Finger Foods Fellowship

Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 5 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Bring your favorite finger foods, and join us for a time of food, fellowship, and discussion led by our ReFocus Team: “How Do We Invite and Nurture People From Our Community?”

Fall Rod Run returns September 11 - 13

Start praying now for our Parking for Missions and Community Outreach. Our ministry via the Rod Run parking and prayer ministry makes a huge impact on our community visitors. Funds raised to go support mission projects throughout the year.

Volunteer sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the hallway behind the sanctuary.

Help Feed Pigeon Forge Students Through the 10x25 Project

Did you know that many children in our community head home on Friday uncertain of when they’ll eat their next meal? We are stepping in at a Pigeon Forge school to meet this need through the 10x25 Project.

Hunger doesn’t take weekends off—neither should we.

This ministry provides weekend food backpacks—each filled with six nutritious meals—so that students can return to school on Monday ready to learn, not hungry.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

• $10 provides one student with a weekend’s worth of meals.
• $250 provides meals for 25 students.

Your generosity ensures children are not only fed but also cared for and encouraged. In addition to giving, volunteers are needed to help pack and distribute the food bags.

Together, we can make sure no Pigeon Forge student goes hungry over the weekend. Please join us in giving, serving, and spreading hope through the 10x25 Project.

The Tuesday morning Ladies' Book Study has over 20 ladies attending plus Mrs. Gale Adams, group leader. The study this time has been Pastor Terry's book, Grace Life, a modern retelling of the Good Samaritan parable. If you're interested in attending another class, please let us know. Classes are scheduled based on interest.

In a recent article about international students and their work in the Pigeon Forge area, Knoxville News Sentinel (KNS) reporter, Devarrick Turner, interviewed local business owners and managers as well as Larry and Melanie Hart of Hearts for Internationals.

The article highlights the need for additional workers in the area, the challenges obtaining their work visas, and how the experience impacts the lives of the students and their families.

The H-2B visa program is designed to supplement hiring needs during seasonal ebbs and flows -- not to take the place of local hires -- but businesses are finding it more difficult to process the required paperwork and fees. These international students are sponsored by employers (who pay travel expenses to/from the student's home country) to help "level out" employers' hiring needs through the peak seasons here in the area. They work for companies like Dollywood, NASCAR Speedpark, and local restaurants.

Meanwhile, Hearts for Internationals is providing twice-weekly meals, fellowship opportunities, and laundry services at FBCPF. They often transport the students to Knoxville shopping centers and GSMNP hiking trails and picnic areas.

"We're ambassadors for our country, but they're ambassadors for theirs too. We have a responsibility to welcome them,” Melanie said. 

After a long summer break, Kingdom Culture Homeschool Cooperative is excited to return to FBCPF for another packed year of learning and fun.

Kirsten Edmundson, Board member of Kingdom Culture, said last week that there will be over 100 students representing 34 families attending classes at FBCPF beginning September 4. Dozens of parents and teachers will be teaching weekly classes (10 weeks per semester). (See the list below.)
 
In addition to the cooperative that meets here each week, the greater umbrella of KCE has grown to include another 20+ families who go on outings together and yet another group of families who hike together. Next year, the program will add a sports curriculum to the mix, a testament to the organization's growth and success.

If you have a talent or hobby that you think would interest the group, contact Kristen at kingdomcedu@gmail.com. She’s always looking for interesting subjects for the students. As you can see from the above list,  the kids are interested in a wide range of subjects, so your unique contribution is sure to be appreciated.