Children's Church

4300 Lake Margaret Drive, Orlando, FL 32812

Children's Church

A Guide for Adults Who Worship with Children

"Let the little children come to me." Luke 18:16

Worship is…

...an attitude.

...a spiritual experience...

a gathering of the church family.

Family Matters at Conway Presbyterian Church

Bringing small children into our midst is something like letting the smallest member of a family eat at the supper table even though his manners are far from elegant.

Children will wiggle, poke and swing their legs simply because they are children. They will also sing with us, pray with us and give with us.

We suggest that we as adults abide with the restlessness of children during worship, trusting that the child in our midst will learn:

· My family and many others believe it is important to come to this place each Sunday.

· I belong to this special company of people.

· The signs, sounds and feel of this place, my church, God’s Sanctuary, are good, even though I don’t understand everything.

· Something is expected of me in this place. I may respond with song, prayer and offering in the worship of God.

Tips for Parents

· Try to come early to get settled and, if possible, sit near the front. Children who can see what is happening feel more involved.

· Children are full, important members of the household of faith. They are welcome here. Relax! Your family is important here.

· Children’s Worship Bags are on a table in the back of the sanctuary. Children’s bulletins are by the entrance.

· Introduce yourself and your children to the people sitting nearby.

· Review and mark the order of worship and help children find the hymns, scriptures and prayers.

· Share the hymnal, Bible and bulletin with your child at his/her eye level. Move your finger along under the words as they are read or sung.

· Come forward with young or unsure children for the children’s message and blessing. Children can leave for children’s church before the second Bible reading or they may remain in the pew.

· Our nursery is available for infants and toddlers.

· Children’s Church is for children in first grade and younger.

· Allow children to write their own names on the friendship pad. It doesn’t matter how many lines they use. We are glad they are here! Teach them to use the pad to learn the names of the people sitting around them.

· Children learn “worship etiquette” by participation. Feel free to whisper instructions to help them learn.

· Talk about worship at home. Look for opportunities to relate the sermon or scripture lessons to something that is happening in your child’s day-to-day life.

· It is hard for children to sit still for long. God knows this and so do we.

· Growing up isn’t easy in any family, but especially in God’s family, it is well worth the effort.

A Word About the Sacraments

Baptism of infants is ordinarily recommended during the first 18 months. Parents wishing baptism for their child should consult with the pastor. Baptism is part of our communal service and all children are invited to come close and observe this sacrament.

Communion is a family event in the household of faith. Baptized children are invited to come forward with their parents to partake in communion. Some parents wish to have their child wait until after confirmation. We leave the choice to the family. It is important to let children know God loves them and that we are all God’s family. Children do not need to understand in order to partake. Do any of us fully understand the mystery of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ?

Tips for Adult Members of the Congregation

· Remember the promises we make at the baptism of the children who are among us.

· Greet children as well as adults, and be as intentional about knowing children’s names as you are about knowing the names of adults.

· Hand children the offering plate rather than passing it over their heads.

· Pass the friendship pad to children. See that children have a children’s bulletin.

· When children give visible leadership, respond to them as worship leaders – not as performers

· Always laugh with children, not at them.

· Occasionally invite a child you know to sit with you during worship.

· Understand when parents need to take young ones out and then return during worship.

· Be patient with the learning process. We are all children of God.

Children learn by doing. Children learn to carry on Christian traditions by experiencing them.

[ Home ]