Worship
St. Andrew's Junior Choir sings their original composition for Palm Sunday 2018, directed by Ms. Emily Smith
A Video from our Virtual Earth Day 2020 Service, featuring the Children's "Helping Garden"
Children in Worship
Children are valued and nurtured at St. Andrew’s, and we have a commitment to help them learn to worship. We know that God put the wiggle in children, and we don’t expect to suppress it in God’s house. Worship provides an excellent opportunity for parents to be involved in the spiritual nurture of their children and to share with them their enthusiasm and happiness about being in church. We invite parents to sit near the front of the church where it’s easier for children to see and hear what is going on. We provide special activity bags for younger children to use during the service. These include a special weekly Gospel lesson page, crayons, and other hands-on quiet activities. There are books and stuffed animals for children to borrow during the service, as well. While parents are welcome to keep their babies and toddlers with them in worship, we also offer a well-staffed nursery during church and Sunday School hours. There is also a nursing station and changing table in the upstairs church balcony.
Children and Youth are encouraged to participate in the liturgy as acolytes each Sunday, and special trainings are held throughout the year.
"Worshiping Together" Sundays
During the school year, the entire parish family gathers for the 10:30 Eucharist on the second Sunday of the month. On "Worshiping Together" Sundays, children and youth lead worship as ushers, lectors, greeters, acolytes, musicians, money counters, and altar guild helpers. The Junior Choirs sing, and there is a children’s message included in the sermon.
Children’s Chapel
During the other three or four Sundays of each month, we invite Preschool through Second Grade children to attend Children’s Chapel during the first part of the service, the “Liturgy of the Word.” Chapel is designed to present the readings in a way that is meaningful for young children--with songs, prayers, and a story. At the Peace, the children all join their families in church for the Eucharist. From 10:25-10:40, our children’s choir director, Ms. Emily Smith, leads the children in Chapel with songs and music, preparing the children to sing occasionally in church.
Music
The Angel Choir, for our younger children in the nursery through Grade 3, meet during Children’s Chapel to learn special music for Second Sundays. Young people in grades 4-12, however, participate in a special Junior Choir rehearsal after church from noon until 12:40.
