 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 Dear Pastor,
 My family is interested in attending one of your services. However, we have a 18 month old son. I was wondering if your church has a nursery available while my husband and I attend the service. If so, what do I need to do in order to sign him up for the nursery service and how much is it?
Thank you,
A New Parent
Dear Parent,
I'm pleased you asked and you will be pleased to know that it doesn't cost anything and to sign him up is just a matter of completing the sign-in sheet as you leave him in the nursery. If you aren't sure where it is, you find it on the building map by CLICKING HERE.
It's located conveniently at the back of the Worship Center to enable parents, who need to stay in the nursery with an upset child, a chance to stay with their child and still see what's going on. There's also a closed circuit TV in there so you can see/hear what's going on.
You will feel at home here at Holy Cross. This is a very young congregation with lots of parents with children the age of your son. That means there's a little more noise during worship than you might hear in other churches, but it's also comforting to those who have children because nobody notices or minds when yours acts up.
We have lots of ministries to help young families in their walk with God, so I hope your experience is a positive one.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Also See the Article Below
Pastor Sattler
|
|
|
|
|
Our Worship as Lutherans
In the Pews
As I attended church with my two young daughters on our last vacation, this thought came to me. "It's not always easy to be in the pews on Sunday morning. What should we do when we find it a challenge to be in worship?"
- · Don't stop coming to church. We all feel frustrated from time to time, but withdrawing from the family is not the answer. Each of us has a place in God's house and in His family.
- · Think about where you sit. If you have a problem hearing or seeing the worship service, consider moving forward in the sanctuary. If you know your child may need to make several trips out during the service, select a seat that will allow movement with a minimum of fuss.
- · Don't be afraid to help. If you notice a situation where a parent could use another hand, offer yours. Parents often need more help in church than anywhere else. Remember to be respectful. Your offer of help should communicate that you want to help the parents and children get more out of worship, not get out of worship!
- · Don't be afraid to be helped. We love our children and want others to think well of them too. For that reason we can become too sensitive to advice or help. When someone in your Christian family offers to help you they are not saying, "You're a bad father or mother," but, "I'm glad you're here and want you to enjoy your time in worship too!"
- · Think about others in worship. Adults talking during the service can be just as distracting as children. As a family, we need to be considerate and set a good example. Parents might lend a hand with other people's children, share a toy, a cracker, or some advice that helps their children in worship.
- · Remember, children need Christian fellowship too! If you are not regular in Sunday school attendance, your child still has a need for Christian fellowship. They need extra time following the services to speak, play with, and enjoy the company of other Christians their age.
- · Make wise worship time choices. If a toy makes enough noise that it would distract a telephone call, it's too loud for church. Bring quiet toys for play during the service. Also, encourage your congregation to become a "child-friendly place" by providing children's bulletins, coloring pages, and Bible storybooks for use during services. These provide some quiet activity and help us share God's love with our children.
- · Try practicing a "church voice" at home. One good way for us to help our children behave well in church is to talk about it before we come to worship. Try whispering at home and call it a "church voice" or practice saying "good morning" and shaking hands, so they will feel comfortable meeting adults. Be positive, describing what we ought to do in church, and explain how these things show our love for God and for others.
- · Be patient with yourself and others. Everyone has bad days, including our children. What better place to spend a bad day than in church? There is no better place for us to learn about love, understanding, and compassion.
May God bless your worship and strengthen you as a loved member of our Christian family!
Contributed by Rev. David Johnson, Zion Lutheran, Palmyra, MO
Distributed in CrossTalk (Jan.-Mar. 1998) by Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118
May be reproduced for local ministry only, provided these credit lines are included.
|
|
|
|
|
