IN THIS ISSUE

Your Golden Calf Page 2

Leadership: Creating a CulturePage 5

PurposePage 5

First Baptist sevierville | march 2015

Volume 98 , No. 6

First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

Your Golden Calf Gregory Fernatt, JrYouth Ministry Intern

I enjoy the blessing of leading students in a discipleship study titled “gods At War” by Kyle Idleman. In the book, Kyle suggests that every single sin we struggle with is rooted in idolatry. God is jealous and loving. He doesn’t want to just be our number one; he wants to be our only One. Anything other than fully dedicated worship to God is an attempt by us to deprive him of the devotion he rightfully deserves. That attempted deprivation can lead to broken hearts riddled with distorted intentions, avoidance of conviction, and a rebellion against Jesus’ teachings. Exodus 20 is where we find the Ten Commandments being issued; among them are commandments focusing on idolatry and worship.

We do not physically carve idols for ourselves but if we examine our life we may be surprised to see that some of us openly worship other gods. Think about what motivates you and why you are driven to accomplishment. Idleman states, “What you are searching for and chasing after reveals the god that is winning the war in your heart.” Do we strive to do well at work just so we can get a raise? That may be worship of the god of money. Do we push kids to do well in school just so they can get scholarships and match up to the world’s definition of success? That may be idolatry of social status. Do we encourage our children to miss church and drive them to sports practice instead just so they can get the top spot on the team? That may be putting the god of victory above the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Athletics, scholarships, and job promotions are not bad but when we begin to sacrifice our faith for them, they become a god in our heart.

I want to ask you, as this study has asked our youth, to take a personal inventory. Evaluate priorities then ask yourself if any of them deter or distract you from giving your whole-hearted worship to God the Father. If so, pray and ask for strength and clarity to strip the idols from your life.

Page 2 | First Baptist Church of Sevierville

Dear First Baptist Family,

Our Connection Conference is just around the corner. Preparations are just about complete and the date is fast approaching.

Many of you have asked, “who should attend this conferenc?” The answer is anyone! If you serve in any capacity in one of our Sunday School classes this conference is for you. If you work with preschool through adults, you are welcome. If you are a Sunday School teacher, assistant teacher, outreach leader, greeter, CARE group leader, prayer leader or director, we hope you will attend. Even if you are just thinking of serving or are just an avid lover of Sunday School, you will enjoy this conference. In fact, if you just love to listen to gifted Christian speakers, this conference is open to you as well.

What a blessing it is for FBCS to be able to host this conference. Included will be several well-known guest speakers, wonderful praise and worship music and multiple break-out sessions. For many years, our members have had to take time off from work, travel and incur overnight expenses to attend a training and leadership conference of this caliber.

I look forward to seeing you Friday and Saturday, March 13-14. Please mark you calendar and make plans to attend. Your participation will better equip us to minister not just to those who attend our church but also to our community. For more details, please go to www.fbcsev.org or call the church office and speak with Karen Price.

Until then, please pray for our speakers and break-out session leaders as they prepare. Ask the Holy Spirit to bless what He has laid on their hearts as it is presented. And pray for those attending that we will grow deeper in faith and service to our Lord.

In Christ,

Steve Brewer

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Phil. 2:5-11

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

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, March 10; Noon/FLCBring a side dish.

Community PrayerwalkJoin us on March 10 as we prayer walk through several different neighborhoods in our community. Join us for dinner at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. After dinner neighborhoods will be assigned and we will go out at 6:00pm. If you plan to eat dinner please contact Kristie Russell at 429-6303 or krussell@fbcsev.org.

Save the Date!March 13-14, 2015/First Baptist SeviervilleGuest Speakers; Dennis Pethers, Claude King, Allan Taylor. Registration going on now, you can register in the church office. See Karen Price or Steve Brewer for more information.

Thailand Mission Interest MeetingInterested in serving with our 5-5-5 missions partner in Thailand in the fall? Join us for an interest meeting on March 22 at 5:30pm in E-220.

5-5-5 Quilting ClassTuesdays; 4:30pm/Good News Building For more info or to sign up for the class please call Lori Mahaffey at 932-1343.

6th Grade Up Weekend RetreatMay 29 & 30More info to come.

VBS 2015 - “Journey Off the Map”June 22-26; 9:00am-12:30pmFamily Fun Night; June 28; 4:30pmAges 4 thru completed 6th grade

Camp SmokyJune 28-July 2Completed grades 1-6

SAVE THE DATE! Music Camp 2015“In The Big Inning”July 20-24; 9:00am-NoonPresentation Night; July 26Completed grades 1-6

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsBible Drill - Sundays at 5:30pmBible Buddies (Grades 1-3) in C-220. Children’s Bible Drill (Grades 4-6) in C-212.

Youth Bible Drill-Grades 7-9Sundays at 5:30pm in the 6th grade Sunday School room.

Church SupperBeginning March, 2015, the price of Wednesday night church suppers will be $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child (12 and under).

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Jubilation BellsThe worship ministry would love to talk to you about participating in the handbell ministry. Positions are open. Please contact Scott Andrews at 286-6986 if interested.

Special Friends MinistryThis ministry is in need of a Special Friends director. Please contact Tammy Rice at 429-6304 if interested.

Zawadi 2015 This ministry presents the message of salvation to each Orbit child and other Kenyan children as they are given a bag filled with gifts of school supplies, candy, toys, and clothing. Our goal for this year is 750 Zawadi Bags.  To find out how you can get involved, please visit the table in the lobby. Our church’s June mission team to Kenya will use Zawadi bags to present the gospel.

March2015

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John Stephen WatsonShirley WalkerMae McQueenHarold Clabough Rex & Louise DelozierTV MInISTRYRalph Davis Margaret DavisBetty Sexton Mike, Linda &

Brandon Berrier and Beulah McMahan

Harold Clabough Bob & Diane McFarland David & Margaret

GoodeBUILDInG FUnDRachel Fine Gary Roach’s SS ClassDavid MaranvilleMurrell KingBetty Sexton Rex & Louise DelozierJoAnn Coane Adult IV/Wallace

SS ClassHarold Clabough Pat LoeppCHRISTMAS STORERuth Murrell Dale MurrellVerlin OverbayHarold JensenBuddy GlennRobert Jensen, Sr Lyle & Judy Pat OverbayDon Leatherwood Ed & Pam JonesBuddy Glenn George & Lou McNuttBuddy GlennJoAnn Coane Larry & Janice SorrellHarold Clabough Dale Murrell Curtis & Shirley KingLOTTIE MOOnBob Fawver Richard & Carol AtchleyLois & Carl Ownby Will & Janet JohnsonRobert Delozier &

our parents Melba DelozierBetty Sexton Chuck Sexton’s SS Class

CHILDREn’S MUSICPaul & Ruth Galyon Robert & Sandy FoxLIBRARY Gloria McCoyMoody ClemmonsDonald ReaganJimmy FryeHomer Lee McCuistonTom MorganRuth StanleyMary Alice LawsonJerry HubbardLynn GossettMurrell KingDavid MaranvilleGeneva LaneFaye Cooley First Baptist ChurchPRAYER MInISTRYJoAnn Coane Steve & Susan MooreBetty Sexton Clell & Betty J. KingPARK ROAD PROJECTDonna DillowHorace YarberryAnthony LinebargerBetty Sexton Jo BlalockBEnEVOLEnCEJimmie Temple Will & Janet JohnsonBuddy GlennWanda HendersonRay OverbayDon LeatherwoodJanel Buice Ruby MaplesMISSIOnSKeith Hill Will & Janet JohnsonMUSICFaye CooleyGeneva Lane Chuck Sexton’s SS ClassMary Lawson Francis RobertsCHILDREn’S DEPTR.P. & Lennis Williams Becky Barnes & children

TribuTedGivinG

Attendance Report 1/4/2015 1/11/2015 1/18/2015 1/25/2015 8:15am Worship 563 557 539 459 9:30am SS 1231 1435 1330 1361 10:45am Worship 1114 1051 1168 1163 6:30pm Worship 368 290 387 419

Biblical Stewardship 1/4/2015 1/11/2015 1/18/2015 1/25/2015 Total Weekly Needs $ 97,265.00 $ 97,265.00 $ 97,265.00 $ 97,265.00 Tithes & Offerings 99,571.73 87,782.01 155,549.95 304,157.44 Building Fund 1,596.00 651.00 1,261.00 5,836.00 Designated Fund 15,214.57 18,360.90 40,617.27 451,805.23

new MembersMaksat SudlowVictoria DavisIsaiah MejiasJennifer MilamLarry & Paulette GriffinPaul & Brenda ManisMachelle MossJames GallihughHollie Reagan

Recently HospitalizedNell HardinSandra DavisTim ScholzRichard ShampineLynndell MaultsbyJoAnn McKinneyDonna LewisRon NicholsDee JacqueminVerna FinwickElline ConleyEddie DeBordNancy HopsonMelanie CliffordLeslie Sauls

• Jim Hubbard in the passing of his brother, Jerry Hubbard

• Terry Gossett in the passing of his brother, Lynn Gossett

• Merion King in the passing of his twin brother, Murrell

• Maxine Ownby in the passing of her brother

• Shirley Thomas in the passing of her sisters, Faye Cooley & Geneva Lane

• Joe Christopher in the passing of his sister-in-law

• Tina Bowling in the passing of her aunt

• Patricia Linebarger in the passing of her husband, Anthony

• Phil Keefer in the passing of his sister, Kate

• Chuck Sexton in the passing of his mom, Betty Sexton

• George LeBlanc in the passing of his wife, Jean

• Morgan Wilson in the passing of her grandmother, Martha Woodland

Sympathy to

IN HONORBUDGETOur granddaughters,

Lisha Meade & Laura Rivera’s Birthdays

Rex & Louise DelozierSPECIAL FRIEnDSSpecial Friends teachers

& members Sue LawsonCOLLEGE MInISTRYJared & Beth Owby’s

ministry Terry & Wendy BryanCHILDREn’S DEPTLibby Williams’ Birthday Becky Barnes & childrenLOTTIE MOOnOur family David & Dorothy JohnsonHOT MEALS FOR

HUnGRY HEARTSJim & Karen Koerten Jim Koerten’s SS Class

IN MEMORYBUDGETHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceEarl & Trula LawsonHarold HeltonGlenn Henderson Barry, Cathy & JT

McConnellJoAnn Coane Ron & Bernice Thornton Mary Jo JohnstonThomas Morgan Joyce MorganClyde McMahanDon LeatherwoodWanda GuffeyAngie DaimwoodJanell BuiceRachel FineJohnny KingWanda Henderson Lyle & Judy Pat OverbayElben White Jean WhiteWanda HendersonAngie DaimwoodDon LeatherwoodRalph RobertsonJane JacksonEmily Stone Melba DelozierGeneva LaneFaye Cooley Jack & Patricia Palmer Dave & Dink TinoBetty Sexton Jack & Patricia PalmerGeorge Headrick Barbara HeadrickHarold Clabough Sevier Co. Bank Directors,

Officers & Employees Edward & Faye Pahl

Leadership: Creating a CultureJared Ownby

Picture yourself walking through the front door of your favorite local, low-key lunch spot. You’ve been here before. You take the kids or grandkids there when school is out. You know the staff behind the counters or on the grill—their names, their kids’ names and their family history, and they probably know yours. You regularly get the same things to eat and the workers know it. Even the kids have established routines and grab chocolate milk and a bag of chips as soon as you walk in the door.

You are inside the culture and you’re comfortable in it.You know what would be acceptable behavior in that place and what wouldn’t. You know what you could appropriately talk about at the counter and what might make a scene. You intuitively know the values and assumptions.

A newcomer is outside the culture looking in and would see differently. She’ll notice everyone’s demeanor and whether she feels welcome. Watch him: he’ll have to study and try to figure out what is acceptable—

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Send questions or comments to newsletter@fbcsev.org

However, most of you know of my battle with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). I was first diagnosed in May at Vanderbilt Cancer Center and have had chemo and radiation since that time to try and get rid of all the cancer. I had a stem cell transplant that has at this time worked thanks to my little brother, Mason, who gave his bone marrow to save my life. Since all this has happened to me, I have fully relied on God to get me through.

I always thought I wanted to move away from home and go live in California and make pizza and films, but through cancer God has opened my eyes to new purpose in life. We are to love just like He loved. I have such a peace and a calm in life now that can only truly be found in Christ.

Just like my favorite Bible verse, Hebrews 6:19 says “He is the anchor for my soul.” I love the analogy because when the storms rage, God is our refuge and strength. It is the most freeing and humbling experience to be

and he’ll mess up. Often the story they gather from the initial encounter will most likely determine whether they return and become part of the culture.

One way to define culture is the set of values and practices that belong to a group of people in a given location. Our church has a culture. Every family unit has its own culture. There are stated and unstated values. Most importantly, there are underlying assumptions that even the members of the culture might not be able to articulate—but they rely on them.

I recently heard this statement about the responsibilities of a leader and I love it: “The primary objective of a leader must be to cultivate and maintain a healthy culture within his or her sphere of influence.”

A gardener must build her trellis in such a way that the vine will flourish on it according to purpose; the trellis is not the point—the vine is. A pastor must equip the members in his care to do the work of the

ministry—according to God’s purpose for the whole and according to each mem-ber’s unique gifts and talents. A husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her so that she will flourish in godly femininity. A momma and daddy must teach, model, and nurture their children in the Word so that as they grow the kids are equipped to make God-honoring deci-sions about faith and life.

The leader has so much responsibility! Establishing and cultivating a culture isn’t done overnight. It involves a Spirit-led search to find the underlying, unspoken values and assumptions that drive the visible parts of the culture. A leader must use his or her gifts according the purposes of God in the Scriptures to align the culture’s assumptions and values with the values and purposes of God. Leaders: Start building an intentionally Christ-centered culture—NOW!

washed in the blood of the Lamb, because no longer am I alive to sin, but I am alive in Christ.

I feel my purpose in this life is to give hope to those who are struggling. If I can do that and share the love of Christ with every one I meet, I might just fulfill God’s will for my life. I pray that each and everyone of you find freedom in Christ as I have! I pray that everyone finds that peace in Christ.

I just want to live a simple life with my loving family in these beautiful mountains I call home. I love you all, thank you for all the support and prayers for my family and I during this difficult, uncertain time.

May all the Glory and Honor be to God.

PurposeTiffany Hodge

A lot of you recognize my name from Prayers for Tiffany on Facebook. Others might remember I have led worship at a couple college night services and for Journey 8:12 when I was in the college ministry! I loved it very much and was honored each time I was able to lead.

Leading worship is definitely a passion of mine and I love writing worship songs of my own. I hope to write many many more! I would love to be the girl version of Chris Tomlin. There is an amazing worship leader conference that Louie Giglio and his Church Passion City in Atlanta are hosting in May of this year. I was fortunate enough to go with a great friend when I went in college and it was a phenomenal experience to be in a room with so many other people who loved worshiping and song writing just as much as I did! I hope to go back if at all possible this year.

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

Scott CarterAssoc. Pastor of Youth

Address317 Parkway Sevierville, TN 37862

Office HoursMonday- Friday8:00am - 5:00pm

Office Phone(865) 453-9001(865) 429-6309 (fax)

Craig MintzAssoc. Pastor of Equipping

Royce BaileyAssoc. Pastor of Children

Steve BrewerAssoc. Pastor of Discipleship

Clark ByramAssoc. Pastor of Stewardship/Administration

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