pastoral staff ministry support - tennessee avenue baptist · tiffany sweeney hildren’s ministry...
TRANSCRIPT
Pastoral Staff
Andy Sweeney, Youth Pastor / Senior Adult Pastor
Bro. Paul Thompson, Family Pastor
Sau l Delgado, Hispanic Pastor
Ministry Support
Beverly Estep, Financial Secretary
Peggy Phipps, Church Secretary
Debbie Boyd, Ministry Support
Tiffany Sweeney, Children’s Ministry Director
Alicia Trivett, Interim Worship Leader
Kim Hutton, Pre-School Director
Phyllis Humphrey, Pianist
John Gentry, Maintenance
Phillip Compton, Maintenance
Connie Stipes, Housekeeping
Academy Staff
Melinda Widener, Principal
Adrian Padgett, Asst. Principal
Bro. Paul Thompson, Vice Principal
Angie Williams, Office Manager
Tammie Harmon, Dir. of Development
Daycare Staff
Jessica Sharrett, Director
Inside this Issue:
Ministry Information 1-3
Daycare News 3
Birthdays & Anniversaries 4
March Events 4
Dear Church Family 5
TACA Sword & Shield 6-7
Dear Church Family,
Spring is coming soon! I
love Spring because of
warmer weather and
longer days. But I love
Spring even more be-
cause of a new birth for
flowers, trees, and baby
animals. This symbolizes
the new birth we have in
Christ and the Resurrec-
tion that gives us hope.
This Winter has been
mild as far as the weath-
er, but a very harsh flu
and nasty virus season.
As I think about the Coro-
na virus fears and all the
other ominous issues we
have in this fallen world
(political unrest, earth-
quakes, floods, droughts,
etc.), I realize we as Chris-
tians have the only true
hope for a better out-
come. No matter how bad
it could get, our hope in
Jesus and the eternal life
with Him that He prom-
ised us makes all the
earthly threats seem trivi-
al.
As we prepare for a new
weather season, we at
TABC need to prepare for
a new season. We do not
need to wait for a new
Senior Pastor to prepare.
We have great leadership
with Andy and Paul, but
we need to listen to them
and take the Great Com-
mission to heart by being
an active, vibrant church.
Let people know that
TABC is a refuge from the
threats of the world. We
cannot change or control
these threats, but we can
control our attitude to-
ward them by focusing on
the Savior and focusing
on the hurting.
When the Lord reveals
our new Senior Pastor to
the Pulpit Search Com-
mittee, let’s be a happy,
working and loving
church that would make
this Man of God (whoever
he is) anxious to want to
lead and serve the Lord
with us.
Thank you for your faith-
fulness!
Bro. Keith
March 2020 Volume 29, Issue 3
Volume 29, Issue 3
Page 2
Dear TABC Family,
What do you do when you are in a season that you don’t see
or feel God is working? If you read the book of Esther, that is
exactly the situation in which she found herself. The book of
Esther records a young Jewish woman being brought in as
queen of Persia. It seems to be a minor event with no purpose
behind it, but the unseen hand of God was on the scene the
whole time!
When King Xerxes signed a decree to kill the Jews, Esther
realized that she was put in place for “such a time as
this” (Esther 4:14). Esther ultimately approaches the king
and is able to save her people. If you study the book of Es-
ther, God’s name is not referred to in any manner. Even
though we don’t see His name, we can see how He orchestrat-
ed the events PERFECTLY to save His people.
God is doing the same thing for each of us today. Romans
8:28 says, “...all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are the called according to His pur-
pose.” No matter what season you are in, whether you can see
God moving or not, be confident and know that God is always
on time and is always working. Genesis 18:14 says “Is any-
thing too hard for the LORD?” So, I urge you, brother and sis-
ters in Christ, keep walking in confidence that the Lord is with
you, He never leaves you or forsakes you (Joshua 1:9).
Love in Christ,
Bro. Andy Sweeney
Senior Adult Pastor / Youth Pastor
Dear Family,
What if? What if Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church’s mem-
bers and attenders were faithfully devoted to studying and
living out the “red letter” teachings of Jesus found in the Gos-
pels? What if our hearts were mutually linked to one another,
sharing communion and coming together regularly for pray-
er? What if we truly were a family of believers who were in
fellowship as one body, and we shared with one another
whatever we had? What if, out of our American abundance,
we gave generously and distributed it to those who were in
need? What if we met together at church and in one another’s
homes to celebrate communion? What if we shared meals
together with joyful hearts and tender humility? What if we
were continually filled with praises to God and were continu-
ally enjoying the favor of all the people?
If we were to align ourselves wholeheartedly with resurrec-
tion power, living out of the new covenant promises, I feel
certain that we would witness a deep sense of Holy Awe that
would sweep over us when we come together for worship. I
believe we might see answers to prayer that would take place
so dramatically that we would call them miraculous signs and
wonders. We might also see that God would add to our num-
bers daily those who were coming to life in Christ. Who
knows, maybe Bristol residents would report of us that we
have turned the city upside down with the Living Word.
This is simply a paraphrase and reordering of Acts 2:42-47.
Read it, believe it, live it and pray it!! God is bringing us into
alignment with Him and His Word.
Praying Malachi 4:5-6 and Acts 2:42-47 over our Church
family,
Bro. Paul Thompson
Family Pastor
Volume 29, Issue 3
Page 3
would describe him as a man above re-
proach. Ezra 7:10 gives Christians insights to
how he maintained such integrity in a world
that seemed to be falling apart.
First, he had set his heart to study the Law of
the Lord. He had regular bible Study. He
didn’t just attend temple weekly, he cracked
open his Bible and learned for himself what
the Word of God said.
Second, he wanted to do the Law of the
Lord. He wanted to keep the command-
ments and live a life that was honoring and
pleasing to God. He didn’t just read the Bi-
ble, he practiced it. So many times we hear a
sermon or read a verse and think of another
person that it could apply to, but shouldn’t
we first examine ourselves? This is exactly
what Ezra did. Last, Ezra taught the Lord’s
statutes and rules in Israel. He was an Old
Testament disciple. He studied the Word, he
applied the Word, and he shared the
Word. This is the same command Jesus gives
to each of us when he tells us to “Go into all
the world and preach the Gospel to every
creature.” (Mark 16:15)
I challenge you church family, to do a self
examination: Are you reading the Bible, are
you applying the Bible, and are you sharing
the Bible?
Love in Christ,
Tiffany Sweeney
Children’s Ministry Director
Watch your bulletin for information about
our upcoming Resurrection Day Celebra-
tion. We will need lots of volunteers!
Dear TABC Family,
Recently in my 8th Grade Bible Class, we have
been studying the books of Daniel and Ez-
ra. While reading Ezra, I came across a verse
that really brought me back to basics. Ezra
7:10 says, “For Ezra had set his heart to study
the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach
his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra was a
man of a pure heart. He was pure in his
thoughts, his actions, and his motives. We
Star Students:
We have been enjoying our Star Student pro-
gram. K-4 star students for March are:
Mrs. Amy’s Star Students:
Liam Morrison
Marisol Cisneros
Timmy Hess
Lakyn Boroughs
Ms. Rachel’s Star Students:
Quillen Laoo
Gavin Brown
Eli Woelkers
Liam Hall
Daycare Dates to Remember:
March 2nd - 6th
Dr. Seuss Week (Read across America Week)
Your teachers will have more info about
special crafts, snacks, and fun things we will
all be doing this week. If you would be inter-
ested in coming by sometime during this
week, and reading a book to the kids, please
let the teachers know.
Monday, March 30th 6:00-8:00 PM
K4 Registration Night
This is something new we will be doing this
year. More information will be coming soon.
Families,
I LOVE Spring! It is my favorite season. Mostly
because I love flowers. I love watching them
sprout and grow up from the ground. I love
watching the flowers that grow from bulbs in
the ground because honestly, half the time I
forget we even have them. I also LOVE the
smell of fresh cut flowers. There is just some-
thing so refreshing, new, and happy about
them.
It also reminds me of one of my favorite vers-
es. Hebrews 12:15 says, “Looking diligently
lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled;” or in my
words, “Let no root of bitterness spring up
and take hold.”
How easy it is for us when we’ve been hurt to
let the bitterness take hold. We want to stay
so focused on the wrong that we forget that
God has told us not to do that. Isaiah 61:11
tells us that God’s righteousness will be like a
garden in early spring, with plants springing
up everywhere. So, if God forgives us and
gives us his righteousness over and over, why
can we not do the same? After all, choosing
to stay bitter and angry is the absolute oppo-
site of what God’s righteousness is.
The righteousness of God, in
Christ, means that you are justified, de-
clared righteous because you have had your
sins cleansed by Jesus. So, in other words,
God forgives us. He forgives our sins. He
made the ultimate sacrifice for that very rea-
son. So why is it so hard for us to forgive?
Why is it so much easier to become or stay
bitter?
Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness,
and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with all mal-
ice: And be ye kind one to another, tender-
hearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Let me
emphasize, Even as God for Christ’s sake
hath forgiven you.
The next time you are hurt, angry, or becom-
ing bitter, remember, God forgave us. It’s
because of us he sacrificed His son, and if He
can forgive all that we’ve done, why can we
not forgive those who hurt or anger us?
Wouldn’t it be so much better for us, if we
can remember, like the spring flowers, we
need to burst with forgiveness, love, and
kindness? Instead of letting the bitterness
take root, and cause our gardens (lives), to be
full of weeds, dead, dry, miserable weeds.
How we bloom depends on our hearts and
what we choose to do and feel.
Praying you all have an amazing Spring, filled
with the beautiful flowers of Love, For-
giveness, and Kindness.
Blessing in Christ,
Mrs. Jessica
Volume 29, Issue 3
Page 4
1st
Barry Simms
Arvella Williams
2nd
Wayne Ramsey
3rd
Kyle Hillman
Kathy Ratliff
4th
Phyllis Humphrey
5th
Dwight Walton
7th
Diana Carter
9th
Joy Quales
11th
Tony Lane
12th
Madison Hensley
Danny Sharp
13th
Ginger Booher
Rita Coe
Linda Simcox
Stella Simms
14th
Travis Braswell
Ethan Muncy
Kenny Price
17th
Todd Muncy
18th
Diana Baker
Janet Ware
19th
Michael Watts
20th
Emma Vance
21st
Chloe Moody
22nd
Adriana Federow
Mary Weems
23rd
Katherine Carrier
24th
Rob Trivett
25th
Randy Hayes
Chris Lyall
27th
Lakyn Boroughs
29th
Charlie Hicks
Vicky Ramsey
30th
Sandra Jones
Eric Ringley
Carl Wolfenbarger
31st
Devon Medaglia
Margie Wallace
3rd
Dave & Theda Calhoun
4th
Dickie & Teresa Fleming
5th
Jeff & Alicia Brunette
11th
Tony & Tammie Harmon
13th
Dennis & Kim Hutton
14th
Robert & Martha Mullin
Ron & Sandy Smallwood
17th
Eddie & Gail Guy
18th
Tony & Rhonda Slagle
24th
Nancy & Lewis Moody
29th
Stephen & Cristy Smallwood
30th
Tommy & Tiffany Parker
31st
Billy Joe & Charlotte James
3rd Moms in Faith TACA Library 7:45-9:00 AM (Tuesdays)
4th AWANA ‘Jammies for Jesus’ Night Children’s Area 6:00 PM
5th Study & Share Bible Study Begins Fellowship Hall 10:00 AM (Thursdays)
5th Celebrate Recovery Meeting Fellowship Hall 5:45 PM (Thursdays)
6th Senior Adult Breakfast Fellowship Hall 8:30 AM
6th TACA Home Basketball Games FLB 5:30 PM (Senior Night)
8th TABC Security Team Meeting Fellowship Hall 5:00 PM
11th AWANA ‘Missions/Spare Change’ Night Children’s Area 6:00 PM
16th-20th Academy Spring Break
18th AWANA ‘March Madness’ Night Children’s Area 6:00 PM
19th-21st Senior Adult Trip to Sight & Sound Theatre Lancaster, PA
20th AWANA Grand Prix Pit Party FLB 6:00-8:00 PM
25th AWANA Nascar / Racing Night Children’s Area 6:00 PM
28th AWANA Grand Prix Student Center 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
28th TACA Athletic Banquet FLB 5:30 PM
30th Daycare K-4 Open House / Registration Night, FLB 6:00-8:00 PM
“...try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts… See Malachi 3:10
OUR CHURCH FINANCES
02/02/2020 Offering $16,851.00 Total Offering 1/29-2/25/2020 $61,267.60
02/09/2020 Offering $ 9,584.00 Total 2020 offering YTD: $113,512.77
02/16/2020 Offering $16,326.25 Current Loan Balance $1,487,080.78
02/23/2020 Offering $ 9,325.35 General Account Bank Balance $97,794.63
On-line Giving (1/29-2/25) $9,181.00 Designated Account Bank Balance $36,120.18
by STATEMENT
Sheila Gamble
Lorrie Pendergrass
Mike Pendergrass
Thank you for all the love and support and prayers in our time of need. We greatly appreciate all of the food and things you brought to us as well. Stephen Shipplett & family
Thank you for your pray-ers, cards, and concern during Bill’s battle with lung cancer. Also, for the ivy basket. God bless each of you, Joann Lester
Thank you, Church Family, for the beautiful yellow roses you sent my daugh-ter, Amy, after her surgery. They put a smile on her face, and she remarked
that they were “little rays of sunshine”. Thank you for the encouraging mes-sages, phone calls, cards, visits, meals, and especially the prayers. Because of prayer, Amy’s recovery has been so much easier than anyone expected; we are so grateful for our loving Father and you, our caring Family. Love in Christ, Don & Sylvia Rowland
Thanks so much for the beautiful flowers you sent for the service for our mother, Margaret Johnson. She loved the wonderful people over the years while teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir,
and worshipping together. Love, Mike, Chris & the Johnson Family
Thank you, Church Family, for the beautiful flower you sent at the passing of our mother, Bertie DeBord. Jane Perry Glenna & Mike DeBord & families
Dear TABC Church Family, your prayers, calls, texts, and love shown to me dur-ing my surgery and recov-ery have meant so much to me. The flowers are beau-tiful! Much love and ap-preciation to you, Charlotte James
Volume 29, Issue 3
Page 5
Parents, join us in the Family Life Building and check out what our Daycare has to offer for your child!
We’ll have information available about our curriculum, rates, etc. We’ll show you around the Daycare,
and you can even early register your child! Light refreshments. Drop in any time between 6 & 8 PM.
Call 423-989-4343 for more information.
Volume 29, Issue 3
Page 6
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 3 MARCH 2020
Please enjoy this edition of the Tennessee Avenue Christian Academy newsletter, to keep us all up-to-date on the latest news from our Academy!
Inside this Issue:
Crusader Spirit 2
Moving Forward 2
March Dates to Remember
1 FORWARD Drama serves in Johnson City, TN
6 End of 3rd Grading Period
13 Report Cards Distributed
16-20 Spring Break
23 Classes Resume
30 FORWARD Drama serves with the Haven of Rest
In the fall of 2019, the Senior
Beta Club was established on
the campus of Tennessee Ave-
nue Christian Academy. This
academic honors society is
open to students in 9th – 12th
grades who have earned an
overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. In
the spring of 2020, the Junior
Beta Club was established for
students in 4th – 8th grades who
have maintained an average of
90 or higher in each class. For-
mal induction ceremonies were
held for each club level. The
clubs are sponsored by Mrs.
Holly Briscall and Mrs. Paula
Stigall and are led by student
elected officers.
The Beta Club Mission State-
ment is: “To promote the ide-
als of academic achievement,
character, service, and leader-
ship among elementary and
secondary school students.”
• Achievement: Recognizing
and honoring high academic
accomplishment
• Character: Preparing youth
for life and empowering
them for success
• Leadership: Developing the
leaders of tomorrow
• Service: Demonstrating our
motto: “Let us lead by serv-
ing others.”
Senior Beta Club members re-
cently led a community service
project on the TACA campus.
Students planned and led a
cleaning supplies collection
drive for The Haven of Rest.
Once the collection phase was
complete, students delivered
the supplies and spent the
afternoon organizing collected
products at the Haven’s facility.
Senior Beta Club members re-
cently visited the office of
Judge Brian Addington. Club
members were introduced to
the workings of the court sys-
tem and they observed court-
room procedures. Students
were also given an opportunity
to ask questions and tour the
building. We extend special
thanks to Judge Addington for
making this incredible oppor-
tunity available.
Please watch the TACA Face-
book page and this newsletter
for information about upcom-
ing Beta Club projects and
achievements.
TACA BETA CLUB
Senior BETA Club
Junior & Senior BETA Club
Volume 29, Issue 3
Page 7
VO
LU
ME
6,
ISS
UE
3
MA
RC
H 2
02
0
We are excited to see the Cru-
sader Cheerleader program in
full force this year! Fourteen
students from 2nd – 6th grade
work together to cheer on our
teams and encourage crowd
participation. Cheerleaders
practice twice each week and
have learned approximately 20
cheers! These students serve
with enthusiasm and focus.
Their love for
school and team is
evident as they lead
the crowd in Cru-
sader Spirit! We
look forward to
following their lead
throughout the
2020 basketball
season.
CRUSADER SPIRIT
The FORWARD Drama Ministry
has been blessed with a very
busy schedule this school year!
The team recently served at
Blountville United Methodist
Church and during a chapel
service with The Haven of Rest.
In addition to these off-campus
service opportunities, the team
has been blessed to serve dur-
ing Parent Chapel and Grand-
parent Chapel
services on cam-
pus. During the
months of March
and April, the
team will serve
with churches and
other community
outreach ministries throughout
the Tri-Cities. Please watch the
TACA Facebook page and this
newsletter for information con-
cerning upcoming ministry
events.
MOVING FORWARD!
Prizes! 1st & 2nd place teams
Door Prizes
Goodie Bags
3rd ANNUAL TACA CLASSIC Golf Tournament
Saturday, April 18, 2020 Tri-Cities Golf Club
Please Join Us!
We hope that you will be able to take part in the
Tennessee Avenue Christian Academy 3rd Annual
TACA Classic Golf Tournament. Your participation
will provide operating funds for the Academy.
Space Is Limited!
Register early to guarantee your team’s participa-
tion in this event. Pick up a registration form in the
Academy Office, or download at tabaptist.org.
Make checks payable to TACA and mail to:
806 Tennessee Avenue, Bristol, TN 37620
Phone: 423-989-4346
Tammie Harmon Cell: 423-340-0996
Johnny Hutchins Cell: 828-447-1554
Entry Fee: $300 per Team (includes lunch) Entry Deadline: April 10, 2020 Registration: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start: 9:00 a.m. Lunch / Awards: 2:00 p.m.
Hole Sponsorship Available: DEADLINE FOR SPONSORSHIP:
APRIL 3, 2020
Cost: $ 75 Corporate Logo displayed
on sign at hole
SUNDAY Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Morning Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
Evening Worship Service 6:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY Awana Clubs Children’s Program 6:00 p.m.
Youth Worship Service 6:00 p.m.
Evening Worship Service 6:00 p.m.
All our Worship Services can be viewed live, as well as viewing previously recorded services,
by visiting www.tabaptist.org & selecting the ‘Live Worship’ tab.
We’re on the web!
www.tabaptist.org
Prayer Prompter
“Only when we pray
will the winds of revival
lift us to the highest
blessings of heaven.”
See II Chronicles 7:14