Sunday, September 11

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

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

The worship bulletin is available to download and print

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 resumes this Sunday 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

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

The worship bulletin is available to download and print

This Sunday is Get Connected Sunday at Fourth Church!

Join us as we kick off our autumn opportunities, from Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. to youth groups at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. and adult education classes at 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. (see below).

There will also be information in Anderson Hall about other ways in which you can connect with one another and this faith community.

We hope you will be with us for this fun-filled beginning of a new program year!

This year we are also pairing Get Connected Sunday with a festive Block Party to which we are inviting the community!

So bring a friend and join us in the Michigan Avenue courtyard (or, in the case of rain, indoors in the Commons) between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 11.

There will be music by Jazz at Four musicians, opportunity to bring your pet (or a photo of them) for a blessing, an Urban Farm stand where you can shop fresh produce, a photo booth, ice cream treats, bubble prizes for the children, and other activities.

We hope to see you there!

Adult education classes begin again this Sunday with two new four-week classes.

“Ukraine and the Orthodox Church”

Taught by Dr. Bruce Rigdon

Sundays, September 11–October 2

9:00 a.m.

in Borwell Dining Room

(in person only)

Register at www.bit.ly/ukrainechurch922 for this opportunity to learn about some of the things that make Eastern Orthodox Christians distinctly different from Roman Catholics and Protestants, such as icons, faith, belief, and practices. The class will also look at the Orthodox Church’s role in the invasion of Ukraine and visit some Orthodox churches in Chicago.

“Sound of the Genuine”

Taught by the Reverend Carol Allen

Sundays, September 11–October 2

11:15 a.m.

in Room 5G

(in person and via Zoom)

Register at www.bit.ly/genuine922 for this class that will explore how stories we hear and tell can heal our lives, our communities, and our world as well as shape our identity, our sense of purpose, our desires and hopes, what we believe and value, and how we relate to others. The class will look at some concepts that support this premise and discuss how they are reflected in the stories that will be shared, including those of Fourth Church members and authors Arlene Faulk (September 18) and Jim Garner (September 25).

For more information about these classes, contact Stefanie Schumann.

Opportunities to make music with Fourth Church resume this Sunday with rehearsals for Cherub and Children’s Choir (9:30 a.m.); Youth Choir (10:45 a.m.); Handbell Choir (11:15 a.m.); and Gospel Choir (1:30 p.m.).

The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.

The Choral Society will begin rehearsals on Thursday evenings in October in preparation for performing Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony “Resurrection” with organist David Briggs on Friday, November 11.

To learn more about these volunteer ensembles, see www.fourthchurch.org/music/choirs or contact John Sherer.

Eighth-grade Confirmation begins with a fall retreat at the church September 23–24 and will meet Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. starting October 2.

If your eighth-grader is interested in participating in Confirmation, please register at www.bit.ly/confirmation2223 by Sunday, September 18.

For anyone interested in becoming a member of Fourth Church, our Inquirers’ Class will be held next Sunday, September 18 in Room 5G.

You can register for this one-session class at www.bit.ly/inquirers922 

For additional information about Fourth Church membership, please contact Joe Morrow, Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Community Engagement.

The Nominating Committee is in need of recommendations for candidates for positions opening in 2023 for Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and Nominating Committee as well as the Chicago Lights Board.

Please take a moment to watch their video and think of Fourth Church members who have demonstrated gifts for leadership and a commitment to the life and ministry of this congregation.

Then add their names—self-nominations are welcome!—to the Leadership Candidate Form online at www.bit.ly/nominating2023

Scaffolding has been erected over the Chestnut Street sidewalk to facilitate tuckpointing and maintenance and repair work on the parapets and dormers of Parish House. Scaffolding over the Delaware entrance to the Gratz Center also enables tuckpointing in addition to repairs to the stonework of the chimney and surrounding areas.

The scaffolding will likely be in place throughout September.