First Church children make a joyful noise
First Church loves having children in worship! If you look around our worshiping congregations on any given Sunday, you will see and hear kids actively participating in our services. Their precious voices join in on the hymns and worship songs, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and more. They lead our congregations in song and even portray the story of Christ’s birth on Christmas Eve. They learn to use their gifts in worship from our children’s worship and music programs.
On Sunday mornings at 9:30, children gather for a 30 minute class called Worship 101. There, they learn how and why we worship, and they sing the great hymns and Bible songs of the Church. They also learn about their worshiping heritage in the Reformed tradition, and about the sacred art and architecture that surrounds them in our worship spaces. Along with all of that, they are given opportunities to serve and lead in worship by greeting, singing, reading scripture and working behind the scenes. Worship 101 serves to equip and encourage all of our children to be active and engaged worshipers.
“The music ministry of First Church is committed to our calling to teach our children to be, ‘Fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ; inwardly strong and outwardly focused,’ through the gift of sacred music.”
– Gretchen Bashforth
Starting this fall, a new children’s choir called the First Church Choristers will give children a foundation in sacred choral music and will offer the opportunity to take that music out in the greater Tulsa community. This choir will perform alongside the Chancel Choir in their annual concerts, sing for special events at the Church and will do periodic outreach performances including Christmas caroling at various sites around the city. Children in kindergarten through fourth grade can join this choir very soon.
One of the most beautiful ways our children can use their gifts in worship is through the Christmas Eve live nativity worship service. Every Christmas Eve, one service is dedicated to a live action portrayal of the story of Christ’s birth. There are parts for everyone, including shepherds, sheep, angels, innkeepers, wise men and even a donkey. For those who prefer to work behind the scenes, there are also roles to serve backstage and in the technical crew. Registration and auditions are held in October with rehearsals on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. in November and December. It is truly a multi-generational, colorful and charming way to share the good news of Jesus coming to live with us on earth.
If you want to know more, contact Gretchen Bashforth at (918) 301-1012 or gbashforth@firstchurchtulsa.org.
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.”
– Psalm 100:1–2