WORSHIP Services will be held at 10:30 AM Sunday at First Baptist Church in Sevierville, in the Chapel. Please arrive early for parking. We are grateful for the opportunity to gather and look forward to seeing you there! First Baptist Church, Sunday, December 11th at 10:30 in the Chapel. 

Latest News Regarding Disaster Relief: In Gatlinburg, TN

 

Yesterday (12/8) Bishop Gordy visited Our Savior Lutheran Church along with 2 members of the Synod’s Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) team, and met with Pastor Korzun, our Council President, and Treasurer.  Our church building will be used to house volunteers, who will be coordinated by LDR.  Supplies should be arriving next week.  We will probably have the first group of volunteers arriving within the next 2 weeks.

The church still has a smoky smell, but we hope we will take care of that and worship in our church building next Sunday, December 18 at 10:30 AM.We thank all of you for your prayers and generous offers to help us.

The recovery in Gatlinburg will take many months probably at least 2 years.

In the meantime, you can also register your interest and availability to assist in the immediate days, weeks and months by adding yourself or your congregation to the Southeastern Synod Disaster Volunteer Registry here.  For questions or to offer large-scale or corporate donations, contact Southeastern Synod Disaster Volunteer Management Coordinator, Ellen Koester at either LST.ellenk@gmail.com or 615-838-5550 to register or to learn more information.

Click “DONATE NOW!” at the below link to give to the Southeastern Synod’s disaster response effort in Gatlinburg.  On this page you can also designate funds for Southeastern Synod Local Disaster Response.  These funds will be used where there is the greatest immediate nee
Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry

Click either the link above or banner below for donation and volunteer opportunities.

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We have great news to celebrate and give thanks for.  Pastor Korzun was allowed to go into town today (12/2) to assess the condition of our church building.  Miraculously, it was totally intact.  There was only a slight smell of smoke inside, but everything else was like it was before the Gatlinburg fire last Monday.  Even the water and power were on when he went inside.  So we were blessed abundantly and have good reason to give extreme thanks this Sunday, when we worship in the Chapel of the Sevierville First Baptist Church at 10:30 AM.  Rev. Ben Moravitz, the Assistant to Bishop Gordy will be with us for worship.

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Later next week, Bishop Gordy will be coming to Gatlinburg with members of the Lutheran Disaster Response team to survey the damage to the surrounding community and begin to coordinate the recover efforts with Lutheran Disaster Relief.  He plans to meet with us while he is here.

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Unfortunately, many people in Gatlinburg and in Sevier County were not as blessed as we were.  A Church located no more than a couple hundred feet behind us was burned to the ground.  We will offer those brothers and sisters in Christ a place to worship if they wish to use our church facilities.

There is much that needs to be done in the coming months and years ahead to rebuild Gatlinburg and we will have many opportunities to witness to the love of Christ.  The Synod and Church at Large will be with us all the way.  Lutherans are known for being the last ones to leave disaster areas, long after all of the media attention has gone away.

The Southeastern Synod Disaster Response Team is currently in communication with Tennessee Emergency Management Agency officials and other disaster response agencies.

At this time, cash donations to either the
Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry
or to
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) are most needed.

Once our own disaster respondents can get in and assess the needs, additional information will be provided.  In the meantime, cash donations will allow our respondents to get to work immediately.