Children and youth are vital to the FLC community by their presence, questions and gifts. They are involved in worship, social action, inter-generational community events, theology and creation, the arts and music. Interested in knowing more about any of the following? Contact Pastor Kate.
Children and Worship
Children are most welcome at all worship services. There are opportunities to participate serving communion, lighting candles or even reading lessons, singing with the Children’s choir, even taking part in an occasional dramatic presentation of scripture.
Parents feel at ease with children in worship. Small children can join parents in the pew, sit at a craft table in the back of the sanctuary or in the small room just behind the sanctuary, complete with window, sound system, rocking chair, changing table and toys. At 10:30 worship there is a brief, interactive children’s sermon.
Children can also head downstairs to our Children’s Center for all or part of the service. The Children’s Center is outfitted like a preschool and includes a piano, toys, books, craft supplies, etc… Please bring diapering supplies if your child needs them.
Sunday Learning, 9:15-10:15
A variety of experiences are provided throughout the school year:
Sunday School classes for children to form relationships, learn about the Bible, Christian faith and practices. Pre-K to 1st grade meet in the Children’s center downstairs, Elementary grades 2-5 upstairs. One curriculum we use is Spark. Teens grades 6-12 divide into groups for conversation about faith and life upstairs.
Intergenerational Sundays – around once a month, all ages gather together with adults for a meaningful shared activity such as making sandwiches for people who are homeless, learning music together with Angela Ford, or a craft project to help prepare for an upcoming season in the church year.
Big Question Sundays – children share their deepest questions about God, the universe, science, suffering, the Bible, hell, heaven, anything goes. Adults help struggle to find answers.
Creation Days – usually on Saturday: children and adults enjoy the wealth of beautiful open spaces in our area, with an easy hike or other activity and devotions that ground us in God’s creation.
Rehearsals – at various times during the year for FirstKids Choir, St Lucia Festival, the Christmas Pageant, and Easter Vigil presentation.
Baptism, Communion and Confirmation
Baptism is for all ages. Our whole life is for learning what it means that we’re children of God. Holy Communion is also provided to all ages. Occasional classes are provided for children and parents to better understand the meaning of these sacraments.
Confirmation is a multi-year learning process for teens to learn more, with an opportunity to affirm their faith during worship and becoming voting members of the congregation.