First Baptist Church Lincoln stands on K Street in the heart of Lincoln and is known for its long local history and a motto: "A Church in the Heart of Lincoln with a Heart for Lincoln." The congregation has worshiped and served from this present location since 1888, making it one of the oldest churches in Nebraska. Its ministry centers on Sunday worship while also reaching outward through meals, music, fellowship, and shared use of the building by Karen and Sudanese congregations.
Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:30
Sunday begins with Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. The congregation's Sunday worship service follows at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Sunday Child Care is also part of the church's Sunday activities. A worship and praise team practices in the sanctuary at 8:00 a.m. before the service, while Living River Sunday School meets from 11:00 a.m. to noon in the Parlor and Living River Karen Worship gathers in the sanctuary from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m. These times place multiple gatherings in the same building across the morning.
Rooted in American Baptist Life
First Baptist Church is an active member of American Baptist Churches of Nebraska and American Baptist Churches USA. That state and national connection places the congregation within a wider Baptist community while keeping its identity closely tied to service in Lincoln. Its stated motto emphasizes both location and care: a church in the heart of Lincoln, with a heart for Lincoln.
A Building Shared Across Cultures
Partnership is concrete in the way the building is used. The church works with Karen and Sudanese congregations that also meet there. The Living River gatherings provide a clear example, with Sunday school in the Parlor followed by Karen worship in the sanctuary. A weekly Spiritual Life gathering for Pawsbeh speakers takes place at 7:00 p.m. through Messenger. Together, these gatherings make the K Street building a place of shared congregational life and varied gatherings.
Food, Lunch and Fellowship
On Wednesday, two outward-facing food programs are part of the church's rhythm. The Food Net Program begins at 11:00 a.m. at the East Entrance, and K Street Lunch follows at 11:30 a.m. from the same entrance. Faithful Fellowship meets in the Blue Room, while the Pawsbeh Spiritual Life gathering also occurs through Messenger at 7:00 p.m. The pattern links practical aid with regular fellowship and spiritual conversation. Capitol Day Lunch, another recurring gathering, takes place from noon to 1:00 p.m. in FH.
Music and Young People Fill the Week
Music is woven through the church's week. Key-Ring Music meets in the sanctuary from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Thursday, Marlesh Sunday School and Choir gathers in FH from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the Marlesh Youth Choir meets there at 5:00 p.m. Friday. The separate worship, Sunday school, youth choir, and Key-Ring practices show that the congregation's musical life involves both sanctuary worship and dedicated music activities.
Sunday Dinner and Continuing Fellowship
FBCL Sunday Dinner is another recurring gathering centered on food and fellowship. The variety across the week - Sunday school and worship, Karen and Pawsbeh gatherings, shared lunches, choirs, Faithful Fellowship, and Sunday Dinner - shows a church whose K Street building serves both worship and local relationships. First Baptist Church Lincoln continues that long local tradition through its American Baptist affiliations, its many weekly ministries, and its commitment to worship and serve in the heart of Lincoln.