 Children
in Worship
“Worship the LORD in the splendor
of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.”
Psalm 96:9
It is important that children experience worship. Just as adults
gain knowledge, sing hymns and praise the Lord, children learn
from these experiences as well. The best way for children
to learn how to worship is to be in worship!
To help facilitate children’s learning and
to assist them in the experience of worshiping God,
a number of resources
are provided.
 Children’s Worship Folders: Blue folders containing materials designed to help children
participate more fully in the worship service are located
in the back of the Sanctuary and Great Hall. Each folder contains a young reader’s bulletin (for the traditional services), two worksheets that relate to the day’s scripture or sermon topic and a booklet with the color and season of the church year plus a catechism question and picture. Clipped to the front of each folder is a take-home Think-About-It card that can be used as a family discussion starter.
Children's Time: During the 8:30 and 11:15 a.m. services all children are invited to come to the front for a talk with the minister. After the Children's Time, children in the 8:30 service may return to their seats. Children in the 11:15 services may go to Children's Church (if in 4-year Pre-K through 1st grade) or return to their seats.
 Children’s Church: Children’s
Church is offered at the 11:15 a.m. worship services for children in 4-year Pre-K through 1st grade. Children worship with their parents until Children's Time.
After Children's Time, children in 4-year Pre-K through 1st grade go with the Children's Church leaders to the
Children's Church room (#104) for the remainder of the hour. Parents meet their children in room 104 following the conclusion of the worship service.
On Communion Sundays, typically the first Sunday of each month, all children remain in the service so that they may experience the Lord's Supper with their church family. There is no Children's Church on Communion Sundays.
Children’s Church
is led by volunteers from the congregation who serve on a rotating basis.
How to Worship : Learning to worship in a corporate setting is a process. This two-part class is designed to equip children and their parents with tools that will enable that process. All children in first grade and up are invited to attend with a parent or other adult who worships with them. The first session explores
the parts of the worship service and the worship experience and the second session explains
the two sacraments that are celebrated in the Presbyterian Church:
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These classes are offered on two consecutive Sundays in September.
Children’s Music: Grade
level choirs provide an opportunity for children to sing music
appropriate for their age group. They are taught important
skills that allow them to take an active part
in worship on Sunday mornings. These choirs rehearse on Wednesday afternoons and sing in worship one Sunday a month.
Children & Communion: When
can my child take Communion? This is a question parents ponder as their children reach the developmental age that allows them to sit through a worship service and request participation in the Lord's Supper. This age varies depending on the child. Readiness to receive the Lord's Supper varies also, and is determined by parents after considering a number of questions.
The Book of Order of the PC(USA) states
that “invitation to the Lord’s Supper is extended
to all who have been baptized ...Baptized children who are
being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation
to the Table and the meaning of their response are invited
to receive the Lord’s Supper, recognizing that their
understanding of participation will vary according to their
maturity”. (W-2.4011)
So the questions to be answered are these:
1. Has my child been Baptized?
2. Have I taught my child what Communion is about or has my
child been to a sacraments class?
3. Do I feel my child understands on his or her own level
what it means to take Communion?
Affirmative answers to these questions indicate that the child
is ready and is welcome to receive the Lord’s Supper. To assist parents in this determination, Family Ministry offers How to Worship classes each year. Materials for individual instruction can be borrowed from the Christian Education Resource Room (#109).
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