Sunday School
Children in preschool through 6th grade are invited to join us for Sunday School classes each week during the regular school year, beginning at 9:15 am in the junior chapel, on the lower level of the building. Sunday School ends at 10:15 am, in time for 10:30 am worship. Each week begins with singing, announcements, and birthday celebrations, and then we divide up into age groups to enjoy a rotation-style curriculum, spending four weeks on a particular theme with four different lessons/Bible stories.
Children in Worship
Adults sometimes wonder why people bring little children to church. Actually, bringing children into the sanctuary is something like letting them eat at the dinner table. Even though their manners are far from elegant, it is done in the hope that, given time, they’ll begin to feel they are part of the family. Children giggle, they wiggle, and they swing their legs simply because they are children. But they also sing, pray, and worship with us. And so, we welcome children into the worship space, and there are a couple of special things we do to let the kids know that they are welcomed, valued, and accepted just the way they are:
Worship Bags
When you enter the narthex of the church, you will see a small tree stand with cloth bags hanging from it. These are for the kids! Inside, they will find a book, some paper and a fun pen, maybe a fidget toy, and a couple of pieces of candy. We also have whiteboards and dry-erase markers available. Please feel free to take whatever you’d like. We just ask that everything gets returned to the basket next to that tree stand after worship.
Word for the Children
As part of worship each week, children of all ages are invited to come to the front of the sanctuary, gather on the floor, and engage in a brief children’s sermon about the scripture that morning. This is a time for kids to ask and answer questions and to come to understand the Bible in ways that are accessible to them.
Nursery and Childcare
We love having kids in church with us and are not at all bothered by wiggling, giggling, and even some crying. Children belong to God and, while they may not participate in worship in the same ways adults do, they are growing in understanding and learning to take their places in the church family.
If, however, you have little ones with you who need a break (or if YOU need a break), we do provide childcare for children ages one through five in our toddler room, following the Word for the Children each week. If you need directions to that room, simply ask someone seated nearby. The room is staffed each week by two adults who have been through a background screening and who are ready to provide your child with a safe place to play and grow. When worship is over, you can make your way down to pick your child up again before heading to a time of fellowship in the parlors.
Children’s Vocal Ensemble
This choral experience for elementary children (typically in 2nd through 6th grade) challenges the growing musician through singing and music reading. Choristers sing in worship a few times each year. The Children’s Vocal Ensemble rehearses after church in the children’s chapel for about a half hour during seasons when the group is active. Parents with interested children should contact Brian Ward for more details.
VBS
It wouldn’t be summer at North Park Covenant Church without a week of Vacation Bible School! Children in preschool through 5th grade are invited to join us in this once-a-year week of learning, singing, silliness, and fun! Kids entering 6th grade and older and adults are always welcome and needed as volunteers! Vacation Bible School 2024 will be held June 10-14 from 9 am to noon. Registration will open in early May.
We hope you will join us!
Reach out to Pastor Libby with Children’s Ministry questions.
