Each Sunday, Pastor Bob Martin invites the children of Valencia United Methodist Church up to the altar to hear a message created especially for them.

"It's just a time to be able to witness the children one-on-one on their level," said Martin, one of various local pastors striving to engage the congregation's youngest members in the weekly worship service.

"The sooner we build good habits and they get to know Christ, the more involved they'll be."

During the regular Sunday morning service, Martin takes several minutes to deliver a message to about six children from 18 months old to about 12 years.

"Instead of trying to preach over their heads and be theological, we just keep it real," Martin said. "Even if it's simplified for the smaller kids, a 12-year-old can relate to that."

Martin uses an everyday item the children are already familiar with, like an extension cord, and uses it to explain a new concept.

"Sometimes, our prayers are like extension cords because they connect us to God," Martin said, explaining a recent message. "For them to work, we have to be 'plugged in' and connected to God."

Martin uses the time to reach out to the children and make them feel like involved members of the congregation.

In the past, Martin also has coordinated an activity in which children took turns bringing in personal items. Martin would improvise a message based on the item.

Children have the chance to ask questions and offer their thoughts to Martin and the rest of the congregation, who are engaged in listening, Martin said.

"They're just waiting for the children to come up with something," he said. "You'd be surprised at how many people say, 'I never thought of things that way.'"

In addition to a children's message, Grace at Calvary Lutheran Church in Butler recently invited young people to lead the service itself.

Last weekend, members of the Sunday school class helped lead the worship service. About 14 children ranging in age from 4 to 16 participated.

One of the goals was to show the children the church service is for everyone, not just the adults, said Todd Garcia-Bish of Clearfield Township, who coordinated the service. Garcia-Bish also is a member of the music and worship committee.

Pastor Maren Alexis led the communion portion of the service, but other than that, Alexis said, the children ran the show.

"I hope it will lead them to be more willing to take an active role throughout the year, not just this one Sunday," he said. "We want kids to get more involved in weekly services overall."

The older children read lessons and prayers, ushered and performed with the praise band while the smaller children played the chimes or helped coordinate the offering, he said.

"It brings a closeness to the congregation to be able to interact with different generations," Garcia-Bish said. "I think that Grace at Calvary is blessed to have kids who are willing to participate in the life of the congregation. It is a sign of a church that is living and growing, and that's valuable for the community."

The youth of First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown also led a recent service.

The church's annual Youth Sunday is held the first Sunday in June to recognize graduates and other young people in the congregation, said youth director Jeremy Collins.

"Getting kids involved in worship is something that a lot of churches are looking to do more of," Collins said.

This year, about 30 youth group members in grades sixth to 12th put their personal stamp on the service, Collins said.

"They do everything in the service, including behind-the-scenes things like parking cars outside, the ushering, the reading," Collins said. "Basically, they take the place of all the deacons, elders and pastors, and run the service their way."

Students develop leadership skills and experience the service in a personal way by integrating their choice of drama and music, he added.

It's encouraging for parents and other church members to see the young people's commitment to their faith, Collins said.

"It's something that really brings a lot of glory to God," Collins said. "When you get to see them come together and work together and worship, it's something that's really beautiful."