heavenly sunshine
Kid-Friendly Sunday School and Church Service
next up: April 21 at 5:30 PM (worship)
[…] Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
Matthew 19:14
Heavenly Sunshine is a 30-minute (or less) service, aimed primarily at preschoolers and early elementary age children. We open with a greeting and launch into songs like “Our God is so Great” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. After a few songs, we have a Bible story, which may be a book, a selection from a children’s Bible, a puppet show, or acting out a Bible story. Then on to more songs and then prayers, closing the service with a rousing “Aaaaaa-men”!
This service gives parents a place where they know it’s okay if their kids cry, touch things, ask questions or blow raspberries. Our primary focus is that God loves us, no matter what we do and no matter what happens to us. It’s that message that the parents respond to most positively; because (in reality) that’s the message they need to hear as well. Occasionally, they need it more than their kids.
Some of the attendees have their own congregations and some have Heavenly Sunshine as their only congregation. LCOH sees Heavenly Sunshine as an outreach ministry that creates a space for kids and how they worship.
Some Stats:
Matthew 19:14
Heavenly Sunshine is a 30-minute (or less) service, aimed primarily at preschoolers and early elementary age children. We open with a greeting and launch into songs like “Our God is so Great” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. After a few songs, we have a Bible story, which may be a book, a selection from a children’s Bible, a puppet show, or acting out a Bible story. Then on to more songs and then prayers, closing the service with a rousing “Aaaaaa-men”!
This service gives parents a place where they know it’s okay if their kids cry, touch things, ask questions or blow raspberries. Our primary focus is that God loves us, no matter what we do and no matter what happens to us. It’s that message that the parents respond to most positively; because (in reality) that’s the message they need to hear as well. Occasionally, they need it more than their kids.
Some of the attendees have their own congregations and some have Heavenly Sunshine as their only congregation. LCOH sees Heavenly Sunshine as an outreach ministry that creates a space for kids and how they worship.
Some Stats:
- Length: Service is 30 minutes or less and is completely oriented to children
- Special events: “Christmas preparation” (read: Advent), Easter Service and Egg Hunt, Summer BBQ
- Average attendance (2017): 20
- Music: Singing with guitar or minimal piano accompaniment
- Best part? Kids running to get into church for the service so they won’t miss anything. And calling out verses of songs they love!