Thursday, October 1 @ 4 PM

The Pumpkins Are Coming!!

Help us unload and set up the Patch! Bring a wheelbarrow and work gloves.

Volunteers are needed to sign up for a shift in the patch beginning Saturday, October 3. Sign up sheets can be found in the foyer or call the church office to sign up. Proceeds help pay for our youth and children to attend mission camps.

Women’s Retreat

Ladies, Listen Up!

Ladies, listen up! November 7th is just around the corner, and you do not want to miss the FBC One Day Women’s Retreat! Our theme this year is Bloom Where You Are Called, and it is going to be an absolutely incredible day of renewal and inspiration. We’ll be here from 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM. Registration is officially open! To lock in your spot, simply email Lola at FBCoffice@fbcoakridge.org. You can also grab a flyer with all the details out in the lobby. Sign up soon, and let’s get ready for an amazing day together!

Calling Them Like I See Them

A reflection from Rory

A friend of mine, I’ve learned just recently, is kind of a weather nut! It was a delightful surprise to find out. It kind of gives some context for the livelier than usual conversations about weather that we would have. Like, last week, he told me a weather fact. “Normally,” he began, “in East Tennessee we have around 35 days above 90 degrees. This year we’ve had over 70.” My eyebrows shot up, which I’m pretty sure is the appropriate response.

I knew it was a hot summer, and a long one. I also know that we keep having hotter and longer summers. But just this week, after the storms, the heat broke. The mornings were cool. The afternoon sun was pleasant. Things are beginning to change, as we know they must. The weather came as a relief to me.

I don’t think it’s been a secret that it’s been a hard year for me and my family. Losses, sickness, injury. It’s stuff that happens to everyone. Matter of fact, we’re not the only family to have a hard year. I hear that from so many people here recently. Maybe that means something? I honestly don’t know. Not being cute or coy. I’m just not smart enough to know. Regardless, it’s been a long, hard year.

I’m not deluded. I know there will be more hard years. I know that difficulties may grow as I continue along this journey. I know that I will continue to experience the things that we all experience. Loss, sickness, injury. But the heat finally broke, even though it seemed like it never would. And I’ve had a minute here recently where I feel like just maybe there’s something cool and fresh on the air of my life here recently, like maybe the weight of the heat has lifted somewhat.

I know it’s been a hard year for some of us. Believe me, I know. But as someone who’s been shambling under the weight of the oppressive heat of life right along with you, listen. The heat will break. Summer does end. A new season is coming. Keep checking the weather and don’t lose hope. There’s a time for every season.

Peace, Rory

Before His Presence with Singing

“All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided”

I have learned (and AM learning) so much from Rory. One thing that presently stands out is the humanity, the imperfection, the flaws and foul-ups of our biblical ancestors. If you look at the stories in scripture, while there are admittedly moments of faithfulness, nearly all of the characters from Abraham through Jesus’ disciples demonstrate just how flawed we humans are.

Think for a moment about the real, down-to-earth family dynamics in Isaac’s family. Twins who were fighting from birth. Then Jacob swindles his twin brother out of his birthright. Then he gets swindled himself by Laban and ends up marrying two sisters, Leah and Rachel. Then when the younger, prettier one finally has a child, Joseph, Jacob favors him over the 10 born to Leah. Those brothers resent the favored Joseph so much that they sell him into slavery.

Now, imagine reading the stories that go along with those biblical figures and NOT thinking of them as scripture, but as pure narratives. Try to imagine the family and personal dynamics in families that have that kind of history with each other.

Rory’s sermon this past week had an interesting title: “And They All Lived Happily Ever After.” With families like that, which is rather typical of those characters in scripture, happily just isn’t a word that applies. And when these characters do their doings, like grabbing at a brother’s heel, or stealing his birthright, or switching brides on the bridegroom (Leah/Rachel) or selling a brother into slavery, one might wonder, “where is God? Why does he allow these people to do these deeds?” Why isn’t the story about how they made the wiser, better choice because God was with them?

Where’s God? He’s right there. Not to act as puppeteer, making choices for them (us), but there because when we do make stupid, selfish, mess-making choices, that’s when we need Him. He’s not there INSTEAD of us, but BECAUSE of us. And to some extent, I believe he allows the stupid choices so that ultimately, we’ll see just how much we do need him.

“All I have needed.” Notice the verb in that phrase. “needed.” Not wanted. And in providing what we need he’s not depriving us of what we want. In meeting the need, God offers the opportunity to fulfill wants. If we can come to understand God’s fulfillment of need, it will shape our wants and the two will converge.

Now think about the larger theme of this hymn: “Great is Thy faithfulness.” How great? How sure? How reliable? The sun, the moon, the stars, and ALL nature join in manifold witness to God’s great faithfulness, his mercy (fixing those messes we inevitably make), and love.

And mercies. I don’t know about you, but when I read about and think about the figures in these biblical accounts, while I admit that sometimes I look on their follies with a bit of indictment, after a moment of that attitude, I rather quickly realize that I’m no better. I’ve made some pretty good messes as I’ve choiced my way through this journey. So, I too very desperately need those mercies on a daily, morning by morning basis. Don’t you?

Don’t you? Click HERE to read the rest of the hymn.

In Christ, Tim

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkins Patch Hours

Pumpkins arrive on Thursday, October 1st. Please plan to help unload that Thursday and sign up in the foyer for a shift in the patch beginning Saturday, Oct 3. Proceeds help pay for our youth and children to attend mission camps.

Pumpkin Hours: Saturdays 10-6, Sundays 1-5, Wednesday through Friday 1-6. Closed Monday & Tuesday.

Fall Cleanup

Help Spruce Up the Church

We could use some assistance in sprucing up the church this fall. From cleaning up large plate glass windows and doors to pressure washing and weeding, there are lots of opportunities! If you have questions or suggestions, contact Doug Turner.

Friday, October 16

Movie Discussion Group

Movie: Temple Grandin (2010), starring Claire Danes.

Viewing: Streaming on many platforms for ~ $4.

Time & Place: Friday, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m. at Joy Reedy’s home.

Thank You

Noisy Offering

On Sunday, September 20th, we collected $1,221.14 from our Noisy Offering for the Olive Branch Mission. This money will go to Scarlette Jasper to purchase Christmas boxes. Thank you for giving to this special ministry that First Baptist has partnered with.

Monday, October 5

October FBCFBC

Join us in the library at noon on Monday, October 5, as Lela Moore leads a discussion of Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.

Council & Committee

October Meetings

Finance Meeting: Sunday, October 4, 2:00 p.m., RM. 105.

Trustee Meeting: Monday, October 5, 7:00 p.m., RM. 105.

Church Council Meeting: Sunday, October 11, 2:00 p.m., RM. 105.

Deacons Meeting: Sunday, October 11, 3:00 p.m., RM. 105.

Personnel Meeting: Sunday, October 11, 4:00 p.m., RM. 105.

Sunday, November 1

Jim McCall Annual Pickleball Benefit Event

The Annual Jim McCall Pickleball Benefit Event will be held Sunday, November 1, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., at Jackson Square tennis courts. Hamburgers and hot dogs provided. Donations accepted for the Agape Help Center at First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge in Jim’s honor. For more information on this event, contact Jodie Johnson.

Children’s Volunteers

Sunday Schedule

Sunday, October 4
11:00 am Nursery: Mitzi Thomas & Jackie Laney
Children’s Church: Hannah Simic & First Christian

Sunday, October 11
11:00 am Nursery: Tedi Newman & Jodie Johnson
Children’s Church: Jackie Laney & Hannah Simic

Sunday, October 18
11:00 am Nursery: Susan Williams & Karry Garcia
Children’s Church: Linda Bunton & Lela Moore

Sunday, October 25
11:00 am Nursery: Bev Burgan & Jodie Johnson
Children’s Church: Debbie Johnson & Polly Smith