Category: Blog Articles

Ministry Position: Praise Team Leader

The First Baptist Church of Bloomington Illinois is looking to hire a person of committed Christian faith to lead our volunteer praise team.  Our worship staff bring a blend of contemporary and classical music to our worship service on Sunday morning.

 

We are a diverse congregation that shares a commitment to a Jesus-centered faith expressed in how we care for the world, our community and one another.

 

The primary goal is leadership of the team and developing volunteers as musicians sharing their gifts in service.  The ability to lead vocally and with piano/keyboard or guitar is preferred.

 

This position envisions about 4 hours per week for the worship service, practice and communication, leading the praise team 46 Sundays annually.  The salary range will be based on experience and gifts.

 

The full job description is available here .  For those interested, please contact HR@fbcblm.org

God’s story: Ezekiel

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:

 

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

 

Latest News & Worship Information

   eLink and bulletin for Aug. 23-30

                              (Click to join live stream)​

 

 

 

Upcoming at FBC

FRIDAY, August 21
5:00 pm All church Game Night

SATURDAY, August 22
12:00 pm  Youth Lock in Pick Up

SUNDAY, August 23
9:45 am Coffee & Conversation
10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee & Conversation
11:15 am Small Groups for Adults:  Building Relationships
5:00 pm Safe Harbor
6:00 pm  Online Bible Study

MONDAY, August 24
6:00 pm Fiber Arts Grp.

WEDNESDAY, August 26
5:30 pm Vespers * Meeting at FBC

SUNDAY, August 30
9:45 am  Coffee & Conversation
10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee & Conversation
11:15 am Small Groups for Adults:  Building Relationships
12:30 pm Luncheon
6:00 pm Online Bible Study

Ministry & Events

All Church GAME NIGHT— Friday Aug. 21, @ 5pm
Join us for a fun-filled Game Night tonight from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM!This event is open to all ages, and complimentary snacks will be provided. You are highly encouraged to bring along your favorite board or card game to share with the group.
We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of great company and friendly competition

Boo Crew Team Meeting Aug 31 @ 7pm
Join us for a crucial planning session as we prepare for this year’s Trunk or Treat event! We will meet on August 31 at 7:00 PM to map out our event layout, coordinate vehicle setups, and dive into the finer logistics to ensure a safe, organized, and unforgettable night for the community. Please come ready with your creative ideas and any questions regarding spacing, power needs, or volunteer roles. See you there!

Outdoor Worship – Sunday September 6th at 10:00AM
Our second outdoor service will be Labor Day weekend on our South lawn (both shady and sunny spots available!) so bring your favorite lawn chair and dress comfortably.  Online streaming of the service will continue at our regular YouTube channel.
Following the service, plan to stay for lunch.  The church will supply sandwich fixings and drinks.  Those that are able please bring a dish to share: salad or side (last names A-L) or dessert (last names M-Z).  Any changes due to weather will be communicated via church website and Facebook page by 8:00a on the 6th

ABWM Salad Potluck & Meeting Monday Sept 14
A brand-new program year is kicking off, and we want you to be a part of it! Join us on Monday, September 14th at 12:00 PM for our salad luncheon. Please bring your favorite salad to share; we will gladly provide the drinks and desserts. We are also thrilled to invite the men of FBC to join us for this special kickoff event!

Love Packages Field Trip Sept.19
Calling children, youth and families! We are doing a field Trip to Love Packages in Butler Illinois! We will help package Christian literature to be sent overseas! A picnic lunch will be provided! More details to come!

LOGOS is back!! Wednesdays starting Sept.30th
This is an intergenerational program for youth ages 3 (potty trained) through 12th grade! If you’d like to volunteer as a leader in LOGOS, we need Bible Study Leaders, leaders wanting to share a Worship Art of Skill, Recreation Leaders, and people willing to serve on a cook team!

We’re Hiring a Praise Team Leader
Do you know someone with musical talent, leadership skills, and a heart for worship? First Baptist Church is seeking a part-time Praise Team Leader. Please help us share this opportunity within your networks and throughout our community.  If you are on Facebook, it can be as easy as liking and sharing the post from the church’s facebook page.
For more information or a complete job description, details are on our website, or contact us by email at HR@fbcblm.org.

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. Resources from www.bibleproject.com

 

Have you subscribed to The Mainstream?
The Mainstream is a monthly newsletter published by the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region and features news and articles about region ministries and events. Click for the most current issue

Supporting the Ministry Together

FBC

In the Community 

 FIA Annual Mum Fundraiser
Faith in Action has an annual mum sale to help raise funds for this FBC mission partner. Pre-orders are due Aug. 28. Mums are sold in three sizes, ranging in price from $15 to $39. Pickup will be held Sep. 10 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. To order, visit the website: bnfia.org/mums, or call: 309 827-778

Contact Us
Office Hours —
Mon. -Thurs.– 9 am -1:30 pm.; Fri: 9 am – 11am
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/618-303-363

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