HOME Families
Ministries with Children
Here at Tempe First UMC, we know that children are as much a part of the church as anyone else, and we want our church to be a place where children know that they are safe, loved, and part of the body of Christ.
Much of what our church does is open to children. We encourage children to worship with their parents, to attendSunday School, and to sing in a choir. Children have a great time at Vacation Bible School, as well as all-church events designed to include kids.
Children can also participate in our Acolyte Program. Our acolytes are 3rd-6th graders who volunteer to be part of our worship service. At the beginning of the service, as they bring their lighted staffs into the sanctuary, they remind us of the light of the Holy Spirit coming to be present with us as we worship. As the acolytes take the light out of the sanctuary at the close of worship, they help us remember that we as Christians need to take this light into the world with us. Training is conducted for anyone who is interested in participating as an Acolyte. For more information about being an acolyte, please contact us.
Ministries with Youth
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. --Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Here at Tempe First UMC, our message is clear: We are children of God, called to be faithful followers of Christ. We want our youth--and everyone else who walks through our doors--to hear this truth.
We’re having fun with ‘youth building’! Our passion is to help youth to become disciples of Jesus, to deepen their faith, and to develop leadership gifts while sharing in one another’s joys and sharing in one another’s journeys. We encourage our youth to participate in all parts of the life of the local church in worship, music, family activities and fellowship, youth Sunday school, as well as in ministries both within the church and in outreach to our community.
Our programs for youth include Confirmation and Sunday School in addition to youth group programs and Bible studies. Youth retreats, conferences, winter camp and a mission trip are the high points of each year. In all our ministries with and for youth, we seek to challenge our youth to respond to God's grace by living with conviction, compassion, and courage. Beyond our programs geared specifically toward young people, our youth are invited to participate in every aspect of our church life.
Jesus often said, “Come and see.” The youth invite you to come and see what we are up to at Tempe First and bring your friends!
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” --Franklin D. Roosevelt