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Sabbath School 9:30 | Worship at 11
Who We Are
Toledo First Church of Seventh-day Adventists was established in 1888. Our multi-ethnic congregation reminds people that God loves them like crazy by proclaiming Jesus' everlasting Gospel to "every tribe, nation, language, and people" (Revelation 14:6). We want to learn and love with Jesus in the center so we can live successfully for Him now and forever. We have become known for living and consistently emphasizing grace more unapologetically and creatively than any Adventist church in SE Michigan or NW Ohio. Join us as together we Learn...Love...Live.
What We Do
While our doors are always open for worship services, we also host special events throughout the year. Our Valentines for Toledo concerts each February feature Christian musicians while benefitting local non-profit organizations through free-will offerings. At our annual Mother’s Day Tea we welcome many friends for a special afternoon of sweet and savory delicacies. Christian speakers for the event share their experiences along life’s journey. During summer months we plan evangelistic picnics at Wildwood Metropark where we give fresh-squeezed lemonade to walkers, joggers, and bikers letting them know that God loves them like crazy. October finds us hosting RingFest for bell choirs throughout the United States. The Festival Concert is open to the public and features hundreds of bells. Throughout the year Six Weeks Groups, composed of neighbors and friends, meet together with members to study in homes or at church for outreach and discipleship as Acts 2:42 describes, culminating in weeks of prayer meetings.
Why We Do
Because Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
YOU are Welcome
We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, y no habla ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying newborns, skinny as a rail, or could afford to lose a few pounds. We welcome you if you sing like Pavarotti or can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re just browsing, just woke up, or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s baptism. We welcome our disabled worshipers who have brought their service dogs with them. We welcome Muslims, Jews, politicians, and sinners like us. We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems, or you’re down in the dumps, or you don’t like “organized religion;” we’ve been there too. If you blew all your offering money at the casino, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, who work hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or come because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church. We welcome those who are inked, pierced, or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid, or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers, doubters, bleeding hearts . . . and you!
We are on Sylvania Avenue just west of Franklin Park Mall.
Join Us This Saturday
Service times:
Sabbath School: 9:30 am
Worship Service: 11:00 am
Toledo First Assimilation Manual
Theological Hmm: The shortness of time is frequently urged as an incentive for seeking righteousness and making Christ our friend. This should not be the great motive with us; for it savors of selfishness. Is it necessary that the terrors of the day of God be held before us, that we may be compelled to right action through fear? It ought not to be so. Jesus is attractive. - Ellen White
Theological Hmm: The purpose of all of the signs of Christ’s coming is not to make us sign-watchers. The purpose of the signs is to lead us to a deeper, richer, fuller relationship with Jesus. May it be so with each one of us. - Mark Finley
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Other Ministries of Toledo First
Toledo Junior Academy: The importance of Christian education to the Toledo First Church was clearly stated in 1919 when several dedicated people worked to establish what would much later become known as Toledo Junior Academy. Over the years the Goff Memorial School grew into another building and was called Toledo Memorial Elementary. Toledo Junior Academy proudly opened its doors on Independence Avenue before finally relocating in the new school connected to the newly built Toledo First Adventist Church in 2004. TJA was originally designed to accommodate 60 students. Visit their site for more information.
James Meade Learning Center: James Meade Learning Center, established in 2003, was named after the late Pastor James Meade. James Meade Learning Center focuses on child development and quality care for children six weeks old through Pre Kindergarten. Visit their site for more information.