Second Harvest Food Bank!

We had 19 serving...wonderful turnout for our first time to serve together as a class. I know everyone had a wonderful time and we were a small part in helping to feed 150,000 people in East Tennessee through the Second Harvest Food Bank. Thank you Larry & Laura Watren for doing the coordinating to find the opportunity to serve. Ken

Party Changed!!!

The progressive dinner for the Allender Bible Fellowship has been changed to a single location event.

Scott & Cynthia Spitler will host a Christmas fellowship at their home this Saturday, Dec 3.
Their address is 1119 S. Clark Street, Maryville, TN.
Please note the time change: it will start at 6 pm.
This fellowship is still intended for our adult class members only. Babies under the age of 2 are welcome.

Everyone attending should bring finger foods/desserts and 2 liter to share.

If you have questions, please call Paige 805-4885.
Would you please let me know that you have read this email and are aware of the changes? We don't want anyone to be left out.

Thank you,
Ken & Paige

Man and his best laid plans

^{As we are studying Acts and this week we saw how Paul took the message of salvation to the Corinthians. The Corinthians were like an ancient version of Las Vegas, but worse! The city was vile and perverse and the hearts of men were far from God. Into such a world, Paul courageously spoke the truth of the Gospel and it did not return void. A vibrant church sprang up and lives were changed.}

^{Not much has changed in the world in 2000 years in the dark hearts of men. I am continually reminded of how foolish men are today, as many scurry around trying to gain power, wealth, pleasure and to fathom the mysteries of life.}

^{In all these vain pursuits, men tout their great wisdom. Men in all their high ideals have not managed change anything in the world... to cure all disease, end poverty, end hunger, end exploitation of the weakest among us, end strife and war, preserve the family...and on and on and on the list of FAILURES drags on. Man and his high thinking gains nothing in the end.}

^{To watch men scheme and plan....it's as though watching two men standing on the deck of the sinking Titanic were considering the best arrangement of the deck furniture to best suit their needs for their midnight poker game.}

^{The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 NKJV a message for us to remember...the message of cross is the ONLY hope for men, women, boys and girls. The world, more than ever, needs to know the GOOD NEWS.}

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:
“ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
²⁰ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Chili, Chili and More Chili!

About 30 of us had a wonderful time at our first annual Chili Cookoff.
The only thing that could have made it better is if even MORE could have attended.
Don't miss it next year...the competition will be even more fierce.

OCT 22 - 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off at Metcalf Bottoms 4pm

SAT. OCTOBER 22nd, 4:00PM -8:06PM (sundown) at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area in the GSMNP.
The picnic area and pavillion are on Little River Road, about halfway between the "Y" and the Sugarlands-Park HQ. (note: a not so well known, short-cut, Lyons Springs Rd. from Wears Valley Rd. is especially helpful to avoid GSMNP traffic.)
BRING the entire family....your favorite CHILI...Hotdogs and fix'ns and lawn chairs.
Look for more details in class and in an email from Gary Douglas which will be forth coming.

FLAPJACK FEST 2011

EVERYONE HAD A BLAST!!!!

FLAPJACK FEST 2011 a SUCCESS

Nearly 50 attended! A special thanks to Gary & Sonya Douglas and Eric & Dawn Martin for organizing our event. Kim Long and Christie Spitler also served as Sous Chefs. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success.

Acts Study

We began our study of The book of Acts today. As I said in class, I want to "Teach you to fish" rather than just "Giving you a fish". Nothing will change your life more than you reading and studying God's Word on your own. When you read this week, use an Inductive Method to study the bible. FIRST PRAY, then read the passage while asking the following questions and take some notes.
What is the setting/the context? (when is this taking place, who is speaking?) What is going on in the passage? (the facts, the outcome, the circumstances) How can I apply this to my life? (the Holy Spirit at work in YOUR life)
An inductive study relies on you reading the passage and allowing God's Word and the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
I have found this type of study to provide the deepest and life-long change to my Christian walk.
I have used study bibles and recommended the NASB Life Application Study Bible for anyone wanting a good bible. (ps,Geek Alert... I like hardback bibles because the pages are thicker and it feels like a textbook) A warning is needed with using study bibles....I found in the past, a quick commentary at the bottom of the page is often all I would take away from the passage. "Microwaved Theology" is lacking in real flavor. Significant change generally requires looking at the scripture more intently and more prayer. Once I have used an Inductive method, I also often read longer commentaries on the passage to go deeper, especially in the context...the background and customs.
I am praying for you! Ken
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:16.

NEW CLASS YEAR - AUGUST 21, 2011

NEW CLASS YEAR - AUGUST 21, 2011

We are beginning a new class year next Sunday, August 21, 2011 and we will be kicking off a study of The Book of Acts.
This is a wonderful time to jump back into class after a busy summer. Everyone has missed some here and there, so if you feel like you have been out a bit, don't worry, everyone else has as well.....just come back next Sunday and join in.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 Saturday is our 3rd annual, FLAPJACK FEST 2011. Eric Martin and Gary Douglas are coordinating this fantastic fellowship. This event takes place at Cades Cove....bicycle around the loop early 7-7:30 start time or just show up at 10A.M. to eat Pancakes! We have had a blast the last two years with this event.

I am so EXCITED about our class and how I see God working.

Please consider how you might serve and pray for God to move people to leadership and ministry in our class.

A very special THANK YOU to Mike Dennison (click to email) for leading in the position of class director/assistant teacher.
If you would like to serve in any capacity, Mike will get you plugged-in.

• We are in need of someone with a heart for missions/service to help coordinate ministry opportunities for the class as the Outreach Director. Thank you also to Teresa Carr who has volunteered to help with Outreach by contacting guests, prospects and members with cards, etc. The Outreach Director will set a schedule for the class to reach out in the community to serve in missions , ie. going to soup kitchen to serve a meal, etc.
  
• We need Care Group leaders. This is a CRITICAL position to keep people connected in our class and church. The number one job is pray for your group throughout the week. Make contact with your group members, especially if a member is absent for couple weeks. Ask someone to pray in group circle. 100% attendance certainly isn't expected, just have an assistant in place to lead in your absence.
  
• Paige will gladly apprentice someone to be the Information Coordinator. Paige will continue to reach out to meet visitors, but someone to help with maintaining the actual paperwork would be wonderful. This is another vital role to ensure contact information and attendance is gathered and communicated to the church office. There are only 3 main church forms to understand and they can be easily understood.

We are serving a truly AWESOME GOD and ministry in our Bible Fellowship is KINGDOM WORK. Thanks, Ken

Big South Fork

Wow... we really did have as much fun as it appears in the photo.
This was while we were camping at Big South Fork...Twin Arches.

Flapjack Fest 2011 coming up on Sep 17th.

Camping on June 24-26

Hello all! Passing on the information on our blog.....the photo at left demonstrates the dedication of true "coffee hounds" in the woods.....Join us!

Many many thanks to Eric and Dawn Martin for organizing our annual camping trip to Bandy Creek.

so far...."It looks like we are going to have possibly six families for camping. I was checking the available campsites today and thought I would let you know which sites we will stay at. Everyone needs to make their own reservation. You can Google Bandy Creek campground, click on National Recreation Reservation Service highlighted in yellow and it will take you to the site. Choose D loop, the date (Fri June 24) and length of stay 2 nites. We are going to be at D 32. Please reserve asap because the sites fill up quickly. As of now there are 5 next to each other,(D 30,D 28, D27, D25) 1 across from ours,( D 31) a reserved one and then 2 more across from the other 3.(D 26 & D24) If you make reservations and do not show up, you lose your money, so be sure that you can come before you reserve. We are going to go on Thurs June 23 so if anyone wants to come earlier than Fri, we will be there. Please let me know if you have any problems and please let me know which campsite you are taking. Thanks. Dawn and Eric"

Charlie's Bunion...

This is part of the view from Charlies Bunion. Emma Grace age 8.
Just wanting to prove how fabulous the hike can be. "Mountain top experiences" don't happen on the couch....come on and join us.

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/charliesbunion.htm
gives a wonderful description of the hike.


Ken