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 [email protected] .

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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