Central Lutheran Church and Kid's Central Preschool

   
    Central Lutheran Office
     925 North Forest St
     Bellingham, WA 98225
     Phone: 360-734-7180
     Fax: 360-734-0788
     office@centrallutheran.net

     Office Hours
     Monday -Friday
     8:00am-2:00pm
     Also By Appointment
    
     Emergency Telephone
     Cell: 360-319-9001

     President:
     Wendy Galasso/Julie Goodman

     Organist/Choir Director:
     Carol Reppun

     CLCW:
     Connie Fry

     Kid's Central Preschool:
     Laurie Bunnell
     Tessa Smith

     office@centrallutheran.net

     Bishop:
     Shelley Bryan Wee:
     1-206-783-9292

     Nursery: 360-734-7180

     

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Service Descriptions | Children at Church | Music | Sermons | Videos


Children at Church and ABC's for Parents and Other Adults

Children at Church
When little children come to church, adults sometimes wonder why! Actually, bringing children into the sanctuary is something like letting them eat at the dinner table. Even though their manners are far from elegant, it's done in the hope that, given time, they'll begin to feel a part of the family.

Children giggle, they poke, and they swing their legs simply because they're children. But they also sing, pray and give with us. So this page is written to suggest that we adults should accept - even value - the children's restlessness during worship, trusting that they are also learning:
  • That it's important to come to this place each Sunday
  • That they belong to this special company of people
  • That the sights and sounds and feels of the sanctuary are good, though not always understandable
  • That something is expected of them in this place, and that they may respond in song, in prayer and in offering
Bringing a child to church can be a real exercise in aggravation. But then again, so are many other facets of parenting, and the rewards are well worth the effort. While we do not want our children to be disluptive or bamper the . church's worship, we must remember that baptized children are members of the church. Children should be among the worshiping people. They may not participate in just the same way adults do, but they are growing in understanding and learning to take their places in the church family.

Young children in worship may have bad moments, but it is their birthright as Christians to worship. Our satisfaction comes in later years when we see them stand in the midst of the church with a faith of their own.


ABC's for Parents and Other Adults
  1. Arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Make sure your children can see. Let them sit on the aisle or the front pew.
  2. Bring something soft and quiet for little ones to hold or look at: soft toys, crayons and paper, books.
  3. Call a "practice session" at home. The Hymn of Praise, the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and many hymns can be practices to help children see that they are an important part of the worshiping community.
  4. Decide on a cue to let children know to settle down.
  5. Express joy at having children worship with you. Send an occasional smile in their direction.
  6. Free yourself of anxieties. Relax!
  7. Give prayers and thanks to God for a child's presence.
  8. Help parents of small children by showing your appreciation and your support of our community's children.
  9. Invite parents to sit with you so that you may assist with bottles, dropped toys, and teaching kids how to worship. Often the presence of another adult alerts a child to worshipful behavior.
Respectfully yours,
The Parish Ed Committee

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