FIRST BAPTIST SEVIERVILLE | SEPTEMBER 2013

Volume 80, No. 6

IN THIS ISSUE

Called to ServeBro Dan shares of the many ways our church serves and loves on others.

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Life Change UniversityCraig gives details on the upcoming classes for the Fall.

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FaceTime with God Patrick Miller shares about Moses’ FaceTime with God.

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First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

Living Beyond the OddsOur Daily Bread

Many of us make daily decisions based on the odds. If there’s a 20 percent chance of rain, we may ignore it. If there’s a 90 percent chance, we’ll take an umbrella. The greater the odds, the more our behavior is affected because we want to choose wisely and be successful.

Acts 12:1-6 describes a situation in which Peter’s odds of survival were very low. He was in prison, “bound with two chains between two soldiers” while others guarded the door. Herod had already executed James, one of Jesus’ closest followers, and he had the same fate in mind for Peter. A gambler would not have put any money on Peter getting out of this alive.

Yet God’s plan for Peter included a miraculous deliverance that even those who were interceding for him found hard to believe (v.13-16). They were astonished when he showed up at their prayer meeting.

God can operate outside the odds because He is all-powerful. Nothing is too hard for Him. The One who loves us and gave Himself for us is in charge of our lives. In ordinary circumstances and impossible situations, God can reveal His power. Whether we are showered with success or sustained in sorrow, He is with us.

Dear God, we’re so thankful that nothing is toodifficult for You. You can do amazing things!Help us to trust that You are always with usand always in control. We love You, Lord.

God is always in control behind the scenes.

Page 2 | First Baptist Church of Sevierville

From the Pastor’s Heart...Dear Church Family,

First Baptist Church has the reputation of being a “helping” church. I love the fact that people in our community know that when they are in need we can be counted on to lend a hand. Between Sundays, we deal with dozens of people who walk into our facilities asking for help. While we can’t fulfill every request, we try to do something for everyone. Along with ministering to physical needs (food, clothing, shelter, etc.), we take time to minister to spiritual needs. Our pastors regularly lead people to Jesus who come to us for benevolent ministry. We know that sometimes people aren’t being honest, and we try to discern between false and genuine needs, but we try to err on the side of grace and help as much as we can. Special thanks to David Goode, who has helped us with this ministry in the past, and Paul James who currently assists us one day a week.

Every Wednesday our Helping Hands ministry distributes food to those who need it. Our dedicated volunteers not only provide much-needed grocery items for some of the most vulnerable people in our community, but they also take time to listen to their stories and pray over them. Every week I hear about those who come to us empty and leave with Jesus in their hearts. Isn’t that awesome?!

Every Monday night out Student Ministry serves a hot meal to 50-60 people from our community. “Hot Meals for Hungry Hearts” provides restaurant-quality meals to our neighbors in need. Hot Meals is open to those who are truly homeless and living out of their cars, those who cannot afford to provide nutritious meals for their growing families or those who are struggling through a temporary period of financial difficulties. The fellowship is always sweet as our young people serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. Thanks to Karen Koerten and her team for preparing the food each week.

When I think of these ways we serve those in need, I remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35, “I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.” Thank you, First Baptist Church, for serving Jesus by serving others. Every day you are doing the work (or supporting it with your tithes and offerings) that comes naturally to the people of God.

Dan Spencer

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Ephesians

2:19-20

Sonrise SeniorsTuesday, September 3; 9:00am/Parlor

Judgement House Orientation MeetingSunday, September 8; 5:00pm/CrossingThis meeting is for all areas involved in Judgement House. If you would like to participate in this year’s production contact Amanda in the church office.

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, September 10; Noon/FLCBring a covered dish.

Children’s ChoirsBegins Wednesday, September 11; 5:30pmPre-K & Kindergarten may register at the preschool desk any time.Grades 1-6 may register online at www.fbcsev.org or in their class.

MissionsBegins Wednesday, September 11Acteens (Girls 7th-12th Grade) 5:30pmMission Friends (Age 2-5) 6:30pmGA’s (Girls 1st-6th Grade) 6:30pm RA’s (Boys 1st-6th Grade) 6:30pm

Children’s ChurchSunday, September 158:15am– 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

Celebration CraftersThursday, September 19; 10:00am/E-218Will be making a fall craft.

PEP MomsFriday, September 20; 9:15am/ParlorFall kickoff luncheon. Guest speaker, Officer Laura Brooks. Cost is $5 per person, you can register online at www.fbcsev.org or pay at the door. Childcare provided, please email names and ages of your children to trice@fbcsev.org.

FBC Men’s Ministry - Wild Game SupperSaturday, October 12; 6:00pm/FLCGuest speaker Stacy Dyer from X-treme Christain Outdoors. Cost is $10 per person. Sign up at the Welcome Center on Sundays.

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsEveryday 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. FIRST FAMILY FOTOMANIABe a part of our new First Family Pictorial Directory! Your portrait sitting is free and each family will receive a free 8x10 (one per family). Schedule your September 2013 session online at www.fbcsev.org or by calling Monica at 453-9001.

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Youth Bible Drill 7th-9th GradeBegins Sunday, September 15; 5:30pmMeet in the 6th Grade Sunday School area.

Bible DrillBegins Sunday, September 15; 5:30pmBible Buddies; Grades 1-3/C-220Children’s Bible Drill; Grades 4-6/C-212

Volunteer OpportunityChildren’s Missions is in need of Mission Friends, GA & RA teachers. Please contact Tammy in the church office if you are interested.

Deacon Elections Thank you to all those who prayerfully cast their ballots for the 2013-2014 Deacon elections. The church body elected the following men to serve for a 3-year term as Deacon: Sam Burnett, Brent Cusick, Scott Finchum, Roger Green, Kevin Headrick, Lamar Josey, Marvin Maples, Steve McFalls, Gary Perkins, Keith Ratcliff, Marc Robertson, John Thomas.

Sept.2013

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TV MINISTRYLon Sutton Beulah SuttonRudolph Douglass Bill CrowsonElizabeth OwnbyRudolph Douglass Katie McMahanCarl CorradoJohn KoertenRudolph Douglass Lyle & Judy Pat OverbayGene Catlett Linda RolenMUSIC MINISTRYDoc Teague Gail HaggardMike Williams Mary OwnbyElizabeth Ownby Katie Blalock’s SS Class JB & Shirley Matthews David & Margaret

Goode Katie BlalockLon Sutton Beulah SuttonTOMMY PARROTT

SCHOLARSHIPRush Parrott, Louise

Parrott & June Parrott Norma HeadrickHEAVENBOUND

SINGERSArt Boyce Mary & Gary GastLIBRARYJanette RominesEdward BaxterJohn KoertenSam RolenRudolph DouglassDan RiskClaudia Maxwell

Omalee WilsonDoc TeagueBonnie Kate Helton KelleyElizabeth OwnbyHorace Jennings First Baptist ChurchPARKING LOTFred Loepp II Pat LoeppWMUJohn KoertenRudolph Doulgass Don & Marjorie

LeatherwoodCHRISTMAS STORE Richard Baker Smith Clell & Betty Jean KingTN BAPTIST ADULT HOMEWalter Lorah Richard & Barbara LorahDavid Lintz Phyllis LintzCharles Renegar Mike & Debbie LequireGarfield Williams,

Claude Cogdill Bill & Georgia Cogdill Scott & Tina BowlingAndy Andrews,

June Parrott Don & Marjorie

LeatherwoodRick Irwin Joyce RobertsonLonnie Hale, Bryce

Broughton Jerry & Shirley BroughtonCarl Corrado AnonymousElben White, Elizha Turner

& Jimmie Turner Jean WhiteWoody McCroskey Belva GlaspieFelix Ogle Ben & Connie OgleDon Crews Dodie SweatHELPING HANDSJohn Koerten Jeff & Linda MillsBill Holt Pat Holt Myers & familyPRAYER ROOMElizabeth Ownby James & Carolyn Powell

TRIBUTEDGIVING

Attendance Report 7/14/2013 7/21/2013 7/28/2013 8/4/2013 8:15am Worship 612 643 644 618 9:30am SS 1312 1298 1225 1159 10:45am Worship 1142 1127 1102 1150 6:30pm Worship 454 482 972 470

Biblical Stewardship 7/14/2013 7/21/2013 7/28/2013 8/4/2013 Total Weekly Needs $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 Tithes & Offerings 70,023.06 98,949.77 88,810.49 87,644.85 Building Fund 492.00 411.00 471.00 611.00 Designated Fund 1,416.50 1,739.50 4,123.00 5,252.81

New MembersGary PowersJosiah KellyBetty LovedayElizabeth HedrickJerry BentonJames & Brenda VaughanJudy TrenthamWillie & Betty LangleyJerry & Stephanie Ellison

Recently HospitalizedRuth MartinKaye ThomasRachel BeasleyBetty LangleyLori MahaffeyAnnie StokesRuby WhaleyDavid BennettStacie McCarterLarry KellyRegen MorrisLarry McMullanPeggy BrewingtonJohn CottongimTruett Frazier

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

Johnny Ownby Darlene Corrado Family of Rush & Louise Parrott Judy Hamby Linda Rolen Jack & Polly Teague

• The following families wish to express their appreciation for support from the church: Maggie Fox & Family

• Tammy Thomas in the passing of her mother, Lillian Pollard

• Paul Parrott in the passing of his wife, June

• Lois Boyce in the passing of her husband, Art

• Pat Loepp in the passing of her uncle, Delmar Large

• Sherry Eudy in the passing of her father, Daniel Rollings

• Curtis & Shirley King in the passing of their daughter, Sharon Duncan

• Helen Cummings in the passing of her brother-in-law, Raymond Gann

• Dolce Salazar in the passing of her brother, Yogi Guevara

• Pete Owen in the passing of his mother, Maxine Owen

• Darlene & Randy Corrado in the passing of their husband/father, Carl

• Laura Christopher in the passing of her sister, Pat Moore

• Enrique Gomez in the passing of his father

• Jeff Mills in the passing of his mother, Dorothy Mills

• Chuck Perkins in the passing of his step-father, Jake LiebyThank You Notes

Sympathy to

Sam Rolen Linda RolenCHILDREN’S MUSICMike Williams Doug, Kim, Austin

& Sierra WilliamsPaul & Ruth Galyon Robbie & Sandy FoxPARK ROAD PROJECTElizabeth OwnbyFrank MortonDoc TeagueOmalee WilsonKelly ReaganNick HicksPhillip Webb Jo BlalockArt BoyceEd BarnesGene CatlettSharan DuncanDorothy MillsFrank HamOmalee WilsonJeff TarwaterKenneth Keener Lyle & Judy Pat OverbayTN CHILDREN’S HOMEWillie Mae WalkerBud GannJune ParrottAnn FulcherEunice Haspel Lyle & Judy Pat Overbay

IN HONORBUDGETTiffany Atchley David & Elizabeth

McCarterLisa Pickens Dave GordenOur grandparents, Harry

& Miriam McMahan and Carl & Betty McCarter

Emily Grace & Andrew McCarter

Our grandkid’s birthdays, Sawyer & Rayleigh Beth

Ray & Tammy JohnsonMy mother, Virginia

Morgan Terry & Gail Gossett

Harold Ownby for his dedicated work on the new book “From the Forks of the River into the Third Century”

Herman & Jean HuffTN BAPTIST

ADULT HOMEGlenn Turner, Jr Micky & Cindy KoontzJoe Thomas Phil WordDavid Newman Pat LoeppFred & Ruby Adkins John NivenAlan Huskey James & Claudette KingBill Hatcher Jamie HatcherDennis Cushman Sammy LovedayJoe Woods Martha DooleyJerry Broughton Shirley BroughtonFrank Atchely Ben & Connie OgleOur dads, Bill Cogdill

& Bruce Bowling Scott & Tina BowlingCHILDREN’S DEPTAll 2nd Grade

VBS workers Deana JohnsonTammy Watson 4th Grade VBS WorkersTV MINISTRYNorma Headrick Rex & Louise DelozierBENEVOLENCEDorothy Johnson AnonymousCHILDREN’S

WORKROOMLibby Williams Bob & Becky Barnes

IN MEMORYBUDGETHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceLon Sutton Beulah SuttonElizbeth Ownby Tony Watson Jack & Patricia Palmer Johnny Ownby’s SS Class Melba Delozier Bill & Clara Carroll David & Dorothy JohnsonGeorge Headrick Barbara HeadrickBUILDINGOmalee WilsonDoc TeagueBonnie Kate KelleyElizabeth Ownby Rex & Louise DelozierJune ParrottGene Catlett Clarence & Charlotte

EledgeHorace Jennings Chuck Sexton’s SS Class

Discipleship Classes Set for FallCraig MintzAssociate Pastor of Equipping

A good carpenter doesn’t just bring a hammer to the job site. He brings nails, a nail gun, a saw, a level, and much more. To do the job right, he’s got to be thoroughly equipped with all the tools he might need. In much the same way, a growing Christian is always seeking to be equipped with the right spiritual tools to carry out the Great Commission (make disciples) and the Great Commandment (love).

Paul tells Timothy, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Do you want to live the life Jesus Christ has called you to live? Start in God’s Word. A great way to do this is in Life Change University – our church’s offering of short-term discipleship classes. You can study through a whole book of the Bible, learn to honor God with your finances, find Biblical help for

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Send questions or comments to newsletter@fbcsev.org

Exodus 33. In this chapter, God allows Moses to ask for anything that he wants. Could you imagine God granting you a wish? What would you ask for? Your wish might consist of more wishes, money, healing, peace, happiness, or pleasure. Moses did not have the same frame of mind as many of us because with his one wish he asked to see God. That is such a better wish than any of the ones that were previously mentioned.

Moses was so consumed with the love and forgiveness that he had seen God display toward the Israelites that he wanted to actually see the physical figure of God.

I think that this story often gets overlooked, and I have rarely ever heard a sermon on it; however, the ending tells us a lot about God.

parenting and so much more. Check out the list of classes provided here. For more details, pick up a brochure at the Welcome Center or look on our church website at www.fbcsev.org.

Sundays • Book by Book Through The Bible, Ongoing at 5:15 pm in Room C-322 • I Am A Church Member, begins September 15 at 5:15 pm in Room E-229

Mondays • Precept Upon Precept: Revelation Part 1 Orientation begins September 30 at 6:45 pm in Room E-218

Wednesdays

•Gideon, Begins September 11 at 5:30pm in Room E-220

•The Saving Life of Christ, begins September 11 at 6:30pm in Room C-303

•Financial Peace University, begins September 11 at 5:30pm in Room E-229

•How Can I Know? Answers to Life 7 Most Important Questions, begins September 11 at 5:30pm in Room C-322

•”33-The Series” Men’s Bible Study: A Man and His Traps, begins September 11 at 5:30pm in Room C-308

•The Life-Changing Power of Prayer, begins September 11 at 10 am in the Parlor

•Breaking Free, begins September 11 at 5:30 pm in Room E-218

Moses did get to see the back of God, but he was not allowed to see His face. Verse 20 reads, “But,” he said, “you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.”

Moses was one of God’s closest companions and a major prophet in the Old Testament. He was granted one wish and he pretty much asked to FaceTime with God; however, God is so perfect, pure, and holy that Moses only got to see his back. I cannot wait to see the beautiful and glorious face of God.

There will come a time in Heaven when Christians will see not only the back of God, but they will also get to see His face as well. Similar to the removing of a veil on a bride, finally getting to see God’s face will be a marvelous moment.

FaceTime with GodPatrick MillerYouth Intern

One of the most popular brands of electronics is Apple. The iPhone, iPad, and Mac are all Apple products that can be seen in most households. On every apple device, there is application called FaceTime that allows the user to communicate with another user while seeing them in person, even though you are not face-to-face. If you have not heard of FaceTime, then maybe you know the Microsoft version, which is called Skype. The basic idea is that it allows visual communication that cannot happen during a phone call.

Pastor Dan mentioned FaceTiming with God in a recent sermon, and I instantly thought of

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

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 Equipping

Royce BaileyAssoc. Pastor of Children

Clark ByramBusiness Administrator Contact UsSenior Staff

fbcsev.org

info@fbcsev.org

facebook.com/fbcsev

twitter.com/fbcsev

Pastor on Call(865) 453-9257

Prayer Line(865) 429-PRAY