FIRST BAPTIST SEVIERVILLE | APRIL 2011

Volume 51, No. 6

IN THIS ISSUE

Price Tags...Dr. Price gives us a brief insight into the Muslim’s beliefs and views towards Christians.

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The CrossAn FBC Intern reminds us to focus on the one who died on the cross this Easter, not the cross itself.

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FaithfulBro. Royce talks about faithfulness and spiritual growth.

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First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

Love. Mercy. Wrath. Justice. Grace. Passion. Cross.Matthew Galyon

The cross means a lot of things to a lot of people. In our culture, we’ve defied the cross to a certain extent. We focus on the object at times and not what the object means. It was at the cross we were set free.

We were, as the apostle Paul says in Romans, “slaves to sin.” At the cross, however, through Christ and His atoning for our sin, we are set free. We aren’t slaves to sin any longer. In fact, we are slaves to righteousness now, which is infinitely more awesome than being a slave to sin.

This should have such a profound impact on our lives that it affects everything we do. Whether we’re at the gym, tanning bed, or doing something mundane like laundry, the freedom we experience through the sacrifice of Christ at the cross should be evident in everything we do. The cross is the reason we worship, but it’s not the thing we worship. That’s an important distinction to make in a culture where cross jewelry is at the top of the best-selling list for jewelry.

It’s at the cross we bow because of the blood that was shed.

This Easter season let’s not worship the cross. Let’s worship the One who died there for you and for me.

You can be part of the search for a new pastor by praying for the Pastor Search Team. This church is by God’s grace unique and requires a special man to lead it. God has such a man and is even now preparing him to minister with you. Establish a mind set to love him even now without knowing who he is.

It is said most people will attend church if given a warmhearted invitation and are more likely to attend a special event than a regular one. That means Easter offers members a marvelous opportunity. Plan your list of persons to invite now and designate a time in which to do it.

In a Sunday evening message related to Isaac and Ishmael, the patriarchs of the Jewish and Muslim faith, I spoke of the Islamic Koran and promised more insight which now follows.

The first part of the Koran consists of the teachings of Mohammad while in Mecca. It has some beautiful passages and positive peaceful verses. The writings are basically philosophical and poetic. The last part relates to his teachings after he moved to Medina and got involved in raiding caravans. It is mostly militant and political. It is the last part that advocates acts of violence. The following are verses commonly known as “War Verses”.

Sura 9 Verse 5 - “Fight and slay the unbelievers wherever you find them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war. But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them...”

Sura 9 Verse 29 states, “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day...

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Price Tags...until they pay the jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”

Sura 5 Verse 51 states, “Oh, ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for our friends and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them in friendship is one of them. Verily Allah guideth not the unjust.”

Sura 3 Verse 28 relates to the subject of “taquiyya.” It is a doctrine that states that Muslims should not be friends with the infidel except as deception, always for the purpose of converting, subduing, or destroying them.

All of these verses are in the last part of the Koran and conflict with some in the first half. That conflict is explained by Muslims based on abrogation which teaches that when there is a conflict the last statement on the subject should take precedent over the first statement. These are the final verses on relations with non-Muslims.

Contrast these concepts with those of Christ as taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Reread Matthew 5-7 and consign yourself to live by His teachings.

With the approach of our celebration of the resurrection, let me encourage those of you who have a copy of my book, “The Chronicles of Nicodemus,” to read it again as part of your spiritual preparation for Easter worship.

It is a joy and an honor to serve with you.

Nelson Price

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Psalm

103:4

SonRise Senior Breakfast & Bible StudyTuesday, April 5th; 9:00 am/Parlor

Children’s ChurchSunday, April 10thK-3rd grade will meet in the Chapel, 8:15 & 10:45 services.4th-6th grade will meet in the Fellowship Hall, 10:45 service only.

Orbit Mission Trip Interest MeetingOn Sunday, April 10th at 5:30 pm/ParlorThere will be a meeting for those interested in participating in a mission trip to Kenya to work with Orbit. We will be doing evangelism, music and Zawadi. The trip is planned for July 31st-August 10th and the approximate cost is $2,500.

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, April 12th; Noon/FLCSpecial Musical guests; Nancy Silvestris & Debbie Gillespie. Bring a covered dish.

PEP MomsFriday, April 15th; 9:15 am/ParlorSpecial Guest Speaker; Sally Weimer. Spring Luncheon.

O Great RedeemerPlease join us on Palm Sunday, April 17th during the 8:15 and 10:45 services as the Celebration Choir and Orchestra leads in a time of worship and praise celebrating the Risen Christ...our Great Redeemer.

Preschool/Nursery School Bible StudySunday, April 17th; 5:00 pm/Parlor

40 Days wtih Jesus Bible StudyWednesdays; 6:00 pm/FLCLed by Jerry Hyder

DivorceCareWednesdays; 6:00 pm, Room E-234Any questions please call Kristie at 429-6303.

Grief ShareMondays; 6:00 pm/E-229A weekly support group for people grieving the death of someone close. Contact Lisa in the church office for more details.

Music Camp 2011 Presents “The Amazing Grace Race”July 18th-22nd; 9:00 am-12:00pmFor grades 1-6 completed. Presentation July 24th at 6:30pm in the Worship Center.

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsOpportunity to ServePlease contact Tammy at 429-6304 if you are interested in working with the Children’s ministry or Special Friends ministry.

Bible Drill ProgramsTo help train your children in the Word we have a few Bible drill programs here at FBC. These programs are to help your children memorize scripture, find the books of the Bible and to learn more about God’s Word. Times are listed.Youth Bible Drill, High School Bible Drill, Youth Speaker’s Tournament and/or Xtreme Bible

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Challenge; if interested in any of these programs please contact Susie Delozier at 604-3287. Bible Buddies, Grades 1-3; Room C-220/5:30pm. Children’s Bible Drill, Grades 4-6; Room C-212/5:30pm

VBS Decorating CommitteeNeeds additional volunteers who can help and construct June 6-10. Also need props such as mannequins (all sizes), children’s 4 wheeler/riding toys, small fishing boat and Christmas lights. Contact Brooke Ownby at 659-2875 if you can help or provide props.

S.A.L.T. MinistryWill be collecting items to support “Military Loyal Mission of Sevier County” from April 10th-May 1st. Please stop by our table in the foyer to learn how you can help.

Vacation Bible School Volunteers NeededAdult volunteers are needed to help with this year’s VBS, June 20-24. If you are interested you can sign up at the Welcome center.

April2011

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Dwight McMahan’s Birthday

Beulah McMahan & Mike, Linda & Brandon Berrier

TV MINISTRY Noah Millsaps James & Carolyn Powell Chuck Sexton SS Class Robert & Julia Schriver Woody & Jane JacksonRichard Wall Margaret St. Aubyn Duane & Sharon TindallLon Sutton Beulah SuttonCathy Swafford Helen OwnbyJane Elizabeth Temple Christa RoachJoy Gibson Linda Rolen LIBRARYPat McReynoldsNoah MillsapsKaren Manning’s FatherMary Kathleen SwaffordRuth BatesJoy GibsonRosa Lee Floodquist First Baptist ChurchUPWARDR.A. Kyker Terry & Gail GossettMUSIC MINISTRYPaul & Ruth Galyon Robert & Sandra FoxLon Sutton Beulah SuttonCHILDREN’S CHOIRSPaul & Ruth Galyon Robert & Sandy FoxPRAYER MINISTRYJoy Gibson

James & Carolyn PowellHELPING HANDSZelda JohnsonNoah Millsaps Clell & Betty Jean KingPARK ROAD PROJECTPat McReynoldsJoy GibsonRA Kyker Jo BlalockBetty Ruth Huskey Bobbie Pickens Tony Watson Gene & Annette Carpenter Ray & Louise Beck Dwight & Jeannie BurnettCHRISTMAS STORERay KerleyDavid SuttlesDeane WilliamsRA Kyker Frank & Barbara PartonANNIE ARMSTRONGHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceBryan Blalock Jo BlalockMy Mother Doris Thurman Carolyn FinePat McReynoldsSharon Cooper Dale & Ruth MurrellNoah Millsaps Jim & Joan SmithAddie Broughton Charles & Sara Beth HardinMr. & Mrs. Lyman E

Delozier’s Birthdays Melba DelozierJosie Sutton Thelma KelleyMUSIC SCHOLARSHIPTommy Parrott Thursday Afternoon

Bible Study Group

IN HONORHELPING HANDSHattie Mae Cox’s

80th Birthday Imogene Suggs, Ray

Suggs, Billy & Lucy MaplesCindy McMahan’s Birthday Thomas & Carolyn

McMahan

TRIBUTEDGIVING

Attendance Report 1/31/2011 2/6/2011 2/13/2011 2/20/2011 8:15am Worship 590 638 538 548 9:30am SS 1333 1355 1294 1183 10:45am Worship 1130 1216 1322 1137 6:30pm Worship 385 395 404 385

Biblical Stewardship 1/31/2011 2/6/2011 2/13/2011 2/20/2011 Total Weekly Needs $ 94,759.17 $ 94,759.17 $ 94,759.17 $ 94,759.17 Tithes & Offerings 64,136.55 89,477.03 82,648.41 84,377.77 Building Fund 841.00 631.00 1,066.00 840.00 Designated Fund 2,488.00 5,192.25 2,969.26 2,511.96

New MembersKristy BurtonShirley LawhornRick PorterBrian & Alison HardisonM’Lynn HardisonMaggie HardisonJames & Dorene CrainTaylor Laymon

Recently HospitalizedSara Beth HardinDennis HatcherPat OwenBJ ByarsNoah MillsapsRebecca RatcliffClara FrazierNikki HurstLeslie SaulsCarolyn GlennJennifer DixonJane JacksonPeggy BurkhardtPeyton ProffittJay IsenbergTed Sprague

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

Peggy Witt & Family Family of Rosa Lee FloodquistFamily of Dick Wall Family of Mary Kathleen Swafford

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

Family of Bobby Gardner Beverly Gorden

• Karen Manning in the passing of her father in Michigan

• Phil Simpson in the passing of his sister

• Sonya Campbell in the passing of her mother, Joy Gibson

• Ken Byrd in the passing of his father, Roy

• Susan Roberts & Gus Floodquist in the passing of their mother, Rosa

• Tina Marshall in the passing of her aunt, Mildred Gilland

• Hyeon Jo McCarter in the recent passing of her father

Thank You Notes

Sympathy to

BUDGETGranddaughter Shayland

Gossett’s Birthday Terry & Gail GossettLIBRARYCurtis & Shirley King’s 50th

Wedding Anniversary Ruby Maples

IN MEMORYBUILDING FUNDAddie Dixon Katie WalkerMary Kathleen Swafford Jim & Sandy LaneJoy Gibson Ruth Bates Rex & Louise DelozierRuth Bates Chuck Sexton’s SS ClassJack StoffleClyde PressleyRoy Byrd Rex & Louise DelozierBUDGETHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceLon Sutton Eddie, Jeannie &

Preston Allen Beulah SuttonJoy Gibson Dwayne & Libby Lawson David & Margaret Goode Barbara HeadrickRay KerleyPat McReynoldsRichard Wall Jimmie & Marie TempleWillie Delozier Dewayne & Libby Lawson

April ShowersNick CampbellYouth Ministry Intern

Are you at a point in your life where it seems the rain is pouring on you and there is no end in sight? Where you can only see the dark storm clouds in every direction and feel like there is no hope? Trust me, I have been there, most people at some point experience this feeling. Hopelessness, fear, being all alone; feelings that are definitely on the bottom of the list for most individuals. In John Chapter 16 Jesus is speaking to his disciples and gives them words of hope that are applicable to us today.

Jesus speaks about the persecution and grief that the disciples will experience. We share in this too as our faith is tempted and attacked by people who do not know Jesus and by Satan himself. Daily we are bombarded by messages, thoughts, images, and speech that is unholy and evil. In today’s society the devil is present and active, persecution of Christians is occuring on every continent populated by humans. In Jesus alone lies our encouragement.

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Send questions or comments to newsletter@fbcsev.org

Christ as Lord and Savior, we are made to be faithful. If we are not faithful we are dying. As a Christian, you do not ever stay the same spiritually. You are either growing or dying. My prayer is that I will be a Christian that grows.

Who is our growth dependent upon? Is our growth in Jesus and faithfulness to Him dependent upon us or the Church? Friend, our growth is dependent upon us surrendering to the power of God within us! Can you be in a dead church? YES! Can you be on the back side of nowhere with no one to fellowship with? YES, but spiritual growth is dependent on us being who we are. The church, which is people, does not grow without individual life growth. As that fruit tree in our yard produces fruit because that is what God made it to do, so we produce

As Christians we are set apart from others because of the promise Jesus gives us in this passage. He gives us a hope that the rain will cease, that there is an end and He already knows what is in store for us and what the outcome will be! The clouds will break, the waves will subside, the sunlight will break through and warm your face!

So what can we learn from this passage?

First, you are not alone. Not only do we experience persecution like our brothers and sisters in Christ, but the Holy Spirit is with us always to guide us.

Second, Jesus is coming back. He says so in John 16:16, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

Third, the end is decided. One of my favorite verses in the scripture is found in verse 33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

No matter what position you are in spiritually, emotionally or physically; whether you have just come out of the storm, you are in the middle of a raginig hurricane or you are preparing for a storm that could hit any time, this verse will comfort you. Jesus tells you to have peace! He goes ahead and tells us that there will be storms, but to not be worried! JESUS HAS OVERCOME THIS WORLD!!

Reach out to Jesus and hold on tight, He knows how to weather the storm.

“And I’ll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I’ve cried You hold in your hand, You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm...” ~Casting Crowns

because God planted us into His family and in-dwelt us with the power of the Holy Spirit to produce lasting fruit. Christians grow and produce fruit because of the power within them not the circumstances around them. Therefore, our growth is dependent upon our daily surrender to the power of the Spirit of God. As we surrender daily, growth is the natural process. As we surrender to His authority over our lives, growth happens. When there is growth, there is faithfulness. When there is faithfulness, the church house is full, the people of God serve the body of God and they go out to win the world to Jesus. Faithfulness!

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain...” John 15:16

FaithfulRoyce BaileyAssociate Pastor Childrens

Faithful? Have you ever thought about your faithfulness to our Lord? As spring quickly dawns upon us and the beautiful creation around us comes to life, we have a great lesson in faithfulness.

Have you ever watched a flower come up from the ground and grow into a mature plant? Then at just the right time the bud becomes a gorgeous fragrant-filled masterpiece. God allows those plants to teach us that our faithfulness is our doing something because of who we are. A flower blooms because that is what God made it to do; a tree puts on leaves because that is what God created it to do; grass grows and becomes green, because that is what God made it to do. As a believer in Jesus

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)

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

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Pastor on Call(865) 453-9257

Prayer Line(865) 429-PRAY