"For when two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them."
~ Matthew 18:20
Second Saturdays
Once a month, we offer a short evening service designed especially for children, youth, and families. Sometimes it’s playful and creative, sometimes it’s reflective and reverent—but it’s always centered on helping the next generation engage with the Liturgy, which is how we receive and carry the Christian witness. These gatherings are part worship, part learning, and part community-building, creating a space where questions are welcome, movement is expected, and sacred things are explained with love and joy. Whether you're a longtime parishioner or brand new, you're warmly invited. Y’all come.
CHILDREN's SERMONS
Whenever there’s a good number of children in the pews, we make space for them in the preaching. That means shortening the adult sermon and offering a dedicated children’s homily, right in the middle of the service. We believe—both theologically and developmentally—that kids shouldn’t be whisked away during worship. They belong in the room. The liturgy is for them, too. We want children to feel seen, engaged, and invited into the sacred rhythms of our faith from the very beginning.
Children’s sermons at St. Paul’s cover a wide range of topics—from the basics of kindness and love to the importance of standing up for what’s right and treating others (and yourself) with dignity. Sometimes we talk about the Episcopal Church specifically—why we do what we do, or what certain prayers mean—and sometimes we explore the Bible through stories that spark curiosity and conversation. Other times, we just point to something in the room they may never have noticed before: a banner, a symbol, a piece of sacred furniture—and explain what it’s for. Whatever the topic, it’s always about helping kids connect the dots between God’s love and their real lives.
Children's
Prayers
For use with little ones
A Prayer for When I am Thankful: God, thank You for this day! Thank You for the birds and the animals, the flowers and the trees, the lakes and the streams, and the sun that rises and sets over them each day. Thank You for creating everything we see! Thank You for the life we live, and for making each person different. Thank You for Jesus, who died for us so that we can go to heaven one day just for believing in Him. What an amazing God You are! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for When I am Sad: God, I am sad. But You are good, and You are there. You listen to me when I cry. I can cry to You and tell You what is wrong. Even when I don’t know what to say, I can just pray, “Help me, God, I’m so sad.” You promise that whatever I am going through, You will be there. Thank You for always loving me, even when I am really sad. Thank You for this day, even though it’s not been the best day. Show me how to cheer up. Help me to be happy. Help me to see and remember all of the good things You have blessed my life with, and dry my tears. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for My Friend: God, Thank You for my friend. You tell us that it is not good to be alone, God, and bless us with family and friends all around us. Thank You for giving us people to talk to and laugh with. I pray for my friend today, that they have a good day and a blessed life. They are a blessing to me, God, when I need them the most. Just like Jesus is to me. Help me to be kind like Jesus. To be a good friend to others and spread His love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for Help: God, Sometimes I don’t feel like talking about what’s wrong. I just want to be mad or sad or frustrated. I would rather sit by myself. Sometimes, things feel too big for me to figure out. Sometimes, life seems really unfair. I need Your help, God. You are the only One who sees everything and knows everything. You are the only One who knows everything about me. Can You help me to trust You, today? Please teach me how to take what I feel and give it to You to sort out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for My Sister: God, Thank You for my sister. You tell us that no family is put together by accident. That the people in our lives are placed there by You. Thank You for making us sisters. Bless us to be friends like only sisters can be, all the days of our lives. Help me to be a good example for her, and to be there for her when she needs my support. Thank You for my sister, God. Bless her today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for My Brother: God, Thank You for my brother. The people in our lives are placed there by You. You love all of us like sons and daughters, more than we can understand! Thank You for my brother. He is a very special person in my life. Someone who is fun to be around, but also understands me. Our friendship is very special, and I look up to him very much. Please bless him, Lord. Bless my brother, and keep him safe, today and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for My Grandparents: God, Thank You for my grandparents. I love spending time them. They always make me feel special and are excited to see me. Please bless them to be healthy and strong. Protect them from harm and keep them happy and safe until I see them again. When I miss them, help me to remember all of the fun times we have when we are together. Thank You, God, for my grandparents. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for My School: God, please bless my school. Thank You for all of the teachers that work so hard to help us learn. Thank You for recess and lunchtime, when we get to play with our friends. Thank You for providing a place where we can learn more about the world You created for us to live in, and how it works. Please keep my school safe. Protect all of the grown-ups and kids that come to school every day. Protect us from harm, and help us to be kind to each other. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer for My Mom and Dad: God, Thank You for my Mom and Dad. They help me grow into the person You made me to be. Even though I don’t always listen, I love them every day… all of the time. Just like You love us. They teach me how to do things and help me with my homework. Help me to be obedient, even when they tell me to do something I don’t want to do. They work hard at their jobs for our family, and make me laugh. Bless them to know how much I love them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.