Coffee and Donuts - Post Service Atrium Gathering

Don't forget after every service in the Atrium there is a coffee and donuts gathering in the Atruim. I will be there! Stop by to say "hi" and meet others from the area.

FOCUS - Group Life Gathering

If you lead or oversee leaders in a group or relational gathering at any Willow Creek campus, or if you are investigating a group leadership role—you are invited to join Bill Hybels and the Community Life team at the South Barrington campus for FOCUS, a leadership gathering coming in January, 2009. Group Leaders from ALL ministries of the Church are encouraged to attend.

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Our FOCUS: Come hear the vision, direction and structure of Community Life at Willow as we enter an exciting and challenging new era of ministry. We want you—Willow’s core leadership for groups and gatherings—to be the first to learn what the emerging support structure and resources will mean for your ministry.

Our Speakers: Bill Hybels, Bill Donahue, Pat Cimo, Scott Vaudrey, and your Area Pastors
Time: 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Place: Lakeside Auditorium
Session 1: Focus on Community—Bill Hybels and Bill Donahue
Session 2: Focus on Leadership— Pat Cimo, Bill Donahue and Scott Vaudrey
Session 3: Focus on Ministry—Lunch (provided) with your Area Pastor

Leadership Resources: During Session 3 you will be given resources to help build your group and support your leadership.

Dr. B’s will be open 8-8:45am and at the morning break for you to purchase coffee
TO REGISTER: Use the link below to sign up for FOCUS. See you there!
http://www.willowcreek.org/kairos/event/eventregister.aspx?EventID=NEM-LDR-0109

Love Thy Neighbor Team - Year End update

Hi everyone, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVING AND REACHING OUT TO THOSE IN NEED. This year you’ve reached out and served 13 different area families in need.

Bill Stark told of one home owner’s who said that we will never know what impact we are having on people lives. I’ve heard from some of the women above and how their lives have been around. They also talk about the relationships that are being formed through your serving. I know personally of a friendship being formed.

You may or may not hear of how these women have been impacted but they are. One of the women above said that she saw and heard from her neighbors because they were wondering what was going on. They were amazed to find out that a bunch of people were getting together to serve those in need. Our mission field is our own back yard and within our own neighborhoods.

Peace to you, your families, and friends during this Christmas Holiday when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mark E. J

The Golfview Christmas Store!!

Many area friends and families served at our Christmas Store at Golfview School. A Christmas Store is a place were under-resourced families can get items for Christmas at a fraction of the normal cost. Tammy Massey did a great job of organizing this and serving hundreds in our community. Way to Go!

Stock the Storehouse - Party West Dundee

I had the priviledge of joining John and Nancy (Sarah and Amanda) Miles family this weekend for a Stock the Store house party at their house. They did an amazing job of inviting friends, neighbors and small group members to celebrate Christmas and collect toys and clothing for children in the area. All totaled they collected over 300 items!! Way to go Miles!

Stock the Storehouse - Final Numbers

It was great to see many of you last Saturday at the Salvation Army in Carpentersville!
Here is what we collected

PJ's : 111
Hats: 114
Coats: 83
Toys: 146
Gloves: 99
Misc: 105

For a total of 658 items that will keep hundreds of children in our area warm and blessed this Christmas season.

This total was added to all the other area's and numbers for South Barrington for a Grand Total of 51,000+ gifts for children this Christmas!

Willow Creek Christmas Services - Light

This year we are anticipating 80,000 people for our 12 Christmas Services called "Light".
We do have a free ticketing process so check at http://www.willowcreek.org/ and if the service you want is full, I will let you in on a little Willow Creek Secret....

If people are not in their seats 5 minutes before the service, ushers open the seats to anyone. I have found a seat (without having a ticket) everytime I have come.

Also, if you come early you can check with the ticket counter for returned tickets, I have also found some awesome up front seats that way too!

Hope to see you and your friends there!

Willow Creek Classes

Amie Carlson from the Classes team is looking for stories of people who have been attending classes on Wednesday nights either on campus or online. They are in need of stories of how classes have helped them grow, inspired positive life change, etc.

If you have a good lead for a story please let Amie know acarlson@willowcreek.org

Visit the Classes page to register for info on classes offered:
http://classes.willowcreek.org/

50,000/17,000 Stock the Storehouse - Video Update

NEW ITEMS ONLY - TAGS ON SEE DETAILS BELOW

Stock the Storehouse - Holiday Serving

This year Willow Creek Church is impacting our community by "Stocking the Storehouse." Willow has a rich history of caring for our neighbors and reaching out to share the love of Christ within our community. This year we will challenge our congregation, friends, co-workers, and others to respond to the needs of children in our community who are under-resourced.

We will be collecting the following NEW items (unwrapped and tags on) for children ages 12 & under:
□ Hats
□ Gloves
□ Coats
□ Pajamas
□ Toys (under $25)

This is how it works:
From now until December 13th you and your friends can figure out creative ways to collect the items, like neighborhood parties, work parties, table group or small group, or whatever works for you. See: http://www.willowcreek.org/prepare/ for ideas.

Then on December 13th, 9am-3pm, you take your items to the Salvation Army in Carpentersville (Meadowdale Shopping Center - The old Big Lots store).

View Larger Map

We are partnering with the Salvation Army in Carpentersville who will be our Dundee Crown Area dropoff point for these items and they will distribute items to children in need in our community. If you would like to help with item collection or distribution at the Salvation Army, sign up for at: http://www.willowcreek.org/prepare/opportunities.asp

Please consider donating the above items as we partner together to care for those in need in our community. Thanks for considering this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children this holiday season!