Wednesday, October 27, 1999
Wednesday, October 27, 1999 |
| Precious
gems By
JUDY KILGORE Most of you are aware that I attend a very small Methodist church in Sharpsburg. A small church is my choice...not everybody's...some folks like big churches, but I prefer the closeness of a small church family. And, I suppose, because it is a small, older church in the community, the membership in our church is predominantly older folks. When I first started attending nearly 5 years ago, the absence of young children was very noticeable. But, last Sunday, as I was sitting there on the front row (I have to sit there so I can go back and forth to the organ) during the children's sermon, it dawned on me how many more children we had now than we had back then. I also realized that I was looking at the future of Cokes Chapel. We have a wonderful group of kids at our church and it is commendable that their parents are creating in them the habit of going to church every Sunday. That is important. I was raised that way too. It was just what you did on Sundays—you went to Sunday school and church. No ifs, ands or buts about it. In church, you learned to sit still for an hour and behave—also, no ifs, ands or buts. Even though we now have “children's church” during the bulk of the Sunday service, I think we all will agree it's important to teach children about worship. Margaret Rogers, who writes for the newsletter of the McDonough Road Baptist Church, passed along a piece which is worth our attention. It's called “Children and Worship.” Margaret writes: “Recently this article concerning children and worship crossed my desk and I thought I would pass it along to you. Our children need to understand worship. Family members can teach their children about worship by helping them form good habits. Allow your child to see your family participating in worship. Here are some ways to help: 1. Introduce the child to the pastor and others who lead in worship. 2. Let children overhear you speaking positively about worship. 3. Insure that a child's physical needs are met prior to the worship service...getting a drink of water, going to the restroom, etc. 4. Include the child in prayer times at home about the church worship services. 5. Sit together as a family in worship. Choose a place where your child can see well what is going on. 6. Help your child follow along in the hymnal as songs are sung. 7. Let your child “catch' you bowing your head in prayer. 8. Assist your child in following as Scripture is read. Hold the child's finger as you follow Bible verses as they are read. 9. Help your child understand the “offering.” Talk about what the money is actually used for...salaries, equipment, activities, sending people to teach about Jesus... 10. Talk about what people talk to the pastor about during the invitation. 11. Encourage your child to stand when others stand, sit when others do, sing when others sing, etc. 12. Answer questions that your child has about different parts of the service, including baptism and the Lord's Supper. Keep your answers simple. Never attach an age to being able to participate in the Lord's Supper or baptism (Ed. note: this, of course, is subject to denominational tradition and practice.). I hope these are helpful. Try them together this Sunday.” Thank you Margaret, for those helpful suggestions. And thank you all for sending your newsletters and bulletins each week. I have a stack of “gems” just waiting to be used. Remember, if I am not receiving your church bulletin and/or newsletter (and there are plenty of you who are not sending them), I invite you to submit them to The Citizen, P.O. Box 1325, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Or, you may send me things electronically...my e-mail address is JodieK444@aol.com. Until next week, keep the faith.... Bible verse for the week... “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven..” Matthew 19:14
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