Family Worship Sunday is taking place on September 3rd. On this special Sunday, the kids in our church family will stay with us through the entire worship gathering. We recognize this is outside of our normal rhythms, and it will be asking more of our parents. We wouldn’t ask something of our families without believing that we are also stepping into an opportunity!

WHY?

As a church, we value doing life together as a family — this idea of family extends outside of the home and into our larger community. Because we value the whole family, we celebrate what our kids bring! We value their lightheartedness, curiosity, pure faith, energy, and voice. Kids have an ability to put a smile on any face. We see the way that Jesus valued children and invited them in…telling us to emulate their faith. The abundance of children in our church family is a gift for all of us!

We also have an opportunity to share with our kids that God is teaching and leading us in worship. Our rhythms of worship, teaching, communion, and response time have purpose and make space for God to move and speak amongst us. Family Worship Sunday gives us the opportunity to communally equip each other in discipling our kids — inviting them in as we collectively follow Jesus and share in community.

WHAT?

We will have “quiet activities” available for our kids at the check in table at the back of the worship gathering space. Please feel free to pack any of your kids’ favorite quiet activities, too!

We will have an open play space with toys in the vestibule behind the check in table (where the elementary kids typically gather) where you and your children can move around without worrying about disturbing anyone! Our worship gathering will be available via livestream. We are excited about this being an opportunity for parents to meet each other if you have a “walker and talker”!

HOW?

We encourage kids that have Bibles and notebooks to bring them and follow along with the teaching time, so they can take notes and engage in response time.

Often for kids, rhythms are caught more than taught, so as much as possible — lean in just as you do every Sunday! Join us in prayer that the Holy Spirit will stir their hearts to know Him more.

During communion, use this time to have open discussion with your kids about what it means for you to follow Jesus! Share with them the ways he has brought you new life because of his death and resurrection. We do this each week as a reminder of the great gift he has given us, and in return we offer him our hearts. Invite them to share any ways that God is speaking to their hearts and allow them to pray as you circle up together.

QUESTIONS?

Feel free to reach out to our Ethos Kids team if you have questions about this upcoming Sunday. We are excited for the opportunities to worship, learn, and pray together — we hope you’ll join us as we pray for the Holy Spirit to begin preparing our kids’ hearts and minds for Family Worship Sunday.