First Notes: Pythons and Pledges and Prayers, Oh My
Dear Church Family,
Sunday was quite a day with four baptisms and a special guest for worship: a (small, very well-behaved) python that was featured during the children’s sermon. It's probably the first time a snake has made an appearance in our sanctuary. Why the special guest?
Vacation Bible School
This week we are hosting children for our annual Vacation Bible School with the theme Rainforest Falls. It's a celebration of the beauty and animals, including pythons, of the rainforest as we teach children lessons about Jesus.
Please remember daily all of our teachers and volunteers in your prayers. I would ask that you especially pray for Madie Coffer as this is her first time to lead Vacation Bible school among us.
Vacation Bible School is a wonderful opportunity for children to know the truth about Jesus, and we are praying that at least a few will accept Christ as Savior during this week.
Family Budget Approved as Pledge Initiative Begins
Yesterday we also approved our fiscal year budget of a little over $2.2 million toward the 2026–2027 fiscal year (our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30). This amount represents our “family budget” as we consider our collective impact in the city of Knoxville and beyond.
It’s a bold budget, but not a reckless one. God can help us to give sacrificially as we combine our efforts in caring for those who are suffering, spreading the message of Jesus, and making disciples of Jesus’ way and teaching.
We also distributed pledge cards to those who were able to be with us in person. This year is different in that we are challenging people to make a pledge toward next year's budget. The big idea comes from 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
There's so much going on in that one verse. First of all, the word says that each of us needs to be in the habit of giving. When all of us give, God multiplies those gifts. Second, the verse suggest that giving needs to be an intentional decision. It's something to pray about and ask God to reveal what generous, sacrificial giving needs to be. Third, we never want to create a culture of guilt or compulsion around giving. Churches can put a lot of guilt on people, but that's not what this is about. The goal is to give God gratitude and glory. God rejoices in a cheerful giver.
Sunday, June 7 is Pledge Sunday and we're asking people to commit to what they intend to give in the upcoming year. A pledge is not a contract, nor is it binding. It’s just a good faith, prayerfully-decided amount that you intend to give over the next fiscal year.
As I've mentioned on several occasions, Jen and I believe in the Biblical concept of tithing. We give 10% to the church and try to find ways to be generous with other needs in our community beyond that 10%. My sincere hope is that our leaders will also commit to tithing, or work toward that goal incrementally, starting this year. But as 2 Corinthians 9:7 counsels, each should give what you have decided in your heart to give.
Thank you in advance for your gifts to God’s kingdom through the First Baptist family!
Prayer and Worship
2 Corinthians 9 continues, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God…because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…” (11-13, NIV).
God's glory is the reason for giving.
When you know that you've been given the "indescribable gift" of Jesus Christ, a gift that can never be taken away from you or tarnished over time, then you know that you can give freely to those in need. As you give, more people will learn what it is to give God praise as you do.
I love being a part of the First Baptist family. I'm grateful for you. I believe good things are ahead for us as together we pray, give, and serve.
Pastor Brent McDougal
Sunday was quite a day with four baptisms and a special guest for worship: a (small, very well-behaved) python that was featured during the children’s sermon. It's probably the first time a snake has made an appearance in our sanctuary. Why the special guest?
Vacation Bible School
This week we are hosting children for our annual Vacation Bible School with the theme Rainforest Falls. It's a celebration of the beauty and animals, including pythons, of the rainforest as we teach children lessons about Jesus.
Please remember daily all of our teachers and volunteers in your prayers. I would ask that you especially pray for Madie Coffer as this is her first time to lead Vacation Bible school among us.
Vacation Bible School is a wonderful opportunity for children to know the truth about Jesus, and we are praying that at least a few will accept Christ as Savior during this week.
Family Budget Approved as Pledge Initiative Begins
Yesterday we also approved our fiscal year budget of a little over $2.2 million toward the 2026–2027 fiscal year (our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30). This amount represents our “family budget” as we consider our collective impact in the city of Knoxville and beyond.
It’s a bold budget, but not a reckless one. God can help us to give sacrificially as we combine our efforts in caring for those who are suffering, spreading the message of Jesus, and making disciples of Jesus’ way and teaching.
We also distributed pledge cards to those who were able to be with us in person. This year is different in that we are challenging people to make a pledge toward next year's budget. The big idea comes from 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
There's so much going on in that one verse. First of all, the word says that each of us needs to be in the habit of giving. When all of us give, God multiplies those gifts. Second, the verse suggest that giving needs to be an intentional decision. It's something to pray about and ask God to reveal what generous, sacrificial giving needs to be. Third, we never want to create a culture of guilt or compulsion around giving. Churches can put a lot of guilt on people, but that's not what this is about. The goal is to give God gratitude and glory. God rejoices in a cheerful giver.
Sunday, June 7 is Pledge Sunday and we're asking people to commit to what they intend to give in the upcoming year. A pledge is not a contract, nor is it binding. It’s just a good faith, prayerfully-decided amount that you intend to give over the next fiscal year.
As I've mentioned on several occasions, Jen and I believe in the Biblical concept of tithing. We give 10% to the church and try to find ways to be generous with other needs in our community beyond that 10%. My sincere hope is that our leaders will also commit to tithing, or work toward that goal incrementally, starting this year. But as 2 Corinthians 9:7 counsels, each should give what you have decided in your heart to give.
Thank you in advance for your gifts to God’s kingdom through the First Baptist family!
Prayer and Worship
2 Corinthians 9 continues, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God…because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…” (11-13, NIV).
God's glory is the reason for giving.
When you know that you've been given the "indescribable gift" of Jesus Christ, a gift that can never be taken away from you or tarnished over time, then you know that you can give freely to those in need. As you give, more people will learn what it is to give God praise as you do.
I love being a part of the First Baptist family. I'm grateful for you. I believe good things are ahead for us as together we pray, give, and serve.
Pastor Brent McDougal
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