Willow Creek News | Willow Creek Community Church

Room at the Table

For the Robert Gorman family of East Dundee, Thanksgiving means sharing their blessings with others. Last year, thanks to a partnership between Exodus World Service and Willow Creek, they hosted a Bhutanese family for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

As part of the “Just Christmas” initiative beginning in the next few weeks, Willow Creek is encouraging other families to open their homes to a refugee family.

 

The Lhotsampan family hosted by the Gormans had spent 17 years in a U.N. refugee camp, victims of racism. Life in the refugee camp was hard. The UN issues 1 ½ pounds of rice and sugar per family per week. The father’s odd jobs helped clothe the family, but they had no housing other than a few tarps available during the rainy season.

 

They faced a hopeless future until they became part of the 50,000 refugees who are welcomed to the United States each year.  Although life in America is easier, refugees face the daily challenges of language differences, changes in food, bewildering customs, homesickness, and financial concerns.

 

Shared Traditions

 

“Coming to our East Dundee home last year was like arriving in a palace," says Robert. "Everyone enjoyed a typical American turkey dinner and, in the usual Gorman tradition, shared what filled them with gratitude." Soon everyone was pouring their hearts out, becoming family in the process. Before driving the family back home, the Gormans invited their guests to return for Willow’s Christmas service and another family dinner.

 

Church attendees will be hearing more about “Just Christmas” in the coming weeks. For those who want to host a family at Thanksgiving, a required orientation meeting will be held at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17. Contact Jessica.davis@e-w-s-org.

 

Midweek Classes Launch Final Module of the Year

The final module of Midweek Classes kicks off Wednesday, November 4, with classes ranging from the basics to in-depth study to leadership training. Long-time Willow Creek teacher Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian will bring together his expertise on both Israel and the Bible in “Israel 101: Biblical Israel and the Church.” For those who have been part of Groups for a Season, a continuing study of 1 John is provided in “1 John: So Simple Yet So Deep,” taught by Wheaton College Professor Dr. Jerry Root.

 

“Biblical Literacy,” an introductory class, will focus on understanding the Bible—its origins, organization, and authenticity.

 

“Developing a Lifestyle of Compassion and Justice” will offer an understanding of the scope of Willow’s compassion ministries and practical ways participants can demonstrate God’s love in their everyday lives.

 

The Lakeside Special Feature continues with a DVD series featuring Erwin McManus, Tony Evans, and Max Lucado, followed by powerful challenges by Chris Hurta.

 

Descriptions of these and other classes are at willowcreek.org/classes. Classes are held from 7:15-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 11, and 18, preceded by an optional worship service that begins in the Lakeside Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Register now!

Make an Impact at the Holidays

From family gatherings to carol singing, from exchanging gifts to sharing meals, Christmas is all about tradition. But for Christians, the most important tradition is the first Christmas—when God entered the world in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.

This holiday season, Willow Creek Community Church offers Christians a natural, non-threatening way to leverage our cultural traditions into conversations about the true meaning of Christmas.  Hosted by Paul Jansen Van Rensburg, director of evangelism at Willow Creek and author Garry Poole, “Holiday Impact” will help participants engage effectively with family and friends in significant spiritual conversations. The class will be offered in two formats: as part of the Midweek Classes held from 7:15-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 11, and 18, or as a half-day workshop from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 5.

Holiday Impact will encourage dialogue with friends and offer tips on how to discover their stories, walk through the spiritual discovery process, and respectfully explore faith issues together.  Registration for the class is underway at www.willowcreek.org/classes. 

According to Lee Strobel, noted evangelist, best-selling author of The Case for Christ, and a former teaching pastor at Willow Creek, “Most people are more receptive to spiritual matters during the Christmas season. The aim of the class is to help Christians find opportunities to initiate spiritual conversations, then invite others to Christmas services.”

This year’s Christmas services at Willow Creek will be held from December 18-24. Details and ticketing information will be available on the web site at the end of November.

Axis Puts Nuclear War in "The Hot Seat"

As founder and director of Two Futures Project, Tyler Wigg-Stevenson has dedicated most of his adult life to the fight to abolish nuclear weapons. And it was his conversion to Christianity that launched him on that journey. Tyler will share the story of that journey and his decade of experience in nuclear weapons policy with Willow Creek’s 18 to 20-something ministry at their next Axis in the Hot Seat.

 

If you share Tyler’s dream for a future without nuclear war, join Axis at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 30, at Café 20.

 

In the past few months, Axis has explored such topics as teaching the Y generation and fighting injustice.

 

Axis also meets after the 11:15 a.m. Sunday service in Café 20, behind the Lakeside Auditorium.

 

willowcreek.org/generationaxis.com

Become Financially Free

While the U. S. economy may be looking up, many of us are still trying to come to terms with our own altered financial states. Willow Creek's Good Sense ministry can help.

Offering a number of biblically sound financial workshops and seminars throughout the year, Willow Creek's Good Sense ministry provides a safe, supportive environment on the journey to financial freedom. One of the most popular offerings is the all-day workshop, Practical Steps to Financial Freedom, coming up on Saturday, November 14.

The workshop teaches the biblical principles of managing money, along with specific ways to improve financial health—all in a relaxed and interactive environment. Topics include what the Bible says about money, debt and credit, savings, giving, record-keeping, budgeting, and how the culture affects our financial attitudes and habits.

The workshop starts at 9 a.m. and wraps up at 3:30 p.m. Lunch and materials are provided, so registration is necessary. Go to the classes web site to sign up.