Christ the King Sunday, November 20

10:00 a.m. worship in person and online

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

The worship bulletin will be available online Friday afternoon

In person and streamed from the Sanctuary on our YouTube channel: www.bit.ly/fpcvideos

Audio available by phone (toll free) by calling 888.916.9166

Nursery care is available on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Gratz Center.

4:00 p.m. Jazz at Four worship in person

with Communion

in Buchanan Chapel

Nancy Benson-Nicol preaching

The worship bulletin will be available online Friday afternoon

Ten years ago today, on November 18, 2012, we dedicated and declared officially open the newly constructed Gratz Center.

We remain profoundly grateful for all whose time, labor, and generous contributions built this addition to our campus. We also give deep thanks for all, including so many of you, who have made possible the life-giving ministry and connections that have happened inside these walls over the past decade.

As we move into our second decade in this space, we look forward to the ever-unfolding ways in which the Gratz Center will continue to support our living out of the call to love and serve here at Fourth Church

Photos from that day

The Spiritual Formation Council invites you to join them this Saturday morning for an opportunity to explore and learn more about what it means to live an embodied spirituality as inspired by Christ’s example.

In “Journey to the Center: A Spiritual Formation Workshop” we will reflect on the questions “How can I feel connected to an extraordinary God in my ordinary life?” “What does it mean to center myself in Christ?” “Does prayer just involve my head and thoughts, or are there other ways to pray that engage the rest of me?”

This workshop led by Nancy Benson-Nicol, Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries and Spiritual Formation, will include discussion of various types of prayer, meditation, contemplation, and reflection as well as opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Buchanan Chapel.

Saturday, November 19

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

in Buchanan Chapel and via Zoom

The Zoom link is www.bit.ly/formation1119

Sing in the season with us this Saturday, November 19!

At 5:00 p.m. tomorrow we will gather on the Sanctuary steps to carol prior to the 5:30 p.m. Tree-Lighting Parade, part of the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

Plan to come spread holiday cheer to those gathered for the Michigan Avenue festivities!

Saturday, November 19

5:00 p.m.

on the Sanctuary steps

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

We will again this year join with our neighbors for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

Chicago Sinai Congregation will host the service on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Musicians from Holy Name Cathedral will provide musical leadership, and the Reverend Randall Blakey from LaSalle Street Church will preach.

Tuesday, November 22

7:00 p.m.

at Chicago Sinai Congregation (15 W. Delaware)

Thanksgiving Day “Rhythm and Word”

On Thanksgiving Day we will not be gathering in person for worship. Instead we will be sharing a Thanksgiving-themed “Rhythm and Word” video on our YouTube channel (www.bit.ly/fpcvideos) on Thursday morning, November 24.

When you or those with whom you may be gathering are looking for fifteen minutes of spiritual reflection during which to pause to give thanks on Thanksgiving Day, we invite you to view the music-and-word worship experience released that day.

(You can receive the video by email by subscribing at www.bit.ly/rhythmandwordemail)

The season of Advent invites us to set aside time for daily personal prayer and reflection, creating space to prepare our hearts and lives to receive the gift that comes to us in the stable and embracing what it means to travel through life guided by the Light that darkness cannot overcome.

Our daily Advent devotions—which are written by Fourth Church members and staff—offer a resource for this meditative journey. 

To receive them daily by email beginning November 27, sign up online at www.bit.ly/fpcdevotions.

If you already receive our daily devotions, you need not sign up to receive the Advent devotions; they will automatically be sent to you.

Remember loved ones and recognize those who are special in your life by making contributions in their name toward the purchase of Christmas flowers, wreaths, and garlands. These will decorate the Sanctuary and Buchanan Chapel this coming Advent and Christmas season. A list of those remembered will be printed in the Christmas bulletin.

Contributions can be made online and must be received by Sunday, December 11 in order for names to be included in the bulletin.

For more information, contact Gloria Vicente.

The sounds of music will fill Fourth Church in the month ahead. If you are looking for a musical treat to add to your holiday celebrations, you can find a variety of in-person opportunities on our concert calendar!

Candlelight Carols with the St. Charles Singers

Saturday, December 3

7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Tickets are available from www.stcharlessingers.com

Bach Marathon: Brandenburg Concertos 1–6

presented by the Chicago Civic Orchestra

Monday, December 5

7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Tickets are free but reservations (which open Monday, November 21) are required at www.cso.org

CSO Presents: A Chanticleer Christmas

Tuesday and Wednesday, December 6 and 7

7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Tickets available at www.cso.org

“Holidays a cappella” with Chicago a cappella

Friday, December 9

8:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

Tickets are available from www.chicagoacappella.org

A Festival of Advent Lessons and Music

Sunday, December 11

6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

The choirs of Fourth Church sing seasonal favorites during this evening worship service, which is followed by a cookie reception

Christmas with Tower Brass

Saturday, December 17

5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

A family-friendly Christmas concert including seasonal favorites from classics to jazz and a carol sing-along

No tickets required; suggested donation of $20 at the door

Christmas Cantata: Gloria by John Rutter

performed by the Morning Choir and Tower Brass

Sunday, December 18

10:00 a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary

Also livestreamed on our YouTube channel

Sounds Good! Choirs Winter Concert

Tuesday, December 20

2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

A program by the Chicago area’s largest and fastest-growing choral organization for older adults

A complete concert schedule, including free Friday Noonday Concerts

Meals Ministry

Fourth Church Meals Ministry is in need of volunteers to assist in preparing and serving meals for our neighbors who are hungry and food insecure. To learn more or explore the various Meals Ministry volunteer needs, see our Volunteer Ministry platform, VOMO (www.bit.ly/fpcvolunteers).

Weekly and Occasional Tutors

Chicago Lights Tutoring is in need of in-person (at Fourth Church) and online mentors to connect one-to-one with a student (grades 1–12) one evening a week from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

There are volunteer openings for weekly Permanent Tutors, who meet with the same student weekly, building relationships, trust, and self-esteem through academics, advising, and social and communication skills, as well as occasional Substitute Tutors, who volunteer on a more flexible schedule to fill in when a Permanent Tutor is unavailable.

If you would like to learn more about how through Tutoring you can make a difference in the life of a child (and in yours!), please contact Mark Dennison or visit chicagolights.org/volunteer/#tutoring

Worship Leaders

If you would like to read Scripture and lead prayers in an upcoming worship service, please email Rocky Supinger to express your interest.