24 Dec 2006
So, what is new in the New Year 2007? Here at GCC the biggest news is the launching of a New Worship Service on Sunday, January 21 called SOLID ROCK. I want to use this space to explain more about this exciting addition to the life of our congregation.
WHAT – a third worship service to meet the needs of our growing congregation. The Elders and Pastors have been talking and praying about the possibility of adding a third service for many years. We have believed that as God blessed us with growth, the time would come to provide another option for worship. We have waited because it seemed we had not reached a particular attendance level, or didn’t have enough people involved in the worship ministry to justify this decision. We finally came to the conclusion, however, that to wait was to never act. So now we are stepping out in faith believing that God will honor and bless this decision.
WHEN – Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. This is NOT providing an evening worship service as a second worship opportunity, but will be our THIRD worship service of the day. Rather than try to squeeze another time of worship into our Sunday morning schedule we feel that Sunday evening allows a more relaxed and alternative venue for worship. We believe that this time frame will provide an entirely unique worship experience and identity for those who attend. That’s because we have a specific target audience in mind.
WHO – specifically we are establishing this time of worship for those between the ages of 18 and 30 (although no I.D. will be required). There are many reasons for this. First, having a separate worship service for this age group will provide a worship style geared more to the taste of this generation. Second, this is an age demographic that is hard for the church to reach. We are hoping that with our core of committed “twentysomethings” they will reach even more in their age bracket for Christ by having a worship experience unique to their interest. This, however, does not mean others cannot attend if they desire. We also believe that the choice of a Sunday evening service will meet the needs of those who work on Sunday or who may be traveling over the week-end and would like to participate in worship after time away at the beach, lake or mountains. Also, by having this service in the evening, there will be activities for the children through Friends Club.
WHERE – because of the above mentioned strategy this worship service will be held in the YouthCenter. Again, this will allow a more relaxed atmosphere that will match the overall mood we are trying to achieve (i.e. chairs instead of pews).
WHY – very simply, to do as the Apostle Paul suggested when he wrote of his strategy in getting the Gospel message to as many people (and sub-groups) as possible. Like him we want to “become all things to all men so that by all possible means [we] might save some. [We] do this for the sake of the Gospel... (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).”
Because this worship time is targeting a younger crowd, Bruce Jones will do the preaching and our Youth Band will lead the praise time. To maintain the unity of the body of GCC Bruce will be preaching from the same text I use in the morning services. This will not only provide continuity for all who attend a service at this church, but also make it easier for both Bruce and myself on those occasions where one of us is gone and the other must preach at all three services.
I hope this answers your questions about this new time of worship. We ask you to do two things. First, pray, not only for a successful beginning, but more importantly, for growth and for many lives to be touched and changed through our expanding ministry. Second, tell someone you know about this new service—someone in this age group, or who works Sundays and would like to attend worship. And above all, may all that we do bring glory to our Lord Jesus!
Denis Whittet
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