What’s coming up on the
church calendar? Quite a variety of things, including—
- Men’s Bible Study on Tuesday morning, September 3
- A meeting of the Employment Network mission group on Thursday, September 5
- A presentation by John Buchanan—discussing some of the themes that animate his blog and other writings—on Friday, September 6 at 7:15 p.m. (registration for the Cornerstones dinner beforehand is closed, and all dinner seats are filled)
- Books by Women conversation about Pachinko by Min Jin Lee on Tuesday, September 10
- Horizons Women’s Bible Study on Wednesday, September 11
The calendar, which is easily accessible from the home page of our website, also includes direct links to any online registrations (along with an option to make online payment of any registration fees).
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Sunday, September 1: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
8:00 a.m. Communion
Victoria G. Curtiss preaching
9:30 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
11:00 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
Outdoors in the Michigan Avenue courtyard
We are always
delighted to have children with us in worship, but we particularly welcome their presence this week: Sunday School is taking a break until Sunday, September 8, so we encourage parents to bring their children to worship with them this weekend. Special children’s bulletins are available from the ushers.
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This Sunday we are taking our weekly Jazz at Four Communion service outdoors to the Michigan Avenue courtyard for the final time this summer.
Come join us by the fountain for a time of worship, the music of the Fourth Church Jazz Quartet performing works by John Coltrane, and fellowship with one another, all while surrounded by the beauty of summer!
Sunday, September 1
4:00 p.m.
in the Michigan Avenue courtyard
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Have you seen our photos from the Fourth Church and Chicago Lights summer staff outing?
As you can see, a great time was had by all on an afternoon that included bowling and playing pool. The highlight? Enjoying the company of colleagues and friends!
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“Foundation of Faith: A Year with the Bible” is an engaging new weekly Bible study that will begin on Sunday, September 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Taught by our Associate Pastors, it is designed for everyone with an interest in the Bible—whether you’re a biblical scholar or are unfamiliar with the text.
Each class will be self-contained, so you can attend as your schedule allows, and a reading list will be posted online if you want to read along.
Another Bible study experience will also begin that week, on Friday, September 20 at 7:00 a.m.: a
Friday Men’s Faith Discussion Group.
Made up of seven to ten men, the Friday discussion group will share their spiritual autobiographies with one another while also studying the Gospel of Mark and listening for the way that scripture intersects with our lives.
(Preregistration with
Anne Ellis
for the men’s group is required.)
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Eighth-grade Confirmation begins on Sunday, September 8, offering eighth-graders an opportunity to claim faith for themselves and join the ranks of youth and adults who are already active members of Fourth Church.
Youth who are planning to participate in Confirmation, which includes weekly Sunday morning gatherings from September to April as well as three overnight outings, are asked to
register by this Sunday, September 1.
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A week from today begins a series of choir rehearsal kickoffs, with the
Chancel Choir—which sings at the 8:00 a.m. worship service from September through May—starting its weekly rehearsals on Thursday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Our
Cherub, Children’s, and Youth Choirs resume rehearsals on Sunday, September 8, when we start a new program year for Sunday School and Youth.
On Thursday, September 26, the
Choral Society will begin weekly 7:00 p.m. rehearsals in Buchanan Chapel for a November 16 concert featuring music that highlights the events of fifty years ago: 1969.
And if you prefer to ring rather than sing, our
Handbell Choir begins rehearsals on Sunday, September 8 at 8:00 a.m. in the Buchanan Chapel Choir Loft.
Come join us in “making a joyful noise to the Lord” this autumn!
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A host of
exercise opportunities, classes (from French to painting to music to history to current events), and
day trips are all in store for adults sixty and more when our Center for Life and Learning kicks off a new program year on Monday, September 9.
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Are you looking to meet new people at Fourth Church? Build a community? Grow in faith? Engage in learning and conversation? Share your gifts with others?
Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 8, when we will kick off our autumn programming with a festive “Get Connected” Coffee Hour.
Come learn about the many things happening at Fourth Church this season and the ways in which you might match your interests, gifts, and talents with the opportunities and activities we are planning.
Sunday School and Youth gatherings, including Confirmation, will also resume that day, and Cherub, Children’s, Youth, and Handbell Choirs will begin their rehearsals as well, as we launch a new season of programs for all ages!
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Two new adult education classes also begin on “Get Connected” Sunday, September 8:
The Economics of Discipleship:
From Scarcity to Sufficiency
Sundays, September 8–22
9:30 a.m.
in Room 5E
with Stuart Barnes Jamieson
Christian Meditation:
Creating Space for Connection
Sundays, September 8–October 6
11:00 a.m.
in Room 5E
with Holly Hamilton
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If you submitted an electronic recommendation over the summer for someone—including perhaps yourself—to serve as an Elder, Deacon, Trustee, or member of the Chicago Lights Board, we would appreciate it if you would please take a moment to
resubmit it.
(We experienced some challenges with our officer nominations email box in July and August and want to make sure we did not miss any of your online or emailed suggestions for officer candidates!)
And if you have not yet sent the Nominating Committee your recommendations, we ask that you take a moment to do so now, either
online or by using the cards in the pew racks and print racks.
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Have you been looking for a way to give back to the community? Why not make a difference in the lives of children from neighborhoods with limited resources: join 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. Tutoring pairs meet at the church one evening a week from October through May.
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In addition to our need for tutors, we also have need of volunteers to help with the Chicago Lights Social Service Center and Fourth Church Meals Ministry as well as individuals to serve as ushers and greeters for Sunday worship!
- Ushers for the 11:00 a.m. worship service
- Greeters for the 4:00 p.m. Jazz at Four service
- A database advisor to support the Social Service Center with improving the efficiency of how they use Salesforce
- Individuals to coordinate medical services offered at Sunday Night Supper; medical experience not required; contact Mike Usiak to sign up
- Medical professionals to provide medical services to guests attending our Meals Ministry Sunday Night Supper; contact Mike Usiak for details
Unless otherwise noted, sign up or learn more by contacting
Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry.
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Our final Music by the Fountain concert of the season is this Friday! Kick off your Labor Day weekend by enjoy the beauty of summer in our courtyard along with a performance by Elsie Wagner Sherer.
Friday, August 30 at 12:10 p.m.
outdoors in the Courtyard
Elsie Wagner Sherer
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Fourth Presbyterian Church | 312.787.4570 | www.fourthchurch.org
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