Children   are   welcome   and   encouraged   to   be   in   worship   at   Cedar   Heights   Community   Presbyterian   Church .

Bringing   children   into   the   sanctuary   is   something   like   letting   them   eat   at   the   dinner   table :   even   though   their   manners   can   be   far   from   elegant ,  it’s   done   in   the   hope   that   they   are   a   valued   and   important   part   of   the   family .

Children   giggle ,  poke ,  and   swing   their   legs ,  simply   because   they   are   children .   But   they   also   sing ,  pray   and   give   with   us .

So   this   pamphlet   is   written   to   suggest   that   we   adults   should   accept   –   even   value   –   a   child’s   restlessness   in   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   understood
•   that   something   is   expected   of   them   in   this   place ,  and   they   may   respond   in   song ,  in   prayer ,  and   in   offering .

We   are   pleased   to   offer   nursery   care   for   infants   and   toddlers ;  it   is   provided   at   the   end   of   the   hallway .  It   is   equipped   with   a   pager   system ,  so   our   nursery   care   attendants   can   get   a   hold   of   you   immediately .

Worship   activity   bags   are   located   on   the   wall   near   the   elevator .   These   bags   contain   colors ,  coloring   books ,  notepads ,  and   pencils .

Children   of   all   ages   are   more   than   welcome   to   be   in   worship .

Cedar   Heights   Community  Presbyterian   Church

The   Child   in   the   Pew

What   is   that   Child   Doing ?

“Whoever   welcomes   this   little   child   in   my   name   welcomes   me ; 

and   whoever   welcomes   me   welcomes   the   one   who   sent   me . ”

    Luke  9:48

ABC’s   For   Parents   and   Other  A dults

A rrive   in   time   to   find   a   good   place   to   sit .   Make   sure   children’s   physical   needs   are   met   before   worship   begins .

B ring   something   for   little   ones   to   hold   or   look   at   –   children’s   worship   bags   are   available   on   the   wall   near   the   elevator .

C ontribute   visibly   in   worship   by   singing ,  praying ,  making   an   offering ,  responding .   You   are   a   role   model   in   all   that   you   do .

D irect   children   to   locate   the   hymns   and   scripture   lessons   before   worship   begins .

E xhibit   joy   and   enthusiasm   in   your   own   worship .   The   children   will   notice .

F ind   ways   to   appreciate   families   and   children   with   whom   you   worship .

Consider   the   age   of   the   child   and   what   the   child   is   about :

Ages  3-5:     The   child   spends   much   time   climbing   off   and   on   the   pew ;  sticks   fingers   in   the   communion   cup   holders ;  may   wander   down   the   aisle   if   seated   at   the   end   of   the   pew ;  wants   his / her   own   bulletin ,  keeps   it   in   constant   motion ,  and   clings   to   it   tenaciously   if   a   parent   tries   to   take   it   away ;  writes   first   name   on   friendship   pad   in   BIG   letters ;  fits   toes   nicely   into   hymnbook   rack .

But   what   else   is   happening   at   the   same   time ?   This   child   can   be   assisted   with   finding   the   page   numbers   of   hymns   and   have   them   ready   for   singing ;  may   sing   along   with   everyone   else  ( maybe   using   his / her   own   words );  can   join   in   singing   the   Doxology   and   praying   the   Lord’s   Prayer .   This   child   wants   to   hold   the   offering   plate   as   it   goes   by ,  and   wants   to   add   to   its   contents ,  perhaps   sensing   that   worship   involves   giving .

Ages  6-7 :    These   children   generally   sit   in   place   unless   there   is   an   acceptable   reason   for   moving ,  the   best   one   being   a   dropped   bulletin   or   pencil .   As   it   flutters   to   the   floor ,  it   lands   well   under   the   pew   ahead ,  followed   by   a   small   body   which   wiggles   around   and   returns   grinning   triumphantly .   This   child   writes   her / his   whole   name ,  address ,  and   phone   number   on   the   friendship   pad ,  and   checks   every   box .   While   feet   are   closer   to   the   floor   at   this   age ,  the   hymnbook   rack   is   still   a   nice   footrest .

Stop   to   consider ,  though   –   this   child   can   do   some   new   things .   He / she   knows   when   to   sit   and   when   to   stand ;  can   bow   their   head   during   prayers ;  sings   some   of   the   words   to   familiar   hymns ,  after   locating   them   in   the   hymnbook  ( which   can   now   be   held   by   the   child );  is   excited   to   discover   readable   words   in   the   bulletin ;  and   is   beginning   to   apply   reading   skills   to   matters   of   faith .

Ages  8  and   up :    The   older   child   can   handle   the   bulletin   with   more   agility   –   in   fact ,  has   learned   to   fold   it   into   an   airplane ;  has   also   learned   not   to   sail   the   plane   over   the   heads   of   the   congregation ,  but   enjoys   threatening   to   do   so ;  swings   feet   back   and   forth ,  creating   a   discernible   rocking   sensation ,  often   hitting   legs   or   bumping   the   pew   ahead ;  pretends   to   take   money   out   of   the   offering   plate   instead   of   putting   it   in .

But   the  8- year - old   can   read   the   bulletin ,  find   the   scripture   lesson ,  and   follow   along   as   the   scripture   is   read .   This   child   also   knows   that   we   read   a   hymnbook   differently   from   other   books ,  and   follows   the   hymns   pretty   well   with   a   helping   finger .