Children in
Church
Going to
religious services with children can be
intimidating, and parents may wonder at what
age children should be encouraged to stay
with their family for the worship service.
At St. Paul’s children participate in the
worship service by singing each Sunday in
the Children’s Choir (link here) serving as
Acolytes (link) and carrying the food pantry
alms basket forward during the offertory.
For Families Desiring
to Sit Together Through Worship
Here are a
few tips to help out:
-
Children who
are prepared for worship have a much more
positive experience! Participation is the key.
-
Visit the
restroom with your child before worship.
-
Choose a place
to sit where your child can see. (Upfront not
hiding in the back!)
-
Pick up a
worship activity pack in the narthex (this is
the area right before you enter the sanctuary).
(Children learn best when their hands are busy.
This can be used during the sermon time.)
-
Encourage your
child to stand and/or kneel during the
appropriate times.
-
Teach them to
use the Prayer Book, mark the pages before
hand.
-
Show your
child the music in the Hymnbook and sing forth
with praise and adoration. If they cannot read,
encourage them to hum the tunes.
-
A coin
offering teaches sharing, and alms giving to
the church. When the alms plate is passed, let
your child put money in and pass it on to the
next person. Set the example of giving by
always placing something in the alms plate
yourself. This demonstrates visually that as a
part of our faith we give to the church.
Offering has been noted to be a favorite part
of the service for children.
-
Younger
children can be picked up from the nursery
during the passing of the peace for Holy
Eucharist is desired.
-
Use the
worship time as a time when you can be close to
your child. Let them know how much you value
their worship experience.
Questions Children May
Have
Why do we…
-
…Praise
God? We are glad God created us! We are glad
God loves us!
-
…certain
postures for prayer? To help us focus our
thoughts on God and to show reverence toward
God.
-
…have spoken responses
like amen”? It is our way of adding “right on.”
To whatever has been said.
-
…what is Eucharist? A
Greek word for “Thanksgiving”, and refers to
the Lord’s table, or the Holy Communion.
Communion is a time of great joy and gladness
and sharing a meal together to celebrate
“Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.”
Therefore let us keep the feast!” This was the
attitude, which marked the early Christians’
gathering for this feast.
-
…why do we bow of kneel
on one knee (genuflecting) in the direction of
the altar? The idea at work in any gesture like
this is one of reverence, honor, or in the case
of God alone, of worship.
Congregation Members
Greet children during the
peace. Speak to them after service. Welcome them
warmly into church and understand they are
learners of the faith tradition and learning this
tradition happens only in church. Amen!
Acolytes
Acolytes are youth and
adults in grades four and older that join
together in small groups each week to assist in
worship. This has been a tradition of the church
and worship since 250 A.D. The word acolyte means
“follower” or “one who helps.” In this position
youth as well as adults are serving as a
companion or helper to assist the priest:
performing a number of important functions
before, during and at the close of liturgy,
whether it is a typical Sunday Eucharist,
marriage, baptism, funeral or other worship
service. Each August we host an Acolyte retreat
at a near by conference center. This retreat is
very important in learning about knowing your
work and how to do it well. It is also a very
important time for acolytes to become a community
serving in the church. This year’s retreat dates
are August 18 and 19th. For
information contact
Bob
Kissick |
