Story Hour for Preschoolers  

Story Hour for Preschoolers


Story Hour began in 2006 when Debbie Hornberger, a retired kindergarten teacher, accepted the responsibility as librarian for the church’s library. She decided to use the library to introduce children to reading and a life-long adventure with books. She enlisted the assistance of another church member, Joan Keenen, and the Story Hour program was underway.

The basic concept for Story Hour is unchanged today, ten children at a time, ages three to five, gather monthly in the Book Nook at the church for sessions of reading, singing, movement and crafts. And, of course, there is a snack. Hornberger says, “The mission of our Story Hour is to plant seeds of Christian faith and values in young children through shared literature. A secondary goal is to promote the early development of social, literary and math skills. Some stories presented are Bible oriented and some are not.”

The program is now offered on two consecutive days, the second Wednesday and Thursday of each month, September through May. “The program is the same both days,” says Hornberger. “Offering it twice accommodates various nursery school schedules and allows more children to be involved.”
Story Hour meets from 9:30 to 10:30 in the Book Nook, which is located on the first floor of the Christian Education Building. Children need not be members of Lititz Moravian to attend. Parents, grandparents, or others who accompany the preschooler to the Story Hour are to remain and participate with their child in sessions. Nursery care is provided for younger siblings.

There is no charge for the Story Hour, but reservations are required. Interested parents and grandparents are invited to make inquiry by calling either Debbie Hornberger at 626-1040, or Joan Keenen at 626-4183.

As an example of the reading program, Hornberger reports, that a recent Story Hour featured a Disney Winnie the Pooh book, ‘A Surprise Garden’. “I selected this book to go along with the year's Sunday School theme, ‘God's Garden...Come Grow With Us!’ The message is that just as there are ways to tend a garden so the plants grow, there are ways to tend our faith so it grows. We discuss praying, reading the Bible and other good books, attending church and Sunday School as ways of growing closer to God.”


Lititz Moravian Congregation | 8 Church Square | Lititz, PA 17543 | 717 626-8515 | Admin