Children’s Worship is Growing!

The goal of the Children’s Worship programs is to introduce very young children to the worship experience while matching their increasing developmental abilities to focus. Young children experience the sights and sounds and community of worship by joining their families for the early portion of the service in the sanctuary. After the Children’s Time, young children are escorted by a parent to the program for their age group. There they continue the worship experience at their particular developmental level. The intention is to prepare young children to join the congregation for the whole service starting in second grade. Each program brings children to an increasing level of participation and responsibility for their own ability to quiet their thoughts in preparation for worship, listen to the Bible story, and wonder about God’s message and their own response to the worship experience.

Here are the programs that will be offered at each of the services over the summer.

Here are the programs that we plan to offer at each of the services starting on September 7, 2008. Children are "promoted" from one program to the next on September 7. For example, a 3 year old who worships at the 10:30 service would go to the Preschool Children's Worship program and stay there all year and through next summer until “promoted” next September.

WHEN CHILDREN ARE TODDLERS, the Nursery or God’s Garden is usually the best place for them to be. Toddlers need to move and make noise and explore their surroundings. Most parents find it easier on them and their child to leave the child in the nursery, even if there are some tears when the child is left. There is a one-way mirror in the Nursery for parents to observe. With the good quality care and the stimulating environment of the Nursery and the Toddle Time program designed just for little ones, the tears usually end quickly. If a child cannot be comforted, a volunteer will go to the sanctuary and quietly inform you. Some toddlers do enjoy being in worship for at least part of the service. After the Children’s Story is a good time to head down to God’s Garden in Room #24.

WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN PRESCHOOL, it is important to participate in the early part of the worship service. Preschoolers may occasionally lead the congregation in worship by participating in the Angel Choir. They may also participate in the Children’s Story time. After the Children’s Story children who are 3 years old by September 1 are encouraged to continue their worship in the Children's Worship program in Room #21. Children who are 4 years old go to Children’s Worship in Room #23. These programs provide foundational Bible stories and a worship experience ideally suited for this age, helping to prepare for the time when they will join us in worship.

WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN KINDERGARTEN & 1st GRADE, the beginning portion of the service, before the Children’s Story, becomes more enjoyable. With help, these children can participate in much of the service by holding the hymnal, standing with the congregation, finding the page, following a few words in the bulletin, and singing with either the Angel Choir (Kindergarten) or WildNotes (1st grade). After the Children’s Story Kindergartners are welcomed to the Children's Worship program in Room #20, and 1st graders to Children's Worship in Room #30. These programs provide Bible stories, worship experiences, familiarity with the parts and meaning of worship and the church seasons - a wonderful way to prepare for the transition to congregational worship. A combined Children’s Worship program is offered at the 8:00 service for preschool - 1st graders in Room #23, Noah’s Ark.