The Pasadena church began conducting contemporary worship services every other Friday evening, in addition to the traditional worship service on Saturdays.
"Our contemporary worship service begins with a number of praise and worship songs," said Mike Hale, Pasadena contemporary worship coordinator. "The songs are newer, and the messages are more interactive." Dress is casual.
"A contemporary worship service reaches some people who aren't reached as well by a traditional service," Mr. Hale said. "Some, though, are better served by a more traditional service."
In the contemporary service a praise team has the congregation join them for about eight songs. Video presentations are often included. Lyrics are shown on a screen so hymnals don't have to be used. This frees worshipers to sing more as a group and be aware of those around them.
"We are required to buy a copyright license to project lyrics on a screen," Mr. Hale said. The yearly fee ranges from $36 for a group of about 20 people, up to $300 for a church of a thousand. The average would be about $150 a year for a Worldwide Church of God congregation.
The license gives a congregation all rights to project lyrics on a screen, print them in a church bulletin and put some tapes in a church library.
"We've had good response to contemporary services in Pasadena," Mr. Hale said. After one service some stayed to pray in a separate room with the guest speaker and pastor Tom Lapacka.
One guest speaker was Bruce Marchiano, who played Jesus in a video titled Matthew.
Later, Mr. Marchiano sent the following note to Mr. Hale: "Thank you so much for allowing and trusting me with your platform last Friday night. I can't tell you what a thrill it was. I phoned Matthew director R. van den Berg in Cape Town to tell him about it, and he almost cried tears of joy, at how good the Lord is and the work he is doing. I look forward to what the Lord has next for us. Your brother in Christ, Bruce Marchiano."
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