(By Becky Strack, FBC Archivist)

In researching about the coverlet, I reviewed the Centennial Celebration file from 1937. It was there I learned the coverlet had been borrowed in 1987 for the various displays put together by the Sesquicentennial Celebrations Committee. In the photo album of the 150th celebration, there I found a photo and description of the item. I am grateful for former archivists who kept such meticulous records!

A couple of weeks ago, our church secretary received a phone call from a woman asking questions about FBC in order to determine if the coverlet she had belonged to us. It was decided it did and when it arrived, I was thrilled.

The coverlet is the Centennial Quilt made in 1937 as FBC celebrated their 100^th anniversary. Sections of the coverlet were available for 10 cents, 20 cents and so on. Once a member purchased a section, they signed their name on one of the squares. The names were embroidered by one woman, and the blocks were pieced together by women of the church. The coverlet was auctioned off as a fund raiser (purpose unknown) for $25. Frank and Ella Stratton placed the winning bid. It was handed down to their son Frank Stratton who then handed it down to his daughter-in-law Rondi who called the church and eventually sent it to us.

FBC has several descendants of the coverlet you might remember or know. A.T. Simmons’ grandson is Dr. Kent Talbee. Paul Lawrence is a son, grand and great of E.D., Sidney and William Lawrence. Rebecca Theobald is the great, grand, daughter and niece of the Fagerburg family and L.E. and Estella Witt are the grandparents of Harry Monkmon. There are other names that might be familiar to some members of FBC: Pearl Bohr, Ed Ahlenius, R.O. Ahlenius, Barbara Bunting (Janke), Marjorie Simmons (Taulbee), and Edgar Hill to name a few. It is fascinating to twist your neck and read the names in the circular pattern in which they are embroidered.

The coverlet will be on display in the Library May 3^rd. Look and see who you can find. Please, no food or beverage allowed in the Library.

FBC has three missionaries going to Serbia this summer! Helen Ogar, Sarah Wollenweber and Lincoln Wollenweber will be joining others in the GRR to hold a VBS program and offer light construction help July 3 – 13, 20-26.

Please mark your calendar for April 19th 6:30 pm for an all church all talent show! We will need singers, actors, artists, bakers, cooks and more. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex on the information table. If you have
questions or need more information, please talk with Joyce Benton or Becky Strack.

Why Serbia? International Ministries (IM) does not have any Global Servants anywhere in the Balkans. Larry Stanton (based in Hungary) occasionally makes trips to this region to support local pastors in their community outreach efforts. The pastors and churches of this region provide many basic needs to their communities, including the distribution of firewood (used to heat many of the homes in the area), reconditioning and distribution of medical equipment like wheelchairs and walkers, collection and distribution of diapers and infant formula, and generally taking care of their elderly neighbors.

One church in the region has developed an English-language day camp for its town’s children. They’ve specifically asked for help leading a VBS-type camp for kids in their region. This serves several purposes: It provides a safe place for kids to spend the day while their parents are working; it introduces the Gospel to children, sometimes for the first time; it provides children the opportunity to practice conversational English with native speakers; and it provides profound encouragement to the pastors and church members in the region.

Several churches in the region are in desperate need of help with basic building and rehab labor. Many of the smaller churches meet in old houses or small commercial buildings, most of which are in need of renovation. There’s always need for plastering and painting, tilework, light carpentry, and other similar projects as these pastors work to transform these spaces into church facilities for their communities.

This is a worthwhile trip that will make a huge impact on these local communities. But more importantly, the Baptist churches in Serbia have reached out for help, inviting us to come alongside them in their vital mission and outreach work

Click Below to learn more 

Serbia 2026 Information Page

The First Baptist Board and Pastor are pleased to announce that Michelle Wiggins has agreed to step into an updated ministry role with the title of Director of Children and Youth Ministry while retaining her visual arts responsibilities.

After thoughtful discernment and recognizing the growing need for year-round support of our children and youth, we are excited to announce a re-envisioned ministry role that builds upon the strong foundation of our LOGOS program. This expanded role encompasses programs such as Vacation Bible School (VBS), mission trips, childcare, and safety supervision—offering a holistic faith formation throughout the year.

After careful consideration and input from the Spiritual Formation, Worship and Human Resources committees and Pastor Brian, the Board unanimously agreed that the best way to proceed was to honor and recognize the calling, giftedness and dedication that Michelle Wiggins has demonstrated in the life of our congregation since 2018. We are blessed that she said “YES” and has agreed to take on this re-envisioned role, along with refinements to the visual arts coordinator position.

The change takes effect on May 1,2025 which will be helpful for additional coverage during Pastor Brian’s sabbatical.  Her two roles together create our second full-time salaried position at First Baptist in support of the ministry we feel God is calling us into.  Our continued engagement in the ministry of the church, personal encouragement, and ongoing financial support are part of how we can build for the future together!  

More information on this exciting development will be shared at the May 4th annual meeting. Please congratulate and thank Michelle for her continued dedication and commitment to our church.

Think You’re Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Prove It at Trivia Night!

April 26: 6:30-8:30pm

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly trivia night where you can test your knowledge against friends, family, and even fellow challengers from FBC! Bragging rights (all in good fun) are on the line for the winning table—so bring your A-game!

• Sign up as a team of 6-8 players (5th grade & up) or register as an individual, and we’ll match you with a team.
• Team Captains: When signing up, include your team name, a contact person with phone number, and the total number of players in the comments section.

Need Childcare?  
We’ve got you covered! Childcare is available for $5 per child (under 5th grade), but spots are limited to 15 children. If you need childcare, reserve your spot by signing up each child individually with their name and age—we can’t accommodate walk-ins.

Sweet Treats & Snacks!
Desserts and drinks will be provided, but teams are welcome to bring their own snacks if desired.

RSVP by 4/19/25 to secure your spot!

Think you’ve got what it takes? Gather your team, sign up, and let’s see who comes out on top!

2026 Update: 

We are pleased that we have received another generous grant from the Illinois Prairie community foundation Nature and Environment Fund. The $2000.00 awarded to the FBC Community Pollinator Habitat Phase three will be used for educational signs. The Support from IPCF has allowed us to do so much to enhance the habitat.

Since beginning the Prairie Habitat project, the Facilities committee has been hard at work making additions to the pollinator habitat. Some of our money from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation grant has been used to purchase 4 bluebird nest boxes. These were installed at the edges of the habitat to give the birds a good flight path and to be easily accessible for clean out. In order to try to attract bluebirds as intended, we need to be diligent about checking the boxes once a week and cleaning out other bird eggs before they hatch. We need to monitor the boxes from May – September. If you are interested in signing up to assist with this necessary task, please see Sue Strauch who will be compiling a list of names. Instructions will be provided on how to clean out the box.

We were also gifted a purple martin house which you will see at the top of a tall pole off the parking lot. This was donated to us by the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance who will be maintaining it. Eventually we hope that the church will take on this responsibility. This has been strategically placed so these birds have an open flight path from the pond at Northpoint to the box. It may take a year before we see these birds, but we do hope that they will come!

Additionally, we have had donations to provide for benches visitors can use to enjoy the paths mown into the habitat.

Women in the New Testament – Curriculum by Lynn Cohick, Led by Allison Benton and Ashley Benton

Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute? Is the story of Martha of Bethany about homemaking? Were the women in Jesus’s genealogy all sexual sinners? Was Junia an apostle or not?

Each session examines an aspect of the social and cultural world of the New Testament and explores a biblical woman’s story in relation to her context. The course looks at marriage, at motherhood, at discipleship, at patronage, at teaching, and at leadership as New Testament women live out their callings before God and in the Christian community.

Clickable Downloads of 2025-2026 LOGOS Schedules

• LOGOS Cook Team Schedule
• LOGOS Family Time Themes
• LOGOS Worship Skills Calendar
• LOGOS Memory Verses
• LOGOS Bible Study Themes