Join us for these events!
 
March 2017
In This Issue
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Fourth Church Links
 
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goodnewsH e r e' s the Good News!
 
 
Today marks the beginning of the season of Lent--a valuable, introspective time that allows us to take stock of our lives and invites us to "give up" old habits or "take up" new ones. I challenged the kids this past Sunday to think about things that they could give up or take up that might help them to be better disciples. Here are some of their responses:
 
            "Help my mom and dad every day"
            "Do something nice for people"
            "Give part of my allowance to others"
            "Read the Bible every night"
            "Pray for people"
 
Did I mention your children are awesome?
 
There are many ways for us to practice discipleship in our everyday lives, of course, but I hope that this season of Lent provides each of us--both parents and children alike--a chance to think about ways that our faith can help shape our daily living. We'll be offering a few unique opportunities to give back here at church (you can read more in the Lenten Donations section below), and I'm sure that you can challenge your children to think of a few more!
 
Grace and peace on your Lenten journeys,

Matt Helms signature  

Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministry 
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donationsLenten Donations   
 
Begins Sunday, March 5
Fourth Floor Gratz Center
   
If your family is looking for ways to help out other families in need--both locally and around the world--we'd love your help with two different donation campaigns that we'll be running throughout the month of March:
  • Many of you are already familiar with our One Great Hour of Sharing Fish Banks. We are encouraging all kids to collect loose change throughout Lent to help families and children around the world get food, clean water, and access to disaster relief. You can pick up a Fish Bank from our Sunday School classrooms; these banks will be returned to the church on Palm Sunday as a part of our offering during worship that day.

  • We will also be collecting gently used clothing, toys, and school supplies for Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization seeking to provide essential items to thousands of children throughout the city of Chicago. For a full list of needed items, please click here. These items can be dropped off on the fourth floor each Sunday in March; they will be delivered directly to Cradles to Crayons on our Volunteer Day on April 1.
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Children in Worship


Sunday, March 12
During the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services
Sanctuary
 
Just like we did in February, we will be inviting children to attend worship with their parents for the first half of the hour on Sunday, March 12. If you did not have a chance to experience this in February, here's what you need to know:
  • All children who would normally attend Sunday School on the fourth floor (ages 3 through fifth grade) should instead go with you to worship that morning. They will sit with you for the first part of the 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. service, until it is time for the sermon. Nursery-aged children (ages 2 and younger) are welcome in the Nursery as usual.
  • Before the sermon begins, all Sunday School children will be invited to come forward to the front of the Sanctuary for a short liturgical piece before heading off to their regular classrooms. Our teachers will meet them at the front of the Sanctuary and help make sure all the children get to their classrooms after they exit worship. You can remain in your pew for the rest of the service.
  • After worship, you will pick up your children from their fourth floor classroom just like you would on any other Sunday.
If your child attends Cherub Choir, please plan to meet them after choir rehearsal and walk down to worship with them (rather than dropping them off at their Sunday School classroom).
 
For any questions, please contact Matt Helms.
           
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A Very Magical Family Night
 
Friday, March 17
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Borwell Dining Room
 
We're delighted to welcome back one of Chicago's best children's magicians for our March Family Night--a night that just so happens to fall on St. Patrick's Day! The Great Scott  is a Chicagoland magician who has appeared on CBS, FOX, NBC, and WGN--and we're excited to see what he has up his sleeve (both literally and figuratively) as we celebrate all things Irish!
 
We'll begin with dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. in Borwell Dining Room, and then we'll head over to Anderson Hall for an hour-long magic show after we wrap up. The show promises to be fun for both kids and adults alike, so we hope you'll stop on by for a night of laughter and fun.
 
If you're interested in a brief preview of what's in store, here's a clip from an appearance The Great Scott did on WGN during last year's St. Patrick's Day. 

As a reminder, parking at the 900 N. Michigan garage will be $8 with a validation from the church if you park after 5:00 p.m.
             
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Mindful Parenting
 
Sunday, March 26
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The Loft (Fourth Floor, near Room 4A)

Join us on Sunday, March 26 for another installment of Mindful Parenting, a monthly class focused on mindful, creative, and effective parenting.
 
These sessions are led by Sue Schemper, a spiritual director and an educator who has worked for more than thirty-five years with children, parents, and teachers. Participants will explore a variety of topics, from discipline techniques that develop responsibility to creating a family culture that supports each member in becoming who God intends them to be. The format of each session is thought provoking and interactive, and we hope that you'll be able to attend!   
 
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crayonsCradles to Crayons Volunteer Day
 
Saturday, April 1
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 
4141 W. George St.
Chicago, IL 60641
  
As part of our ongoing commitment to practice being Jesus' disciples by helping others in need, we're excited to announce that we will once again be volunteering at Cradles to Crayons on April 1!

Cradles to Crayons
specializes in helping to get new or gently-used clothing and supplies into the hands of people who need it the most, and they are also unique in that they have special family days in which kids ages five and up can volunteer with their parents!
 
We will be collecting clothing and supply donations throughout the month of March--see the Lenten Donations section above--and then on April 1 we have more than thirty spots available for families to do hands-on volunteer work to help make sure that kids across our city are getting quality clothing, toys, and supplies.
 
If you and your family would like to help volunteer for our two-hour shift on Saturday, April 1, RSVP to Briana Belding-Peck !
              
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Save the Date

  • Fourth Grade Bibles in Worship--April 23
    (rescheduled from an earlier date )
  • Family Communion Event--April 30
  • Kindergarten Bibles in Chapel--May 7
  • Spring Family Camp--May 19-21
  • Vacation Bible School--August 7-11
      
Contact information