Skip to content

A note from First Lutheran to the parents of young children:

Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All are welcome … Really. There is a place for you and your child(ren) here. We invite you to:

Sit toward the front, where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what’s going on. Also, they tire of seeing the backs of others’ heads.

Explain the parts of the service and actions of the pastors, ushers, choirs, etc.

Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn the mechanics of worship by copying you.

If you need to leave the service with your child, feel free to do so.  We have a “Wiggle Room” available outside the worship center (you can still hear the service). Please know you are welcome to re-join worship at any time. We follow Jesus’ instruction: “Let the children come to me.”

If your child has different sensory-processing needs, we invite you to reach out to Alyssa Terry, Director of Children & Youth Ministry to discuss how we can help make your family feel comfortable at worship.

Remember that the way we welcome children in worship directly affects how children respond to church, God, and others. Let them know that they are at home in God’s house of worship.

To our fellow disciples in Christ gathered into this community, the presence of children in worship is a gift to the church and a reminder that God’s congregation in this community is growing. So, please welcome our children and give a smile of encouragement to their parents.  Thank you!

Children’s Story Time

Children worshipping in-person during the 9:30am Sunday Service are invited every Sunday to join Ms. Alyssa during the sermon for children’s story time in the fellowship hall.

Playing in God’s Story – Children’s Faith Formation

[image description] flyer with light purple back ground. music staff with notes across the top. icons of crafts, childrens bible, and two cartoon children holding up drawings. child one is female presenting with orange hair, light complection and hold a photo of jesus talking to children. child two is male or non-binary presenting, asian american, holding up a picture of noah's ark. text on flyer reads: playing in God's story sunday morning childrens faith formation. three year olds through fifth grade. sundays 11am to noon. all are welcome.

Our Playing in God’s Story faith formation classes are open to 3 year olds through 5th grade! There are two concurrent classes, one for younger children and one for older children. The lesson time consists of music, arts and crafts, story time, and various activities. All classes, including music, will are held in the Education Building.

Sunday mornings at 11:00am.  Click here for the 2022-2023 Schedule

All are welcome! Feel free to register below or show up! We will be accepting registration forms on a rolling basis.

Register for Children’s Faith Formation Here

Volunteer Information for Children’s Faith Formation

Interested in helping make children’s faith formation at First not only possible, but exciting, educational, and fun!? We are in need of volunteers!

Volunteer to help teach, assist, aid in service projects, or decorate classrooms and various other roles. Please contact Alyssa or fill out the google form below, and I can help align your gifts with a way to serve our children!

Please reach out to Alyssa at alyssa@firstlutheranec.org with any questions!

Volunteer with Children’s Faith Formation

Children’s Worship Bins

In the sanctuary you will find green and blue worship bins for children. These boxes are designed to enhance the worship experience for young children. Within these boxes you will find resources such as a bible and weekly bulletin worksheets. You will also find a copy of the Apostle’s Creed and Lord’s Prayer in large print with OpenDyslexia font to help young readers with dyslexia. (This font is legible for all young children.) There are also other activities such as coloring sheets, crayons, and colored pencils as well as wand ribbons to use during music. You’re invited to take a bin to your pew and return it after worship. The blue bins are for young readers and the green bins are for pre-readers.
 
There is also a basket that includes extra clipboards and coloring sheets as well as sensory reduction tools for our young friends who find the lights and sounds of worship a little overwhelming. They’re welcome to take what they need, add it to their bin, and use noise canceling headphones or wear sunglasses whenever they would like during the service.