On the church calendar are many opportunities to connect online with the Fourth Church community and one another. Included among them are—
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Friday Noonday Concert, including an April 30 performance of “Music of Comfort and Hope” played by our organist John Sherer
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Sacred Pause on Saturday and Tuesday mornings
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“His Truth Is Marching On: The Life of John Lewis” adult education class with Jeff Doane on Sunday mornings
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Foundations of Faith Bible study with Nanette Sawyer leading a discussion of “The Bible as a Weapon: Disarming the Clobber Passages” on Sundays after worship
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Men’s Bible Study on Tuesday mornings
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Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings
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Benevolent Guild on Wednesday mornings
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TwentiesThirties Bible Study on Wednesday evenings
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Cornerstones program with harpist Autumn Selover next Friday, May 7
For information about whom to contact for an event’s Zoom details, simply click on the down “arrow” to the right of the event name in the calendar (which is easily accessible from the “Calendar” button in the upper left corner of our website).
For highlights of some of the opportunities you will find on the calendar, keep reading!
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Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2
11:00 a.m. worship online
10:45 a.m. prelude
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
Ordination and Installation of Officers
This Sunday during worship we will be ordaining, installing, and commissioning church officers who are beginning three-year terms as Deacon, Elder, or Trustee. As we do so, we ask you to keep them in prayer as they begin this important ministry.
Wishing Laura Bottei Godspeed
This Sunday is the last Sunday that our Organ Scholar, Laura Bottei, will be sharing her musical gifts at Fourth Church. Laura is graduating this spring from Loyola University with degrees in music and psychology. In the fall she will begin studying at Indiana University, pursuing a master’s degree in organ.
As a parting gift to the Fourth Church community, Laura has composed the postlude for this Sunday, “A Light in the City.”
We are grateful to Laura for all of her contributions to the music ministry and worship life at Fourth Church and wish her Godspeed on this next part of her journey!
Connecting to Our Online Worship Services
Our online worship services are available live at 11:00 a.m. (Central) via
For those who do not have Internet access, we also make our worship services available to listen to via the phone. If you know of someone for whom this audio opportunity would be welcome, please encourage them to call 888.916.9166 (toll-free) at the time of the service.
Throughout the Week
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This Saturday, May 1 we look forward to gathering with several of our interfaith partners for a virtual interfaith Iftar.
This event is cohosted by the Niagara Foundation, Fourth Presbyterian Church, St. Raymond Church, A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Congregation Beth Judea.
We hope you will join us in sharing this Ramadan observance with our Muslim friends and others in our interfaith community!
Saturday, May 1
7:30 p.m. via Zoom
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All are invited to take part in this opportunity to talk about the many different ways in which we can live generously and how that can enrich our lives and deepen our faith.
Purchasing the book is suggested but not required. It is available in e-reader or print formats at www.christianbooks.com and elsewhere.
Tuesday, May 4
6:00 p.m. via Zoom
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In addition to discussing Jon Meacham’s biography of John Lewis, His Truth Is Marching On, on Sundays and Beyond the Offering Plate: A Holistic Approach to Stewardship on Tuesday, we also have two other book conversations planned for May:
First Tuesday Book Club
Tuesday, May 4
7:00 p.m. via Zoom
This book group hosted by the Adult Education Committee examines the ethical and social issues facing Christians today.
May book: Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice That Restores by Dominique Gilliard
On May 4 we will have opportunity to talk with author Dominique Gilliard about his book exploring the history and foundation of mass incarceration and examining Christianity’s role in its evolution and expansion.
An ordained minister and Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the “Love Mercy Do Justice” initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church, the author will also talk with us about ways in which Christians can pursue justice that restores and reconciles, offering creative solutions and highlighting innovative interventions.
Books by Women
Tuesday, May 11
6:00 p.m. via Zoom
All women are invited to join in monthly Books by Women discussions whenever their schedules allow and the books are of interest.
May book: Elinor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
In this uplifting novel, we follow our ordinary heroine’s journey of surviving by opening her heart.
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God never intended that we struggle through life’s crises alone. For one-to-one spiritual and emotional support through difficult times, be it death, loss, illness, financial insecurity, pandemic fatigue, or other life challenges, we encourage you to consider being paired (virtually for now) with one of our congregation’s trained and caring Stephen Ministers.
To request a match with a Stephen Minister or to learn more about this opportunity, contact David Handley, Interim Minister for Caring Ministries, or leave a confidential message for a Stephen Minister at 312.573.3365.
As many of us are looking for healthy ways to cope with stresses and anxiety, anger and frustration, grief and uncertainty, the staff of our Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being is also available to offer suggestions and support through phone appointments or teletherapy, whether for just a few sessions or on an ongoing basis.
To set up a time to talk or for more information about how the Center can be a resource for you, call the Center at 312.787.2729, ext. 2260.
Additionally, if you would like to talk to a pastor, please call the church (312.787.4570) and your request will be forwarded to someone on the pastoral staff.
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Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Fourth Church family, including the 2021 class of eighth-grade confirmands—
Rebecca Besecker
Jackson Bossert
Aidan Castette
Kelsey Castette
Teddy Chong
Zachary Findler
Kate Grissom
Miles Grusin
Oliver Grusin
Sam Haley
Jackson Hutchison
Andrew McMillan
Nate Nichols
Brennan O’Connell-Miller
Andrew Phelps
Sofia Picciola
Henry Ramsey
Lee Rupple
Harper Rzepczynski
Flynn Scoggin
Harrison Stracks
Vera Tax
Jane von der Sitt
We also welcome the new members received into membership by the Session on April 18 and welcomed during worship this past Sunday, April 25:
Angela Kendall
Jeff Kendall
For those interested in becoming members of Fourth Church, our next online Inquirers’ Class will be held on Sunday, May 16 via Zoom.
For additional information about Fourth Church membership, please contact Joe Morrow. |
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Each Sunday after worship we offer opportunity to connect with familiar friends or meet new people during virtual Coffee Hour via Zoom.
We hope you will take a few moments to join us for this casual time of Sunday fellowship!
Following the postlude
Meeting ID: 963 5583 1751
Passcode: 631276
Phone: Call 1 312.626.6799
and enter Meeting ID 963 5583 1751#
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Death
We give thanks to God for the gift of life eternal.
Judi Braskamp
Died April 25, 2021
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