FIRST BAPTIST SEVIERVILLE | APRIL 2014

Volume 87, No. 6

IN THIS ISSUE

He knowsBro Dan offers up the reminder that Christ knows what we go through in life.

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You’ll Get Through ThisJerry “Bear” Hyder invites you to a new Bible study by Max Lucado.

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The Weaver God is the Weaver of our lives and his plan for us. Page 5

First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

You’ll Get Through ThisJerry HyderAssoc. Pastor of Adults

“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick, but God will use this mess for good. Don’t be foolish or naive, but don’t despair either. With God’s help, you’ll get through this.” - Max Lucado

I want to personally invite you to a new Bible Study based on the life of Joseph, which will encourage you. I have found the principles from this study will give us a better perspective of how to deal with difficult and stressful times. Even if you are not currently going through a lot of stress right now, the truth applications will give you some practical ways to help your family, friends and others who are going through a turbulent time.

I look forward to seeing you there as we study God’s Word together. We will meet in Room E-220 on Wednesday Nights @ 6pm.

Session Topics April 30 You’ll Get Through This

May 7 Down & Out, but Never Alone

May 14 Stupid Won’t Fix Stupid

May 21 Is God Good When Life Isn’t?

May 28 God Can Use This For Good

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Dear Church Family,Spring is in the air, trees and flowers are showing the colorful signs of new growth, and the atmosphere seems fresh and clean. April is a month of new life. There is one April day in particular that holds a special significance for us when it comes to life: Easter Sunday, April 20th. I look forward to our services on that day, and I trust you will make Easter worship with your church family a priority.

In preparation for Passion Week and Easter Sunday, I have been reading the account of Jesus’ suffering in the gospel of Mark. It occurred to me that there is nothing we go through which Jesus does not understand. Consider reading these passages during the month of April as a reminder of His love and understanding:

Mark 14:32-33 - Have you ever been troubled, distressed? Jesus understands.Mark 14:34 - Have you ever felt sorrow? Jesus understands. Mark 14:35-36 - Have you ever struggled with God’s will for your life? Jesus understands. Mark 14:37-42 - Have you had friends who let you down when you really needed them? Jesus understands. Mark 14:43-45 - Have you ever been betrayed? Jesus understands. Mark 14:46-50 - Have you ever felt forsaken and left alone? Jesus understands.Mark 14:51-59 - Have you ever been falsely accused? Jesus understands. Mark 14:60-65 - Have you ever been hurt without cause? Jesus understands.Mark 14:66-72 - Have you ever had a friend who turned their back on you? Jesus understands. Mark 15:1-15 - Have you ever been passed over, not chosen – when you deserved it more than the one who was chosen? Jesus understands. Mark 15:16-20 - Have you ever been mocked? Jesus understands. Mark 15:21-32 - Have you ever felt like the whole world has turned against you? Jesus understands. Mark 15:33-37 - Have you ever felt like God has turned His back on you? Jesus understands.

Thank you, Jesus, for understanding everything we go through!

Note: Remember our special “Silent Lord’s Supper” on Easter Sunday afternoon, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

I love being your Pastor!

Dan Spencer

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Romans

4:25

Sonrise SeniorsTuesday, April 1; 9:00am/Parlor

RA LineglidersWednesday, April 2; 6:30pm/FLC

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, April 8; Noon/FLCBring a covered dish. Special guest; Arthur Rice.

PEP Moms MeetingFriday, April 11; 9:15am/ParlorAnnual catered spring luncheon! Speaker TBD. Cost is $5 and can be paid online at www.fbcsev.org

Single Adult Friday Night LightFriday, April 11; 6:00pm/ParlorSurprise guest. Bring a side dish or dessert. Friday, April 25; 6:00pm/ParlorSpecial guest; Pastor Dan. Bring a side dish or dessert.

6th Grade Up RetreatApril 11 & 12Sign up in Sunday School.

Men’s Ministry Spring Retreat - Fall Creek FallsApril 11 & 12Sign up at Welcome Center, cost is $50 per person.

Silent Lord’s SupperSunday, April 20; 4:00-6:00pm

Youth D-Now Retreat @ Camp Ba Yo CaMay 2 & 3Grades 7-12. Cost is $35 if registered by March 31, after that cost will be $40. Sign up at Youth Night, in Sunday School or call Amanda in the church office.

“Love Your Selfie”Saturday, May 10; 2:00pm/FLCLadies of all ages invited. Cost is $10 per person. Speakers; Donna Roland & Meghan Cobble. Registration starts in April.

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsYouth Bible Drill 7th-9th GradeSundays; 5:30pmMeet in the 6th Grade Sunday School area.

Bible DrillSundays; 5:30pmBible Buddies; Grades 1-3/C-220Children’s Bible Drill; Grades 4-6/C-212

Ministry OpportunityMission Friends is looking for volunteers for the 2 year old and 5 year old classes. If interested call Tammy in the church office.

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Cleveland Mission Trip Interest MeetingOur church will take a mission project team to Cleveland, OH, August 7-10 to work with Pastor Steve Owens and Triumphant Assembly. If you are interested, join us at 5:30pm on Sunday, April 6 in room E-220.

5-5-5 TrainingAfter going through RE:NEW, do you want to start sharing your faith and prayerwalking, but you’re not quite sure where to start? Join Craig Mintz for a 3-week class on Wednesdays beginning April 2 at 5:30pm in room C-302.

Graduate RecognitionSunday, May 18; 10:45 serviceIf you are graduating from high school orcollege and would like to have your nameand picture included in our graduate mail out,please drop off your picture (no proofs please)to Amanda in the office no later than April 10.

April2014

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Lon Sutton Beulah SuttonJane Temple’s Birthday Melba DelozierChandler McMahanElmer AdamsJames Atchley Margaret EthertonBeatrice Frederick Katie BlalockMy Mother, Mary Pullen Jim & Teresa PullenTV MINIS TRYLon Sutton Beulah SuttonMary PullenExa McMahan Jack & Elizabeth DentonJim Atchley Brian McMahanRalph Davis Troy & Judy Pat WilliamsCHILDREN’S DEPTJim Atchley David & Margaret

GoodeBUILDING FUNDJim Atchley Rex & Louise Delozier Chuck Sexton’s SS Class Donald Brackins Leah Brackins Kay AtchleyJames Donnell Chuck Sexton’s SS ClassMary Pullen Rex & Louise DelozierHELPING HANDSJim Atchley Billy & Lucy Maples Imogene Suggs Richard & Carol Atchley

Janette Gamble David & Dorothy JohnsonJim AtchleyLillard AllenJames Donnell Clell & Betty KingEdna HowardJim AtchleyMary PullenJim Johnson John & Eleanor HayesWalt GordonElsie Lail Gary Roach’s SS ClassIva Jean Chambers Imogene Suggs Richard & Carol AtchleyBUILDING & GROUNDSJim Atchley Woody & Jane Jackson Milford & Shirley BlairMUSIC MINISTRYKatherine Welch Kenny & Susan Cheek Rita McCarter Larry & Tempe Kelly Larry & Maggie Fox Betty Cusick Order of Eastern Star

Sev. Chap. #138 Phil & Joan McMahan Jack & Elizabeth DentonBeatrice Frederick Katie Blalock’s SS ClassPARK ROAD PROJECTBetty BennettDebbie PowersJim Atchley Jo BlalockLIBRARYRalph DavisHarold Humphries, SrEdna HowardMary PullenKatherine WelchAndrew GlennSarah Ruth WatsonExa McMahanElsi LailWaldo “Walt” GordonBettye BennettNovella WatsonCarol Ann McElvainJames DonnellJames AtchleyFlora Grace McCandlessJoan BomarJack Glaspie

TRIBUTEDGIVING

Attendance Report 1/26/2014 2/2/2014 2/9/2014 2/16/2014 8:15am Worship 564 572 575 607 9:30am SS 1296 1764 1371 1311 10:45am Worship 1171 1520 1211 1126 6:30pm Worship 374 424 971 351

Biblical Stewardship 1/26/2014 2/2/2014 2/9/2014 2/16/2014 Total Weekly Needs $ 93,073.00 $ 93,073.00 $ 93,073.00 $ 93,073.00 Tithes & Offerings 78,735.25 73,235.34 93,170.36 82,358.64 Building Fund 161.00 541.00 1,251.00 280.00 Designated Fund 2,213.00 1,045.00 3,106.50 5,864.00

New MembersMax KnowlesNicholas KeepGerry & Nancy MillerZane RoseGlen ChapmanBethany BishopKelly Lyon WeekKathie O’Neill

Recently HospitalizedNancy HoffHazel TaylorLisa McCoyRoger KuhlBrett BarnettMarisa LinginfelterClaudette KendigDorothy “Dot” LaddOlga RojasSamantha GoderichJimmie TempleLaura TurnerMaxine OwnbyEric McCoyRuby ScrivnerEdward Jacquemin

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

Family of Katherine Welch Family of Andy GlennFamily of Lillard Allen

• The following families wish to express their appreciation for support from the church: Family of Ralph Davis Family of Exa McMahan

• Bruce Parker in the passing of his mother, Betty George

• Barb Leihgeber in the passing of her mother, Novella Watson

• Debbie LeQuire in the passing of her sister, Carol Ann McElvain

• Walter Donnell in the passing of his brother, James

• Billie Atchley & Sarah Smith in the passing of their husband/brother, Jim Atchley

• Mike Sampson in the passing of his uncle

• Jon McCandless in the passing of his mother, Flora Grace McCandless

• Jeanne Sims & Jay Sims in the passing of their mother/grandmother, Joan Bomar

• Melanie Ownby in the passing of her father, Jack Glaspie

• Dainese Wasson in the passing of her brother, Bill Oler

• Jody Huffaker in the passing of her mother, Anna Webster

• Wilma Helton & family in the passing of her husband, Harold

• Dale Murrell & family in the passing of his wife, Ruth

Thank You Notes

Sympathy to

Anna WebsterBill OlerHarold HeltonRuth MurrellHailey TurnerGolden LawsonBeatrice FrederickJohn LeeDoris KorrectFaye Cheshire First Baptist ChurchExa McMahan Ruby MaplesMr. & Mrs. Claude

Shahan and Mr. & Mrs. Carl Whaley

Jean & Willis WhaleyMISSIONSJim Atchley Pat Holt-MyersPRAYER ROOMMay Pease Al & Elaine PeaseCHILDREN’S MUSICPaul & Ruth Galyon Robby & Sandy FoxANNIE ARMSTRONGElben WhiteSallie Turner Jean WhiteOur Grandparents Gregg & Tracy PriceJim Atchley Darlene CorradoBryan Blalock Jo BlalockJames AtchleyElsi LailHarold Humphries, SrMary PullenKatherine WelchElsie HuskeyLillard AllenExa McMahanJack GlaspieIna Whaley Trotter Mike & Beverly OwnbyPARKING LOTJim Atchley Carl & Kathy Flynn James & Diane Reed Jack & Elizabeth DentonCAREElben White Jean White

UPWARDGrace McCandless Larry & Lou Lafollette

IN HONORCHILDREN’S MINISTRYOur granddaughter,

Alyssa Allen’s 7th birthday

Josephine Osborne

IN MEMORYBUDGETHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceMary Pullen Brenda Skinner Pat LoeppKatherine Welch Barbara HeadrickJim Atchley Pat Loepp Terry & Gail Gossett Jack & Patricia Palmer Gregg & Tracy Price Belva Glaspie Tommy & Kathyrn Miller Ruby Maples Ronnie & Donna Rimel James Pullen Buddy & Carolyn Glenn Phil & Karen Ownby Conley & Carolyn Murrell Benny, Lisa, Chad, Dana

& Bryce Pickens Herman & Jean Huff Earl & Georgia Ailey Melba Delozier Phil & Joan McMahan Doris Hill Jim & Shirley Robertson

A Book Worth ReadingGregory Fernatt, JrYouth Ministry Intern

Many non-believers today treat the Bible as nothing more than a story book. Yet, for Christians, the Bible is properly respected as a factually indisputable, detailed documentation of God’s plan for us and Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. When fully utilized, it’s a consistent and reliable guide for our lives.

Admittedly, during a few of my teen years, I rarely took time to study Scripture preparing myself to share the Gospel. When considering what to do if asked about my faith, I fell back on “God will give you the words to speak”. While that sounded nice, I realized I was using it as an excuse for laziness. God had already “given me the words to speak” and they were clearly written in the Bible! All I had to do was pick it up and take initiative in studying Christ’s teachings. That understanding sparked a tremendous amount of personal spiritual growth.

I want to encourage our church family to dive deeper into the blessing of

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Send questions or comments to newsletter@fbcsev.org

that is constant and solid as a rock. I have His promises and there is no need to worry. One of the Scriptures that gives us fulfillment is Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

When I say I actually feel like I am on auto pilot that is because God is weaving my life and I have no need to worry. As our Creator and our Heavenly Father, He does that for each and every person. He is a God of love and provides for our needs. He knows what is best and gives more abundantly than we deserve.

I sincerely hope and pray you have accepted Christ as your Savior and you are following His will for your life. I hope and pray you choose to give the easy and difficult concerns to Him, that your faith grows stronger, that you realize how much you are

Bible study, not just together on Sunday morning but, individually at home. II Timothy 3:16-17 assures, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible is our core resource to be equipped as servants.

C.S. Lewis observed, “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different.” I firmly believe the Bible changes us day by day but we might not always notice that change until we reflect weeks or months later. However, we must ascribe to the faith that during our devotions we aren’t just going through the motions. During that Bible study, God IS pouring into and preparing us to do His work. If we stay disciplined and committed to daily time with God, our spiritual armor, referenced in Ephesians 6:10-18, will remain securely fastened.

Adrian Rogers once asked, “How can we know the God of the Bible, if we don’t know the Bible of God?” We should continually challenge ourselves to passionately seek our Father through His written word because only then do we discover an intimate relationship with the Lord.

I’ve been blessed by Pastor Spencer’s leadership of providing devotions like “Every Day in the Word” and “RE:NEW” journals. Let’s not let it stop there.

loved and you are not alone.

About two years ago, someone gave me a copy of a poem about “The Weaver”. This is part of it:

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily. Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride forget He sees the upper and I the underside.

The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillfull hands, as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned; not until the loom is silent and the shuttle ceases to fly, will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.

The WeaverDenita GallowayIntercessory Prayer Ministry Assistant

God weaves His will and plan in our life when we are aware and even when we are not aware. Our lives are pieces of a puzzle that He puts together and guides us each day. When I think of the steps leading me to where I am now at this point in my life I am aware of specific events that took place all because He was and is guiding me day to day. I am aware I have been given an opportunity that has changed me and I continue to grow in my walk with the Lord.

The past year has brought some challenges in my health and also as a caregiver. My strength is coming from God. The past several weeks have been a new challenge and He is guiding me through each day. I feel a renewed, incredible peace and calm that He is with me in this storm. As my family and I go through life changing circumstances, God is the one

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

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twitter.com/fbcsev

Pastor on Call(865) 453-9257

Prayer Line(865) 429-PRAY