Worship, in may ways, is like a family meal. Individuals in a family can, and sometimes do, eat separately. However, there is a deeper enjoyment in a meal when we share it with other members of the family. Likewise, we worship independently at times, and we may worship spontaneously at any place. But if we never worship as a church family, with all of the family together, then we miss the depth of love between the members that grows in corporate worship. There is evidence that people who did not worship as children feel a lack of belonging as they become adults. However, people who grew up feeling a part of the total family of God in worship cultivate a love for God in corporate worship that binds them forever to the gathered Christian community. It isn't easy growing up in any family. The church family is no exception. But with some effort on the part of the children, parents and members of the congregation, we will find that it was worth all the effort.

A guide for parents and congregation

Parents: Visit the sanctuary with your children when it is empty. Examine and talk about the pulpit and Bible, organ, choir area, communion table and baptism font. Handle everything in the pew rack and explain its purpose.

Before worship: Come early to worship to get settled. if possible, seat children with parent(s) between them.

Sit in the first five rows near the center. Children feel more involved in worship when they can see.

Introduce your children to people sitting nearby.

Go over the order of worship to identify what will be happening. Find and mark the hymns and scripture readings.

Talk with you children about what people or events might need our prayers and might be included in the Prayers of the People.

Allow children to write their own names on the Who's Who In Worship pad.

On occasion, offer to "swap kids" with another family for worship. They may behave better and enjoy cultivating new friendships.

During worship: If a children's page is provided, please hold it until a time when they need an activity, such as during a lengthy sermon. Do not allow them to work on the page when they should be participating in singing, prayer or Scripture reading.

Share the hymnal and Bible with your child at his or her eye level. Line out the words with your finger for younger readers and even non-readers who can pick out repetitive words.

Whenever children are invited to come forward, feel free to accompany young or unsure children.

Children who have been baptized may receive the Lord's Supper after having been instructed by their parents. The Session provides resources for instruction in the sacrament.

During the Prayers of the People, encourage your child to share a prayer request or pray aloud if he or she chooses.

Allow children to participate in the offering by sharing their financial resources. Allow them to fill out a pledge card and receive their own box of giving envelopes if they so desire.

Children learn "worship etiquette" by participation. Help them learn by doing.

After worship: Invite children to participate in the coffee hour. Have them help you make new friends, especially with visitors.

Talk about worship at home during the week: "That's like something that was said in the sermon last week. Do you remember the story the minister told?"

Make an action plan based on something you learned in worship. "The Bible tells us to pray for one another that we may be healed, so let's go to our neighbor's and pray for her."

Congregation: Remember the commitment we made as a congregation at the baptism of the children in our midst. In baptism, the whole congregation promises to love, encourage and support them, to share the good news of the gospel with them, and to help them know and follow Christ.

As you enter and leave worship, greet children as well as parents. Learn their names and call them by name.

Hand the offering plate to children, not over their heads. They have something to give, too.

Be sure that each child has a printed order of worship of his or her own, not just a children's page. They want to follow along.

When children are leading in worship, such as by singing or speaking, respond to them as worship leaders, not as performers.

Invite a child with whom you are acquainted to sit with you during worship on occasion.

Children often have a better sense of awe and mystery than adults. Learn from their worship.

Have patience with the learning process. We are all children of God.