Children in Worship
All children at First United are invited and welcome to participate in worship every week.
Bringing children to worship may not always be easy, but is an essential part of their growth in Christ. As we worship with children and they worship with us, we live out the belief that we are a community of faith together. We embody the belief that we are all children of God and have gifts to bring to God in worship.
At First United, we believe children should take their places as members of the community, and by including them in worship, they learn they
- belong to the body of Christ and are welcome in his church.
- build a fund of memorable shared experiences from which they may draw as they grow.
- discover they are valued as people of God and our partners in the faith journey.
- hear stories from the Bible read and interpreted and see worship is one place where God speaks to all.
- witness the drama of Baptism and share Communion as experiences of God’s covenant with us and our promises to God.
We realize that some young children may need to leave worship early or may need child care throughout the worship hour. First United’s Nursery provides quality care. Our nursery includes a cheerful play area stocked with age-appropriate toys and activities and a quiet area for sleeping, changing and feeding. During worship, we provide a snack of 100% fruit juice and crackers. Parents sign their children in and out.
If you have questions about children at First United, please feel free to contact Marylen Marty-Gentile, Director of Children and Family Ministries (Marylen@firstunitedoakpark.com).