Primary Praise is an age-appropriate worship experience for young children from age 3 through second grade during the sermon portion of the Sunday morning worship service.
At Cornerstone, we believe that there are aspects of the worship service which may be difficult for young children to understand, such as the pastor's sermon. Parents may have to spend much of the time during the sermon explaining the pastor's words to their children. Having an age-appropriate time of worship for young children allows the parents to better focus on the presented sermon. Primary Praise children participate with their parents in all aspects of worship with the exception of the sermon.
In no way is the purpose of Primary Praise to serve as a nursery or a way to keep squirrelly children occupied while their parents listen to the sermon. Instead, Primary Praise is an opportunity for children to hear the truths of the gospel taught in their own age appropriate way rather than from a sermon geared to the level of adults.
During the time of Primary Praise, children are divided into two age groupings. One class is designated for Younger Children, or children who are 3 or 4 years old. The class for Older Children is for children who are 5 years old through second grade. The children are led by caring adults and helpers through material called “Children and Worship”, which consists of a cycle of stories from the Old and New Testament, correlating to the church year calendar, that demonstrate God's redemptive purposes for His people. A weekly update of what topics are being covered each week is printed in the bulletin along with a list of the teacher and helpers for each class.
Volunteers lead and instruct children in a structured, worshipful setting. The program is designed to enable children to use their senses to experience God through the Biblical stories, parables and worship. The story materials are created from basic materials such as wood, poster board, and felt. Children learn about their need for a perfect Savior, Jesus' love and obedience to God His Father, and Jesus' atoning death on their behalf. Primary Praise is designed to assist the child in knowing how to worship God with reverence and adoration in age-appropriate way. In this way, both parents are children are impacted with the gospel during the morning worship service.
Parents are requested to pick their children up from their Primary Praise rooms following the benediction at the conclusion of the service. Picking your children up in a timely manner means that teachers and helpers are not forced to wait after the service. If you are interested in assisting as a teacher or helper, please contact Primary Praise Coordinator Barb DeYoung or the church office.
