A Guide For Parents And Friends To Incorporate Children In Worship
	Worship is God-centered praise and adoration. Children learn to worship by worshiping with the congregation Sunday by Sunday. They learn: They belong to Christ and are welcome in Christ’s church. To experience music as an expression of praise and a response to God. To participate in the children’s message, sing in the choir and, during special times of the year, lead the congregation in worship. By hearing stories from the Bible and what they mean. To experience a time of conversation with God through corporate and private prayer. To witness and participate in the sacraments. To discover they are valued as persons by God and by God’s people.
	As we worship together, here are a few suggestions that perhaps can make worship a positive experience for both you and your child: Be a role model. Children “do” what they “see” Full participation shows your child that you place importance on the whole service of worship. Use the bulletin, for children who can read, to help them follow along and become familiar with words that are not in their everyday vocabulary. Using the bulletin, prepare for worship by looking up the hymns and scriptures. Children’s Activity Bulletins are Available from an usher at each service. Point along in the hymns, prayers and scriptures as they are sung or read. Pew Packs of children’s activities are available in the back of the sanctuary. Ask an usher for assistance. All children are invited to come and participate in the children’s message. If your child is unsure about coming forward, please feel free to accompany them. A nursery is available for infants and toddlers. A trained staff supervises the nursery. An usher can assist you in locating the nursery. Use your family worship experience as an opportunity for further discussion about God and the church and to answer any questions your child may have.
		Bringing children to worship may not always be easy, but is an essential part of their Christian growth along with education.
			“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.” ~ Mark 10:14