Where is worship?

We gather for 10:30 a.m. worship in the First Church sanctuary during the fall, winter and spring, and in air-conditioned Tittle Chapel during the summer. The 10:30 a.m. service is also livestreamed.

From early June through Labor Day weekend, an outdoor Worship in the Park service is offered at 9:00 a.m. in Lunt Park, on the corner of Church Street and Sheridan Road.  Worshippers are encouraged to bring chairs or a blanket to sit on.

What are the current safety protocols in the church building?

In response to Evanston Health and Human Services directives regarding our current community COVID-19 positivity rates, masks are no longer required inside the church building.

If you are COVID positive or think you may be, then please attend our virtual service in the safety of your own home.  First Church will continue to comply with our community’s directives. 

We take the health and safety of all persons very seriously and will continue to monitor updates from the CDC, State of Illinois Public Health Department, and City of Evanston.

Since worship is recorded, will I be on camera?

Possibly.  Worship in the sanctuary is livestreamed, and persons worshipping in-person may be visible on camera. First Church may use photographs and/or videos from Worship in our print publications, website and social media pages for the sole purpose of promoting and supporting our ministry. Please speak with an usher if you wish to be seated in an area off-camera. Families with children participating in Time with Young Disciples who wish not to be on camera are invited to sit directly in front of the first row of pews.

Are children welcome in worship? Is the service family friendly?

We love having children in worship, along with their sounds and wiggles!  You are welcome to keep your children with you in worship in Tittle Chapel during the summer or to utilize the second floor nursery.  Note that the nursery is not staffed during the summer months.  During the school year children are welcome to stay in worship or they can be signed in by a parent or guardian to the nursery or Children’s Chapel (ages 3-3rd grade) or Connect456 (grades 4-6).

Many families enjoy our outdoor Worship in the Park service at 9:00 am on Sundays during the summer.  This service has a casual feel, and children’s programming is offered concurrently at the park.

Any coffee?

Yes!  Immediately following worship we have an informal fellowship time in Great Hall or on the Hinman Ave. lawn, with coffee and cold drinks.  Volunteers occasionally provide snacks.

Worshipping with Children

The sounds of infants and children in worship are the sounds of a vibrant and growing church!

Each Sunday during the school year kids can find crayons and an activity page at each of the sanctuary entrances, and during our Time with Young Disciples, they are invited to the chancel steps for a brief, interactive message about the gospel text. After that parents may walk their kids to children’s programs or return to the pews to worship together. Our nursery is open all morning.

Our children also help lead worship. Children as young as 1st grade participate in our Children’s Choir, and as kids grow older, they can serve as acolytes, communion servers, scripture readers, and crossbearers.