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The most important thing a parent can teach a child is to worship. "Worship is the only thing we get to do forever," says Robbie Castleman, author of Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship - see the CCPC Bookshelf. But, WHY have children in worship? They aren't getting anything out of it, are they? They'll learn to worship God when they're teenagers, right? They'll be regular in attendance in worship when they are adults, won't they? Why bother with them now? Answers to these and other questions about children in worship can be found in the booklet, "Children In Worship? WHY For Heaven's Sake!" by CCPC member Mary Hodge. For additional ideas that can help, contact the Director of Children's Ministries.
FAMILY
WORSHIP "The
congregation through worship incubates faith." Our worship of the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - is primary. Recognizing the importance of worship, we encourage all persons, in Grade 1 and above, to participate regularly in a Service of Worship. Child care and/or Sunday Morning JAM is provided for children in Kindergarten and younger on Sunday mornings beginning at 8:00 am. Children learn to worship by worshiping with the community of faith. Worship is a corporate act of adoration, praise, and thankfulness. It is central to faith development. In fact, noted educator John H. Westerhoff maintains that "to cease worshiping is to lose faith." We encourage families to worship together because of the centrality of worship and its importance to faith development; because the Gospel is for everyone; and because we count baptized children as part of the body of Christ. To assist parents in teaching their children to experience meaningful worship, we provides the following worship opportunities:
For preschoolers, we recommend regular attendance in Sunday Morning JAM and, for children who are four years old by September 1, we encourage their participation in Choir. Other opportunities for learning and service are provided throughout the year, including Advent, Lent and Easter. Students in Grades 1 - 12 can serve on the Christian Education (CE) Stewardship Council. This group determines where the Sunday CE offering is invested in mission. Persons of all ages can participate in our Mission Committee's "Mission In Motion" day of service and in Operation Christmas Child, "the shoe box ministry" of Samaritan's Purse. Kids in 4th and 5th grades have a special fellowship for their age group: CROSSROADS! They meet Sunday evenings following choir rehearsal. So, there are lots of "Plus" opportunities, but remember that nothing substitutes for corporate Worship! Make Worship number 1!
Our church requires that a parent receive instruction before presenting a child for baptism. Please call the Pastor’s assistant at 972-238-8103 to schedule this instruction and a baptism date. Baptisms can usually be scheduled for any Sunday when Communion is not being served. Communion Baptized children are welcome at the Lord’s Table at CCPC whenever their parents believe they are ready. Education about Communion is provided through Sunday Morning JAM in grades one and two. For more information, contact the Director of Children’s Ministries at 972-238-8103. |
Worship is primary and central
to growing as a Christian. It's like planting the seed. However,
for the seed to grow, more is needed, such as water, food, and
sunlight. Thus, to grow a healthy disciple of Christ, Children's
Ministries recommends, as a starting point, "Worship Plus
2". Worship as a family with your elementary school children
and then involve them in two other activities: One to grow in
their faith (that is, "To Know Christ") and one to help
someone else ("To Make Christ Known"). The two activities
could be Sunday Morning JAM and Choir.
