Believers' Worship Model

Midweek services, called New Community, meet on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30. These gatherings are meant for believers, who may or may not be members of Willow Creek Church. The primary purpose of each service is to teach them deeper truths and lessons from the Bible and to worship God through various hymns and choruses. The model for a midweek service is very simple and yet highly effective. The example below is from Willow Creek Church.

The Basic Pattern Prelude. Before the service begins, a musical prelude by the orchestra or band plays behind a closed curtain and an empty stage as people file in to talk and take their seats. At the appointed time either an elder, teacher, or music leader begins the service with an introductory greeting. Exaltation. A vocal team member leads the congregation in a series of choruses and hymns, chosen to create a worshipful atmosphere and to prepare for the message. He is accompanied by the church band and punctuates the songs with his own spiritual insights. (This part takes approximately twenty minutes.) Family Concerns. The pastor, Bill Hybels, highlights various announcements in the New Community Update, the service bulletin. The tithe offering is taken, with a musical interlude. Message. "Spiritual Warfare—Part II, Ephesians 6:10–24." Associate pastor and teacher, Don Cousins, continues his series and follows an outline printed on the update. (The sermon lasts approximately forty-five minutes.) Exaltation. More praise-and-worship songs emphasize both the power and help that believers have in God. A closing prayer concludes the service. Conclusion While there is no set order each week, the worship components remain the same. Occasionally, a short drama piece or video is used in conjunction with the point of the message. Humorous bits are used also to stress a particular project or concern of Willow Creek. The programming team prayerfully concentrates on organizing the service around the point of the message, whether topical, expositional, or part of a longer series.