Children in Worship

We welcome children of all ages in our worship services.  


A nursery is available for children who you do not wish to bring to service.  


Children ages 4 through kindergarten are given the opportunity to worship through the Children's Worship program. Children's Worship offers a way of learning that challenges our children to experience the Bible through storytelling, using a hands-on approach. The stories of God come to life using figures made of wood and other materials. The goal of this curriculum is not only to teach a story, but also to engage children in the act of worship. Trained leaders from our congregation direct the sessions each week through great stories of the church year.


Children are welcome to remain in the sanctuary for the entire worship service, or they may choose to attend Children's Worship at the conclusion of the Time with the Young Church.


Children's Worship is offered at each service on Sundays. The leaders will meet the children in the Narthex and take them to room 210. A leader will bring the kindergarten children back to the sanctuary after their Bible story where they will rejoin their family for the remainder of the service. The 4-and 5-year-olds should be picked up at the conclusion of the service.


Children's Worship Coordinator:  Rhonda Moyers


Children's Worship - Order of Worship

Nursery

Suggestions for Young Children in Worship

Discuss worship prior to the service to help prepare your child. If your child is 4 years old – kindergarten they may attend Children’s Worship. Make sure they know when they will be leaving the service and where they will be going. If your child is in Kindergarten or 1st grade, they will return to the service. Talk about the elements of worship that will be happening when they return (offering, communion, etc.). Please sit near the outer aisles so your child can return to their seat by the outer aisles.

  • Review the scripture lesson and church season at home. (Scriptures are listed in the Newsletter.)
  • Bring a children’s Bible storybook, or stop by the tiered bookshelf in the narthex or the Children’s Library (room 210).
  • Bring colored pencils or crayons for drawing in the Children’s Bulletin. A “Reader” and a “Pre-Reader” bulletin are bundled together each Sunday. Each follows the lectionary scriptures.
  • Help the child that reads learn to follow the Order of Worship.
  • Mark the hymns and follow along with your finger. Even if a non-reader, let your child stand and stretch during the hymns and prayers.
  • Sit near the front to provide a better view of chancel.
  • Bring coins to put in the 5-Cents-A-Meal envelopes located in the pews. They may also bring their own tithe envelope which can be obtained from the church office.
  • Give cues as to what is about to happen in worship. Answer questions that need an answer right away in a quiet whisper.
  • Express your gladness at having children in worship.
  • Help your child Pass the Peace to all those around them.
  • Help your child memorize The Reading of the Law and The Lord’s Prayer.
  • Encourage your child to respond with “and also with you,” “hear our prayer,” and “it is right to give our thanks and praise.”
  • If your child is unhappy or needs a break from the worship service, we encourage you to utilize the Adult Library or Narthex where you can continue to worship using the sanctuary audio heard in both areas.
  • Talk about the service after it is over. Use your lunchtime to talk about ideas shared in worship and give children the opportunity to reflect their experience.  




Births and adoptions

We rejoice with you the births and adoptions in your family and want to celebrate through our weekly bulletin announcements and monthly newsletters. We invite parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents to call the church office with pertinent information. The deadline for including information in the Sunday bulletin is each Monday, 4:30 p.m. The newsletter deadline is the 3rd Monday of each month, 4:30 p.m.


The Children’s Ministry Team will place a rose in the sanctuary to honor births and adoptions by current church members. Another celebration of the addition to our church family is the presentation of a cradle cross to the family for their home, along with a copy of Home Grown Handbook for Christian Parenting.