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At Calvary we are intergenerational. Children are always welcome in worship. The first sunday of the month we celebrate the Lord's Supper together as a whole church family and the children (kindergarten and older) stay in worship.
On other Sunday's of the month there is Church School. The children come to worship and after the Children's message we sing a blessing for them and they go off to Church School. Pre-School Church School: B10 downstairs from the main floor Kindergarten-6th grade: upstairs in the Church School classrooms. Older youth are invited to stay in worship. For more information contact our Coordinator of Christian Life Formation, Becca Moran Becca.CPC-at-gmail.com 626-799-7148 x13
___________ Child Care for infants through 2 years will now meet in Preschool room 10 rather than the Rainbow Room. More space for more kids! Susan Wilson, our child care provider will greet you and your young ones. _______ A note from our Coordinator of Christian Life Formation Sunday’s Are Worth the Effort “Come downstairs and eat breakfast with your sister while I finish getting ready,” said her mom. Sliding down more slug like than childlike, one stair at a time, making a big thump at each step, dragging her feet to the kitchen table to eat some French toast. Mom came downstairs as she took her first bite, “are you guys finished eating yet?” said mom. The girls looked up at her smiling having barely touched their food. Mom sighed; they were going to be late for church again.
Johnny had been awake since six simultaneously watching cartoons, running back and forth between mom and dad’s room and his, and eating a bowl full of cheerios. Dad had laid out a little version of his own outfit for him and said for about the twelfth time “put your clothes on, it’s almost time to leave for church.” Johnny placated his dad by putting on his socks.
Is it easy to bring children to church on Sunday? No. Does your family have a routine or tradition to help get your children ready on Sunday morning? Not really. Does it make any difference in your child’s faith if you do? Yes!
It is just as important to establish a routine on Sunday morning for worship as it is to have a routine for school or work every day. It is just as important to establish traditions at home that reinforce a child’s faith. It isn’t easy to get your children to church on Sunday mornings, it isn’t easy to keep their focus during the worship service, and it isn’t easy to have a prayer or light a candle before dinner. But every effort that strengthens your child’s worship is worth it.
In home traditions, you can make home more like church and hold your faith as a high priority. In weekly church services, children can feel as if they are a part of the whole church with us. Little by little, tradition by tradition we can create a deep, powerful connection to our faith for the entire family. It is worth the effort!
How can you prepare for Sunday in your home? Here are some ideas: – On Saturday night, lay out your clothes, plan what you will have for breakfast, and talk about what time you will all be ready to go. – Keep up with what will happen the next Sunday at church and share excitement to learn something new. Ask your child’s church school teacher for what lesson they are learning about or ask Rex or Becca what next weeks scripture passage will be. – One night a week (at least) plan a special meal with special bread and maybe light a candle with some significance. – At a meal time try out different types of prayers. Singing, sharing a thanks story of the day, a memorized prayer, or taking turns praying each night. – On Sunday read a favorite Bible Story, parable, or the church school lesson. Talk about what you remember and think of questions.
Some things you try just might become part of your favorite family traditions, others might not work out. So try something new for each week this month. It will be interesting to find out what your family likes best.
Blessings,
Becca Moran Coordinator of Christian Life Formation _______
Some Books for your enrichment : Castleman, Robbie and Ruth Bell Graham. Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship. (2002) Boling, Ruth. A Children's Guide to Worship. (1997) |
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