Bringing your family to church to receive “the one thing needful” (Luke 10:42) in Word and Sacrament honors and pleases God.
“I hope people aren't just coming to hear me preach every week,” a pastor once remarked. “That’s a lot of pressure, and there’s a lot more involved in one hour of worship: rich messages in hymns and liturgy, the Psalm of the Day, the various scripture readings, someone might walk away simply filled by receiving the Lord’s Supper.”
It’s not always the sermon that speaks to me each Sunday in church. Sometimes it’s a Scripture reading, the Psalm, or a verse of a hymn that is especially enlightening, enriching, or inspiring. This is true especially for a mom who’s wrestled with young children, in and out of worship (at times, more out than in). On one such Sunday, my main takeaways were the beautiful gospel-rich children’s song and receiving the Lord’s Supper. And that’s everything! Through the simple means of a small wafer, a swallow of wine, and the Word, we receive Christ’s body and blood, and the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
If you are a parent like me who brings their children (at any and every age) to the Lord’s house, let this be an encouragement to you:
Bringing your family to church to receive “the one thing needful” (Luke 10:42) in Word and Sacrament honors and pleases God. It is good and right to worship God in reverent obedience and thanksgiving, and teach our children to do the same. However, our Father always welcomes sinners. My husband and I guide our children towards loving obedience and reverence for God, encouraging them to listen to the Word and participate in worship. But our large clan still succumbs to giggles, wiggles, cries, complaints, and on occasion, overly casual clothing. Not to mention the sins that cling to us that we bring in with us.
So, no matter how fancy or fashionably your kids (or you) are dressed. No matter how well they (or you) sit, stand, sing, pray, listen, or learn. No matter how many times you are in and out with a tiny tot. No matter how many Cheerios, crackers, or crayons crushed into the carpet or strewn on the pew which await your pickup at the end of the service. No matter how many complaints, such as “Do we have to get up early?” or “The service was so long,” or “I didn't like that hymn.” No matter how many times your family walks in late. No matter how many glances you get because your clan is wiggly or giggly (By the way, babies and children should be seen AND heard in church – their beautiful faces, voices, cries, and coos.) No matter how many times a little one (or big one) gets sleepy. No matter how well you comprehend or remember the Word you’ve heard or the Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs you’ve sung. No matter how many sins you bring in with you,
The most important thing is that you are there, in God’s house, where he has promised to be and where he has promised to give you and those with you his gifts.
Sinners and saints alike are there. The good news of the gospel is there. Water and the Word are there at the font. Christ's body and blood in the bread and wine are there at the table, “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28). For you. For me. For our children.
And our good and gracious Father is there, with open arms, smiling and gladly welcoming his dear children into his house. “He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor; our sins, they are many, his mercy is more. Praise the Lord!” (CW 579).
Lord, may my heart and life reflect the words of these Psalms:
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Ps. 122:1).
“One thing I ask from the Lord. This is what I seek: that I live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, and to seek him in his temple” (Ps. 27:4).
“Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells” (Ps. 26:8).
“Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Ps. 23:6).
Tiny Tot Tip: I remember as a child my mom handing me a quarter or a collection of coins to place in the offering plate and smiling as if to say, “For Jesus.” Little ones enjoy giving. Hand them money during the offering or let them bring coins in a purse or wallet. When they place their offering in the plate, whisper to them, “For Jesus.”
This article was written by Heather Schulz. Heather Schulz is married to the second love of her life, Daniel (her first love is Christ). Next, she carries close to her heart their nine children and three grandchildren. She is a writer and author of Spiritual Musings of a Simple Mother; God's Word and Quotes for Plain Folks (to be released in 2025-26). As a homemaker for 27+ years, she enjoys cooking, gardening, house renovations, most anything outdoors, laughing, listening at Jesus' feet, and anything involving food, fun, faith, fellowship, and family.
.jpg?width=36&height=36&name=staff_Headshots-(2%20of%2013).jpg){kind=small}
.webp?width=36&height=36&name=Russ%20(head%20shot).webp){kind=small}
| 
