Children and Worship

Our Children and Worship program was established in 2001 and is for children in grades pre-kindergarten through 5th Grade. Children meet in regular classes on Sunday morning. This program continues to be one of the most effective ways of nurturing children’s faith and preparing them for worship with the whole congregation. Children and Worship is a cooperative ministry of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC), and The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC). Based on the Montessori approach to education, Children and Worship uses hands-on materials to help children engage Bible stories with a sense of joy. Leaders tell Bible stories and present liturgies using wooden figures and backdrops in a way that draws the children to experience worship rather than merely learn about it. For instance, each Sunday, after the presentation of a Sacred Story, there is a period of “wondering,” then comes a time for personal response when the children may work with art materials. Artwork enables the children to express understanding, and work through critical issues they cannot nor do not wish to express verbally. Sometimes, they resolve personal problems through their art. Artwork may be a means of talking with God, a form of prayer. The children may experience healing and wholeness. Some are expressions of praise and love. Some follow the invitation to come and see Jesus. Some children make theological connections with other stories. The purpose of the Children and Worship program created by the late Dr. Sonya Stewart of Western Theological Seminary is that they meet God, love and respond to God, and experience what it means to hear Scripture as a remembrance, a way of reliving and abiding in the presence of God.