FBC Greenview IL

10/04/2026

10/03/2026

Here are Our October Celebrations

09/30/2026

Weekly Wednesday Discipleship
There’s a joyful but oft forgotten little hymn we will be singing in our church this Sunday:
You shall go out with joy
And be led forth with peace
The mountains and the hills will break forth before you
There’ll be shouts of joy
And all the trees of the field will clap, will clap their hands
Those words come straight from Isaiah 55:12 :
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Isaiah originally spoke these words to God’s people who were coming out of exile in Babylon. After years of hardship and displacement, God promised them a joyful return. The picture is joyful, mountains singing, trees clapping their hands, as all creation celebrates the salvation and freedom God gives His people.
That same promise reaches even further. Isaiah 55 is full of gospel invitation: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters… Seek the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:1, 6). For anyone who has lived in spiritual exile, separated from God by sin, the day they turn to Jesus is a true homecoming. When a person accepts Christ, they leave the far country of alienation and are led out in joy and peace. Heaven itself rejoices (Luke 15:7, 10), and the imagery of creation celebrating becomes a joyous picture of the gladness that surrounds new life in Christ.
For those of us who have walked with Jesus longer, the verse still speaks. The gospel doesn’t just rescue us once; it continually leads us out of heaviness, fear, and self-reliance into the joy and peace that belong to God’s children. The same God who makes trees “clap” is the God who leads His people in freedom, even when circumstances feel more like exile than home.
Take a few minutes to read Isaiah 55 slowly. Notice the invitation, the promises, and the joy. Then ask yourself: Where do I need to “go out with joy” and be “led forth with peace” this week? If you have recently come to Christ (or are coming back to Him), remember to thank Him for bringing you out of spiritual exile. If you have walked with Him longer, ask where you still need His joy and peace to lead you forward.
He leads us out of captivity into joy and peace, and one day all creation will join the celebration.

09/23/2026

Weekly Wednesday Discipleship

I recently attended a conference where I learned that something encouraging is happening in churches right now; for the 1st time in decades, adults are outnumbering the younger groups in being baptized! More adults, including young, college aged adults, are coming to faith and being baptized. There is a clear hunger among younger people for real, solid Christianity that keeps Jesus at the center. At the same time, many young adults feel frustrated when churches seem more focused on politics, programs, or cultural issues than on the simple, powerful message of the gospel.
That longing is important and so encouraging to well discipled Christians!
The early church in Acts “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Their life was built around the Word of God, genuine community, and following Jesus. A healthy church still looks a lot like that today.
In a church where the pastor preaches directly from the Bible every week, where the same Word is opened in Sunday School and Bible studies, and where the messages stay focused on Christ rather than politics or social media style commentary, something steady and life-giving happens. Hands on Community outreach is usually more common than “programs”. Especially in smaller churches like ours, there is frequently real room for younger adults to step into leadership and service if they are seeking to become more meaningfully involved.
If you are looking for a place that keeps Jesus and His Word front and center, give a smaller local church another look. Larger churches have their own strengths and can be a great fit for many people, but smaller churches often offer something unique: closer community, clearer opportunities to serve, and a simpler focus on following Jesus together. The body of Christ needs every part (read 1 Corinthians 12), and sometimes the quieter churches are exactly where deep discipleship and real responsibility are found.
Ask the Lord to help you evaluate what you are truly looking for in a church. Is it primarily atmosphere, programs, cultural alignment, or is it clear teaching of the Word, authentic community, and a place to grow and serve? If you are already part of a church that keeps Jesus central, thank God for it and look for ways to invest more deeply. If you have written off smaller churches, consider giving one another chance.
Jesus builds His church through the faithful preaching of the Word, genuine fellowship, and ordinary believers who are willing to serve.

09/19/2026

We had a great time at our Family Fun & Games Day! We wore out a LOT of kids (& at least 1 parent) at the gaga ball pit. We ate pizza, chips, cookies & homemade ice cream!
Best of all we got to know some people better & had some meaningful Christian conversations with them!
Thanks to everyone who showed up to take part. We're looking forward to another great fellowship on October 11 at 4:30 for our annual old fashioned weiner roast! Hope to see you there!!!

09/19/2026

It's a hot one out there today but we're cranking up the A/C inside, pulling out the board games, icing down the water bottles, & setting up the gaga ball pit & shade canopy outside. Come join us from 3-6pm for Family Fun & Games Day. We'll supply the food & fun, you just bring a lawn chair & some friends!

09/17/2026

Join us this fall for our seasonal activities!