Children's Chapel - Learning the Joys of Worship

Beth Carlton

Have you ever wondered how parents of young children can attend Sunday morning service, yet still have quiet during worship? This because some of our littlest parishioners are at Children's Chapel, learning to worship in a way that is interactive, fun, and that prepares them to better understand and appreciate 'Big Church' when they get just a bit older.

During the school year, Children's Chapel is held during our 9 a.m. Sunday service for ages 2 - 5. This year it's continuing during the summer season at 10 a.m., both to keep Church engaging for these children, and because the music and lesson leaders enjoy it so much.

So what happens during this special hour each week? Parents drop off children at the playground prior to service, and interested children can sign up for jobs such as acolyte, crucifer, and Bible carrier. With a bit of help from adults and older children (youth saints), the crucifer leads the way to our lovely Chapel, with organ music providing an ambiance for worship. (In inclement weather, children congregate in the campus center, and the procession stays inside the building.)

Just like in 'Big Church,' the opening is followed by a lesson, but here the congregation gathers on the floor next to a small altar. They listen to and enjoy pictures from a Bible story or spiritually thematic children's book read by one of five leaders: Susan Beatty, Beth Carlton, Janine Edmundson, Mary Kent Hill, and Lisa Walter.

Music is an important part of worship, so each child at Chapel is a member of the choir! Led by organists Greg Bell and Jean Leuchtenberg, the children learn seasonally appropriate songs. Hand signs that accompany many of them allow even the littlest choir members to add joy to the moment.

Once children return to their circle, there is a time for both structured and creative prayer. They say the Lord's Prayer and pass the peace, and then each child has an opportunity to mention something special going on in their lives. (This is when we learn about pets, favorite toys, birthdays, and vacations!) The leader creates Prayers of the People based on these charming suggestions.

The Closing provides a final parallel with 'Big Church.' Acolytes extinguish the candles, and the crucifer leads the children back to the playground accompanied by organ music. Parents may pick up children either from the Chapel in time for Communion or back at the playground after the service. From drop-off to the carefully-monitored pick-up, the safety of our children is in the loving hands of Joy Gattis.

Would you like more information? Just drop by the playground before or after the 10 a.m. service and ask Joy for a pamphlet. Or better yet, join us one Sunday for Children's Chapel. You might just find that the simple Christian lessons and songs of childhood are as uplifting and relevant as ever!