Once we return to in person worship…

SATURDAY AT FIRST This is a relaxed and informal time of offering songs and prayers to God. Communion is offered on the Saturday closest to the first Sunday of the month. A variety of contemporary and familiar Christian songs and hymns are sung.

Time and Place: Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the church chapel.

TRADITIONAL-BLENDED SUNDAY WORSHIP celebrations happen at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. from September (after Labor Day weekend) through May (until Memorial Day weekend). In the summer we have typically gone to one worship service at 9:30 a.m. to encourage building our community and CONNECTION with one another that we seek as a congregation. You will find this Sunday worship to be very much like the worship services of many United Methodist Churches around the country. Creative liturgy will be offered to God with familiar and contemporary and global hymns being sung. There will be choirs and hand bells and other special music offered to God’s glory and for the nourishment of our souls. You will find Biblical preaching to assist you in connecting with God and for growing your faith, witness and discipleship.

Time and Place: 8:30 and 11:00 am Sunday after Labor Day through Sunday before Memorial Day (September through May), 9:30 am in the Summer, in the Sanctuary.

We Want Children IN Worship!!!

We offer a prayground in the sanctuary! A Prayground is a small area within the sanctuary that is dedicated to some of our youngest children in worship. Melanie Gordon, director of children’s ministries with the Global United Methodist Board of Discipleship said “We are all adopted through our baptism into God’s family, so we need to worship together. We know children need to move and have some active time, so we need to find creative ways of engaging children in worship.”

The space includes soft toys, an enclosed area with soft mat flooring, a practice pew, coloring table, comfortable seating for parents, a TV with live feed to the worship in case you’re in an area of the Prayground where you can’t see something, and many other items. This space allows the children to remain in worship with their family. The nursery is still available for those who wish to utilize it. We hope this helps young families feel more welcome at Ames First UMC and for all to know the importance of having children in worship.

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

If you want to learn more about Praygrounds, go to

(http://www.interpretermagazine.org/topics/praygrounds-encourage-little-children-to-come)

Or
(http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/minnesota-church-incorporates-littlest-visitors-pray-ground/story?id=39253999)

Or talk to Nicole or a member of the Children, Family, and Intergenerational Ministries Team.

Children’s Worship Materials are available at the Children’s Area near the Welcome Center. There are a wide variety of items related to worship or things that can help them participate in worship at their level. They can “Build-A-Bag” by choosing from colored pencils, crayons, magna doodles, and so much more. You’ll also find our worship clocks in the worship bags. Be sure to return all the games and supplies to the baskets so other children can use them at the next service.

Nursery. You may bring your infant or toddler (up to pre-K age) to the nursery (Room E203) during Saturday and Sunday worship and/or Sunday School. Our trained and screened nursery attendants are on duty starting 15 minutes before services begin. Some exceptions are made due to holidays. The nursery is also open on Wednesday evenings for children 3 & under. Contact: Nicole, 515-232-2750

Acolytes. Children 3rd grade and up are invited to bring the light of Christ into our Sunday worship services. Training will be held in August. Contact: Nicole, 515-232-2750