FIRST BAPTIST SEVIERVILLE | DECEMBER 2012

Volume 71, No. 6

IN THIS ISSUE

From the Pastor’s HeartBro Dan shares about his upcoming sermon series for December.

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What will you give Christmas? Craig Mintz asks us to consider giving to Lottie Moon?

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FBC on Mission Scott Andrews shares briefly about this past year’s mission trips and upcoming ones.

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First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

What will you give this Christmas? Craig Mintz Associate Pastor of Young Adults & Discipleship

Ten years ago, a young Turkish man living in Northern Europe heard the Gospel because you gave to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Ali was quiet and reserved.* He was a young Turkish Muslim just hoping to make a better life in a land not his own.

To get a good job, he was studying the local language in the same class where my wife, Jessica, and I were studying. He was hard to get to know, but I did my best to pierce his outer shell with hopes of sharing the Good News. Then, abruptly, Ali decided to leave in the middle of our term and return to Turkey. I knew I would probably never see him again and I knew he had never heard the Gospel. As he took a smoke break on his last day, I asked the Lord for courage as I shared the Gospel with him. He did not repent and believe on that day, but I pray when I think of him that he will before it’s too late.

For countless others, it is already too late. More than 2,000 years after the Great Commission, there are still numerous people groups with millions of people who have no church or witness among them. Every dollar you give changes that statistic. Your generosity made it possible for Jessica and me to live overseas among a group of people who are largely unreached with the Gospel. Will you give sacrificially this year so that even more will have the opportunity to hear the hope you have in Jesus?

*Name changed for security purposes

Dear First Baptist Family,

It is hard for me to believe that this month I will complete one year as your pastor. Time flies when you are having fun…and making friends…and serving Jesus! I began at First Baptist Church toward the end of December last year, so I am looking forward to experiencing this exciting month with you in its entirety this year.

In the month of December, I am going to be preaching about “Something New.” Everyone expects to get something new this time of year: a new toy, a new outfit, a new game, some new gift that has that still-in-the-box, recently-purchased, never-been-owned-before appeal. You are probably going to be doing some shopping this month for something new for that special someone.

I want to lead you from Scripture to experience something new each Sunday this month. On December 2, I will be preaching about “A New Commitment to the Gospel.” Building on the “Generations” theme of last month, I will be challenging families to be gospel-centered. On December 9, we will consider the marching orders of the church and turn to Scripture to gain “A New Zeal for the Great Commission.” I pray that will lead us to another great offering for international missions and another great year of personal missions involvement.

On December 16 and 23, I will focus on the story of Christ’s Incarnation. We will find in God’s Word “A New Hope for a Hurting World” and take “A New Look at a Familiar Scene.” I believe we will see that Christmas is so much more than shopping and rushing around. Christmas means the possibility of a relationship with God and hope for lost humanity. We will take time to linger around the manger and ponder these truths.

December always brings the promise of a new year full of new opportunities, so on the final Sunday of 2012 we will look to Scripture for “A New Challenge for a New Year.” Something great, something awesome, something new is in store for First Baptist Church! I look forward to a great new year of serving Jesus together.

I love being your pastor!

Dan Spencer

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From the Pastor’s Heart...

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Isaiah 7:14

FBC Drama and Worship Ministries Presents SEASON OF JOY DECEMBER 2 & 3; 6:30pm/WCWe are thrilled to be presenting our 9th Annual Singing Christmas Tree. This event has become a must to begin the season of celebrating the birth of our Savior. This year will be no different. Come and join us on either Sunday night, December 2nd or Monday night, December 3rd for our presentation of SEASON OF JOY.

Sonrise SeniorsTuesday, December 4; 9:00am/Parlor

PEP Moms Friday, December 7; 9:15am/ParlorJoin us for this time of food, fellowship and devotion. Special guest: Vicky Byram. We will also be having our annual cookie swap.

4th Grade Live NativitySunday, December 9; 9:30am-10:30am on the track in the FLC

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, December 11; Noon/FLCBring a covered dish. Special guest: Royce Bailey and Julie Littleton

Spirited Single’s Christmas DinnerThursday, December 13; 6:00pm/ParlorSpecial Guests: Dan & Tresa Spencer. Please sign up at Welcome Center or call church office.

Youth Christmas PartyMonday, December 17; 6:30pm/Hidden MtnYouth 1 & 2 - bring a vegetableYouth 3 - bring a dessert

Passion 2013 January 1-4There will be around 70,000 college students in the Georgia Dome worshiping with folks like Chris Tomlin, LeCrae, Francis Chan, Louie Giglio, Matt Redman, Beth Moore and John Piper. Cost is $275, will increase after December 1, get your money to Amanda in the church office soon!

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsChurch Office Holiday HoursChristmasClosed December 24 & 25New YearsClosed January 1

CARE GIVER FRIENDS We will not meet in December, next meeting will be January 13th.

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

Christmas Store Host/Hostess TrainingIf you would like to serve as a host or hostess during our Christmas Store and you are 16 or older, please attend our training on December 5th; 6:30pm/Parlor. We have a particular need for folks who can speak Spanish. If you have any questions please call Kristie in the church office at 429-6303.

Christmas Store Project 2012We are now collecting new and unwrapped toys for our Store. We have a special need for toddler and youth items. Collection bins are placed throughout the church. Monetary donations are also appreciated. We also have a specific need for people who speak Spanish to serve as host/hostess during our store. We need hundreds of volunteers to help set up on Friday, December 7th and for the store on Saturday, December 8. No signups are needed to be a volunteer, just come and help when you can!

Dec.2012

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PRESCHOOLLois Ownby Will & Janet JohnsonPARK ROAD PROJECTIta BlalockWiley NewmanBob Justus Jo BlalockIta Blalock Charles & Gail FancherUPWARDBobbie Lee Gary Roach’s SS ClassCHRISTMAS STOREBob JustusOur Parents Curtis & Shirley KingLon Sutton Beulah SuttonJohn Hatcher Marina & Jerry WhaleyCharles Hodges Robert & Connie

AlewineBen McFalls Rowena McFalls

& FamilyRobert Stevens Lois StevensHURRICANE SANDYEd Glaspie Belva GlaspieLOTTIE MOONMichael WilliamsCarl & Lois Ownby Joe & Libby WilliamsCHILDRENS MINISTRYIta BlalockBob JustusSue Manning Linda Henderson Rolen

IN HONORBUILDINGIn Honor of Scott Carter

and his helpers in Judgement House

Rex & Louise DelozierBUDGETMy big brother

Joe’s Birthday Terry & Gail GossettWORLD HUNGERKristie Russell Larry & Charlene Castle

TRIBUTEDGIVING

Attendance Report 10/28/2012 11/4/2012 11/11/2012 11/18/2012 8:15am Worship 503 647 583 571 9:30am SS 1169 1325 1287 1264 10:45am Worship 1185 1415 1145 1191 6:30pm Worship 500 554 335 390

Biblical Stewardship 10/28/2012 11/4/2012 11/11/2012 11/18/2012 Total Weekly Needs $ 92,822.23 $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 $ 86,177.00 Tithes & Offerings 70,218.97 96,887.53 71,490.24 81,947.68 Building Fund 1,306.00 521.00 1,486.00 771.00 Designated Fund 5,727.31 4,994.50 6,780.49 5,146.40

New MembersJohnnie C. CarverJennifer CordiStephanie PopielarczykAndrew OetzelMark KuykendallBraxton & Gail SteeleTom RagerMike & Jeanne PalmerMike & Peggy PalmerSherry SawyerCaleb TarwaterDoug WilliamsShaun, Jennifer, Macie & McKinley AdkinsPaula Bruney

Recently HospitalizedFreda Patty Louise ParrottNancy MountMarjorie LeatherwoodVirginia BrownClyde TrenthamKaye ThomasBill HaynesMary Ellen JagersTina TarwaterEric McCoyFaye McGinnisJames “Jim” Hatcher

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

Family of Julia Lowe Family of Mike Shultz

• The following families wish to express their appreciation for support from the church: Joe Richard

• Art Gunningham in the passing of his wife, Amanda

• Micki Ownby in the passing of her mother, Julia Lowe

• Liz Gibson in the passing of her step mother, Flo Schimmel

• Melody Shampine in the passing of her father

• Rita Laymon in the passing of her father

• Laurie Palmer in the passing of her mother, Audrey Sprout

• Kathy Fields in the passing of her brother

• Jay Pierce in the passing of his father, Jay Pierce Sr

• Family & friends in the passing of Velda Seagle

• Randy Hodge in the passing of his father, JBThank You Notes

Sympathy to

IN MEMORYBUDGETHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceBUILDINGCharlotte Thompson Chuck Sexton SS ClassIta Blalock Rex & Louise Delozier Mr. & Mrs. Robert DelozierGeorge Headrick Barbara HeadrickIta BlalockBob Justus Dale & Ruth MurrellLIBRARYMerrill MartinLoyd DuggerAudrey SproutWyley CarrollJay Pierce, SrVelda SeagleJB HodgeBobbie LeeDeborah Young First Baptist ChurchHELPING HANDSGary Lawson Jim & Kay TarwaterIta Blalock Joe & Libby Williams

FBC on Mission Scott Andrews Associate Pastor of Worship/Missions

In our last article, we left out our team that went

to the Ukraine to minister to orphans with Hope

House International. Our team went the end of

May and first of June. We also listed trips being

planned for 2013. Below you will find a few more

details. In the coming weeks, we’ll be making lists

of those who would like to go on which trips…this

will help us in planning and making detailed travel

arrangements. Right now we just need to know

your interest. Even though there is a lot going on

with the Holiday Season, take time to think about

how the Lord might use you on mission in 2013.

Haiti: February 24 – March 9

This team will go one of these two weeks to assist

in the rebuild that continues in Haiti. This is a

mission trip that requires special skills.

Guatemala: March

The dates are not firm as of yet but we will be

assisting former member and now missionary John

Tarwater.

Cincinnati, Ohio: April 14 – 27

This is a partnership through the Tennessee Baptist

Convention that we are beginning this year. This

project will require a construction team and will be

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Send questions or comments to newsletter@fbcsev.org

With so many people lining up to make purchases this month, what would happen if...instead of buying the newest computer or tablet we gave our money away freely to provide clean drinking water in India or help liberate girls caught in sex trafficking in Nepal? With the money we spend buying things that will be out of date in three months, we could provide a local family with more than enough food and clothing to last for months.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

done over the course of a two-week period. You

don’t have to commit to both weeks.

Nairobi, Kenya (Orbit): May 31 – June 12

We will be conducting a Music Camp with the kids

of Orbit Village and then presenting the musical in

the largest Baptist Church in Nairobi. Our Church

has had a relationship with the Orbit Village and

many of our members sponsored their boys and

girls. This effort will be one of the largest we have

ever undertaken and we are excited about what

God will be doing through this mission trip.

Crossover Houston: June 7 – 8

This mission trip is part of the evangelistic effort

the Southern Baptist Convention conducts prior

to the Convention in the host city. Possibilities

include door-to-door witnessing, block parties and

church community events.

Delaware: July 7 – 12

This has become an annual outreach event for our

partnership church, High Tide in Bethany Beach,

Delaware. We conduct Music Camp with the boys

and girls and present the musical to the parents.

You do not need to know music to participate in

this mission effort…just love boys and girls.

Italy: Fall 2013

We are planning on joining with the

Tennessee Baptist Convention partnership in

reaching this country for Christ. We have been

asked to send a team of 6–10 in September or

October of 2013. We will be doing door-to-door

evangelism, English Camp, and neighborhood

outreach events.

Brazil: Late Summer/Fall 2013

Details are still being determined but many of

you have expressed interest in returning to Rio

and we have been asked to take on several

projects, which include medical clinics,

evangelistic efforts and VBS.

Montana: 2013

We have plans to assist our partnership church,

Gallatin Valley Baptist Fellowship in Manhattan,

but details are yet to be worked out.

Please call our missions office, 429-6303, to let us

know of your interest. Teams will form fast…the

sooner we know your interest the better. Again,

thank you First Baptist Sevierville for your heart

for missions. Pray about allowing God to use

you. Being part of a short-term mission project

will be one of the greatest blessings of your life.

Dear Christian, this holiday season I humbly ask you to examine your heart and to see where your treasure is. Is it in acquiring the things of this world or is it in providing for the least of these so that you may lay up treasure for yourself in Heaven?

Enough is EnoughMatt GalyonYouth Intern

This time of year we seem to really like stuff. We’re constantly looking through newspaper advertisements or looking on amazon.com or eBay for a better deal on the newest thing. This is, as they say, the season of giving. But what if we completely shifted that paradigm of giving? What if, instead of giving with an expectation of receiving, we gave knowing we wouldn’t get anything (in this life, at least) in return?

All around us people are hurting and in need. To see the truth in that statement, simply turn on the local news or spend 30 minutes in Starbucks. You’ll see and hear stories of people who are in need this Christmas season.

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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twitter.com/fbcsev

Pastor on Call(865) 453-9257

Prayer Line(865) 429-PRAY