THE LINK Together in Christ, we love God and others. November 2018 by The Missions Team Connect is the name of a new missions opportunity beginning with our Thanksgiving Meal Outreach. As in the past few years, we will receive the names of 15 families in need from the Maryville City Schools Family Resource Center. Fully cooked meals and a grocery gift card will be delivered on Thanksgiving morning to these families by volunteers from our church. This year we would like to continue connecting to these families in other ways through Thanksgiving 2019. We would like to find a way to connect these families with each and every church member through one of the following ways: Time, Talent and Treasure. Time: The Missions team is looking for seven more church families, Bible study groups, small groups, friend groups, etc., to commit to connecting with one of these families four more times in the coming year. The required connections are Christmas 2018, Spring Break 2019, Summer/ School starting back August 2019, and Fall Break 2019. The group can connect at other times if they feel so led. Food will be one of the major ways that we want to support these families, but other ways may include working on their home, cleaning, yard work, school supplies, clothing, special outings, babysitting, etc. The idea is to keep a connection and running dialogue with the family and help as needs arise. Talent: These volunteers will give of their expertise or service as the need arises or with a group on workdays. Work days and special projects will be announced to the church so those serving in this category will have opportunity to connect at these times. Treasure: If you are interested in missions but are unable to give time or talent, you may want to serve in this category and financially contribute toward the purchase of material items such as food, clothing, and work project materials. Currently we are still in need of funding for a few more Thanksgiving meals and gift cards. Our hope is that all of First Baptist Church of Maryville will find a way to Connect with our community and show that we are a Christ-Like Community of Compassion. You can sign-up to help, by contacting a member of the Mission Team (Rhonda Stinnett, Drew Goins, Kevin White, Benita Claiborne or Dan Sinclair). If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 The church office and the gym will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23, in observance of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving meals will be delivered from the FLC at 10am on Thursday, November 22.
Please join us for these Upcoming Events. November 13 - Join us for Thanksgiving lunch, at 10:30am, in the gym. Please bring plenty of side dishes, salads, and desserts. Church will provide turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls, and drinks. Coming Home Sunday, November 11, 6-8pm First Baptist Maryville Sanctuary A young soldier returns home from World War II and finds his country church in comical disarray. As he struggles to find peace, he learns that you can never go so far away that you can't come home in your heart. December 4 - You are invited to Christmas Lunch in the gym (time to be determined). The Eagleton Elementary School Choir, led by James Gann, will present a holiday program. Please bring side dishes, salads, and desserts. Church will provide ham, rolls, and drinks. This faith-based play, written and directed by Tonya Stoutt-Brown, features beloved hymns and local performers. The group will present this play in the FBCM Sanctuary. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted after the show to benefit Vet2Vet, an organization that mentors veterans and helps with housing, judicial issues, mental health, and suicide prevention. This play is not recommended for small children due to the length of the performance and the WWII subject matter. Childcare will not be available. The Joy Club enjoys lunch together before going to see Singin In The Rain at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, on October 16, 2018. Joy Club is an organization for median and older adults which meets once a month to share lunch and a program or to go on a trip. Welcome New Deacons Serving 2019-2021 Mike Bishop Elizabeth Hostin Bob Ramsey Wilson Borden Allen Kelley Lynda Stapleton Jolyn Davenport Bill Lalasz RaAnn Strawn Joe Hall Steve Johnson Rick Strawn Tom Haynes Chris Merritt Susan Williams 2
Roundtable Discussion Presented by our Search Teams Christmas Child Shoeboxes Due Monday, November 12 Our goal is 150 completed boxes, and we had 102 at the time of this newsletter. Place your completed boxes with $9 for shipping under the display in the hallway. These boxes will carry Christmas gifts and the gospel message to children all over the world through Samaritan s Purse. Wednesday, November 14 Chickfila Dinner - 6:00pm Meeting and Discussion - 6:30 to 8pm The discussion will concern the Budget and Missions Priority Task Force survey results and local mission opportunities. There is no cost for the meal, but donations will be accepted. No RSVP needed. Childcare will be provided. Christmas Wishes Gift lists out for sponsorship - Nov. 11 Gifts due back unwrapped in trash bag - Nov. 26 Christmas Wishes Party - Tuesday, Dec. 11 Each year we work with the local ministry, CommunityWorx, and other local churches to provide Christmas gifts, clothes, and hygiene items to families in our community who have been identified through our local school systems. Gifts will be given out at Christmas parties held at local participating churches. Mission of Hope Blue Barrels - Late November Blue barrels will be placed throughout our church to collect coats, toys, hygiene, and food items to be given to families throughout rural Appalachia. Trip to Yellowcreek Elementary School in Middlesboro, KY - December 13 Volunteers are needed to go help set-up for the Mission of Hope Christmas Party. Joe Hall and the Encouragers class are collecting socks to take to the children at this school. Special-Called Business Meeting Sunday, November 11 Building and Grounds team will make a recommendation regarding the roof. Quarterly Business Meeting Sunday, December 9 Following the Service Staff Planning Day Tuesday, November 6 9am - 2pm The church staff will meet offsite to plan our upcoming spring and summer schedule. The church office will be closed during this time, but the Family Life Center gym will be open. 3
STAFF ANNIVERSARIES Tony Graves - 7yrs Amy Hatcher - 9 yrs Thanks for your faithful service at FBCM! Our Deepest Sympathy Sympathy to Lysia Vaught and her family upon the loss of her father, Denton McKeehan, who passed away on October 9. The Connect with a Child Children s Choir from Kenya will be staying with us the weeks of Nov. 24-Dec. 2 and Dec. 9-16. We will need five church families each week to host two children. To volunteer or to learn more, please contact the church office. Sympathy to Bill Robinson and his family upon the loss of his mother, Mildred Robinson, on October 31. Mildred has been a member of FBCM since April 14, 1993. Dear Pastor, Kristie Sands - Letter Anne Berry - Statement Tim and Renee Leonard - Statement Olivia and Addison Leonard - Baptism Douglas and Kathy Alexander - Statement Digital Billboard Advertisements FBCM will be running advertisements on the digital billboard by Krystal on Alcoa Hwy. the weeks of Nov.26 - Dec.9. We will have five slides each week using photos of our church and our events. Several of you may be pictured. If you would rather not be included in any of these advertisements, please contact the church office by phone at 982-5531 or by email at info@fbcmaryville.org before Nov.23 4 I am writing to thank First Baptist Church for your generosity. We appreciate both the opportunity for our Advisory Council Member Dianne Scent to share about what God is doing through the Friday lunch ministry and the collected donation from your congregation. We are encouraged by your support as we all work together to build God s kingdom in Maryville. With gratitude, Maureen Diffley, Capt. Corps Officer Salvation Army First Baptist Maryville, Thank you for your generous gift to the Pregnancy Resource Center. It is a blessing to sow seeds for the Kingdom together. Life decisions are possible because of brave people like you! Blessings, Valerie Millsapps Executive Director Pregnancy Resource Center of Blount County
Where in our Community is FBCM? Tidbits from FBCM History The following article was written by Lorene Smith (Mrs. Jeff Smith) for the November 1993 edition of The Link. Lorene passed away earlier this year. A MEMBER S PERSPECTIVE Stewardship, A Testimony In Luke 12:42 the Lord chooses the wise and faithful steward to be ruler over his household. The dictionary defines a steward as one who manages another s property, finances, or other affairs. Charles Ballard presents a check for $621 to Laura Heisler of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Blount County. This donation was made possible by FBCM contributions given at our September Dollar Day offering taken on September 30. For more information about this ministry, please go to their Facebook page (Friends of Blount County Pregnancy Resource Center) or their website (prcbctn.com). The tithe is the first thing we think of when we hear the word stewardship, yet the Bible tells us that everything belongs to the Lord. The earth is the Lord s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein (Psalms 24:1). In giving the tithe we are only returning to the Lord a portion of the bountiful gift he has given us. Jeff and I were already tithing when we married in 1951. He was attending U.T. on the GI bill and I was working for Harrison-Chilhowee Academy headquartered at First Baptist Church. Our income was small, but from that time on the check for our tithe was written the same time checks were written for rent, utilities, and other necessities. It is never too late nor too early to begin tithing. I truly believe the Lord will help you manage the remainder of your income to meet your needs. Pictured above is the 2018 Blount County Employee Health Fair held in our Family Life Center Gym on October 11. FBCM pastors and volunteers welcomed guests and shared information about our church with them. Where in the community is our FBCM family serving? Send us a photo, and we may publish it in future editions of the Link. Please email photos to info@fbcmaryville.org, and include a brief explanation of the event and names of those pictured. For many people, using one s time wisely can be more difficult than tithing. Young people are faced with numerous options for using their time. Similar options face young career persons, young marrieds, and senior adults. Jeff and I now find ourselves in the last category. Faced with more free time and the opportunity to put off until tomorrow, we are realizing anew the need to be wise and faithful stewards of our money, our time, and our abilities. When our church fails to meet its budget, our mission effort is cut. At this time of commitment, let s tithe and even return to Him a larger portion of what He has given us. 5
CHURCH GROWTH 2018 Attendance Information: Bible Study Worship October 7 175 226 October 14 236 389 October 21 190 292 October 28 211 262 Offering Information: October 7 $21,352.76 October 14 $23,947.00 October 21 $10,872.50 October 28 $15,341.00 Offering needs each week $19,172.00 Need to Date $345,096.00 Received to Date $284,417.33 Expenses to Date $284,074.56 Building Fund Received $1,285.00 Received to Date $52,830.00 Balance - Building Fund Total $141,997.79 Missions Received $690.00 Year to Date $3,010.00 CONTACT INFORMATION 202 West Lamar Alexander Parkway Maryville, TN 37801 Website: fbcmaryville.org Office Phone: 982-5531 -- Fax: 982-5533 Gym Phone: 982-4898 Nursery School: 984-0667 Weekend Emergency Phone: 865-982-5531 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 8am to 4:30pm, Monday - Thursday 8am to 3pm - Friday Closed from 9 to 11am on Tuesdays for staff meeting. FLC GYM HOURS 6am to 9pm - Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday 6am to 3pm - Wednesday & Friday Contact the gym for more information about group fitness classes and orientation. 6 Note: All dates are subject to change. November 6: Staff Planning Day, 9am -2pm 11: Coming Home Play in the Sanctuary, 6pm 14: Roundtable Discussion, 6pm, Gym 21: No Wednesday Night Activities 22: Office and FLC closed, Thanksgiving Meal Delivery, 10am, FLC December 2 - Christmas Concert, Sanctuary, 5pm 4 - Joy Club Christmas Luncheon 5 - Last night of Wednesday night programming 9 - Kenyan Kids Choir performing in the service Business Meeting after the service Adult Choir Program, Sanctuary, 5pm 10 - Hand out Goody Bags to Maryville College Students for exam week, Time TBD 11 - Christmas Wishes Party 13 - Trip to Yellowcreek School with Mission of Hope 14 - Parents Night Out, Gym 16 - Empty Pantry Delivery; Family Promise week; Memorial Service, 4pm, AM107; Caroling, 5pm 23 - Church-wide Biscuit Breakfast, Gym 24 - Christmas Eve Service, 5pm, Sanctuary 24-26 and Jan. 1 - Church Office and Gym Closed WEEKLY SCHEDULE SUNDAY Bible Study Groups - 9:15am Worship Service - 10:30am, Sanctuary Kids Worship - 10:30am, Kids Park MONDAY Intercessory Prayer Group - 9:30am, FLC 203 Musical Mondays - 3:15pm, Choir Room TUESDAY Staff Meeting - 9am WEDNESDAY - 6:30pm Caregivers Workshop - Craft Room The Bridge - AM107 Youth Collision Worship - Youth Room Recharge (K-6 grades) - Kids Park Childcare (6wks to 5yrs) - Kids Park (CH101)