Consider scheduling nothing at the time of the worship service except nurture for children too young to be in the service. If children leave after a children's sermon, make sure they are given other opportunities to experience the different parts of the worship service. Children's Sermons Whether to offer children's sermons is a sticky question. And it should not be an object lesson with a moral point. It is sacred space for children.
Many people are sadly empty of Biblical stories.
The children's time can simply tell the stories, fill up the reservoir, which will form the basis for theological reflection as adults. Parts of the service can be explained in a way that will also help adult worshipers who didn't grow up in church. Erin S. Cox-Holmes is the associate for congregational ministries and Web master for the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas.