FIRST BAPTIST SEVIERVILLE | JULY 2010

Volume 42, No. 6

IN THIS ISSUE

Goodbye Note from Bro. RandyPage 2

Letter from the Interim Search Committee ChairmanInformative letter describing the expected qualifications of the Interim Pastor.

Page 5

Mission Trip TestimonyOne of our church members talks of her recent mission trip to Nicaragua and how it blessed her.

Page 5

First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

Music Camp 2010July 19th - July 23rd; 9:00am - 12:00pmGrades 1-6 (completed)Presentation, July 25th; 6:30pm

Youth Panama City Trip- “Unhindered”July 11th - July 16thCompleted grades 7-12

Randy C. Davis

Dear Fellow Church Members...Dwight StokesInterim Search Committee Chairman

The Deacon Pastor Support Committee has been

asked by Deacon Chairman Larry Ogle to serve as

the Interim Pastor Search Committee. Members

of this committee are Clark Byram, Jack Denton,

Jeff Mills, Jayson Nave, Butch Smith, and me as

chairman. We are humbled to be in this position

and request your prayers as we work to fulfill this

important role for our church.

The process of selecting an interim is in fact a

crucial process for our church. The committee will

work through this process as led by God in His

timing. There are several important aspects of this

process:

(1) Ideally, the interim pastor serves from the time

he is chosen until a full-time pastor is called and

only for that period of time. The interim is gener-

ally not considered a candidate for the full-time

pastor’s position. This is a very sound and proven

policy that allows the Pastor Search Committee to

work in God’s timing without pressure from church

members, or even family members, who could

begin to lobby or exert pressure to call the interim

as the full-time pastor.

(2) The interim needs to be able to work with our

You can help your church by...Jerry HyderAssoc. Pastor of Adults

First pray for your church: staff, leadership, Pastor search committee following God’s guidance. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Be faithful in Bible study, worship attendance, and ministry opportunities. ”Let us hold unswirvingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one an-other on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” ~Hebrews 10:23-25

Continue to serve Christ and share the Good News and invite people to church. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” ~Colossians 4:2-6

A column in this mailout is totally inadequate to express how much my whole family has appreciated the way you have treated us as we have concluded our ministry with you.

You have been gracious, kind, compassionate and affirming as you have commissioned us for the new work to which God has called us. Thank you for EVERYTHING! I would like to reiterate one more time so that there is never any confusion or doubt: the only reason we would leave First Baptist Church of Sevierville to take on the call as the Executive Director for the Tennessee Baptist Convention is a clear and unmistakable call from the Lord.

Please know how much we love you. The greatest difficulty of the transition to the new work is telling Sevierville goodbye. Someone has well said, “Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love.” I have often said deep love will mean deep grief when it is time to say goodbye. Choose to love deeply.

Page 2 | First Baptist Church of Sevierville Page 5

Send questions or comments to newsletter@fbcsev.org

be erected to house the local people who desired

to exalt God’s Word in worship and fellowship. Since

no roads existed here, board by board was the only

option for transport. Like clockwork, I folded the

leaves over and over again for some semblance of

comfort on my shoulder as one of the natives helped

me position the plank, and thus began my return

trek with a single board, negotiating twists, turns

and ubiquitous piles of cow patties. As I descended,

the native arboreal flora temporarily gave way to

an open field, offering a breathtaking view of the

mountainous countryside high up from my own el-

evated viewpoint. Then it hit me, I’m in the middle of

a jungle in Central America, hauling a board behind a

5ft 20-year-old pastor who speaks another language,

what an honor to be used by God! However, even

rightly understanding my proper role in God’s plan

for the church could still drive me to selfishly reflect

on merely what I received from the trip. But there

stood IMB missionaries Karen & Loren Dickey, setting

THANK YOU!“All that You commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” Joshua 1:16

Any pain is well worth it!

The great theologian, Theador Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss, just kidding about the theologian part) once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” This is certainly a great time to go to our Lord to thank Him for what He has done, in spite of your Pastor’s shortcomings, mistakes, and inadequacies. The Lord Himself has done wonderful things. We are thankful that we could walk with you and watch the Lord do what only the Lord could do.

As Jeanne and I begin to learn how to serve over 3,000 churches in the Tennessee Baptist Convention, we would really appreciate your prayers.

First Family, we love you. It is with high honor that I say...

It has been a joy to be your Pastor!

current, wonderful ministerial staff. The interim

should be a team player who provides a high

level of support for our staff. He is to step in and

facilitate our current ministers as they continue to

fulfill their responsibilities and callings from God

in their current positions. These positions include:

music and worship leadership, youth ministries,

single adult ministries, outreach, children’s

ministries, educational ministries, senior adult

ministries, multi-media ministries, and numerous

others. All of these positions are full time and

more. Each pastor also serves on an ongoing,

rotating basis to minister to the ill and bereaved,

participates in our hospital ministry, and assists

in other ministries as needed. For a church our

size, we have a relatively small staff to handle our

day-to-day demands. Thankfully, our ministers

thrive in their roles. We want this to continue. For

this reason, our church generally does not select

one of our current ministers to serve as interim.

However, there will be times when our current

ministers or others may step in and preach prior

to and even after an interim is secured.

(3) The interim is to fully believe and support our

basic and foundational doctrines of faith. He is to

adhere to the highest ideals of integrity, honesty

and love for our church and most importantly for

our Savior Jesus Christ and His teachings.

(4) The committee will work diligently and be

happy to receive suggestions from church mem-

bers. All suggestions will be prayerfully considered

as we seek God’s will.

Please note this process has worked well for our

church for many decades. It is not designed to

please any one person but is designed to seek

God’s leadership and guidance and to diligently,

prayerfully seek God’s will for our church family.

A Pastor Search Committee for a full-time senior

pastor will be formed in the near future. Please be

in prayer for that committee and pray in advance

for God’s leadership, not only for the committee

but also for the man God has in mind. That com-

mittee will engage in many meetings to secure

input from our church members, pastors, and other

leaders across our state and even our nation. It will

be a thorough and very prayer-inspired journey

that will require all of us to pray continually for

God’s strength and leadership.

Our Interim Committee respectfully asks for your

patience, thought, guidance, and most importantly

your prayers. Thank you very much!

an example of reveling in rightly-constructed joy from

being used by God for the sake of the Gospel. Because of

this Biblical perspective, the Dickeys truly did not view their

calling as sacrificial in any sense. Loren actively demon-

strated John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Several of our team members couldn’t help but make the

comparison of carrying the lumber (sometimes on our

backs) to Christ walking the Via Dolorosa towards Calvary

with His cross. Not only did His journey involve torture,

but a mocking audience, tormenting soldiers, a dreaded

sense of imminence that an agonizing death would ensue,

all while being forced to carry His own cross. However,

this suffering paled in comparison to the fierce injustice

wrought upon this divinely infinite being of perfection and

righteousness as He received the punishment in full for all

the sins committed by those He saves. The implications

for us are as clear as the Nicaraguan sky, an overwhelm-

ing sense of humility and gratitude for the unfathomable

depths of His costly sovreign grace.

A Snapshot of the Nicaraguan Mission TripJessica Davis

Surely this is it, I thought to myself, as I rounded yet an-

other arduous bend on the narrowly marked path winding

sharply up a steep mountainside. Well over a mile into

the treacherous climb, I finally arrived. A few of the Nicas

were resting around a pile of freshly cut planks. Pablito, the

future pastor of the church, offered me a piece of cacao,

cut from one of the men’s machetes. Despite the language

barrier, I thankfully comprehended that I should just taste

it, not consume it. Feeling the loss of daylight and realizing

the futility of postponing the inevitable, I grabbed a two by

four around eight feet in length.

My bruised shoulders had already discovered the gracious

blessing of grabbing a handful of dead banana tree leaves

at the base of the mountain. This was our third location

hauling wood to the hilltop site where the church would

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Psalm

34:8

Camp Read-A-Lot July 7th, 14th, 28th; August 4th5:15pm-6:00pm/Church LibraryAges 4 through 12.

Summer Bible Study - Take the PlungeJuly 7th, 14th, 28th; August 4th; 6:00pmKindergarten thru 6th grade (completed) 4 year/Preschool areaK-6th/Chapel *There is also a Bible study for parents on these dates.

Building Homes On a Firm Foundation Wednesdays; 6:15pm-7:15pm/E-220Class schedule will follow the Plunge schedule Senior Adult One Day TripJuly 9th; leave the church at 10:00amCumberland County Playhouse “Hello Dolly”Lunch at Cumberland State Park$50.00 per person due at sign up, sign up at the Welcome Center or with Lisa in the church office.

Triple L LuncheonJuly 13th: Noon/FLCBring covered dish pleaseSpecial Guest: Alex Houston & Elmer

Youth Panama City July 11th-16thCompleted grades 7-12If you have any questions or would like to sign up please call Amanda at 286-6978.

2010 Music Camp Under God’s Sea in 3DJuly 19th - 23rd; 9:00am-12:00pmGrades 1-6 completed Presentation will be July 25th at 6:30pm in the Worship Center.

Marvelous MondaysEvery Monday Night in August; 6:30pm2nd - Bobby Welc9th - Eric Stitts16th - The Perrys23rd - TBD30th - FBC Sevierville & Lenoir City Joint Concert

Hearts on Fire Ministries Presents the First Annual Singles Conference “The Bigger, Better Deal”September 3rd - 5th, 2010Gatlinburg Convention Center - Mills AuditoriumSpeakers: Dave Edwards & Angela ThomasMusic by 33 MilesInformation available at Welcome CenterRegister at www.heartsonfireministries.orgor by calling Judy Steele at 776-2629.

Upcoming Mission OpportunitySatuday, July 10th; Meet in church parking lot at 7:45amRoof work and deck repair. Please sign up at Welcome Center or call Houston at 654-4673.

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsCampus Outreach We have the privilege of hosting 99 students this year! One of the ways we minister to them while they are here is by washing their clothes. This ministry began on June 14th and will continue every Monday and Thursday each week through the 1st week of August. Lots of volunteers are needed to help us in this area! If you are interested, sign up at the Welcome Center. If you have any questions, please call Kristie at 429-6303.

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Baby Shower for Ashley WilsonSunday, July 11th; Drop in between 2-4pm in the Parlor. Registered at Babies R’ Us, Wal-Mart, Target.Boy? Girl? Ashley and Jarrod have chosen to be surprised.

You’re invited to a reception Joyce and Ralph Robertson Help them celebrate their Golden Anniversary on Sunday, July 18, 2010; 1:30pm to 3:30pm in the Parlor at FBC. No gifts please, they only desire your presence to help them celebrate.

Opportunity to ServePreschool teachers needed, please contact Tammy at 429-6304.

Upcoming Ladies EventsGirls, Giggles, & Games - September 9th; 7:00pmDessert Buffet, $15 per person, Registration begins August 15th.

Beth Moore Simulcast - September 18thMore info in August Newsletter

July2010

Page 4

Jason Hicks & Dr. Wayne Hicks for Father’s Day

Leah Brackins BUDGETJulia Sluss Harold & Sue OwnbyHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceLon Sutton Beulah SuttonRuth Grubb Atchley Cox-McCroskeyBen Cusick Edna FugateOur Son’s Birthday Conley & Carolyn

MurrellElben White Jean WhiteChristy HickamGrace WhaleyVelma Moore Richard & Carol AtchleyRuth GrubbGrace Whaley Curtis & Shirley KingLon Sutton Beulah SuttonLucas Garrett McCarter Reaford & Doris TerryFred Loepp II’s Birthday Pat LoeppHELPING HANDSJulia SlussAnna Mae Cody Ms. Rowena McFallsMOTHER’S DAY

OFFERINGHobert CaylorBen CusickJohnnie BallardChristy HickamLarry Hill Lyle & Judy Pat OverbayIma Denton &

Ester Marshall

Katie WalkerOur Mothers, Pearl Parrott

& Nancie Douglass Rush & Lousie ParrottTV MINISTRY Grace Whaley Doris Ann ThurmanClyde Ownby’s Birthday Helen OwnbySandy Webb Robert & Sandy FoxLIBRARYGrace WhaleyRuth GrubbJulia SlussCarlos ReevesBeatrice ScholzAnna Mae CodyLucas Garrett McCarter First Baptist ChurchHarry Phillips Lynn H. & Mary Davis,

Alvin & Wanda Davis, Vaughn & Janice Davis, Lorraine D. Gibbs

MUSIC MINISTRYJulia Sluss Eddie & Janette BallardBonnie Thomas Joe & Wilma Zonvona David & Betty Holt Larry & Dorothy LindseyPaul & Ruth Galyon Robert & Sandy FoxClarence Duncan Karen Privett’s Care GroupLucas Garrett McCarter Matt & Melanie OwnbyCHILDREN’S MINISTRYGrace Whaley Frank & Barbara PartonLucas Garrett McCarter Gail Haggard Rex & Louise Delozier Phil & Karen OwnbyNURSERYLucas Garrett McCarter Helen OwnbyPARK ROAD PROJECTJohnnie BallardJulia Sluss Katie WalkerHarry Phillips

TRIBUTEDGIVING

Attendance Report 5/23/10 5/30/10 6/6/10 6/13/10 8:15am Worship 667 612 630 741 9:30am SS 1503 1216 1542 1546 10:45am Worship 1274 1157 1344 1355 6:30pm Worship 355 301 495 495

Biblical Stewardship 5/23/10 5/30/10 6/6/10 6/13/10 Total Weekly Needs $ 91,151.35 $ 91,151.35 $ 91,151.35 $ 91,151.35 Tithes & Offerings 77,466.71 68,974.73 119,204.05 84,637.99 Building Fund 702.00 1,254.00 778.00 781.00 Designated Fund 3,945.50 2,230.50 4,582.30 2,204.00

New MembersAmanda JohansonJessah HillKelsey WatersJoe & Laura ChristopherRichard, Angie, Gabby, Jacob, & Jonah GoderichNicholas & Melissa Campbell

Recently HospitalizedJoan McMahanVivian WarrenLucille WatsonAndrea DelozierNancy PalmerPam ClarkNorma HeadrickMary WardlowPete OwenBethany McCarterJack HuskeySue YoakumBobbie Jean CooperRandy HodgeAngie Glasgow

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

Family of Bonnie Thomas Family of Eula Matthews Family of Grace Whaley Family of Ben Cusick

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

Family of Hobert Caylor Jim & Evelyn Hass Charles & Leona Langley

• Jill Thompson in the passing of her grandmother, Velma Moore.

• Family and friends in the passing of Anna Mae Cody

• Tim Scholz in the passing of his mother, Beartrice Scholz

• Ruth Christopher in the passing of her sister-in-law, Irene Wilson

• Edd & Bethany McCarter in the passing of their infant son, Lucas Garrett McCarter

• Phyllis Weidner in the passing of her mother

• Barbara Scott and Fran Harmon in the passing of their father, Jimmy Turner

• Ronnie Marshall in the passing of his brother

Thank You Notes

Sympathy to

Julia Sluss Jimmie & Marie TempleKaren RadmoreBonnie ThomasGrace WhaleySusie Chambers MaplesBryan BlalockHarry Pierce Jo BlalockPRAYER MINISTRYClyde OwnbyRev. Garth Swafford Phil & Karen OwnbyPRESCHOOL DEPT.Ben Cusick Will & Janet JohnsonYOUTH MINISTRYJulia Sluss Katie McMahan Katherine Welch Gail Haggard Rex & Louise Delozier Directors & Assoc.

SmartBank Sevierville Chapter #138

Oder of Eastern Star John & Billie Tumblin Brent, Rebecca, Brady

& Braxton Cusick Stan & Kelly HowardBeuena Ownby Phil & Karen OwnbyWMU COOKBOOKSHarry Phillips Eurithea Maples &

Chad MaplesVBSLucas Garrett McCarter J.B. & Shirley Matthews

IN HONORBUDGETOur 54th Wedding

Anniversary Dave & “Dink” TinoJimmie Faye TrotterJoyce MorganKay Justus Jean WhiteOur Son’s Birthday Conley & Carolyn MurrellJimmy Turner George & Barbara HeadrickOur Grandson, Joseph

Ruff’s Graduation Curtis & Shirley KingKITCHENOur Mothers, Ruth

Gossett & Virginia Morgan

Terry & Gail GossettMOTHER’S DAY

OFFERINGHazel Rolen Doris TrenthamKaren Hill & June Boling Andy & Laura BolingFaye Turner Mickey & Cindy KoontzOur Mothers Ruby

Whaley & Lillian Loveday

Jerry & Sharon LovedayErnestine White Marvin & Carlene MaplesOur Children,

Heather & Jason Steve & Susan MooreJill Allen Jospehine K. OsborneOur Mothers Kathy

Flynn & Susie Ownby Mark & Carletta OwnbyVelma & Mildred

Williams, Joyce Morgan, Jean White

Jimmie Faye TrotterMarcella Mills Jerry & Yvonne Gibson YOUTH DEPARTMENTAlex McCandless Larry & Lou LaFolletteHelen OwnbyKathy Swafford Phil & Karen OwnbyCaitlyn McCandless’s

Birthday Larry & Lou LaFolletteBULDING FUNDRowena McFalls Eva GrimCHILDREN’S CHOIRSGrandchildren Robert & Sandy FoxTV MINSTRYLexie Sutton’s Birthday Doris Ann Thurman

MUSIC MINISTRYOur Grandchildren Robert & Sandy FoxHELPING HANDSTim Scholz Hattie Mae CoxNURSERY DEPT.Our Moms Carl & Kathy FlynnSUMMER PROGRAMSNursery Workers Bryan & Kristi Atchley

IN MEMORYBUILDING FUNDJulia SlussDeborah GreerGrace WhaleyJoseph McMahan Melba DelozierEula MatthewsRuth GrubbVerda EslingerJulia SlussJimmy GravesAnna Mae CodyCecil Atchley Aileen FowlerGrace WhaleyJulia Sluss George & Peggy SeatonBen Cusick Uncle Dan’s Family,

Serene Leatherwood & Louise Patterson

Jim & Jean SmithVelma MooreAnna Mae Cody Rex & Louise DelozierRobert Thurman Ownby Mae Ownby KennerGrace Whaley J.B. & Shirley MatthewsTrula Brackins Donald Brackins

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)

Randy C. DavisSenior 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 Singles and Adult Discipleship

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