Poinsettia Dedications
Members of our congregation provided the beautiful poinsettias displayed in our Sanctuary. One poinsettia is given …in memory of Gregg Gallagher by his family. …by Tom and Sheri Ledbetter in memory of Robert L. Shaw. …in honor of the Johnson Sunday School Class by Prudence Taylor. …by the Hope Sunday School Class in memory of […]
From the Senior Minister (December 22, 2025)
We all long for connection with one another, within a community where we belong, and for a sense of meaning at the beginning of a new year. Epiphany Sunday at First Baptist offers these gifts, and we hope you will be part of it! We will begin the new year together with a hot, church-wide […]
The Branch—December 22, 2025
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Church Epiphany Breakfast on January 4
Kick off the new year with a churchwide breakfast on Sunday, January 4, 2026! January 4 is Epiphany Sunday, the date in the church year that marks the official end of the Christmas season and commemorates the arrival of the magi in Bethlehem. We will celebrate Epiphany as a church family with a hot breakfast […]
Music for Advent: Sanctuary Choir & Harpist Kari Novilla
On December 21, at both our morning worship service and our evening Candlelight and Carols service, we will enjoy the music of our Sanctuary Choir and guest harpist Kari Novilla. Kari is a former student of mine who has gone on to have a successful career as a harpist with the Chicago Civic Orchestra. Kari […]
Family Faith Every Day Parenting Circle Cohort Recap
The past four months have been a meaningful journey with the five families in our Parenting Circle. Together, we explored ways to nurture faith practices at home and along the way, we watched a beautiful sense of community grow among both parents and children. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Family Faith […]
From the Senior Minister (December 15, 2025)
During Advent, we make room for Christ in our hearts and our lives. Christine Rogers captures this beautifully in her poem, “A Clearing”: Help me make a space for you emptying myself to create a place for you spreading the straw on the floor of my soul in joyful expectation of your coming. This season […]
The Branch—December 15, 2025
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Newcomers at FBG
Fall has brought many new faces to FBG! Thirty newcomers participated in our recent First Baptist 101 class. We spent three Sunday afternoons getting to know each other over food and conversation, learned about Baptist identity at FBG, explored the values animating our Children and Youth Ministries, and discussed the many ways to participate in […]
First Baptist Helps Here and Around the World
There are many ways that First Baptist supports those in need, from the local level to the global. There are three specific ministries we’d like to highlight for you: our Local Relief Fund, which offers assistance to community members in need; Mission Backpack, which provides food to students whose families face food insecurity; and our […]