CONTENTS
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A Festive Tower Brass Concert
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This Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
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Fourth Church's brass ensemble will continue its celebrated concert tradition, "Christmas with Tower Brass," this Saturday, December 17 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
All are invited to take shelter from the frosty wind and attend this fun and festive performance of traditional Christmas carols!
A suggested donation of $20 will be received at the door.
Time:
Saturday, December 17
5:00 p.m.
Place:
Sanctuary
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Christmas Cantata This Sunday
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Pinkham's Christmas Cantata
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This Sunday the Morning Choir will perform Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata during both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
Christmas Cantata
was composed by Daniel Pinkham in 1957 while he was teaching at Harvard. The song transports the listener through the Christmas story, from the shepherds' frantic and chaotic reply about what they saw, to the wonder and tranquility of the manger scene, to the exultation of the angel chorus singing "Gloria in excelsis Deo."
We hope you'll join us for this seasonal cantata tradition at Fourth Church!
Time:
Sunday, December 18
During 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship
Place:
Sanctuary
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"Longest Night" Service
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Worship This Week for Those Feeling Grief This Season
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Feelings of grief, loss, loneliness, sadness, and anxiety can become more pronounced during the holidays. The "Longest Night" service this Wednesday, December 21 provides a Christmas worship opportunity for those who may find it difficult to share in the traditional celebrations on December 24 and 25.
This service, hosted by our Stephen Ministers, will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
Time:
Wednesday, December 21
6:30 p.m.
Place:
Buchanan Chapel
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Four Worship Opportunities
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Join us on Saturday, December 24 when, anticipating the birth of Christ, we will joyfully gather for four Christmas Eve candlelight services.
4:00 p.m. Children's Pageant in the Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Family Service in the Sanctuary
8:30 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
11:00 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
Shannon Kershner will preach during 6:00, 8:30, and 11:00 p.m. worship.
Christmas Eve child care for infants and toddlers will be provided in the Nursery, which is located on the first floor of the Gratz Center, from 3:00 to 7:15 p.m. (Child care is not available during the 8:30 or 11:00 p.m. services). Please note that there is no reserved seating at any of the Christmas Eve services, including the Children's Pageant.
For those entering the 900 garage before 5:00 p.m. on December 24, discounted parking will cost $17, which is the holiday rate. The $17 parking voucher for that discount will need to be purchased at Fourth Church on Christmas Eve--cash or check only--and will be available before and after the Children's Pageant that day. Those entering the garage after 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve will be able to park for the usual $8 evening rate with an evening voucher available at the church. There will be no discounted parking at the Hancock garage on Christmas Eve.
Those of you who will be unable to join us on Christmas Eve don't have to miss worship! We'll be offering a live stream of the 8:30 p.m. service, viewable online here and from the Fourth Church home page. If you are busy at that time or will be with us but want to enjoy the service again at another time, you will also be able to view the service later at that same link.
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Celebrate the birth of Jesus next Sunday, December 25 when we gather for worship at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary!
Pastor Shannon Kershner will lead this service of Christmas readings and hymns.
No Nursery, Sunday School, or youth gatherings will be held that day. Instead, families are encouraged to worship together, using the family version of the bulletin, which is available from the ushers each week.
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| An Invitation to Christmas Dinner |
Our Christmas Day celebration will continue with a traditional Christmas dinner at 12:15 p.m. in Anderson Hall. Reservations (required) for the dinner can be made online here.
Seating is limited, so if you haven't already, be sure to reserve your spot now!
Time:
Sunday, December 25
12:15 p.m.
Place:
Anderson Hall
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A Time to Reflect and Look Ahead
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Opportunity to reflect on the year past and look ahead to the year to come will take place during the Year's Eve Taizé service on Saturday, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
Held in a candlelit setting, this ecumenical service offers time of contemplative prayer, meditative singing, and silent reflection at the close of the year.
Opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. will precede the service. This meditative walk takes approximately twenty minutes.
Time:
Saturday, December 31
Labyrinth Walk: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Worship Service: 7:30 p.m.
Place:
Anderson Hall, Buchanan Chapel
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As Shannon Kershner mentioned in worship this past Sunday, in order to ensure that we can do all that we have budgeted for in 2016, we need everyone to fulfill their pledges for this year.
If you are able to fulfill your 2016 pledge, or if you are able to be even more generous, please strongly consider doing so. If circumstances have changed and you cannot fulfill your 2016 pledge, please let Andrea Miller (312.640.2576) know so we can plan accordingly.
"
We cannot fully live into our call as church and Chicago Lights if the great majority of these promises are not kept," noted Shannon. "Every single dollar really does matter and make a difference
in our ability to be a light in our city. So thank you for all that you do and for the variety of ways you give of yourself to what God is doing in our world through this faith community."
Pledges can be fulfilled and additional gifts made online.
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| Making Time for Sacred Pause |
Contemplative Silence on Tuesday Mornings
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Looking for a period of quiet during your busy Christmas week? Why not come to Fourth Church on Tuesday morning to find some stillness and be fully conscious to God, to yourself, and to creation?
"Sacred Pause" will be offered on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:45 a.m. in Stone Chapel. (Enter at 123 E. Delaware.) Hosted by the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being and Tom Schemper, Vicky Curtiss, and Nanette Sawyer, this weekly meditative time offers space for twenty minutes of silence. No previous meditation experience is necessary, and participants are free to use the silence of Sacred Pause in any way they'd like.
As the church building is closed on December 27, "Sacred Pause" will not be held that day but will resume on Tuesday, January 3. If you can't make it this Tuesday, please consider joining us then!
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Chance to Win "Golden Ladle" on January 8
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Do you think you have the best chili recipe? Then join us on Sunday, January 8 for the annual Chili Cook-off!
We're calling all confident cooks to bring their four-quart pot of already-cooked chili to Borwell Dining Room by 11:45 a.m. that day to enable setup for a 12:00 noon start. While we ask that you bring your own utensils, tasting bowls and spoons will be provided.
Need more incentive to enter? Your $5 entry fee will go toward the summer Fourth Church youth trips to Cuba, Detroit, and Montreat--and the cook with the winning chili gets to take home the famed Golden Ladle!
Competition participants are asked to register online here prior to the event.
Want to just enjoy the delicious chili made by others? Come join us for lunch that day. Tickets will be available for $10.
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Worship This Week
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Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2016
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8:00 a.m. with Communion
Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
9:30 and 11:00 a.m.,
Christmas Cantata, New Members (11:00)
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Lessons and Carols
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/2016/121816no.pdf
Sermons
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Concerts at Fourth Church
Friday Noonday concerts are free.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Christmas with Tower Brass
5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
A $20 donation will be received at the door
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham
During 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Lakeside Singers
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Tickets available through Lakeside Singers
Friday, December 23, 2016
John W. W. Sherer, organist
(Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Church)
A complete concert schedule is available online.
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Volunteer at Fourth Church
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There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!
Current Volunteer Needs
A complete list of volunteer needs is available
online.
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