About / covenant worship
Let the children
come to me.
"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14). At NCPC, covenant families worship together, children and adults, young and old.
Covenant worship means that we approach the Lord in worship not simply as individuals, but as members of the covenant community of faith, of which we believe children are to be included. Put simply, it is covenant families worshipping together.
Many of us grew up in an age-divided church, where children worshipped with children, youth with youth, and adults with adults. We do not believe the church is merely a place to have age-specific needs met. The church is the people of God standing before him to worship, learn, grow, heed his Word, and be equipped for service.
There is much good in becoming more multi-ethnic, because diversity glorifies God and pictures heavenly worship. There is also truth in becoming more multi-generational, because this too glorifies God. Covenant worship is often messy and hard, but we do it because we believe it is rooted in God's covenant promises in the Bible.
- Genesis 17:7
- "And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you."
- Acts 2:39
- "For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."
Parents, you have the primary responsibility to teach your children the most important thing in life, to worship God. The pastors and teachers are here to help, and here are some ways to prepare.
- 1
- Do not be a stumbling block. The greatest stumbling block for children in worship is parents who do not cherish worship. Children sense the difference between duty and delight, so the first job of a parent is to fall in love with the God we worship. You cannot impart what you do not possess.
- 2
- Prepare throughout the week, especially Saturday. Get Sunday clothes ready, say a prayer together, and make sure everyone gets a good night's sleep.
- 3
- Come early. Take your children to the bathroom beforehand. Give them a bulletin if they can read, and go over the different elements of worship, explaining unfamiliar words.
- 4
- Sit with your children. Whisper instruction during the service and encourage them to look, listen, and learn.
- 5
- Engage with the sermon. Help them look up the Scripture passage and fill in the blanks on the sermon notes.
- 6
- Pray with and for your children.
- 7
- Be patient, consistent, and persistent. Remember the goal is not for children to learn to be quiet during worship, but to learn to worship.
For children
Look, listen, and learn.
Children, we love you and welcome you to our Sunday worship, where our church gathers, children and adults together, to worship God. Worship is the most important thing we can do, and the main reason we were created, to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
Look up front to see what is going on, instead of talking or looking down. Listen to what people are singing and praying, and to the pastor's sermon as he explains what the Bible says. Learn how to sing songs that worship God, how to pray, and what God's Word means for your life.
We are so glad you are with us. Soon you will not just look, listen, and learn. You will sing, pray, and worship God together with us as God's people.