It's Sunday morning, about a minute before the church bell manufacturer rep comes by. There are some actions you can take with your children to help them stay in church, but not distract others. You may even be able to listen to a sermon or even sing a song if they are engaged for some minutes.

1. Bring quiet, soft books or toys which includes a biblical emphasis. Visit your local Christian bookstore, and you can see a few books that qualify. Only bring these books or toys to help church, so they are special.

2. If your church allows, bring a non-messy munch. No peanut butter together with jelly sandwiches, please. Think quiet and clean. You don't want to attract attention when your youngster slurps on her straw or spills dark grape juice to the church carpet.

3. Sit closer to the front. Many parents think that's just asking for trouble, but I have witnessed larger families sit right up inside first or second strip. They say sitting in front helps the child focus on worship, not all the other kids who are producing noise in back. Good point! Try it a couple of times and see how your young ones respond.

4. Get or make a church bag. This can be a small bag that ones preschooler can carry simply by himself. You fill that with things he enjoys, and he gets to create it to church every time. Make sure it has his name on it, and that you put surprises in it every other week. Some things you could include are a snack bag, a plain note pad for doodling, a food dyes book, crayons, pencil, restful toys, puppets, felt guides, etc.

5. Take her favorite blanket. Sometimes the kids are tired and can't get hold of comfortable. If they brought their blankies, their pacifiers, a common stuffed bear, maybe they would rest, and you could you should listen for awhile.
I was outside resting around a campfire any time the  six o'clock  bell rang at the Presbyterian Church down the street.     I wish it's real.     Don't get me wrong - it sounds terrific.     I love small concert every night at six.     Nevertheless it isn't real.     The sound emanates from a loudspeaker attached to the outside wall of the "bell tower" with the church.     Your bells in the  Methodist  Church  downtown are real.     I love hearing them toll while i am walking downtown.     To be honest with you, I'm not certain that I could explain to the difference between a real bell and a recording.     But knowing with certainty if it is real makes all the difference

I find that the bell recording serves as a metaphor for many issues with life these days.     Power fireplaces, synthesized instruments, and chat rooms -    all cheap imitations whenever you can't afford the real thing for one reason or even another.     A whole world full of margarine.     You get so useful to it that the taste of the real thing doesn't seem right anymore.