Like most churches, the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church endeavors to help families with children feel at home. With vacation Bible school already a summer success, children’s programming leaders are searching for more ways children can participate in worship and grow their experience with God.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, author, songwriter and singer Jennifer Jill Schwirzer presented a musical program dedicated to children and families. After seeing Schwirzer’s presentation at the NAD teacher’s convention in Nashville the previous summer, church member Jill Richards invited her to Healdsburg.

With kids sitting center-aisle on blankets, Schwirzer told stories and emphasized her points with her kid-friendly compositions. Schwirzer used piano, guitar and taped accompaniment as she sang, often involving the kids by encouraging them to sing with her into the microphone.

The weekend after Schwirzer’s musical program, Healdsburg’s children’s church kicked off its first Sabbath program on Nov. 11.

The kid-centered service was the brainchild of Richards, a co-leader in the kindergarten class and mother of two young daughters. It was Richards’ own interest in seeing more multi-generational participation in church that encouraged her to start the quarterly children’s program. “I know what a struggle it is to have young children in church,” said Richards. “I felt the children's church program would support families, especially families new to our congregation, if they could focus on the service and their children were worshiping in an age-appropriate program.”

With both new and traditional songs, the congregation of kids and parents warmed up for a morning of fun and learning. After introducing each child through song, the program followed the basic outline of an adult service, with time for a Scripture reading, announcements and prayer.

Kimberly Baumbach thrilled the children with a story likening popcorn kernels in a hot air popper to kids bursting with excitement over the love of Jesus. Each child received a bag of popcorn to take home as a reminder to share the good news.

The final activity was a drama presentation by Redwood Academy’s Michelangelo Players. After their sketch, the group teamed with the children to create skits portraying something for which they were thankful.

The goal of children’s church is to introduce children to Jesus by highlighting, in simpler terms, different parts of the regular church service and how those activities relate to a personal relationship with God. Richards and other leaders hope kids will develop a better appreciation for weekly church services and, by participating, will understand how active worship supports an active relationship with Jesus.

“Worship is a verb,” said Richards. “It is an action, and I do not believe it is only a privilege of adults.”