Week of February 16, 2026
Calendar Updates
For more calendar information, access our active calendar via the Ministries tab on this website.
- Tuesday, March 3
-- 10 a.m., Ladies’ Bible Study Resumes (thru May 26)
-- 5 p.m., Deacons’ Meeting
- Saturday, March 7
-- 8 a.m., Baptist Men’s Breakfast
- Sunday, March 8
-- 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time Starts
- Friday, March 20: The First Day of Spring!
- Sunday, March 29: Palm Sunday
-- during worship, Observe the Lord’s Supper
- Sunday, April 5: Easter Sunday
- Monday, April 6: Church office will be closed.
- Wednesday, April 16
-- set up for Spring Rod Run fundraiser
- Thursday thru Saturday, April 16-18: Spring Rod Run
New Ladies' Book Study Begins March 3
All FBC-Pigeon Forge ladies and their friends are invited to attend a new book study with Gale Adams that begins Tuesday, March 3. The weekly meetings will be held in the fellowship hall beginning at 10 a.m. and will continue through May 26. The study focuses on the book Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You, written by John MacArthur. Books will be provided on the first day.
The book description:
The book description:
Celebrated for their courage, vision, hospitality, and spiritual giftedness, it's no wonder women were so important to God's place revealed in the Old and New Testaments. It wasn't their natural qualities that made these women extraordinary but the power of the one true God whom they worshipped and served. Their struggles and temptations are the same trials faced by all believers at all ages.
In Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur, you'll learn more than fascinating information about these women, you'll discover--perhaps for the first time--the unmistakable chronology of God's redemptive work in history through their lives. These women were not ancillary to His plan, they were at the very heart of it. And this book includes their amazing stories.
The twelve women studied in this book are Eve (Genesis 3:20), Sarah (Genesis 11-25), Rahab (Matthew 1:5-6), Ruth (Ruth 1-4), Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2), Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1-2), Anna (Luke 2:36-38), The Samaritan woman (John 4), Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42), Mary Magdalene (Matthew 27:56-61), and Lydia (Acts 16:14).
In Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur, you'll learn more than fascinating information about these women, you'll discover--perhaps for the first time--the unmistakable chronology of God's redemptive work in history through their lives. These women were not ancillary to His plan, they were at the very heart of it. And this book includes their amazing stories.
The twelve women studied in this book are Eve (Genesis 3:20), Sarah (Genesis 11-25), Rahab (Matthew 1:5-6), Ruth (Ruth 1-4), Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2), Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1-2), Anna (Luke 2:36-38), The Samaritan woman (John 4), Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42), Mary Magdalene (Matthew 27:56-61), and Lydia (Acts 16:14).
To ensure we have ordered enough copies of the book, please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway behind the sanctuary or call the church office to add your name to the list (865) 453-4647.
New Blog Series:
From Attenders to Family: Building Biblical Community in the Church
At First Baptist Church Pigeon Forge, we are grateful for every person who walks through our doors. But our desire is greater than simply filling a sanctuary.
We believe God has called us to be more than a place people attend. He has called us to be a church family.
In a town like Pigeon Forge — where life moves quickly and many pass through — it’s easy to settle for surface-level connection. But Scripture paints a deeper picture: a church that shares life, bears burdens, and grows together.
That kind of community doesn’t happen by accident.
In this three-part series, we’ll explore:
Our prayer is that God continues shaping FBC Pigeon Forge into a church where people are not only welcomed — but truly known and loved.
Let’s grow together.
We believe God has called us to be more than a place people attend. He has called us to be a church family.
In a town like Pigeon Forge — where life moves quickly and many pass through — it’s easy to settle for surface-level connection. But Scripture paints a deeper picture: a church that shares life, bears burdens, and grows together.
That kind of community doesn’t happen by accident.
In this three-part series, we’ll explore:
- Why biblical community matters
- How it grows in practical ways
- And why it’s worth pursuing — even when it’s hard
Our prayer is that God continues shaping FBC Pigeon Forge into a church where people are not only welcomed — but truly known and loved.
Let’s grow together.
Why Community Matters (More Than We Think)
From Attenders to Family -- Part 1
At First Baptist Church - Pigeon Forge, we gather every week to worship, pray, sing, and hear God’s Word.
But we are called to be more than a gathering.
We are called to be a family.
Community in the church is not a side ministry. It is not something only certain personalities enjoy. It is part of God’s design for His people.
From the beginning, Scripture shows us that God exists in relationship. The Trinity models eternal, perfect community. In Acts 2, the early church devoted themselves not only to teaching and prayer, but to fellowship. They shared meals. They shared possessions. They shared life.
But we are called to be more than a gathering.
We are called to be a family.
Community in the church is not a side ministry. It is not something only certain personalities enjoy. It is part of God’s design for His people.
From the beginning, Scripture shows us that God exists in relationship. The Trinity models eternal, perfect community. In Acts 2, the early church devoted themselves not only to teaching and prayer, but to fellowship. They shared meals. They shared possessions. They shared life.
The church is described in 1 Corinthians 12 as a body — many parts, one whole. A hand cannot say to a foot, “I don’t need you.” In the same way, none of us thrives spiritually in isolation.
We attend.
We observe.
We leave.
But attendance is not the same as belonging.
We were never meant to follow Jesus alone.
We observe.
We leave.
But attendance is not the same as belonging.
We were never meant to follow Jesus alone.
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Friendly Is Good. Connected is Better.
By God’s grace, FBC Pigeon Forge is a friendly church. Visitors are greeted warmly. Smiles are genuine. Conversations happen.
But friendliness and deep connection are not the same thing.
Friendly means people feel welcomed.
Connected means people feel known.
And being known takes courage.
A church can be friendly without being deeply connected.
Being connected means:
That kind of community does not happen accidentally. It grows when we move beyond surface conversation and allow others into our lives. If we want to move from attenders to family, we must choose connection over comfort.
But friendliness and deep connection are not the same thing.
Friendly means people feel welcomed.
Connected means people feel known.
And being known takes courage.
A church can be friendly without being deeply connected.
Being connected means:
- Someone notices when you’re absent.
- Someone prays specifically for your request.
- Someone walks with you through hardship.
That kind of community does not happen accidentally. It grows when we move beyond surface conversation and allow others into our lives. If we want to move from attenders to family, we must choose connection over comfort.
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What Holds Us Back?
If community is so important, why is it sometimes difficult?
Let’s be honest:
In a town like Pigeon Forge, where life moves fast and many people come and go, it can be tempting to keep things comfortable and shallow.
But shallow relationships don’t sustain deep faith.
If we want to move from attenders to family, it will require courage.
It may mean:
Community always requires someone to take a step.
Let’s be honest:
- We are busy.
- Some of us have been hurt before.
- Vulnerability feels risky.
- It’s easy to attend and leave quickly.
In a town like Pigeon Forge, where life moves fast and many people come and go, it can be tempting to keep things comfortable and shallow.
But shallow relationships don’t sustain deep faith.
If we want to move from attenders to family, it will require courage.
It may mean:
- Staying a little longer after worship.
- Introducing yourself first.
- Sharing something more than “I’m fine.”
- Joining a class or ministry where relationships can grow.
Community always requires someone to take a step.
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Becoming the Church God Designed
At First Baptist Church Pigeon Forge, we want to be a place where people don’t just sit beside one another — they walk beside one another.
Where prayer requests are specific.
Where burdens are shared.
Where victories are celebrated together.
The church becomes strongest not when the sanctuary is full — but when hearts are connected.
This is the kind of church we believe God is shaping us to be.
And it begins with each of us deciding that community matters more than convenience.
Where prayer requests are specific.
Where burdens are shared.
Where victories are celebrated together.
The church becomes strongest not when the sanctuary is full — but when hearts are connected.
This is the kind of church we believe God is shaping us to be.
And it begins with each of us deciding that community matters more than convenience.
Considering your experience with this (or any other) church family, tell us what you think about this subject.
Comment below with your thoughts or suggestions on how the community in a church environment differs from other communities.
Comment below with your thoughts or suggestions on how the community in a church environment differs from other communities.
- When have you experienced true Christian community? What made it meaningful?
- What keeps people from moving beyond surface-level relationships at church?
- What is one risk you could take to deepen your connection this month?
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