News @ Fourth Church: May 25, 2019

May 25, 2019

What’s coming up on the church calendar? Among other things—

Our monthly LGBTQIA brunch this Sunday, May 26
Knitting and Crocheting on Tuesday, May 28
Benevolent Guild on Wednesday, May 29
The beginning of Summer Sunday School next Sunday, June 2 (What is not on the calendar? Sunday School, as there is no Sunday School this weekend)
A Stonewall celebration lunch on Sunday, June 2
A Cornerstones dinner on Friday, June 7 with a program by Rob Koon on art in the life of Fourth Church (registration required by June 5)
Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, June 8
Our annual Family Night Drive-In Movie at the church on Friday, June 14

The complete calendar is easily accessible from the home page of our website.

Sunday, May 26: Sixth Sunday of Easter

8:00 a.m. Communion

Lucy Forster-Smith preaching

9:30 a.m.

Archbishop Elias Chacour preaching

11:00 a.m.

Archbishop Elias Chacour preaching

4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion

Abbi Heimach-Snipes preaching

Those who usually travel to worship via Lake Shore Drive between 5:30 and 10:30 a.m. will want to plan an alternate route this weekend. Hundreds of bicyclists will take to Lake Shore Drive this Sunday morning, May 26 for Bike the Drive—the one day of the year when only bikes are allowed on Lake Shore Drive.

More about worship, including bulletins

This Sunday, May 26, please join us in welcoming Archbishop Elias Chacour to Fourth Church.

Author of the best-selling Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land, Archbishop Chacour is founder of Mars Elias University in the village of Ibillin in northern Israel.

Internationally known for his work fostering peace and justice in Israel and Palestine through education, he also served as the Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church for Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and all Galilee from 2006 to 2014.

We are honored he will be with us as our guest preacher at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. this weekend.

To all who offered their musical gifts this past program year...

...from Chancel Choir to Morning Choir, Choral Society, and the Cherub, Children’s, and Youth Choirs; from Tower Brass to the Taizé Ensemble and Drum Circle; from our organists to handbell ringers, thank you for leading and inspiring us in making a joyful noise to the Lord!

To the Sunday School teachers and the youth group and Confirmation Circle leaders…

…for your dedication and investment in nurturing our children and youth and for your commitment to walking alongside them as they grow in faith and discipleship, thank you!

To the tutors, In2It Café volunteers, and Tutoring staff…

…for your life-changing presence in the lives of more than 400 of Chicago’s children, partnering with them in the pursuit of long-term academic and social success that leads to the pursuit of higher education and meaningful careers, thank you!

To the Deacons, Elders, and Trustees who this month completed their terms of service…

…for the gift of your time, contributions, and commitment over the past three years as church officers, thank you!

To the hospitality hosts…

…who graciously welcomed and assisted members of the Presbytery of Chicago who gathered at Fourth Church on Tuesday for the quarterly Presbytery Assembly, thank you!

Are you a walker? A runner?

The Racial Equity Council is raising funds for antiracism work through the GospelRun on Saturday, June 1. Walkers and runners are needed (register under the Fourth Presbyterian Church team) as are donations in support of them.

Those running the Chicago Marathon are invited to join the Chicago Lights Marathon Team in support of our nonprofit community outreach arm, Chicago Lights, and its five programs: Tutoring, Summer Day, Dance Academy, Urban Farm, and Social Service Center. For details, contact Lauren Suppes.

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Fourth Church family—those who were received into Fourth Church membership this past Sunday:

Michael Boucher

Camron Burns

Jeffrey Cappelli

Glendalynn Doorn-Specht

Carrie Eberly

Kyle Eberly

Lauren Falotico

Martin Gilson

Elliott Jones

Stephanie Jones

Aaron Lawlor

James Morstadt

Mary Morstadt

Ron Porras

Alisa Rantanen

Erick Skaff

Olivia Skaff

Molly Turner

Laura Vogel

Jessica Wang

As you’re out grocery shopping in the days ahead, please consider adding to your cart some extra snacks for the guests of our Meals Ministry Bag Lunch program.

We are kicking off a four-week drive to fill our Meals Ministry shelves with individually packaged snack items, items that will be used to fill the lunch sacks distributed to guests each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday noon in Anderson Hall.

Particularly needed are single servings of granola bars, chips, pretzels, and fruit or applesauce cups.

Donations (labeled “Meals Ministry”) can be dropped off on Sundays during Coffee Hour or at the reception desk on weekdays and Saturday, or they can be ordered for delivery to the church.

Information about snacks needed.

We currently have need for a variety of volunteers. Do any of these opportunities match your time, talent, or interests? We could use your help!

Adult leaders with our Youth Ministry program, beginning in the fall and filling various roles, from helping junior and senior high Sunday morning fellowship groups to leading an eighth-grade Confirmation circle or chaperoning a retreat or lock-in; sign up online by May 31
Chicago Lights Summer Day volunteers to work with students at the church on summer weekdays; register online for a 90-minute orientation
2020 Gala of Hope Committee members to share their talents and connections in support of this annual fundraising event benefiting Chicago Lights and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being; apply online
Ushers for the 11:00 a.m. services of worship
Greeters for Jazz at Four on Sunday afternoons
Cooks and servers for Meals Ministry Sunday Night Suppers
Silverware wrappers to prepare for Sunday Night Suppers