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.
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