FIRST BAPTIST SEVIERVILLE | FEBRUARY 2013

Volume 73, No. 6

IN THIS ISSUE

From the Pastor’s HeartBro Dan talks about how each of us have different ways of witnessing.

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True Love WaitsThe impact this committment has made through the years.

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Mommy Heart Check A church member shares about how we can’t control life but we can control our reaction to it.

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First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

True Love Waits

True Love Waits® is one of several approaches to

challenging teenagers and college students to make a

commitment to sexual abstinence until marriage.

Created by LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC, True

Love Waits is designed to encourage moral purity by

adhering to biblical principles. This youth-based

international campaign utilizes positive peer pressure by

encouraging those who make a commitment to refrain

from pre-marital sex to challenge their peers to do the

same.

The first True Love Waits national celebration took place in

July 1994, when more than 210,000 covenant cards were

displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Today,

an estimated 3 million youth have signed commitment

cards pledging sexual purity until their wedding day, and

that number continues to grow worldwide.

More than one hundred organizations have adopted the

use of True Love Waits to promote sexual abstinence, in

large part because they have seen how well the campaign

works and the potential it has to reverse negative trends in

communities.

True Love Waits message has made a profound impact in

the United States as well as other parts of the world. For

example, in Uganda True Love Waits has been a catalyst for

bringing people together around the abstinence message

in schools, youth groups, communities and other places. In

the years that followed the outbreak of HIV/AIDS, Uganda’s

prevalence rate, which in parts of the country was above

30 percent, dropped to 6.7 percent. Some leaders there

say that this turnaround literally saved a generation.

True Love Waits currently is expanding its reach in Africa

and the Philippines. Revolutionary Purity, a study that

challenges young people to a life of personal and

“revolutionary” purity that includes influencing peers in

other countries, is one tool True Love Waits is using to

enhance the international scope of the abstinence

movement.

Dear First Baptist Family,

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record that Jesus sent His twelve disciples to go and witness about His kingdom. I appreciate the fact that the Bible doesn’t record that Jesus gave these disciples a script to memorize or a detailed plan to follow. He just gave them a mission.

They all had different personalities and gifts. They each went out and, in their own way, they shared the same message and had the same ministry. Bartholomew may have had a very reserved demeanor, quietly meeting with people one-on-one to meet their needs and tell them about Jesus. Maybe Simon the Zealot was a go-getter, running into a town, jumping up on the town well, and shouting, “Hurry, hurry, step right up!” Perhaps Nathanael was an artistic guy who made up some colorful, eye-catching signs inviting everyone to hear him preach. The point is that they all completed the same mission in different ways.

We have all been sent out, too. Our mission is the same – telling the world about Jesus – but we each have a different set of talents, skills, abilities, experiences. We can all accomplish the same mission in different ways! The result is that you reach people I could never reach, and I reach people you may never reach, and together we get the job done.

As I look at the twelve disciples in Scripture, I see three distinct approaches to witnessing.

Andrew and Philip were “friend-bringers.” Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus. Together Andrew and Philip brought some Greeks to Jesus (John 12:22). Everyone can be a “friend-bringer”!

Matthew was a “relationship-builder.” When he started following Jesus, he invited all his friends to his home to meet Him. Matthew was “networking” the gospel, using his relationships at work and in the community to introduce people to Jesus. Everyone can be a “relationship-builder”!

Peter was a “gospel-talker.” He was very talkative. A study of Scripture reveals that Peter talked more than any other disciple – and God used that! Many times in the Bible God would provide an opportunity and Peter would do what he did best for Jesus – he talked! Everyone can be a “gospel-talker”!

What kind of witness are you?

I love being your pastor!

Dan Spencer

Page 2 | First Baptist Church of Sevierville

From the Pastor’s Heart...

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Psalm 100:5

Sonrise SeniorsFebruary 5; 9:00am/Parlor

True Love Waits - Youth NightMonday, February 11; 6:30pm/FLC/ChapelSpecial Speakers: Jim & Karen Koerten and Toby & Chelsea KoertenSpecial Musical Guest: Silencing Stones

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, February 12; Noon/FLCBring a covered dish.

PEP Moms Friday, February 22; 9:15am/ParlorJoin us for this time of food, fellowship and devotion. Speaker: Craig Mintz

Children’s ChurchSunday, February 178:15am– Grades K-6 will meet in the Chapel10:45am– Grades K-3 will meet in the Chapel, Grades 4-6 will meet in the FH

Youth Ski Trip - CataloochieFebruary 22 & 23Deadline to sign up is February 3. $55 base price per person (includes transportation, lodging, dinner on Friday & breakfast on Saturday). See additional pricing info to ski, snowboard or tube at www.fbcsev.org.

Senior Adult Day Trip - Bush’s Visitor Center & RestaurantFebruary 28; leaving FBC at 8:30am and will return at 1:00pm$15.00 per person due at sign up please.Sign up at Welcome Center or call Lisa in the Church Office.

Secret Church SimulcastSave the date for our church’s simulcast of David Platt’s Secret Church on Good Friday, March 29 (7pm-1am). Topic: “Heaven, Hell, & the End of the World.” Secret Church is six hours of intense Bible study and prayer for our persecuted brothers & sisters across the globe. Sign up at the Welcome Center to reserve a study guide. There is no charge. For more information, visit fbcsev.org.

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsOnline GivingContributions may be made online by visiting the church website at www.fbcsev.org. Giving is simple, easy and secure. 

First Family CookbooksAvailable across from the Welcome Center. Books are $10 each with every dollar going to missions. For more information call the Mission’s Office.

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Everyday in the WordReading God’s Word in 2013 with the Church family. Sign up at www.fbcsev.org to receive Brother Dan’s daily blog.

Bible Drill- Sundays; 5:30pmBible Buddies 1st-3rd, C-220Bible Drill 4th-6th, C-212

Youth Bible Drill; 7th - 9th gradeBegins January 27 at 5:30pm in room B-203

Feb.2013

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PRAYER ROOMNovie Thomas Phil & Lydia WordNovie ThomasLouise Parrott Tony WatsonEdna Hester Pat LoeppMarjorie Mount James & Carolyn PowellCHRISTMAS STOREFred WhaleyLloyd & Nora Kelly Ruby WhaleyMy Parents, Clarice

& Mell Jackson Deborah GibbsTOMMY PARROTT

SCHOLARSHIPLouise Parrott Ruth & Dale Murrell Pat Holt-MyersLouise Parrott &

Tommy Parrott Aileen Boruff & FamilyCHURCH DECORATIONSKitty & Roy Watson Kay Powell & FamilyPARK ROAD PROJECTJosephine Burchfiel Jo BlalockLOTTIE MOONLee & Julia Mize Evelyn PhillipsEd Glaspie Belva GlaspieDave & Ella WatsonGlenn & Ruth Murrell Dale & Ruth MurrellDwight McMahanRoger McMahanBill BerrierBilly Berrier Mike, Linda &

Brandon BerrierLouise ParrottEvelyn Collins

Glenn Lethco Charles & Jean OwnbyJohn Edd Blalock, SrJohn Edd Blalock, Jr Katie BlalockDwight McMahanRoger McMahan Beulah McMahanRusty Taylor Hazel TaylorClyde & Beuena OwnbyRev. Garth & Cathy

Swafford Phil & Karen OwnbyNovie ThomasLouise ParrottMarjorie Mount Jack & Elizabeth DentonLennis WilliamsMae Keener Katie McMahanNovie Thomas Lowell & Carolyn GlennNovie ThomasMike Williams Harold & Sue OwnbyEleanor KilbyJames “Babe” Thurman Richard & Carol AtchleyMr. & Mrs. Fred HendersonMr. & Mrs. Tom Sorrell Janice & Larry SorrellCharles R. Frost Vicky & Clark ByramOur Parents, Fred &

Jama Cate and Evelyn & Byrd Matthews

JB & Shirley MatthewsDel SmithIda Alderman Ray & Tammy JohnsonLennis WilliamsLouise Parrott Betty Lou CusickMary Jo Beeler Anna Kate WalkerOur Parents David & Dorothy JohnsonMarjorie Mount Jim & Joan SmithLIBRARYTrish ReederCorbin KingMarjorie MountJoyce CottongimBob DooleyElizabeth ZumwaltGlenn Lethco

TRIBUTEDGIVING

Attendance Report 12/23/2012 12/30/2012 1/6/2013 1/13/2013 8:15am Worship 749 454 538 561 9:30am SS 1289 941 1384 1380 10:45am Worship 1239 1079 1285 1167 6:30pm Worship - - 511 434

Biblical Stewardship 12/23/2012 12/30/2012 1/6/2013 1/13/2013 Total Weekly Needs $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 Tithes & Offerings 95,520.49 247,418.60 74,655.21 90,558.50 Building Fund 656.00 663.04 466.00 1,536.00 Designated Fund 24,245.73 70,350.83 3,185.00 20,450.70

New MembersCharlie GavaghanRobb, Sharon, Abe & Rosalyn CatesMadison WarrenMyrle GillisJohn, Lydia, Samantha & Priscila ReyesBartolome & Yolanda GuevaraCathy JoinerPayne LooneyBrian CordiJerry & Dena BrittonPhillip “Brent” Lawson Bill Cary

Recently HospitalizedJanice MooreMarvin FisherElijah “Regen” MorrisJohnnie CarverJonathan BowlingEric McCoyJohn StraitonRandy SpurlockPatsy WallaceRoger MillerRalph DavisDianne KennaFreda Patty

• The following families wish to express their deep appreciation to the church for kindness shown during their recent loss:

Family of Novie Thomas Family of JB Hodge

• The following families wish to express their appreciation for support from the church: Judy Swindle Kathy & Chuck Sexton Ed Bean

• Gail Williams in the passing of her brother-in-law

• Reba Battel in the passing of her mother, Zehna Ann Phillips

• Norman Thomas in the passing of his father, Kent Thomas

• Melody Shampine in the passing of her nephew, Dustin Thompson

• Judy Swindle in the passing of her husband, Martin

• Stacy Sharp in the passing of her father, Hollis Hurst

• Joe Thomas in the passing of his wife, Novie

• Sharon Arwood, Beverly Loveday & Steve Laymon in the passing of their aunt, Willie Mae Laymon

• Rush Parrott & Family in the passing of his wife, Louise

Thank You Notes

Sympathy to

Ethel WhaleyAlton LesterGrace CarrCecil ClaboMartha GuyEdna HesterAllen “Cotton” HowardHelen AllenLucille BrandonGene JohnsonShirley Riddle First Baptist ChurchCHILDREN’S MUSICPaul & Ruth Galyon Robbie & Sandy FoxCHILDREN’S DEPTIn Memory of the 20

Connecticut 1st Graders Tony WatsonBenny RobertsDonald Frank Paul & Villie FrankJohn Edd Blalock’s

Birthday Katie Blalock, Kloie

Sharp & Addie WhaleyClaude OwnbyRonnie McCroskeyGeorgia ProffittKoleen Whaley’s BirthdayGeorge Sutton Frank & Barbara PartonMarjorie Mount Josephine OsborneTV MINISTRYSandy Webb Robbie & Sandy FoxBob DooleyGrace Carr James & Marie TempleEdna Hester Albert & Kathy Valentine Gary Roach’s SS ClassTN BAPTIST

CHILDREN’S HOMEFrances BeanBob DooleyGrace HuffMae Ownby KeenerJanice JohnsonLouise Parrott Patrick & Anne McCartyHELPING HANDSMarjorie Mount Imogene Suggs

Marjorie MountCorbin King Billy & Lucy MaplesGary Lawson Jim TarwaterMUSIC MINISTRYPaul & Ruth Galyon Robbie & Sandy Fox

IN HONORYOUTHHelen Ownby Phil & Karen OwnbyCHILDREN’S DEPTMy 19 Wonderful

1st Graders Tony WatsonMy 1st Grade SS Teachers Andrew McCarterBUDGETKathy Helton &

Jennifer Adkins Emily Grace McCarterOur 1st Grandbaby Thomas & Carolyn

McMahanLOTTIE MOON5th Grade SS Teachers;Connie King, Nancy

Fernander, Chris Householder, Donna Justice, Jerry Gibson & Carolyn Catlett

Kevin & Teresa Loveday and Yvonne Gibson

Kristie Russell’s work with Missions

Willis & Leigh Russell9th & 5th Grade

SS TeachersHis Kids & RA Workers Jeff, Deane, Johnathan

& Daniel JohnsonGreat Grandkids; Sawyer

& Rayleigh Beth Sutton Luella JohnsonOur Grandchildren &

Great-Grandchildren Frank & Barbara PartonOur First Anniversary Lee & Morgan WilsonOUTREACHStephanie, Max & Sam Steve & Susan Moore

CHRISTMAS STOREKristie Russell Willis & Leigh Russell

IN MEMORYBUDGETHoney Greg & Tracy PriceMy Father, Enlon Morgan Terry & Gail GossettMalcolm Smith Francis H SmithFred & Helen Pierce’s

Birthday Thomas & Carolyn

McMahanMarjorie Mount Belva GlaspieLouise ParrottNovie ThomasIta Blalock JB & Shirley MatthewsBUILDINGAlton LesterMarjorie Mount Chuck Sexton’s SS ClassCecil ClaboCorbin KingNovie ThomasBobbie Lee Mike & Beverly OwnbyMarjorie MountAllen HowardGene JohnsonLucille Brandon Rex & Louise Delozier

Mommy Heart Check April Mills

I am a stay-at-home mommy to two toddlers, Rush (3) and Lottie (1). This article was originally written when Lottie was about 3 months old and Rush was 2 ½.

It has been very interesting to see the differences in my two babies; particularly in how they find their “routine.” Rush was a very easy baby as far as predictability went. He is still a very predictable toddler; from when he will eat to when he will “go,” to when he will fall asleep. Lottie, on the other hand, has her own ideas about things. You can’t really know how long she will sleep at night or when she will nap (if she does at all)! Needless to say, it has been a challenge for me. I thought all babies would go by the book like Rush did.

Back to Lottie... this little gal came into our world as a sleeping beauty. She slept for the first two weeks of her life! She had some nighttime fussiness like a lot of newborns, but nothing too major. Suddenly, at about 7 weeks she started having trouble napping. I could get her to fall asleep in my arms, but then she would wake up screaming a few minutes after I put her in her bassinet or crib

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Send questions or comments to newsletter@fbcsev.org

READY to do what is good. This means we need to stay aware of our surroundings. We need to be aware of what is around us so that when an opportunity arises for us to do good, reflecting the change God has made in our life, we are prepared and able to do it.

The chapter continues to explain the “Why” we are to be ready to do good. Simply put, we are to do good to others because of the change God has made in us through his grace and mercy. (Verses 5-7 paraphrased) Are you up to the challenge? Have you had your head on a pivot looking for opportunities to share good in Jesus name? It finishes the first part of this chapter by say-ing “that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” - Titus 3:8

(or Big Brother would come running into the nursery just as she was falling asleep to announce that he needed to go potty!). To make a LONG story short, I decided one day to see what would happen if I put her on her tummy (gasp!). She took three 1 1/2 hour naps that first day! HALLELUJAH!

I found myself in the best mood on days when she would nap well; but I also became convicted that I was having a horrible attitude on the days that didn’t go so well. I was so stressed out, unproductive, mean to Rush and exhausted. One day, during a frantic phone call to Ben, (I don’t know why I try to make him my holy spirit sometimes, but that’s another subject!) he said, “You just have to remember 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.” I knew that verse; it was one we had memorized together. I started bawling. First, because he called me out and I was ashamed, and second, because I was so thankful that God has blessed me with such an amazing husband.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I was allowing my circumstances to affect my heart. Over the next few days, I started repeating that verse, sometimes just in my heart and sometimes out loud. I began praising God in the circumstances: good or bad. I learned that I can’t control my circumstances (unpredictable babies), but I can control my heart response.

Psalm 119:11: “I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

When I was a senior in high school I had been playing under the same coaches for five years. We were at Union County and I was playing center on our offensive line. We ran a bootleg, where the quarterback fakes a handoff and peels back the other way to look for an open receiver. On this particular play I had no specific assignment on who to block. I noticed that the defensive end had gotten off clean and had a straight shot at our quarterback from his blindside (for those not common with this term, it meant our QB didn’t even see him coming.) Because I had listened and was trained to keep my head on a pivot, I was able to respond by blocking him just in time.

Listen to what the word says. Be READY to do good!

Doing GoodNick CampbellYouth Ministry AssistantMiddle School Emphasis

There is a term Coach Richey, my offensive and defensive line coach, used during football practice. He would tell us to “keep your head on a pivot.” The idea behind this was to always be looking around to ensure that you are doing your job on the field. If on the offensive line, that meant if you weren’t engaged in a one-on-one block to be using your vision to look for an unblocked defender. On the defensive side of the ball you are looking for the ball carrier or someone trying to catch you off guard and clean your clock.

In Verse 1 of Titus 3, Paul tells us to “to be ready to do whatever is good.” Always be

Published monthly by First Baptist Church of Sevierville.Periodical postage paid at Sevierville, TN | 317 Parkway, TN 37862RETURN POSTAGE REQUESTEDPostmaster send form 3579 to “First Word,” 317 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862(865) 453-9001 | FAX (865) 428-3920 | fbcsev.org

(USPS 661-090)

Rev. Dan Spencer Senior Pastor

Roland MaddoxExec. Associate Pastor

Scott AndrewsAssoc. Pastor of Worship

Jerry HyderAssoc. Pastor of Adults

Address317 Parkway Sevierville, TN 37862

Office HoursMonday- Friday8:00am - 5:00pm

Office Phone(865) 453-9001(865) 428-3920 (fax)

Scott CarterAssoc. Pastor of Youth

Craig MintzAssoc. Pastor of Young Adults and Discipleship

Royce BaileyAssoc. Pastor of Children

Clark ByramBusiness Administrator Contact UsSenior Staff

fbcsev.org

info@fbcsev.org

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Pastor on Call(865) 453-9257

Prayer Line(865) 429-PRAY