Category: Blog Articles

God’s story and our world

Grow your understanding of the whole story of God

Gain a better understanding of each book of the Bible and how they fit together as we watch these videos from BibleProject through 2026.  We will highlight two videos each week, each one just 7-10 minutes long.  We’ve created simple question sheets to go along with the videos for those who find them helpful.  More detailed resources are available at www.BibleProject.com.

This week’s Videos:

(Through the season of Lent, we pause the series moving through the books of the Bible to explore key concepts related to Jesus’ identity, ministry and how the cross addresses our human brokenness and separation from God.)

For links to all the 2026 videos:

Old Testament Video Playlist: 

New Testament Video Playlist: 

The BibleProject 2026 schedule <- click to download

How did you start learning what was in the Bible?

For some, it was by memorizing key scriptures, like John 3:16, or Deuteronomy 6:4-5.  This is a great way to remember core truths about God, life and ourselves.

Another formative way to learn about the Bible is through individual stories.  Like the many stories of Jesus and the parables He tells in the Gospels.  Or individual stories from the Old Testament, like Moses meeting God in the burning bush.  Knowing the stories is vital to understanding our faith.

What we often miss is how they connect into one big story.

It’s true that we won’t get very far in the Bible trying to read it like one novel.  It is a collection of stories, history, poems and letters, written over thousands of years by different people, yet inspired by the same Holy Spirit and connected by a thread of God’s purpose that is revealed in Jesus and which continues to unfold in this world.

Which means our faith grows best when it is rooted in the big story of God.  The more familiar we are with how it all fits together, the more we can appreciate the images and references we see, and the more connections we make within the Bible and to what God is telling us today.

An invitation to explore how it all fits together:

For 2026, we are inviting the church community at First Baptist to build on their understanding of God’s story by watching two short videos a week on the books of the Bible and key themes of the Bible.

These videos are produced by the Bible Project, a nonprofit ministry with the goal of helping people see the big story of God that leads to Jesus by using art and scholarship to present scripture in a clear, grounded way.

 

By the time we are done – whatever your familiarity with scripture, those who watch will have a better understanding of what is in the Bible and how it all fits together, helping us in our own Bible study.

Links to the videos will be posted weekly in the eLink and on the church’s Facebook page.  They each take an average of 7-10 minutes to watch.  We will also include links to follow up questions and discussion material through the week if you would like to use them as part of your personal or family devotional time.

I’ve found these videos to be an amazing and helpful resource, and can’t wait to see how the Bible comes alive in new ways for the church as we explore them together.

– Pastor Brian

 

Wednesday Evening Ministries

Wednesday Evenings at First Baptist Church are an opportunity for all ages to grow in faith, connect with others and be recharged for the week!

Our LOGOS ministry for children & youth – 4:30 – 7:00 pm

Children and youth from ages 3-18 gather on Wednesday evenings to grow in faith and build relationships with God and others.

LOGOS begins as children and youth arrive from 4:30-5:00pm and enjoy a snack and recreation time to play with others or just have a quiet moment after school.  From 5:00 – 5:30, they participate in Bible Study, followed by what we call ‘Worship Arts’ – understanding what worship is and using our different gifts to celebrate God.  From there, they join in an intergenerational time of worship we call ‘Vespers’ and conclude with a family style meal and fun closing activity.

Adult Small Groups – 5:00 pm 

We currently offer two small groups for adults on Wednesday evening:

  • A Bible Study using Max Lucado’s book ‘Life Lessons from Hebrews’
  • A group looking at Jesus and the disciples through scripture and ‘The Chosen’ series.

Vespers Worship Service – 6:00pm.

During the school year, the Vespers service is a short time of song, scripture and prayer that brings together children, youth and adults in a shared worship experience.

Family Time Meal – 6:15-7:00pm

The experience of sitting down together to eat has been a key part of our LOGOS ministry from the beginning.  This shared meal is now part of our Wednesday ministry for all ages.

Latest News & Worship Information

  eLink and bulletin for March 1-8

                (Click to join live stream)​

 

 

 

Upcoming at FBC:

SUNDAY, March 1
9:45 am Coffee & Conversation
10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee & Conversation
11:15 am Small Groups for Adults: Pathfinders & Koinonia
5:00 pm Online Bible Study

MONDAY, March 2
5:00 pm Sharing the Blessings Mtg

TUESDAY, March 3
6:30 pm Spiritual Formation

WEDNESDAY, March 4
4:30-5:00 pm LOGOS arrival
5:00 pm Adult Small Groups
6:00 pm Vespers Service
6:15 pm Shared Meal-
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, March 5
5:45 pm Worship Staff Mtg

SUNDAY, March 8 Daylight savings Time Starts
9:15 am Choir Rehearsal
9:45 am Coffee & Conversation
10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee & Conversation
11:15 am Small Groups for Adult

 

Ministry & Events

Art Journaling – March 8-29
Art Journaling 101 begins Sunday mornings, March 8-29 from 11:15 to 12:15 pm. Join us for some artful fun learning the benefits and techniques of art journaling, as well as some drawing secrets. Bring a journal or composition book, and a watercolor paint set if you have one. Together we’ll learn how to tend the soli of our hearts through self-expression!

America for Christ Offering 2026
Thanks to the generous donations to the America for Christ (AFC) Offering, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has provided financial support to American Baptist churches and affiliated organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico year over year. Some examples of the positive impact your dollars have had on our beloved communities:

      • Funding direct assistance to the residents of Youngstown, Ohio, that included food boxes, meals for children, clothing banks and distribution of commodities such as diapers, school supplies, clothing, and housewares.
      • Funding youth education and enrichment programs as well as senior services that delivers lunch, health education and socialization opportunities, and groceries in bulk through a food pantry, among other things, to communities in and around Kansas City, Kansas.
      • Funding Rainbow Acres, a faith-based residential community with a wide range of programs for developmentally disabled adults from more than 15 states and representing an array of faith backgrounds including American Baptists.

These are just a few of the ways your dollars provide aid and comfort to those in need; there are many more. Please help us continue to bring healing and hope to communities, families, children and Jesus’ disciples in 2026 by supporting this year’s America for Christ Offering.

 

Tending the Soil of our Souls
In the six weeks before Easter, we’ll be exploring how Jesus’ parable of the four soils can help us look at our own lives and ways that we can grow as disciples walking in Jesus’ way.  It’s a season to invite God to move in our lives in new ways. 
As one invitation to try something new, the sanctuary seating has been changed back to a pattern we used several years ago.  This arrangement, which we’ll use through the season of Lent, is a way to think about the people we sit near, and an invitation to reach out and get to know them better. 
Some Ideas for this season:

      • For those not engaged in a small group or class, Jennifer Devine is starting a class on art journaling after Sunday worship from March 8-29.

      • Check out the table near the front of the sanctuary for ideas on ways to grow our faith and care for our souls, including ideas on a ‘digital fast’ from technology and social media.

      • We’re inviting people to illustrate ways that we care for our souls using canvas panels that can be decorated, painted and illustrated.  

      • If you have other ideas that you are practicing, we’d love to hear about it.  Please tell Pastor Brian or share with the church office

Meet and Eat Friday March 13 @ 11:00 am
You are invited to share lunch and conversation with members and friends of the congregation at the next Meet and Eat lunch on Friday, March 13th at 11:00.    The Feeding the Soul Committee will be providing the main dish of mini meatloaves, with yummy side dishes.  Come feed your soul as well as your body.  

 

Lenten Art Project 
As we reflect on the parable of the four soils through Lent, we would like your help in creating a visual meditation that illustrates different ways of ‘Tending the Soil of our Souls’. 

      • Take a 5”x7” canvas panel from the table in the front of the sanctuary
      • Use whatever media you wish on the canvas panel
      • Turn it in during the six weeks of Lent and we will add it to the display.

 

Through the Bible in 2026 –The Bible Project
Come share in a journey to better understand the books of scripture and how they fit together into one story using fantastic resources from BibleProject. We will be featuring two short videos per week that will bring us through the whole of scripture and key concepts in a year.

Supporting the Ministry Together:

FBC

Contact Us: 

Office Hours —
Mon. -Thurs.– 9 am -1:30 pm.; Fri: 9 am – 11 am

Office Phone – (309)-662-4253
Church Office: Secretary@fbcblm.org/ 309-662-4253
Pastor Brian: Brian@fbcblm.org/920-924-6857
Director of Children and Youth Ministries: Michelle@fbcblm.org/618-303-3630
Vespers Coordinator & Praise Team Leader: Allison@fbcblm.org/309-846-0403

Pollinator Habitat Dedication – August 24

Come Celebrate With us!

Saturday, August 24 @ 10am

Our dedication begins with a special presentation by Brett Irwin from Pheasants Forever on the plants and pollinators we anticipate seeing in the field and why they matter.

We will then move outside for a brief dedication and planting activity where everyone is welcome to contribute to the field by creating ‘seed balls’ and tossing them in the field.

Additional activities for all ages include live music, lawn games, crafts and a photo booth.  Refreshments will be provided as well.

 

About the Pollinator Habitat:

We are excited to share that First Baptist Church is converting the large field on the east of our property to 5.4 acres of native prairie / wildflower pollinator habitat, with a grass border surrounding the field.

Why we’re creating a Pollinator Habitat:

  • To provide an ecological benefit for wildlife and pollinators.
  • To discourage larger groupings of geese.
  • When fully established, it will enhance the beauty of the field through wildflowers and native grasses.
  • By reducing maintenance expenses on an empty lot, we increase our ability to respond to needs in the church and community.

Timeline / What to expect:

To re-establish native grasses and flowers, the ground was prepared in 2023 and spring 2004 by removing the existing grasses and weeds.

The field was seeded with a special mix of native seeds beneficial to pollinators, and when needed, the field will initially be mowed with a high mower to eliminate remaining weeds while the desirable plants are being established.

During the first year, the field will look rough, as native wildflowers can take a year to germinate and become established.     

After the grasses and flowers are fully established, every three years, a controlled burn or mowing will be needed to prevent the encroachment of non-native

grasses and plants, as the city does with prairie restoration areas at Tipton Park.  FBC will be in communication with the city and our neighbors about the timing and process.

A large thanks to our community partners: 

Pheasants Forever: for significant time, instruction, material and financial support.

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation: for grant support and encouragement

McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District: for essential information and support with the planning and process of establishing this project.

Martin Tractor Inc: for providing the tractor and support for the seeding of the field.

Phase One: preparing the field for planting