Sunday Mornings
Before Worship
Church School for All Ages
Church School classes meet every Sunday morning during the school year at 10:00 a.m. and end at 11:00, in time for parents to take their children into the sanctuary. We provide classes for pre-school through high school students. The classes are taught by volunteers from the congregation, often parents themselves. Church School provides an opportunity for our children to learn about the Bible and our faith through study and discussion about the Bible -- and to have fun doing it! Professionally prepared curricula are used in younger classes to introduce the children to some of the most familiar and best-loved Bible stories. The older students read the Bible and may use other materials prepared or suggested by their teachers. Skits and plays are frequently used as a teaching tool for our children of all ages.
In addition to informal performances by the children for each other during the year, we also have opportunities for the children and youth to use their musical and dramatic talents in the Children's Choir, the Christmas Pageant, Youth Sunday, Church School Recognition Sunday, and by participating as liturgists atthe 11:00 a.m. service.
Professional nursery care is available during Church School and the worship hour.
During Worship
Children and Worship - Ages Three through Seven Year Olds
Young children need a special place where they can meet and worship God. Immediately following the Children's Message every Sunday, our three to seven year old boys and girls retire to a special quiet place called the Worship Center.
Here we introduce the children to the wonder of worship in new and exciting ways. We experience God using all our senses as we see a new story, draw the story, talk about the story, worship God, and have a feast. Just as our parents do downstairs, we assemble in God's name, proclaim God's Word, give thanks to God, and go in God's name.
God Squad - Second through Fifth Grade
Older children also need a special environment where they can meet and worship God and sing God's praises. Immediately following the Children's Message, our second through fifth grade girls and boys enthusiastically zoom up to their Worship Center to worship God and study God's Holy Word. Our weekly worship includes singing God's praise, a Bible reading and Bible Story, a review of the Bible lesson, responding through drama, art appreciation, or arts and crafts, prayer time, and a visit to the Upper Room to celebrate our feast. Just as our parents do in the sanctuary, we assemble in God's name, we hear God's Holy Word, we respond to God's Word, we give thanks to God, and we go in God's Name.
Young Disciples in Worship - Sixth through Eighth Grade
Our Middle School young men and women have an opportunity to serve as interns in the nursery and in the two Worship Centers twice a month. They may signup when they arrive at the church each Sunday, on a first come, first served basis, and are invited to stay in worship on the Sundays they do not volunteer.
Acolytes
Two Acolytes are needed to light our sanctuary candles at the start of worship and to extinguish them at the end of worship each Sunday morning from the beginning of September through the end of June. All children ages six and older are welcome to participate in our Sunday morning worship as Acolytes. Serving as Acolytes teaches our children many values that words cannot. Through this rite of passage at West End Collegiate Church our children learn leadership, ritual, service, and most important, reverence. Most of our children need little or no encouragement to participate in this worship opportunity. On the morning of her sixth birthday, one of our little girls woke up and exclaimed at breakfast, "You can call the church now Mommy. I'm ready to acolyte."
*Nursery is provided during church school and worship for infants through two year olds
