Children of all ages are encouraged to participate in the worship service, whether that’s for the whole service, a couple of songs, or participating in Children’s Worship (for Kindergarten through 3rd grade).
WHAT IS CHILDREN’S WORSHIP?
Children’s Worship is an optional time designed for children aged Kindergarten–3rd grade that takes place in a separate room from the corporate worship service during the sermon through the closing benediction.
Children will begin in the service with their parents and be released before the sermon for a chance to continue in worship in a service designed especially for them. In Children’s Worship, we will learn about the different elements of worship, sing songs, and have a pastor come and deliver a short sermon on the same passage as the main service.
GOALS OF CHILDREN’S WORSHIP
- Give children the opportunity to both participate in the corporate worship service with their families and engage in a service designed especially for them.
- Prepare children to fully participate in corporate worship by helping them understand the different elements of worship — what they are and why we do them.
- Most importantly, we want to raise up a generation of true worshippers! We want to help our children grow in their relationship with the Lord and their desire to worship him.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD PARENTs/GUARDIANS KNOW?
- If your child is already in the habit of sitting through the entire worship service, we encourage them to continue to do so.
- Prior to heading into the Sunday worship service with their child, parents should check their K–3rd grader into Children’s Worship via our secure check-in system.
- During our worship services, we sing a Song of Preparation before the sermon; at this time, children will be invited to join the Children’s Ministry leader who will take them to their Children’s Worship classroom. If a child does not already have a check-in nametag, their parent/guardian must walk out with their child and check him/her in at a nearby station.
- After the service, parents will head to the Children’s Worship classroom (Room 12) to pick up their child(ren). Any children who are staying for the Discipleship Hour may remain; after Children’s Worship, leaders will walk all remaining children who have been checked into the Discipleship Hour to their class.
HAVE Additional Questions?
Contact Mary Palekas ([email protected]), Director of Children’s Ministry.
We’re praying for all ages to participate in the 10:15am Discipleship Hour — through serving or learning. Stay tuned for details on teaching and other service opportunities.
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (ACE), Trainings, Workshops
In addition to ACE classes, we plan to offer trainings and workshops during the Discipleship Hour.
This fall, four ACE classes will be offered:
- Gospel DNA: Grace Changes Everything (with Joe Palekas)
- Worship: Engaging with the Living God — What is Worship, Why it Matters, and How We Practice It (with Jeff Vogan)
- How to Read the Psalms (with Bill Fullilove)
- Questions on Parenting (with Chris & Kristine McPeek)
Read full class descriptions.
Youth Ministries (7th–12th GradeRs)
We’re partnering with parents to see the gospel transform teens, equipping 7th–12th graders to know what it means to follow Jesus in an ever-evolving cultural context.
During the Discipleship Hour, we’ll worship and study Scripture as teens learn about living with a Christian worldview.
Contact Director of Youth Ministries, Jake Jenkins ([email protected]), for more info.
Children’s Ministry (K–6th GradeRs)
Ages 2–6th grade is a formative time for kids: they’re developing critical thinking skills and establishing the knowledge that will guide their faith and their spiritual lives for years to come.
During Discipleship Hour classes, through age-appropriate study, activities, and community gatherings, we help your children not just gain knowledge, but experience gospel grace and build friendships as a foundation for their young lives.
Contact Director of Children’s Ministry, Mary Palekas ([email protected]), for more info.
NURsery (Birth–Pre-K)
Your young children will experience Jesus’ love in a safe and engaging environment. Through age-appropriate activities, stories, and songs, children learn that God loves them and that his grace has the power to change everything.
Yes, nursery-aged children (ages birth–Pre-K) can remain in the nursery for both a worship service and the Discipleship Hour.
If a parent/guardian is participating in…
- The 8:45am worship service and the 10:15am Discipleship Hour, they may check in their birth–Pre-K child to the nursery beginning at 8:30am and pick up after their 10:15am class has ended.
- The 10:15am Discipleship Hour and the 11:15am worship service, they may check in their birth–Pre-K child to the nursery beginning at 10am and pick up after the 11:15am worship service has ended.
Yes! If a parent is participating in both the 8:45am worship service and the 10:15am Discipleship Hour, be sure to check in your child (ages K–3rd Grade) for both Children’s Worship and their 10:15am Discipleship Hour Class.
After Children’s Worship, leaders will check name tags to confirm the children who are staying for the 10:15am Discipleship Hour and will walk your child to their class. Parents are also welcome to pick up their child from Children’s Worship, reunite for a time, and then bring their K–3rd grader to their Discipleship Hour class.
We recognize that there are families with various circumstances, such as a family with a special needs child or a single parent facing the demands of parenting without a partner.
Please reach out to any of our Children’s Ministry or Youth Ministries staff to let us know how we as a church body can come alongside you to offer support as your family worships together.