First Word October 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

The Bridge Page 2

Sing a New SongPage 5

Quilting from a CallingPage 5

First Baptist sevierville | octoBer 2015

Volume 105 , No. 6

First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

Love Loud Corn Maze

In February of 2008, First Baptist acquired the Park Road Proptery from Anna Kate Walker. Over the last 7 years, we have used it in a variety of ways; youth soccer camps, church-wide picnics, and a baptismal service. In the fall of 2014, Scott Carter had a vision of First Baptist hosting a free community-wide corn maze that would involve a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a petting zoo, and much more. He believed it would be an awesome way to reach our community while showing God’s love.

After receiving the go ahead from our Pastoral Staff, the plan was set in motion beginning in January of 2015. It has been a huge undertaking, but we’ve been blessed to have people who have gone above and beyond to help us. A huge thank you goes to Ray Grantham and Ted Jordan for giving of themselves and their time these last 8 months.

October 6th will be our first night in operation. Guests will get to enjoy a corn maze, hayrides, games, food, a pumpkin patch, and lots more. Most importantly everyone will hear the Gospel. The Corn Maze will run October 6-8, 10 and 12. Sunday, October 11 will be FBC day at the maze. It will be from 3:00pm-7:00pm. Pastor Dan will deliver the evening message, so bring your camp chairs. Dinner will be served, the cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. If you plan to eat you must sign up. Please call the church office, or sign up at the Welcome Center by October 5.

We are excited to see how God is going to use this event to help further His kingdom. This promises to be a great night of making memories and seeing lives changed!

| First Baptist Church of Sevierville

Dear Church Family,

This is the time of year when people flock to Sevier County to see the changes of Autumn. We jokingly call these thousands of eager tourists “leaf-lookers” -- and who could blame them? The beauty of the colorful trees against the backdrop of our mountains is surely one of God’s most amazing seasonal displays. This annual transformation is a reminder not only of His creative power, but also of the fact that life is a sequence of seasons, and seasons change.

We are presently in a season of change at First Baptist Church. We are launching a new service, “The Bridge”, on October 18th (9:30 AM). Along with it, we are starting a weekly children’s service, “Bridge Kids”, and a new option for Sunday School (both at 11:00 AM).

I want to emphasize that the reason for this season of change is to reach people for Christ that we are not currently reaching, and to retain people who are leaving. And I want to ask every member to do their part to ensure that this season is a happy one.

If you are not planning to participate in any of the new opportunities, please remain faithful in your current places of worship and service; pray for those who are leading and participating in “The Bridge” and “Bridge Kids”. If you will be involved in some of the changes, please do so with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The words of missionary-martyr Jim Elliott are appropriate for this season:“Wherever you are, BE ALL THERE! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”

I love being your Pastor!

Dan Spencer

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

John 1:1

Sonrise SeniorsTuesday, October 6; 9:00am/Parlor

Love Loud Corn MazeOctober 6-8, 10-12We could still use your help, if you would like to volunteer please call Amanda or Tammy in the church office.

Singles of FaithAre you single and 35 or older? If so, we’d love to have you join us on Friday, October 9 at 6:00pm in the Parlor. Please bring a side dish or dessert. Special guest will be Harry Geilenkirchen.

FBC Love Loud Corn Maze DaySunday, October 11; 3:00pm-7:00pmBrother Dan will deliver the evening message. Bring your own chairs. Dinner will be served. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. If you plan to attend you must sign up. Please call the church office or sign up at the Welcome Center by October 5.

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, October 13; Noon/FLCSpecial guest; Dan Spencer. Please bring a side dish or dessert.

Celebration CraftersThursday, October 15; 10:00am/E-218

PEP MomsFriday, October 16; 9:15am/ParlorDealing with Depression & Anxiety and Getting Back Your Joy. Guest speakers: Tiffany Atchley & Angie Goderich. This is the annual Fall Luncheon. Registration fee is $20 (this covers all PEP Mom meetings for the year). You can register online. Email Tammy Rice at [email protected] if childcare is needed.

Special Friends MeetingWednesday, November 4; 5:00pm/Special Friends ClassroomIn need of a Sunday School teacher and volunteers for the Sunday evening service.

Festival of HolidaysMonday, November 9; 6:30pm/FLCDoors will open at 6:00pm. Guest speaker; Annie Chapman. Cost is $20.Event registration begins October 18, you can register online at www.fbcsev.org, if childcare is needed please email Tammy Rice at [email protected]

Hearts on Fire 2015November 20 & 21Cost is $50 (includes transportation, lodging, meals, t-shirt). Sign up at Youth Night or online at www.fbcsev.org

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsChurch ScheduleThere will be no church activities Wednesday, October 7th. Come see us at the corn maze!

Text Giving is Now AvailableRegister through the church website; https://e-giving.org/fbcsevFollow prompts in the “Texting” tab of the Member Profile section to register.

Oct. 2015

BuiLDiNG FuNDEarle StairStella ManningNelle HardinTed Latham Rex & Louise DelozierLiBrAryAilene White James & Carolyn PowellFred CochranHelen HendersonKatie McMahanAilene Whiterichard FinkNelle HardinEarle StairNorma CarrollPaul Dilgerrobert SuttlesCharles ray LaFolletteLucille WestBarbara Solomon First Baptist ChurchCHriSTMAS STorELon Sutton Beulah Suttonin memory of our

daughter, Sharon Duncan’s birthday

Curtis & Shirley KingCHiLDrEN’S MiNiSTryKatie McMahan Joe & Libby WilliamsMuSiC MiNiSTryHelen Henderson Chuck Sexton’s SS ClassKatie McMahan Gail Thomas Marie TempleJohnny rutledgeJuanita BrockKatie McMahan Aileen BoruffNelle Hardin Katie Blalock’s SS ClassNelle Hardin Wilma HeltonGoLDEN STATEHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceBetty Davis Milford & Shirley BlairBryan Blalock

Jo Blalockruth LoweLisa Pickens Joe & Libby WilliamsAlan Pease Elaine Pease HELPiNG HANDSFrank Ham Helen Black Helen Henderson Clell & Betty Jean Kingruth Murrell Dale MurrellJuanita BrockJuanita Story Joe & Libby WilliamsNelle Hardin Marie TempleCHiLDrEN’S MuSiCKatie McMahan Bob & Jane Young Mike & Cindy Young Ron & Brenda Russell CArE randy Spurlock Doyle & June SadlerCHiLDrEN’S MuSiCPaul & ruth Galyon Robert & Sandy FoxPArK roAD ProJECTKatie McMahanPhyllis Applewhite Jo Blalock

IN HONORHELPiNG HANDSour custodial staff Marie Temple

TribuTedGivinG

Attendance report 7/19/2015 7/26/2015 8/2/2015 8/9/2015 8:15am Worship 684 621 662 572 9:30am SS 1324 1305 1349 1267 10:45am Worship 1049 1026 1073 1011 6:30pm Worship 369 949 291 309

Biblical Stewardship 7/19/2015 7/26/2015 8/2/2015 8/9/2015 Total Weekly Needs $ 97,265.00 $ 97,265.00 $ 97,265.00 $ 97,265.00 Tithes & Offerings 70,993.63 90,998.15 75,349.06 89,001.74 Building Fund 1,151.00 776.00 761.00 1,706.00 Designated Fund 3,142.00 2,531.00 1,075.00 3,043.00

New MembersLeslie RandallCaitlyn MattoxShannon BurrellJohn, Laura, Jordan & Maleka WestDiane PapineauTodd & Lorrie EzraJoe & Pam StricklandCalab HacklerJoy Langford-MadoreLinda BenterVon OgleGaret & Olan LovedayDixon & Cheri Reeves

recently HospitalizedKendal OwnbyShirley DentonMike HedlerMiriam McMahanRuby ScrivnerSandy OwnbyJim PullenBarbara HodgeTina TarkingtonEd GallowayFrank AtchleyJoan McMahanNancy LawsonBob AustinRichard ShampineKaren KingPhil KeeferLarry Stinson

• Shirley King in the passing of her sisters, Katie McMahan and Nell Hardin

• Ed White in the passing of his mother, Ailene White

• Gloria Randal & Rich Mace in the passing of their father/grandfather, Richard Fink

• Frank Atchley in the passing of his nephew, Ted Latham

• Alan Stair in the passing of his mother, Earle Stair

• Kathy Fields in the passing of her mother, Norma Carroll

• Jean & Scott Dilger in the passing of their husband/father, Paul

• Paul Manis in the passing of his sister, Lucille West

• Lori Mahaffey in the passing of her uncle, Joel Adams

• Scott Solomon/Austin Solomon in the passing of their mother/grandmother, Barbara Solomon

Sympathy to

IN MEMORYBuDGETHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceLon Sutton Beulah SuttonKatie McMahan Kimberly DeMoss Charles & Gail FancherNelle Hardin Marilyn Loveday Macomb Intermediate

School District Technology Department

Mike, Linda, Brandon Berrier & Beulah McMahan

Juanita BrockPhyllis ApplewhiteHelen HendersonJuanita StoryKatie McMahanDennis TeagueJim LittletonHorace yarberryHarold Clabough Mike & Beverly OwnbyPaul Dilger Helen OwnbyTv MiNiSTryKatie McMahan Dot LaddBetty DavisEarle Stair Mike, Linda, Brandon

Berrier and Beulah McMahan

Lon Sutton Beulah Sutton

Sing a New SongMisty Hedrick

What’s on your playlist today? Do you ever think

about it or are you just jamming to the beat? Do

you sing or listen silently? It actually does matter. In

fact, it’s very important. Music is the quickest, most

natural way to learn. It’s universal, every culture

uses it. This is by God’s design.

God gives us individual gifts & talents, and expects

us to use His methods. And it works. I can’t even

begin listing all the Scripture I’ve learned in song.

It’s absolutely the easiest way to hide God’s Word

in your heart. Like all of God’s good gifts, however,

music can be twisted. So we need to choose our

tunes thoughtfully, with wisdom and discernment.

Here’s how I choose:

1. GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) lyrics matter.

Music constantly runs through my mind. It’s like

an inner concert. Whatever I hear, I sing. Even the

ones I don’t like. It comes out when I hum and

when I periodically burst into song which happens

more often than my family would like. Songs well

up in me and pour out. I want them to encourage,

build up and heal, rather than cause anger, fear, or

stumbling. The songs I listen to aren’t purely

Scriptural, but the message is Biblical. If it isn’t, I

don’t want it stuck in my head, because eventually,

it will come out my mouth. (Luke 6:45) We must

Send questions or comments to [email protected]

there were very appreciative of the thoughtfulness and care that went into the quilts that were given to them. Many had stories to share with us of how their parents and grandparents were quilters. It was amazing to see the happiness and joy they felt at having their very own quilt. The only thing more heart-warming was the feeling of being able to provide the quilts for them.

The Quilting Ministry has also been able to provide new quilts for several members of the Veterans’ Home in Knoxville. These quilts were specially made with select choices of material and were design to be as patriotic as possible. The employees at the Veterans’ Home were so excited and appreciative that we took the time make the quilts for the veterans. They kept saying that the families of the veterans would be as excited as the veterans themselves. I never got to meet the veterans but judging by the excitement their caregivers had I am assured in my heart those veterans were very happy.

guard our hearts, because music affects our

feelings so powerfully. Angry music stirs anger;

praise music stirs us to worship. (Proverbs 4:23) I

don’t want pop culture dictating how I feel, so I

don’t listen to it. I never thought I would, or could

turn off secular music. But God takes us where He

wants on this spiritual journey, so one day I flipped

the switch.

2. Train up your child. Make no mistake, what you’re

listening to impacts your kids. Do you remember

songs from your childhood? I do. As a kid, I sang

country songs because my parents listened to

country. They didn’t really pay attention to the

lyrics. Until I started singing them, that is. Guess

what? I still remember those songs. All. The. Words.

I still listened to it when my daughter was born.

My no-kiddie-tunes system worked fine until she

started talking. She loved to walk up to the pastor

and throw out the latest hits. “I know a song about

heaven,” she’d say...and, well, you do the math. Just

like with me, GIGO! My kids love Christian artists,

and they love our choir practice CDs because when

we go to church, they’re ready to participate. What

you do, your child will imitate. Do you want your

child to sing and worship with enthusiasm? Then

you sing and worship with enthusiasm.

3. Sing a new song. Do you know how many verses

in the Bible tell us to “sing a NEW song” to the Lord?

I found nine. Hundreds more command us to sing.

And shout. And play instruments. Loudly. Songs

of remembrance, instruction, lament and praise.

Songs to God, about God, about God’s work in

our lives.

God is infinitely creative. He even creates new

materials so He can make new things. He takes

old things and remakes them into new things.

Yet God’s creativity does not change God

Himself. And because He never changes, His

Word never changes.

God Himself is a singer (Zeph. 3:17) and a

songwriter. (Deut. 31:19-22) Which makes sense

because He is the great Author of life, of

salvation, of our faith. He knows how to use

words because He is The Word. (John 1:1)

Created in His image, God’s people are singing

people. Always have been. Singing is a key

component of worship. God knew the issue of

how to worship Him would come up…

repeatedly. Remember: Who we worship is more

important than how we worship. Our “sacrifice

of praise” is not for us. That’s what makes it a

sacrifice. It’s an offering to Him. (Heb. 13:15)

Are you God’s? If so, SING. It’s not optional. And

try some new songs. “If you’re alive & you’ve

been redeemed, RISE & SING!”

The ministry has also provided quilts for folks in Cleveland Ohio. A sister church of First Baptist Sevierville had some members there that needed a special touch of love. It is a blessing to be able to provide a warm comfort for those in a bad situation. We have also sent quilts to missionaries overseas. We have quilts in Thailand that we provided for the Crook family. At this time, the ladies and I have 70 quilts ready to be delivered to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. It is our hope that once delivered there will be a lot of smiling young faces.

Every quilt created by the Quilting Ministry is prayed over by First Baptist Church leadership before they ever leave our quilting room. God has blessed us with abilities to create a gift that we can share with people anywhere in the world.

Quilting from a CallingLori Mahaffey

It is my belief that when God provides a purpose for you it is not an option to not follow his calling. So when Pastor Dan shared his vision of the 5-5-5 I knew God wanted me to be a part of it. I always wanted to be in a quilting ministry and had been hesitant to ask about it. So this was a message I heard loud and clear. I have been told that I have been given the gift of being craft-oriented and sharing that gift is always a blessing to me. I have been called to lead a group of talented people to create quilts for those in need. From making quilts for babies and new moms to making quilts for veterans and the elderly, we have been called to provide for them all. The quilting ministry provides a warm way of displaying God’s love to those people we are able to provide with a quilt.

We have been able to provide our warm loving quilts to the nice folks residing at the Dominion Nursing Home. The men and women

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

Scott AndrewsAssoc. Pastor of Worship

Jerry HyderAssoc. Pastor of Adults

Scott CarterAssoc. Pastor of Youth

Address317 Parkway Sevierville, TN 37862

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

Office Phone(865) 453-9001(865) 429-6309 (fax)

Craig MintzAssoc. Pastor of Equipping

Steve BrewerAssoc. Pastor of Discipleship

Clark ByramAssoc. Pastor of Stewardship/Administration Contact UsSenior Staff

fbcsev.org

[email protected]

facebook.com/fbcsev

twitter.com/fbcsev

Pastor on Call(865) 453-9257

Prayer Line(865) 429-PRAY

First Word October 2015

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