Church on Saturday AND Sunday

Last week we decided to go to church on Saturday afternoon, something we haven't done since before the girls were born. With back to school coming soon, Mission is expecting an increase in Sunday morning attendance and doesn't want to turn anyone away. So we switched services.

We're going to church together as a family (something I always did growing up and love and think is so important--more on that in a second) on Saturday nights and the girls go to Sunday school on Sunday mornings. And while they're in Sunday school, Toben and I can volunteer during the busiest service of the weekend.

So this morning, Toben will be doing something with Guest Services--greeting, handing out programs, serving coffee or iced tea--and I'll be teaching third grade Sunday school. 

We're both so excited to volunteer at church. For the past three years in Denver, we've not volunteered at church at all. Our church there is HUGE, and there didn't seem to be as much of a need for us to pitch in. 

Instead, we put all of our volunteering efforts in at the girls' school. Between the two of us, we've led Bible study, taught at chapel, sat at the front desk, taught middle school writing, taught middle school knitting (that would be me--not Toben!), set up for events, cleaned up after events, helped plan events, coordinated meals, led the prayer group, and so on. 

Because we were always at the school, the girls loved being there. School was someplace Toben and I loved to be, and so it naturally became a place Audrey and Emma loved to be.

So...going to church together.

As a kid, my family always went to church together. Mom and Dad went to Sunday school when Kristen and I went, then we all sat in the service together. Yes, I was bored. I drew in the bulletin, swung my feet back and forth, was told to stop fidgeting. A lot. 

But at the same time, I learned. What I heard soaked in despite all the wiggling. Not all at once, but a childhood of sitting in church made a difference. And I know lots of hymns totally by heart--even the third or fourth verse that no one seems to ever sing.

There were rules. I was welcome to read--as long as I read the Bible. No outside books or toys were allowed. So I know the story of Esther and Ruth really well. I learned to take notes (I distinctly remember being fascinated by a three-point outline in the fifth grade) and to sit still.

So we've adopted similar guidelines for the girls. They bring their Bibles, they follow along, they can draw in the bulletin if they get really bored. But mostly they listen! We come home after church and have dinner and I'm amazed to hear what they learned in the service. What stood out to them. 

The biggest thing Audrey and Emma have said about sitting in the service is that it makes a difference to listen to a sermon from someone they know.

So here's my one piece of advice if you want to take your kids to service with you. Introduce them to the pastor, to the worship team. Oh, and sit up front so they can see. And a little hard candy goes a long way.

Comments

[Carrie]

Wanna trade? I would so appreciate sitting with your girls! I took our kids to my childhood church this morning. But with 2 year old twins and a 3 year old I felt like I had completed a marathon!

We are trying to get them to learn to quietly sit still through service. They are generally pretty quiet, but the sitting still thing is making me crazy (and out of breath). Thanks for reminding me why I am doing it now!

[The Cottage Comtesse @ River Rock Cottage]

Carrie, don't give up! They'll never learn if you aren't there. Learning to sit at church will also help them learn to sit other places as well. It teaches patience and self-control (fruits of the Spirit!). I remember when my girls were young, I often had moments where I thought 'what's the point? I can't even concentrate!'. But that time will pass quickly and you will be rewarded with children who can sit as 7 and 8 year olds.

Thanks, Joanne, for an encouraging post. I just found a book that you may be interested in called "Growing Up Christian" by Karl Graustein. I picked it up at the Women Discipling Women conference and gave it to my 16 year old. She didn't seem too excited at first. Later that evening she came running in and said, "Mom, that book is exactly what I've been looking for!". Did my heart good!

[Kimberly]

Twice in one day with the hard candy advice! My husband and I are working on getting my 4 year old boy to sit still during the worship service. I never thought about the hard candy. My parents never did that...thing were really tight and candy was never on the shopping list. I am going to get some live savers this week. Although one of by boys always chews up hard candy...kind of defeats the purpose.

[SierraMoon]

how I wish...
it hurts me to say it but ... we have the most awful church community here in our little town :(