You want to skip and they want to go.

So, you just want to sleep in. Linger over a cup of coffee.  Take the day. Get some things done. Maybe go to the park or beach early in the morning and commune with the Lord via nature verses sanctuary. Sounds almost blissful in your mind and you have your heart set on this day of treasures. Then, you let your child(ren) know about the plan. They on the other hand are not so excited, but quite angry and upset that they won't be going to church this morning. What do you do?

Well, the norm of reaction would try to use your rational with your children. This usually doesn't work and most often backfires because you have opened the box of "fun things to do" and your list will become the last on the list.

Next, you try to bribe them. We can go into this, but you know this isn't the best approach in your heart.

Then, you realize that your kids are right. Going to church, hearing the lesson and celebrating the risen Lord indeed is the best choice for the morning. Now you are 30-45 minutes behind schedule and just have to wing-it. GO YOU!!!! The peace and joy that fills your heart after you drop the tot in the nursery, hand over yet another pencil to your child in the pew, and the first prayer is said simmers those tensions. God is good!

Breathe in and out. Take the time for the Sabbath that you were thinking about earlier this morning. Meditate on how God has used your kids to support you and encourage you on your faith journey. The Spirit is never without some clever ways to move us nor love up on us.

Lissa

Preparing for Communion Sunday

In the Presbyterian church children are invited to participate in communion when they are being taught about communion.  This happens in different ways in different churches.  Some churches will have a workshop or class for the kids.  Some churches will hand out a booklet.  Some churches incorporate the information into worship.  Either and all of these are excellent ways to prepare your child for communion!  But what if none of those are available?

Our five year old is now sitting in "big church" and not yet old enough for the worship workshop.  So, we have three years between what she is ready to learn and what is offered at this time.  This is not a problem for the church, but an opportunity for us as parents!  A pretty cool opportunity.

Here is what we have done.  Feel free to add/amend per your faith tradition and experiences!
-Prayed for our time together as a family and for her faith development.
-Read the scriptures
   *Matthew 26:26-29
   *Luke 22:14-20
   *1 Corinthians 11:23-26
-Talk about the scriptures with your child.  What are some things they notice?  What are some question they have questions about?
-Talk through the communion aspect of worship...a play-by-play of what will happen.  Keep this simple and maybe even let your children role play.
-If possible, arrive to church early and let your child walk up to the table and see the elements.  Let them ask questions.
-Be open to questions and comments during worship.  They will be more apt to ask the really big stuff if you give them permission. 
-Take coloring/drawing materials into worship with you.  Invite your child to draw the elements as they see them.  Older children may be able to create a story board of the bible story or the process from the morning.
-Mark on your family calendars when communion will be served.

Another element we have added to Macie's experience is helping to prepare the elements for worship.  My husband and Macie go to the church together to set-up the communion trays and the table.  This has been an awesome experience for both of them.

This is an exciting time in your child's life!  Being part of communion is being an active part of worship.  There is a lot of responsibility on our part as the parents, but think about the confidence the experience builds in our kids.  They are welcome to the table of their Lord and Savior.  They are an important member of the church family.  This is the Gospel in action!

Proverbs 22:6 reads, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  It speaks to our responsibility as parents and as the church.  Yes, it is great when the church offers the classes and workshops, but we as the parents don't want to miss out on the fun and moment.  Be confident in yourself as your show your child the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.  As you model your faith, they will watch and learn.  You can do this.

So, my prayers this week are for all of the parents reading this blog and preparing themselves to prepare their children.  My prayer is that as we "train our children in the way they should go" we find ourselves being joy-filled by the opportunity.