It is getting to that time of the year when you need to brush up the vocal cords, begin singing louder in the shower, seeing how high your high notes go and how low your low notes go, so in a few week you can take your place in the choir room.  Rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 8th from 7 to 8 PM.  We need more voices to add to our group of dedicated singers and you might just be the one that is thinking about joining.  We have several groups you can participate in and all groups are waiting for you to become part of our ensembles.  Give prayerful thought to adding your voice or musical talent to one o the groups at FBC.  We welcome you with open arms.  Questions?  See Sylvia Loe, Joanna Weaver or Betsy Bellavia. From Interim Music Director Sylvia Loe

On Sunday night, July 11, we held a special night at First Baptist.  It was our first "Potluck and Recital." The evening featured the talents of our children.  We enjoyed great piano solos, duets, solo vocals, acting and a wonderful violin piece.  Our youth actively supported this event as well lending their talents and showcasing what the future could hold for our children.  It was a wonderful and uplifting night and at the conclusion, all of our participants were presented with a rose by our interim Music Director Sylvia Loe.  All ready the children have asked "when are we going to do this again?"  We hope to have an answer soon . . .

We urgently need your help so our First Baptist Youth can continue to earn funds through the Kroger Community Rewards. We reminded you earlier this year that you must re-enroll in Kroger Community Rewards in order to collect funds during the coming year. Unfortunately, only 37 percent of households enrolled in the program in 2009 have re-enrolled for 2010.
As you may recall, $5 million is at stake through this program, with Kroger awarding $1,250,000 every quarter and participating organizations able to earn up to $50,000 every three months. Since we are already approaching the third quarter for 2010, our youth may  be missing out on funding that you could be earning. 

Our children's ministry kicked off summer in a fun way on June 25.  We held a youth-led "Children's Boredom Buster" which featured an evening of games, food and fun.  We roasted marshmallows by the fire and our youth led in a story time about "unexpected heroes" such as Old Testament story of the servant girl who helped Naaman.  The weather was perfect.  It was cool and calm which meant that we all had a wonderful time enjoying the great outdoors.  This was an answer to prayer after all of the recent storms and hot weather.  Thank you to all of our volunteers and chaperones! We have events for children throughout the year.  Check the calendar or the Children's Ministry page for more information about upcoming children's events!

We continue to collect 9-volt batteries to distribute to homes in the surrounding neighborhoods so at least one smoke detector will have a fresh battery when the time changes in the fall.  Please help us with either your battery or financial support.  Batteries can be left in the “Battery Brigade Box” in the hall in the Christian Ed. wing.

Strawberry Festival returned to Holland, Ohio on June 18, 19 and 20, 2010.  Due to the help of members of our congregation who helped at the Strawberry Festival and the many helping hands of visitors at our booth, we were able to complete 15 “No-Sew Throws” to donate to the Blanket Toledo for the homeless project.  We have 5 blankets yet to complete…they need to have the fringe cut and tied.  Please contact Patti Logan if you are willing to finish any of these blankets over the summer.  Pictures ahead!  Click "Read More" . . .

The 28th Annual First Baptist Church of Greater Toledo Chicken Barbeque is almost here!  We are looking forward to the biggest and the best Chicken BBQ ever!!  It will take many people working together to make this happen.  Volunteers are the heart of a project such as the Chicken BBQ and we hope you will be willing to help.  September 19 is the big day as we kick things off at 11:30 AM with chicken sales until 6 PM (or until we run out - whichever comes first!).  You may dine in with air conditioned comfort in our two dining rooms or use our express drive up and carry out.  Want to help out in this big effort?  Contact Ralph Pearsall or Terry Stockner.

Bagels & Bobby Sox couldn't have happened without the support of many.  The list is long:  our God and Father Who was with us every step of the way, adults who took a lot of time away from their families, parents who committed to bringing their children and youth for rehearsals and performances, those who prepared and served food, set designers, set builders, set painters, our technical "sound and lights" crew, those who collected and prepared props, the chaperones who helped each Friday, the audiences who by their attendance supported the youth summer "Mission to Appalachia" and of course the actors and actresses who presented the production on five wonderful nights.  Thank you all you did to make this such a successful ministry!