I walk into a place of meeting and pass a classroom where children are
assembled. "Children¹s church" has begun. A bulletin article reads, "It was
proposed that we see if there is an interest in having a OChildren¹s
Church¹S" It seems to be a common thing nowadays.
The Bible has nothing to say about "Children¹s Church." Inherent in the
title is its own deficiency. The Lord created his church, and that should be
sufficient. That the church met together in one assembly is not questioned
(1 Cor. 11:20; 14:23). There is no divine authority for a "Children¹s
Church," and a dozen reasons cannot alter God¹s pattern for his church.
Arguments for having "Children¹s Church" are usually based on the needs
of the child. It is believed that a child does not get much out of "regular
worship." It is proposed, therefore, that worship be adapted to the child¹s
own age level and interest. Also, getting the kids out of the auditorium
makes for quieter worship.
"Children¹s Church" is another way of breaking up the family. One of the
blessings of the worship assembly is the family unity that it entails. The
inside article, written by Lester Kamp, is excellent in that it counsels
parents in ways to assist children in getting more out of worship. When the
entire church can come together to worship God as he directs there will be
meaning and growth for everyone ­ from the babies to the oldest!

CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
Lester Kamp

One of our main goals in life is to help our children and other young
people to become Christians who are faithful to God¹s Word and active in His
kingdom, the church. We want to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). We want them to know the joy of knowing,
serving and worshiping the Lord. Our children should be taught why we
worship, how we worship, and how to make our worship most effective. Here
are a few ideas that will help us train our children to be good worshipers.
1. Set a good example. Children need to see you worship and the joy it
brings to your life. You need to come to the worship assemblies regularly
with an attitude of joy and anticipation ­ not with a sense of drudgery or
obligation. You need to sing, bow in prayer, listen intently to the sermon,
give joyfully, and partake of the Lord Supper meditatively. Children will
follow your example, so set the right kind.
2. Prepare the child. Before Sunday, talk to your child about how to act in
the assembly. Tell the child why we pray, sing, give, partake of the Lord¹s
Supper weekly, and listen to a sermon. As you would in preparing him for
school, make sure the child gets enough rest the night before to be awake
and alert on Sunday.
3. Involve the child. When singing, help him locate the page of the song.
With your finger on his book, point to the word as we sing. Encourage your
child to sing even though he may not always sing the right words. When the
sermon is delivered, help the child locate the Scriptures cited and/or
encourage him to write them down. This impresses upon the child the
importance of paying attention. It also stresses that worship is active and
not passive.
4. Avoid disturbances. Make sure that your child has gone to the restroom
and for a drink of water before the worship service begins. Traffic in and
out of the auditorium during worship is both unnecessary (with but few
exceptions) and disruptive to the worship of many.
5. Sit up toward the front. Don¹t follow the natural tendency to sit in the
back so that your child does not disturb others. Think positively. Sit close
to the front so that your child can see and hear what is happening. You¹ll
be amazed at how much better he will behave when you sit toward the front,
and how much more meaningful worship will be to you too.
6. Follow through. Reinforce your child¹s learning by discussing various
aspects of the worship period afterwards.
7. Be patient. Children will not act like adults, but with patience and
love, they can be taught to love God and worship Him from the heart.
This process will take time, but it will be time well spent. The time to
begin is now, regardless of how young your child is.

OUR RECORD MAY 26, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 189
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 161
P.M. WORSHIP 134
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 142

CONTRIBUTION 5254
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
June 2, 2002

Eddie Black Richard Butler
Alan Caudle Johnny Boyd
Ray Bryan Henry Brooks
Phil DePriest Wally Davis

Evening Bill Boyd
Cliff Boyd
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

June 5 Bill Posey
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USHERS FOR JUNE

Morning Ray Bryan
Evening Greg King
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GREETERS FOR JUNE

Doyce & Lana Tarkington
Audrey Oliver
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

June Harold Pigue
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VOLUME 39 NUMBER 21 May 28, 2002

OUR SICK

Eleanor White is in Room 906 of Baptist Hospital.
Junior Stracener was in the hospital last week. He is now back at home.
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SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to Hazel Mahan on the loss of her sister, Bernice
Kemp. The funeral was Saturday in Wynn.
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THANK YOU

The family of Bernice Kemp acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind
expression of sympathy. The flowers were beautiful. Thank You. Hazel Mahan.
*********************************
NEW GRANDBABY

Ken & Glenda Bittle have a new granddaughter, Savannah Marie Reid, was born
May 20th, weight 7 lbs. 8 oz. Her parents are Jason & Shannon Reid.
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THANK YOU TEAMS!

I wish to thank all who were a part of our visitation program for the last
four months. The visits and contacts you have made have and will make a
difference. We will re-organize in July for the August-November period. I
hope you will work with us again. *********************************

SERMONS FOR JUNE 2

Morning
Why I Am A Member Of The Church Of Christ (1 Timothy 3:15)
Evening
The Second Mile (Matthew 5:38-48)
Scott Perry will be preaching for both services while Dennis is away in a
Gospel Meeting.
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SEARCH
Week of June 2
CHRIST THE KING
"Premillennialism" is a big word and difficult to pronounce. We don¹t hear
it much, but we hear a lot of its doctrine being preached. It is a belief
that Jesus Christ is coming again to establish a kingdom and reign on the
earth as King for 1,000 years. We shall see that Jesus Christ is now King
over His kingdom. He is now "King of kings and Lord of lords."

EVENTS OF INTEREST

June 2..............First Sunday Singing
June 16-22.......Sardis Lake Christian Camp in Mississippi
June 23-26.......Vacation Bible School
June 30.............Fifth Sunday Potluck

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