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CONTENTS
Saturday's Conversation on Race and the Church
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Worship This Week
Upcoming Music Events
Volunteer
one Saturday's Conversation on Race and the Church
An Event with Princeton Theological Seminary
In a critically important public forum this Saturday morning, we will take on the topic of what role the church can play in the present racial crisis in our cities.
 
Hosted in partnership with Princeton Theological Seminary, the event will begin with Shannon Kershner framing the conversation. Yolanda Pierce of Princeton Seminary will present the keynote address and then moderate a panel. Dr. Pierce is an Associate Professor of African American Religion and Literature at Princeton Seminary and the Director of Black Church Studies.
 
Panelists will include Byron Brazier, Pastor of the Apostolic Church of God, Chicago; Shannon Kershner; Timothy Knowles, Director of the University of Chicago Urban Labs; Jonathan Walton, Professor of Religion and Society at Harvard Divinity School; Reggie Williams, of Trinity United Church of Christ; and Frank Yamada, President of McCormick Theological Seminary.
 
After a time for audience questions, Craig Barnes, President of Princeton Seminary, will lead us in closing prayer.
 
All are invited to this timely and thought-provoking conversation!
 
For details, see www.bit.ly/2bShfhJ
 
Time:   
     Saturday, September 10
     9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
 
Place:   
     Buchanan Chapel 
     
two Craig Barnes to Preach Sunday
At 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services
We are honored and delighted that Craig Barnes, President of Princeton Theological Seminary and a participant in our September 10 conversation on "Race, Theology, and the Church," will return to the Fourth Church pulpit this Sunday, September 11. Dr. Barnes will preach the sermon "Could You Be Wrong about God," based on Acts 9:1-9, at both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services of worship that day.
 
Dr. Barnes earned his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Seminary in 1981 and--while a member of the Fourth Church pastoral staff--his Ph.D. in church history from the University of Chicago in 1992. Before becoming president of Princeton, Dr. Barnes was a chaired professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary while also serving as the pastor and head of staff of Shadyside Presbyterian Church. He previously served pastorates in Madison, Wisconsin, and at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He is a frequent lecturer and preacher at conferences, academic gatherings, and in congregations across the country. He is also the author of eight books and serves as a columnist for the Christian Century.
 
threeSunday School and Youth Gatherings Kick Off
Programming Resumes This Sunday
Calling all children and youth! This is the weekend our regular Sunday School and youth programming resumes--with lots of games and special activities included!
 
In addition to Sunday School classes starting up again at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. and youth gatherings for sixth through twelfth graders beginning a new year, there will be family fun time afterwards, with outdoor games and activities in the Michigan Avenue courtyard.
 
Cherub, Children's, and Youth Choir rehearsals also kick off this Sunday in Room 4F, with Cherub Choir (age 3-grade 1) at 9:00 a.m., Youth Choir (grades 6-12) at 9:30 a.m., and Children's Choir (grades 2-5) at 10:30 a.m.

Tunes for Tots, which offers opportunity for parents of infants and toddlers to share in a time of singing and music with their young ones, will also be held at 9:00 a.m. in Day School Room B on the first floor of the Gratz Center.
 
fourRing with the Handbell Choir
Rehearsals Begin This Sunday
The Fourth Church Handbell Choir begins rehearsals this Sunday morning--and is looking for ringers! Whether you have years of handbell experience or are new to the instrument, all levels are welcome.
 
Rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. in the Buchanan Chapel Choir Loft.
 
The five-octave Handbell Choir periodically participates in the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services and performs a variety of handbell literature.
 
For more information about joining the Handbell Choir, contact Briana Belding-Peck.
 
five"Discipline and Discipleship in the Old Testament"
With Anne Stewart of Princeton Theological Seminary
Also this Sunday the Academy for Faith and Life will host the one-session class "How We Learn: Discipline and Discipleship in the Old Testament," led by Anne Stewart of Princeton Theological Seminary, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 5G.
 
Dr. Stewart will offer an introduction to Israel's wisdom literature, with special attention to the book of Proverbs. Participants will compare the nature of wisdom in the Old Testament to what they find in contemporary life and discuss the role of the church in shaping faithful disciples and students of wisdom, young and old.
 
Dr. Stewart is Associate Vice President for Communication and Deputy to the President at Princeton Theological Seminary. She earned an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary and a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Emory University. She is also the author of Poetic Ethics in Proverbs: Wisdom Literature and the Shaping of the Moral Self.  
 
Time:   
     Sunday, September 11
     11:00 a.m.
 
Place:   
     Room 5G 
 
sixTutor . . . and Change a Child's Life
Volunteer with Chicago Lights Tutoring
Have you been looking for a way to give back to the community? Why not make a difference in the lives of children from Chicago's under-resourced neighborhoods by joining Chicago Lights Tutoring this year!
 
Volunteers are needed to be tutors and mentors to the 400 first- through twelfth-grade students who participate in the program.
 
New volunteers are asked to attend an orientation session on Tuesday, September 13; Wednesday, September 14; or Monday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m. in Borwell Dining Room. RSVP online here.
 
sevenWaking Up White
A Book Study with Vicky Curtiss
This month the Academy for Faith and Life will host a two-week book study, led by Associate Pastor Vicky Curtiss, on the book Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving. The author details the story of how she navigated the inexplicable racial tensions in her personal and professional relationships.

All are invited to this discussion, which starts this coming Thursday. For more information, contact Vicky.
 
Time:   
     Thursdays, September 15 and 29
     6:30-8:00 p.m. 
 
Place:   
     Page Smith Room
 
eightHave a Bicycle You're No Longer Using?
Bring It to the Bicycle Collection Drive!
Not sure of what to do with that old bicycle in your garage? Why not donate it to those in need?
 
The World Mission and Social Justice Committee is collecting used bicycles on Saturday, September 24. The bicycles will be repaired by Working Bikes, a nonprofit organization that donates more than 6,000 bicycles each year to international and local partners who provide bicycles to those in need who often have no other form of transportation.
 
Donations should be brought to the Delaware entrance of the Gratz Center between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. that day.
 
Time:
     Saturday, September 24
     9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
 
Place:
     Delaware entrance of the Gratz Center
 
nineGet Ready to Get Connected Next Sunday!
Learn about Programming and Volunteer Opportunities
Next Sunday learn how you can stay connected and volunteer with Fourth Church! 
 
Coffee Hour will feature information about upcoming and ongoing educational, fellowship, and community outreach opportunities, including details about fellowship groups and other ways you can get involved with the church community. Fourth Church representatives will be available to talk about volunteer needs, mission activities, Academy for Faith and Life classes, and more!
 
"Get Connected" Coffee Hour will take place in Anderson Hall and the Commons following 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
 
We hope to see you there as we welcome all to Fourth Church this autumn and celebrate ways to deepen connections and serve others!
 
tenCare of Creation: Cleaning Up the Beach
A Workday on September 17
Next Saturday, September 17 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., our Care of Creation Committee is sponsoring a cleanup of Oak Street Beach in conjunction with the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Ocean Conservancy's International Cleanup.
 
Come join us for this great opportunity to get outside and care for our lake in fellowship with Fourth Church members. Please also consider bringing a bucket or plastic bag from home to reduce the event's environmental footprint.
 
You can register for this event online here.
 
Time:
     Saturday, September 17
     9:00-11:00 a.m. 
 
Place:
     Oak Street Beach
 
worship Worship This Week
Sunday, September 11, 2016
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor, preaching
   "God of Grace"
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 139:1-12 

   1 Timothy 1:12-17
   Luke 15:1-10      

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.,
Baptisms
Craig Barnes, President of Princeton Theological Seminary, preaching
   "Could You Be Wrong about God?"
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 30
   Acts 9:1-9       
     
4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Nanette Sawyer, Minister for Congregational Life, preaching
   "Being Lost Together"
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 51:1-13
   Luke 15:1-10           
 
Worship bulletins
for this coming Sunday are available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/worship/this-week.html
 
"News and Opportunities"
is the weekly printed newsletter distributed with the Sunday bulletin and is available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/news/2016/091116no.pdf

Sermons
from previous weeks are posted online at www.fourthchurch.org/sermons 

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Concerts at Fourth Church
Friday Noonday concerts are free.   

Friday, September 16, 2016
John W. W. Sherer, organist
(Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Friday, September 23, 2016
Roderick Demmings Jr., organist
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Friday, September 30, 2016
Thomas E. Gouwens, organist
(Associate Organist at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Friday, October 7, 2016
Rachel Blumenthal, flutist
Beilin Han, pianist
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women

A complete concert schedule is available online.
 
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volunteer Volunteer at Fourth Church
There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!
 
Current Volunteer Needs

Greeters and ushers
for the 4:00 p.m. jazz worship service

To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn more about them, stop by Coffee Hour on Sunday morning or email volunteerministry@fourthchurch.org.
 
A complete list of volunteer needs is available online