Children in Worship
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, as Jesus did, we welcome children of all ages as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity which accompany them! There are a number of spaces and activities designed for children to experience and participate in worship according to their needs; we trust families to work out the best option(s) for them and their child(ren) on any given day.
We also understand that it takes a village to raise a child. A few tips for engaging our families with small children include:
Greeting/learning the names of the young children who sit near you in worship.
Offering to read or color with one child during worship, especially if another child in the family is especially fussy or upset.
Helping preschoolers and elementary-aged kids to navigate the liturgy, locate the hymns, etc. (Children learn to worship by participating!)
Inviting kids to serve alongside you in worship, as greeters, ushers, etc.
Recognizing that certain conditions or disabilities don’t present physically, and some children (and adults) may make noises or act in ways that seem strange or upsetting, but are perfectly normal for their situation.
Celebrating that God put the wriggle in children, and that children’s “mode of being” in worship is intrinsically more vocal and more physical than that of adults.
Spaces for Families
The Nursery is staffed during all worship services and most church programming. The nursery is staffed by a trained and experienced nursery attendant, and is recommended for children ages 0-4. Parents must sign in their children and pick them up immediately after worship or programming. Parents must remain in the church building when utilizing the nursery.
The Manger is a play space for children ages 0-5, near the front the sanctuary, with pew seating for parents, enabling the whole family to have a quality worship experience. Books, soft toys, and coloring materials are provided. We ask parents not to use their own toys from home or provide snacks to their children while playing in the Manger. Parents must stay in the Manger with their children and monitor their behavior and interactions.
The Library Lounge is a comfortable seating area off the library near the entrance of the church where families can bring their children to calm down when necessary. While the sounds that children make are most welcome in the Sanctuary, we recognize that concerns about disturbing others can hinder parents’ ability to focus on worship. The sound from the sanctuary is piped in to keep up your worship practice.
Breastfeeding Resources: You are absolutely welcome to feed your baby wherever you feel comfortable. If the sanctuary is not a comfortable place for you to feed your baby during worship, we recommend the Library Lounge. If you would appreciate further privacy, the restroom off the north side of the sanctuary has a comfortable seating area, along with a changing station and resource area.
By having education (LIGHT, NightLIGHT, TorchLIGHT, and Confirmation) outside normal worship times, we are encouraging the full participation of children and youth in worship services. We recommend engaging them in the worship as soon as they are able. Children’s Worship Tools are located on a cart in the narthex as you enter the sanctuary. These items can help children engage in worship at their level. Please feel free to bring them to your pews with you and return them when done.