We are delighted to have your children in our worship services!

We believe that children are important to our church family.  We find that they contribute their unique perspective while they are learning from the worshipping community.  When children enter Kindergarten, they are expected to attend the worship service.  We are eager for children to feel "at home" in the worship service.  The following suggestions may be useful to help maximize their understanding and enjoyment of the service as we invite them to participate in their own way.

Prepare your child for the worship experience by speaking of attending the worship service as a special event. 

• This is a wonderful opportunity for you to have a family experience at church.  Jesus said to His disciples..."unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heave."  Matthew 18:3-4.  Experiencing worship from the perspective of a child can help us recapture the wonder and mystery of being in the presence of God.

Sit together as a family, especially when the child is young.

• Children learn much about worship as they watch you and other adults participating.  Try to choose a seat near the front or in a location where their vision is not blocked.  Children cannot and will not sit perfectly still in the service.  A certain amount of wiggling is expected and appropriate. 

Encourage children to stand and sit with the congregation.

• Children tend to want to sit during the first part of the service when others are standing up periodically.  Then when the congregation is seated for the sermon, they are ready to "stretch their legs."  The elements in the first part of the service are often the ones that are more active.  Children need to be guided in how they can participate.

First Baptist provides a children's bulletin and worship bag for each child.  Assist your child in using it to participate in the service.

• Your child may find it helpful in guiding their thinking and their participation.  Quiet activities are provided that relate to worship.  These bags are for your children to keep or they may be recycled by leaving them on the pew.

Help your child know how he or she can best join in prayer.

• It is difficult for young children to close their eyes and concentrate for a long prayer.  Discuss ahead of time how they can keep quiet and focused on think-talking with God.  Suggest prayer activities such as mentally listing friends they want to pray for, things they are thankful for, and things they are anxious about. 

Help your child find the Scripture passages in his or her Bible.

• Beginning readers have a lot of interest in finding passages and recognizing words.  Encourage them to find as well as listen for familiar Bible names or verses.

Help your child understand about the offering.

• The offering fascinates children, but they do not understand why it is given or where it goes.  Take some time to discuss these issues with your child.  Give him or her money to put in the plate.  This act helps them to learn that the offering is an act of worship too.

Before and after the service, talk with your child about the invitation time.

• Explain why people respond by going to the pastor and why this is an important time of the worship service.

Discuss the service after you go home.

• In a casual way, share which parts of the service were most meaningful to you.  Ask the child what they found most interesting.  Answer their questions about parts of the worship service that they found confusing.

We hope you and your child will have a positive worship experience.  Remember that we are here to help you in any way we can.