Category: Blog Articles

Latest News & Worship Information

                  December 7-14 

                         (Click to join live stream)​

 

 

 

Upcoming at FBC:
Remember — To make sure your event is added to the eLink calendar, please make sure dates and times are sent to the office no later than Wednesday of each week

SUNDAY, December 7
9:15 am Bell Rehearsal
9:45 am Coffee & Conversation
10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee & Conversation
11:15 am Quarterly Business Mtg.
5:00 pm Zoom Bible Study Zoom

MONDAY, December 8
7:00 pm   Facilities Mtg  

WEDNESDAY, December 10 
4:30-5:00 pm LOGOS arrival
5:00 pm Adult Small Groups 
6:00 pm Vespers Service
6:15 pm Shared Meal

THURSDAY, December 11  
7:00 pm Board Mtg

SUNDAY, December 14  
9:15 am Choir Rehearsal
 9:45 am Coffee & Conversation
10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee & Conversation
3:00 pm  Caroling with Koinonia
5:00 pm Zoom Bible Study Zoom

 

    • Click here to access the December 7  Bulletin

Ministry & Events

 

Quarterly Business Meeting Dec. 7 After Worship Service
The quarterly business meeting will be held immediately following the morning service on Dec. 7. We have many important pieces of information to share with you and your participation is needed and welcome. For your convenience we have a place to submit questions, comments, or suggestions prior to the meeting. On the table in the Narthex is a small black box where you can deposit your thoughts. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you on the 7th
Click here to access the Aug Congregational meeting minutes 

 

Hastings’ Holiday Open House Sunday Dec. 7 @ 2:00-6:00 pm
Pastor Brian and Gabrielle are hosting a holiday open house from 2:00-6:00pm Sunday, Dec. 7, at their home.  Stop by for cookies and hot cider!

 

Christmas Trivia Night Sat. Dec. 13th from 6pm-8pm
Get your team of 6 people or Less ready for some fun!  You can sign up on the sign-up Genius Link located on the church Facebook page or on the table in the Narthex. Bring friends or invite your friends you know enjoy Trivia to bring their own team.  Bring snacks for your table or to share with everyone.  Drinks will be provided. If you have questions, contact Joyce Benton at (309) 824-3168

 

Caroling with Koinonia Sunday Dec. 14 @ 3:00 pm
The Koinonia Class is hosting Christmas Caroling for some members of our congregation who are unable to attend worship services.  The Logos youth are encouraged to come and share the carols they have learned in Logos worship skills.
Anyone interested may meet at the church at 3:00 to carpool to the various member’s homes. Following the caroling we will meet at Monical’s Pizza on Veterans, by Jewel, to fellowship together.
Please RSVP to Gretchen Clemmons by calling 309-445-0689 or the church office.

 

Christmas Eve Service Wed. Dec 24 @ 5:30 pm ** 5:15 pm prelude starts **
Come join us for a Christmas Eve service for all ages; starting at 5:30pm with prelude music beginning at 5:15 pm.   This year’s theme is: Hope in the Darkness, tracing God’s goodness to us throughout our lives and the sweep of Scripture, celebrated in music, scripture, and the sharing of Communion. 
The service will conclude with a candlelight singing of ‘Silent Night’ and the invitation to stay after for a punch and cookie reception.

 

Winter Weather Reminders 
As we are well and truly getting into the winter season, a quick reminder about snow and church events.  
For Sunday Morning: If the roads and parking lot are drivable, we will strive to have Sunday morning services – but please stay home if you do not feel comfortable with driving or are concerned about potentially slippery roads or sidewalks.  Unless we are completely snowed in, the service will be streamed on YouTube at 10 am.  If we need to cancel the service, we will announce it by 7:30 am that morning on our website and Facebook page .

 

 

Through the Bible in 2025
The reading schedule is adapted for 2025 from one created by Bob Rognlien*, and is meant to be part of a slow, prayerful devotional every Monday through Saturday.  With a daily reading of around 10-15 verses at a time, it is paced to give space to reflect on Jesus’ words and actions and how they connect to our lives today. Click hereto learn more

 

 

 

 

 

ABC-GRR: Newsletter Read the Mainstream for information on the region and upcoming events Have you subscribed to The Mainstream?
The Mainstream is a monthly newsletter published by the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region and delivered via email on the 15th of every month.
Regular features include Growth Points, Church Revitalization Initiative, classified ads, ordinations and installations of new pastors, photos of events from GRR churches, information and registration for future events, and an uplifting message from GRR Executive Minister Patty King Bilyeu. Don’t miss another issue —subscribe today!

 

 

 

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

 

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.

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