Worship Times:

8:30 Traditional Service
in the Sanctuary

9:30 Fellowship Time
in the Christian Life Center

9:45 Sunday School Hour
Adult / Youth / Children

11:00 Traditional Service
in the Sanctuary
11:00 Contemporary Service
in the Christian Life Center

Staffed Nursery available for all services.


QUICK LINKS:
Stephen Ministry
CREDO
UMW
Church Council
Children's Day Out
After School Program - CIA

Children's Worship

But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”
–Luke 18:16

We welcome you and your child in worship! We encourage you to reference the tips below to help involve your child in the worship. Additionally, we offer the following:
Worship Activity Books are provided during each worship service. They can be picked up in the Narthex (outside the Sanctuary) or just inside the Contemporary Worship area. Please return the Worship Activity Books where you found them following the worship service.

Children's Praiz Choir
Children join together to celebrate God's awesome love through singing, scripture, and activities. Periodically throughout the year children will share "praiz"songs with the congregation. The group meets on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM during the school year.

Children’s Church
(age 3 thru Kindergarten)
Children’s Church is offered during the 11:00 a.m. services. As young children begin to transition into attending worship, it is often difficult for them to sit still through an hour of worship. Therefore, children of this age are invited to leave the service following the Children’s Moment. During Children’s Church children worship God through sharing, singing, offering, prayer, and a message designed specifically for them. Children’s Church takes place in the Ocean Room and children are picked up immediately following the 11:00 service. Please stop by before worship service to sign in your child each week, and fill out his/her nametag.

Nursery (infant to 36 months)
Our church community recognizes the importance of the loving, caring environment you desire for your child during worship. Silent pagers are provided for parents.

Worshipping with Your Child
Children learn how to participate in worship by being in worship. However, many parents worry about how their child will behave or whether he/she is absorbing anything that happens. Following are a few tips to help you help your child feel comfortable in worship:

  • Relax! God put the wiggle in children—don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house.
  • Pick up a worship activity book for your child in the Narthex or just inside the Contemporary worship area.
  • Use a gentle touch: an arm around your child’s shoulder or your hand in his/hers gives reassurance and appropriate attention.
  • Explain quietly the parts of the service.
  • Help your child find the pages in the hymnal. As you sing, move your finger along the words to help your child learn how to read a hymn.
  • Sing the hymns, pray, and voice the responses. Children learn good behavior in church by copying yours.
  • Encourage them to come forward for the Children’s Moment and ask them to participate in the message.
  • Allow your child to help pass the offering plate and put money into it.
  • Following the service, ask your child how he or she experienced God in worship today. This helps set the expectation that we do encounter God in worship.
  • Always remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to church, God, and Christ. Let them know that they are at home here at The United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd.

Tell me, I’ll forget.
Show me, I may remember.
Involve me and I’ll understand.
—Chinese Proverb

Acolytes
Begining in 2nd grade students have the opportunity to participate in the worship service by serving as an Acolyte. Acolytes carry the light into worship and out into the world. Training sessions are held periodically throughout the year.

 

Our Mission: People of God learning to follow Jesus, inviting others to join the journey..”

 
Copyright © 2009 United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd