Children in Worship

When children come to worship, adults sometimes wonder why!  Actually, bringing children into the Worship Center is something like letting them eat at the dinner table.  Even though their manners are far from elegant, it’s  done in the hope that, given time, they will begin to feel a part of the family.

Children giggle, they poke, and they swing their legs simply because they are children.  But they also sing, pray and give with us.  So this page is written to suggest that we adults should accept  - even value—the children’s restlessness during worship, trusting that they are also learning:

• that it’s important to come to this place each week,
• that they belong to this special company of people
• that the sights and sounds and feels of the Worship Center are good, though not always understandable,
• that something is expected of them in this place, and that they may respond in song, in prayer and in offering.

Bringing a child to worship can be a real exercise in aggravation.  But then again, so are many other facets of parenting, and the rewards are well worth the effort.  While we do not want our children to be disruptive or hamper the congregation’s worship, we must remember that baptized children are members of the church.  Children should be among the worshiping people.  They may not participate in the same way adults do, but they are growing in understanding and learning to take their places in the church family.

Children in worship may have bad moments, but it is their birthright as Christians to worship.  Our satisfaction comes in later years when we see them stand in the midst of the church with a faith of their own.

Activities During Worship

• Activity Bags

  Worship Activity Bags are located on the pillars in Luther Commons. These bags include books, crayons, paper and other "quiet" items for your children to use during worship.

• Children's Choir

  Kindergarten through 6th grade children are invited to participate in the Children's Choir. The choir rehearses on Sunday morning from 9:20 to 10:00 a.m. in the Choir Room. If attending the 9:00 a.m. Worship Service, choir participants are dismissed following the Children's Message to attend rehearsal.

Family Room & Nursery

The Family Room in the rear of the Worship Center is available during worship. Feel free to use this room when your child needs some room to move and you want to participate in worship.  The Nursery is located at the north end of Luther Commons and is available during Worship for infants through preschool children.

ABC's For Parents & Other Adults

ARRIVE in time to find a good place to sit.  Make sure your child can see.  Let them sit on the aisle or in the front pew.

BRING something soft and quiet for little ones to hold or look at: soft toys, crayons and paper, books, etc.  Or use a RLC Rainbow Bag containing soft items and worship-related activities.  They are located in the Commons on the south post.

CALL a “practice session” at home.  Many parts of the worship service, such as The Lord’s Prayer and the Creed, as well as many hymns can be practiced at home to help children see that they are an important part of the worshipping community.

DECIDE on a clue to let children know to settle down.

EXPRESS joy at having children worship with you.  Send an ocassional smile in their direction.  When greeting fellow worshipppers, greet children as well.

FREE yourself of anxiety.  Relax!

GIVE prayers and thanks to God for a child’s presence.

HELP parents of small children by showing your appreciation and your support of our community’s children.

INVITE parents to sit with you so that you may assist with bottles, dropped toys and teaching kids how to worship.

* All of the pictures were drawn by preschool Cornerstone participants.