October 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
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. ~Jn. 15:1-8
Dearly Beloved,
During our Wednesday evening prayer, we have been reading a few pages from Bill Elliff's book, The Presence-Centered Church, before seeking the Lord in prayer. Chapter 9 begins with a quote from Samuel Chadwick: "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies prayerless work, and prayerless religion He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray? (p.125, taken from http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Samuel-Chadwick-Quotes/page-3.shtml)
Just as the foundation to a house is indispensable to its stability and longevity, so prayer is designed by God to be foundational to our relationship with Him and to the corporate ministry of His church! If the foundation to our house crumbled, the rest of our home would collapse! Seeking to live life or do service for the Lord without the support and guidance of prayer leads to powerless and fruitless Christianity. This saddens the heart of God, brings joy to the devil and great frustration to believers!
The affluence of our nation deceives us into thinking that we don't need God on an ongoing basis. Only when crisis hits, only when we are desperate, only when we are at our wit's end do we begin to seek God in prayer. He becomes our last resort instead of our first response. We get lulled into thinking and living, "I don't need God. I've got this!" In John15:1-8, Jesus says that we were never created to thrive independently of Him. For a branch (believers) to not abide in the vine (Jesus) leads not to bearing much fruit, but quite the opposite...barrenness. Jesus says, "No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must abide (remain) in the Vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me!"
One of the significant ways we show the Lord that we are abiding in Him is by continually seeking Him in prayer, individually and corporately (7). Lord, guide me. Show me the path to take. Give me discernment in my friendships. Give me strength only You can give to overcome temptation and sin. Give me courage to stand up for You and the truth of Scripture. Help me to be forgiving and loving and patient! Teach me to be sacrificial with my time, my life, my gifts, my service, my assets, and my relationships! Let Christ be magnified and honored in my life! Give me courage to share the good new of Jesus with others!
Jesus talked about His Father's house being house of prayer! In other words when people thought of the temple, one of the primary activities Jesus wanted people to think of in relation to the temple was prayer. The temple is where God's presence is... the temple is where we should commune with the LORD. "Prayer is not a side room of the church, but the foundation" (Elliff, p.125). Eliff continues, "Often we list the various components of church life such as preaching, wordship community, Bible study, and giving. And at the end of the list.. the very end.. would be prayer. Prayer is a small "ministry" of the church that few are interested. We nod that prayer is important but our daily experience indicate what we really think. Tragically, only 5% of churches in America have an consistent, strategic prayer ministry" (ibid, pp. 125-126). Jesus says His Father's House is a House of prayer, where prayer is not a token tacked on at the beginning and end. It is what should permeate all that takes place! Each of the ministry activities should be marinated in prayer!
I encourage you to join us on Wednesday nights at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall, and fast and pray for our local schools.
Shepherding you in Christ’s Love,
Lance
Autumn's Bounty
Autumn moves in swiftly, bearing gifts in both her hands;
Baskets full of pumpkins; Crisp red apples, too
Everything that's needed for a fresh-baked pie or two
To warm you after dinner on a crisp clear autumn might
Or set a festive table for a holiday delight
I always welcome Autumn, decked out in leaves of gold
She brings the season's treasures; Her bounty to behold!
~Micki Dolan (Flushing, NY)
Women Unite!
The women met on Oct. 2nd and shared stories, laughter and prayer around a discussion based on the book Catch the Spirit of Love by George Sweeting. Shirley Bearry led the discussion and Pam Hodges brought a nice spread of treats to share!
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
Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
Magic Show
when god saw you, it was love at first sight.
BUNCO
Bunco night was held on Sept. 21st with around 25 attending. Gerry Knight and others brought prizes and she once again led a fun event. 5 people in attendance were 1st timers and were not from our church. They were part of Gerry’s facebook followers. Bookmarks were handed out with a bible verse on one side and our church info. on the other.
Aspire Women's Event (It's not too late to get tickets!)
A group from Emmett FBC is planning to attend and were able to get bulk ticket costs @ $20 each. Let the office know if you are interested and want tickets. For more information click on this link: https://aspirewomensevents.com/payette-id-2023/
Sunday, Nov 5, 2023, 05:00 PM
Payette Church of the Nazarene, 7th Avenue North, Payette, ID, USA
John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients
1 (16.3 ounce) can refrigerated biscuits
2 pounds ground beef
1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning
¾ cup water
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
1 medium red bell pepper, halved and sliced (1 1/2 cups)
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 (4 ounce) jar sliced jalapeno peppers, drained (Optional)
Directions (For more information and pictures click on picture above)
Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Place and press biscuit dough into the bottom of the baking pan and halfway up the sides.
Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Leave the oven on.
Meanwhile, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Drain fat. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Transfer cooked meat to a bowl and wipe out the skillet.
Add onion and bell peppers to the same skillet and cook over medium heat until slightly tender, about 5 minutes.
Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, 1/2 of the Cheddar cheese, and 1/2 of the onion-pepper mixture in a bowl.
Layer browned meat, tomatoes, onion-pepper mixture, jalapeño peppers, and sour cream mixture on top of prebaked biscuit dough. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese.
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
538Calories 41gFat 21gCarbs 21gProtein
Show Full Nutrition Label
Chuckles
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.
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Calendar of Events at FBC
Oct. 22 ....... Quarterly Meeting & Potluck after church
Oct. 26 ....... F.I.G.I being hosted at FBC 7pm
Nov. 2 ........ All Boards meet 6:30pm
Nov. 5 ........ Aspire Womens Event 5:00pm Payette Church of Nazarene
Nov. 6 ........ Women's Monthly Gathering 6:30pm
Nov. 12 ...... Thanksgiving Dinner
Nov. 13 ...... Knitting Class at Janet's house
Nov. 19 ...... Operation Christmas Child (OCC) Shoebox Packing Party
Every Sunday.......... coffee, juice, munchies and game for kids 9:30am in the FBC Teen Room
Every Wednesday ... Draw Near To God In Prayer 7pm
Every Thursday ....... men's small group 9:30am