Recent
July 2026: How to Read the Bible, Let’s Go!
July 2nd, 2026
I grew up in a world where what the Bible said meant everything. Our approach to reading the Bible was mostly literal. I say “mostly” because we were select...
June 2026: Summer Reading Recommendations
June 4th, 2026
Dear Beloved Community, It has become a bit of an annual tradition of mine to greet the summer with a post to you recounting some books I’ve read and love....
How to Be Human – Summer Sermon Series
June 4th, 2026
One has only to scan the headlines to feel despair at all things human. The rise of AI, threats to our climate and our collective well-being, and widespread con...
Welcoming Olivia Blake, Ministry & Communications Assistant!
May 26th, 2026
The Personnel Committee is delighted to welcome Olivia Blake as our new Ministry & Communications Assistant! Olivia is no stranger to First Baptist. She joined ...
May 2026: Who Vocational Ministry Looks Like
May 7th, 2026
Dear Beloved Community, A little more than four years ago, I got an email from a young student in her final semester of college. She was working on a final p...
First on Fifth Seeks Ministry & Communications Assistant
April 16th, 2026
In preparation for the upcoming departure of Lena Withrow to serve as Associate Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Western Springs, IL, the Personnel ...