Willow Chicago

We believe that life is better when we do it together. That’s why we invite you to join one of our groups and experience the transformative power of community. Read how one creative found a group!

My creative small group journey within Willow Creek Huntley began in the fall of 2019. I recognized my dilemma: I enjoyed something missing in about 30 years of small group life in the writing community—unreserved acceptance and celebration of who I was. I talked to the Welcome Wagon and was given contact info for two writers at church. We met and planned. But the momentum had been stalled by the pandemic. Both writers had moved away when I returned to in-person attendance in 2023. So, at a church open meeting about fall small group plans, I publicly described what I envisioned and that I would lead the group if formed. To my great surprise, we now have a Creatives Small Group.

Groups registry opens on January 14. Check out willowcreek.org/groups to learn more and be notified when registration opens.

We pray this kindness over your family for 2024,
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-27

Happy New Year!

It’s really when we become weary of dejection that we let hope taper off.

Discouragement sets in and we find it hard to believe… even if, deep inside you a tiny fire flickers, it can be hard to find the courage to fan it to flame.

The Bible has lots to say on hope—even that hope deferred makes us soul-sick (see Proverbs 13:12).
But the Bible also makes a point to stand firmly on hope’s power.

2 Corinthians 3:12 makes a strong statement. “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”

Consider for a moment the magi present for Christ’s earliest days: How bold might it be to defy a king—a dangerous king at that?

That’s the story for the magi—the guys traveling from afar to celebrate with gifts for Jesus’s birth. They enter into Herod’s kingdom and when he sends them out, he requests they return to share the baby’s whereabouts. But after the magi meet this baby, they skip town.
They defy an intense, tyrannical, megalomaniac of a king.

Why? They are excited by the hope of the baby-king Jesus, and it makes them bold.

Now you: what are you hopeful for? What might just make you feel bold?!

Will you allow God to fill you with hope? The magi were—ready to defy a raucous king to protect a young family with a powerful annointing.
God surely has something for you too—something that will embolden you to follow a star.

Allow hope to flourish. Be ready to be bold. Watch God unfold miracles before your very eyes.

**
We pray that “the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“
(‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬)

“Scripture reminds us just who God is for - everybody. How much God loves more than you can think or imagine. And it tells us that there is no measure of time or distance the God will not travel to remind you that He loves you, and He’s for you.

When you box up your tree, don’t box up God’s love for you. When you pack up the wreathes, don’t pack away God’s dedication and commitment arriving as human. That lasts all year long, every single day. We just get to put fancy lights around it this season.

What if it’s true? That the God we know, the God that created us, that loves us so much, came as a baby, for you.” -Pastor Thomas

Merry Christmas - Emmanuel Indeed 🌟🎄

A week away! We’re some excited!!!

Can you tell?! (Swipe ➡️ for fun)

Make: to bring into being by forming, shaping, or altering…

Let’s see… can you *alter* something today to *make* more room for Christ in your home this holiday season?

… cheers friends!

Hands down, our most important service: prayer. 🙏🏽

The greatest privilege of our lives is to be able to tap into the heart and soul of our Savior. Nothing could take us higher!
In His kindness, He affords us this opportunity through prayer.

Join us Saturday morning as we seek His will for our church and for our neighbors, and as we intercede for one another and even ourselves.
It’s the perfect start for a Willow December!

Can’t wait to see you there, fam!

Let’s be real, we don’t need much inspiration to follow our own whims.

Boozy brunch just because turns into dishonoring gossip🥂
Someone butts you and because you’re rushing, you cuss them under your breath–or aloud. 🤬
Retail therapy turns into over spending, then anxiety sets in 🛍️

The point is: it’s easy to lean too far into what our fleshly selves feel. But the moment we have to “be the bigger person” it basically takes a move of God to cash in the check.

Well…

Here are the facts: it, literally, does take a move of God. In Galatians 5, we see it listed out in plentiful detail–the works of the flesh vs. the fruit of the spirit.

“The acts of the flesh are obvious… but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:19a, 22-23)

In other words: our way vs. God’s character. So next time you are tempted to drink too much with your guys, to send a flirty message to someone who isn’t your spouse, to go to that tarot reader for a “harmless” answer, or to gossip about your classmate or coworker–do the brave thing.

Ask God for the Fruit of the Spirit, read Galatians 5 over and over. And 💟 revisit your favorite sermons from this series 🛐. You might just find yourself more kind, more at peace, more gentle and more self-controlled than you ever thought possible.

And it’s all because of a move of God.

We have so much to be thankful for, how about you?!

Happy Thanksgiving from the entire Willow Chicago family 🦃🥧🍂

As Pastor Dave set up his sermon this weekend, he mentioned that gentleness tends to get the short end of the stick as far as the fruit of the spirit go.

Seriously, some of the fruit of the spirit we know we need!
Love, joy, peace–pour it on!

But gentleness…

…

uhm… Sure? I guess…

But, just maybe, gentleness is misunderstood and highly undervalued in our culture.

In fact, he shared that gentleness comes from the same Greek word that means “meek” or strength under control.

Pastor Dave posited that gentleness is God’s powerful answer to our high-octane anger.
Maybe we need gentleness in our lives far more than we give it credit.

So whether you missed it this weekend, or need to run it back for a review of the finer thoughts, make a point to listen on to our latest sermon. Maybe listen while you eat your lunch? Visit our website and find it online!

Also, leave a 🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🙋‍♂️ in the comments if we can pray for you this week.

Now… how can we put gentleness to good use during our commute today? 🧐

Rooted is a 10 week discipleship program where we learn the foundations of our faith and practice spiritual
rhythms . Part of this involves serving as a group. The joy of serving together and blessing others is a gift from God. had the pleasure of serving at this week.

Consider if your next step is serving our community globally.

https://www.willowcreek.org/compassion-justice/global-outreach-opportunities/

Pastor Thomas took time to pray over our small group leaders. These leaders have been called to walk alongside small group members as they grow in their relationship with Jesus, and with each other. It’s not too late to join a group. Go to willowcreek.org/groupfinder.

Thanks Betsy Sunny for sharing the word of God with us this morning at ! Such a clear message! We are grateful for your teaching on the prodigal son.

We welcome you to go to YouTube Willow Chicago and catch the message there.

What a night!! Our Guest Experience Team had a blast at Worship Night! Thanks to all who lead worship and those behind the scenes. Our hearts and souls are filled.

What motivates you to volunteer? For Austin, he says, “I wanted to volunteer because I find I feel God’s presence most in worship. I wanted to be a part of helping others experience that as well.”

And so that’s what he did. He joined the Arts and Worship team. His love of worship started him on the path to volunteering and opened the door for him to join a small group. “Both volunteering and participating in a group have helped me feel more engaged in my faith,” said Austin.

Joining the production team on Sundays has shown Austin that serving is an attitude and not an action. He says, “This has changed how I approach each day as I try to reflect this understanding in interactions with everyone I meet.”

Our Arts and Worship Team and the entire church thank you for serving, Austin. We’re grateful to have you!

Did you know we have a variety of ways to volunteer? Check out Rebecca’s story.

There are a lot of incredible behind-the-scenes volunteers that help keep all the parts of our church moving, and Rebecca is one of them. Her gifts in administration and operations help make things run smoothly, and we’re so grateful for her! Rebecca says, “I believe the church operates best when we all use our skills and gifts to serve our community.”

Through serving, Rebecca has found community by connecting more deeply with those she serves with. She and her husband have a consistent game night with some of their new relationships. “I've seen God create a deeper community and a stronger sense of belonging among our team and the wider congregation,” says Rebecca.

Thank you for all you do, Rebecca!

Willow Chicago is so thankful for each of our volunteers. Please meet Sharon, a volunteer in WIllow Kids.

Sharon had served at church for quite a while before the pandemic hit. But like so many of us, she got used to not gathering and felt super comfortable watching church from her couch each Sunday. “I had become complacent in my church attendance after the pandemic by watching the service at home. It was so convenient to stay at home and watch,” Sharon said.

Until one day, Nyad, Guest Experience Coordinator, reached out and asked her to come back to Willow Kids–she was wanted and needed. And Willow Kids is better off with Sharon’s presence!

Sharon says, “The saying that ‘serving others is self-serving’ is so true. In that, it has been great meeting the other volunteers and getting to know them.” She also loves that her three grandchildren now attend Willow Chicago, and she gets to watch them participate and make friends. It’s a family affair!

We mean it, Sharon, Willow Kids is better off with you here. Thank you for volunteering and being part of the team!

We love our volunteers, so please let us introduce you to one of them, Jo Ann. If you’ve been to church lately, you may recognize her as one of the friendly faces greeting you as you walk through the doors.

Jo Ann has been serving on our Guest Experience Greeting team for a year and says, “For me, I love being that first person people encounter. I love saying good morning, welcome, I am so glad you are here. I know for sure it matters, and I truly miss it when I am not there doing it.” For Jo Ann, getting to be that welcoming face to first-time visitors and letting them know she can’t wait to see them again is a privilege.

Serving on the Guest Experience team has also provided the gift of new friendships that extend beyond her volunteer experience. “I have met so many new people during serving,” said Jo Ann. “Many of them are now my close friends, just not at church.”

Willow Chicago is grateful for Jo Ann and thankful for her heart to serve!

Daymijah declared: Yes, Jesus is my Lord and Savior!

Is the Holy Spirit stirring something in you to take the next step in your faith journey? Join us each Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Rooted graduates share who they are after finishing Rooted: 10-week discipleship study. We continue to thank God for who He created us to be.

Where are your roots? Find out more. Sign up for Rooted, starting the week of April 23. Find out more on our website or send us a DM.

Aprons and hairnets are on… and we are ready to serve.

As part of Rooted, a discipleship study (and all small groups), we serve out of gratitude for what the Lord has done for us.
We are
For the One,
For the World, and
For Chicago.

Serving up burgers, tater tots, veggies and homemade desserts were on the menu, along with joy and gratitude, at the Men’s Center today.

At We are For the One, For the World, and For Chicago. Monday evening Women’s Small Groups considered it pure joy to serve the women at . It was such an honor to be invited into their home and serve them burritos 🌯!

Here at Willow Chicago we are:
For the One
For the World
For Chicago
And that includes our South Loop neighbors and businesses. Shout out to , , .nepal and for participating in “Taste of The South Loop” this morning. We are also grateful for our wonderful volunteers who welcomed everyone!!

We love supporting businesses in our South Loop Community. Thanks and for after service treats and coffee.

Merry Christmas! 🎄

Jam Jam was so much fun! We can't wait to continue to celebrate Christmas with you at our Christmas Eve services.

Join us on Friday, December 23rd at 7PM or Saturday, December 24th at 2PM. Willow Kids is available for Preschool aged kiddos!

This Sunday, after service, we are expecting to transform our space and decorate for Christmas! See everyone at our 10:00 Sunday service (in-person or online).