S.K.
C.,
We had the same problem with our first child at church. I noticed as I would visit different congregations on vacation that there were a few parents out there who never seemed to have any problems with their kids. When I saw them, I would ask them their secret. It shocked me - especially because it was always the same answer. "We don't bring any entertainment for our kids."
I was skeptical at first. How could we ever survive 1 hour 15 minutes with NOTHING to do. We tried it. The first month was a nightmare. My daughter was so used to being demanding and my husband and I had given her anything to keep her quiet. She was not used to having any self discipline. Then little by little it got better. She learned that Mommy and Daddy were there to hear the sermon and she was just going to have to sit quietly. We have 4 kids now and they all sit and listen to the sermon quietly for 1 hour 15 minutes every Sunday with no entertainment and we never have to take them out. It was much easier with the last three because it was always like that from the time they were babies. They cuddle on our laps and sometimes we rub their backs, but that is it.
You are right to put the child in time out if you have to take them out. If she is too loud, do the timeout in the car with the heater on or something. Some parents take their children out and let them play. Guess what? Their kids are 6 and still act out in church to go play in the hall. I have also seen parents think that they will just wait to bring their kids to church when they are older and they can handle it. Guess what? Their 8 year old behaves like a 2 year old. It is just one of those things they have to learn.
Best of luck,
S.