Children's Time

Every Sunday in the service of worship a few moments are set aside as "children's time." Not that other times are not for children, but in these minutes the activity is specifically tailored to children. Usually I am the leader. This last Sunday Nancy McConnell was the leader, and I was able to snap a few photos.

Nancy talked about Jim Strathdee, who is a church musician with whom she sang in Southern California. She pointed out how Jim sets scripture to music, as in "The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me," (Luke 4:18-19), "Create in Me a Clean Heart," (Psalm 51) and the "Lord's Prayer." She mentioned "Glory to God," and "The Spirit in Me," which we often sing in our gathering music. In each of these instances she included a few chords on the guitar and sang a few words. The children's time concluded with the children gathering around and singing "I am the Light of the World," a song Jim wrote that is included in our New Century Hymnal. Nancy's conclusion was "You know your are getting older when your friends have songs included in the denominational hymnal!" The kids in the above photo are leading the congregation in song.

There is more going on here as well. Many of the children are wearing red because it was "Wear Red for Women's Heart Health" Sunday.

One boy, Dylan Lerch, has his Cub Scout uniform on because it was also Scout Sunday. Dylan and I are working on his "God and Me" badge for scouts. Last week we talked about Matthew 19:13-15 where Jesus tells the disciples "Let the little children come to me..." We then walked around the church and made a list of evidence that our church tries to follow Jesus' teaching and welcome children. Here is the list Dylan and I made together.
1. Children's time.
2. Children's choir (Dylan is a good singer.)
3. Sunday School.
4. Children's Church.
5. A low table with small chairs and coloring books in the fellowship hall.
6. Videos for children.
7. A child sized restroom.
8. Toys.
9. Children's books.
10. Bags with children's activities for church.
11. Pictures of Jesus with children on the wall.

Our Sunday School Superintendent, Ed Johnson, has been really instrumental in helping us find concrete ways to let children know that they are welcome. He keeps us doing new things. Children's time is one of the key ways that we try to follow Jesus' teaching to welcome children in our congregation.