Children's Worship
FCC recognizes that children are spiritual beings who already have a relationship with God. To help children worship God and develop this relationship, FCC offers two worship experiences especially designed for children during our 10:30 a.m. worship service. These experiences are a Montessori-influenced and based on the book Young Children and Worship by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman. Children are invited to join their parents in the 10:30 a.m. worship service until the Children's Moment, after which children are escorted to Worship and Wonder or Following Jesus. Families may pick up their children in the Education Wing immediately after the adult worship service. Children are always welcome to remain in the worship service with their families.
Worship and Wonder
Location: Room C-1 in the Education Wing
Designed for children from 4 years old to 2nd grade, Worship and Wonder is a worship experience where children hear, see and experience the sacred stories and parables of God. While hearing the stories, they are experiencing God. They hear stories from both the Old and New Testaments in the Bible and experience the seasons of the church year.
This worship time is led by trained storytellers and greeters. Many of our youth have been trained and volunteer to help lead this worship experience. The stories are told by the storyteller using simple wooden figures while the children sit in a circle on the floor. The children not only learn the stories of God, but also have an opportunity to wonder about them. In their wondering time they create artwork, revisit stories of the past, or read the Bible passages about the stories. This worship experience also contains songs, an offering, and concludes with the "feast" (crackers and juice).
Following Jesus
Location: Room C-2 (Children's Library) in the Education Wing
Based on the book Following Jesus by Sonja Stewart, Following Jesus is a worship experience designed for children in the 3rd to 5th grades. It is similar in format to Worship and Wonder. The older children are taught New Testament Bible stories focusing on the life, teachings, and parables of Jesus. These stories deepen the children's understanding of Jesus and prepare them for Christian discipleship.
Children's Bulletins
Special bulletins for children are provided for use before departure to Worship and Wonder or Following Jesus or for the remainder of the worship service. These bulletins contain pictures and explanations about the worship service that help children participate more fully. The bulletins,available by the main door to the Sanctuary, contain activity pages and use clipboards with crayons, colored pencils, pencils and blank paper to encourage children to respond to the worship service. There are bulletins for ages 3–6 and ones for ages 7–12.
If you would like to learn more about the Children Worship and Wonder program, watch the video below or visit the Children Worship and Wonder Web page.