What’s coming up on the church
calendar? Among other things—
- “Foundation of Faith” Bible study this Sunday morning, January 19, with Vicky Curtiss leading an exploration of Daniel 7
- A hosted labyrinth walk on Friday, January 24
- The Day School’s winter Open House on Saturday morning, January 25, an opportunity to explore the preschool classrooms and meet the teachers
- Knitting and Crocheting on Tuesday, January 28
- A “Strengthening Communication through the Enneagram” workshop on Saturday, February 8
If you haven’t already, why not
bookmark our calendar to keep up-to-date on the opportunities available to you at Fourth Church in 2020!
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Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 19
8:00 a.m. Communion
Victoria G. Curtiss preaching
9:30 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
11:00 a.m. Reception of New Members
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion
Joe Morrow
preaching
This weekend we join churches and communities across the nation in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born ninety-one years ago, on January 15, 1929. As public witness for all who pass by, we will again hang a banner on the exterior of our Sanctuary in memory of Dr. King.
We also read again these words Dr. King wrote from the Birmingham Jail in April 1963, excerpted from his letter that was first printed in the
Christian Century: “Human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless effort of men and women willing to be coworkers with God, and without the hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of stagnation. We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.”
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a Beloved Community where all people see one another as beloved children of God, developing loving relationships as members of God’s one family. In the Beloved Community, all forms of bigotry and discrimination are replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of belonging.
As we continue our Sunday morning
“Beloved Community: Shaping Our Lives Together” class, we will this week review Fourth Church’s mission outreach and justice work through the lenses of the Beloved Community, Reconciliation, and the Five Peacemaking Affirmations.
Join us at 11:00 a.m. in Room 5G as we look at biblical and theological foundations for working toward racial healing, reconciliation, and justice, identifying what Fourth Church can do on the path toward justice and racial equity, including full participation in every aspect of church life.
We also invite you to mark your calendars for Sundays, February 2–23 at 11:00 a.m. when a variety of guest lecturers will guide us in learning more about
“Black History: Impact on Our Faith Traditions.”
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Cornerstones will be honoring Black History Month with a special presentation on February 7 on
“Retracing Freedom’s March on the Fall Mission Trip.”
That Friday evening Robert Crouch will talk about the 2019 Civil Rights Movement Trip, sponsored by our Racial Equity Council, which was a deep immersion into both the tragic dimensions of systemic racism in our country and the inspiring hope, faith, commitment, and resilience of those who have resisted it.
Registration for this gathering of those fifty and over is required by Tuesday, February 4. The evening, which will include dinner and a program, begins at 6:00 p.m. in Borwell Dining Room.
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In addition to the Cornerstones gathering, several other times of fellowship are on our calendar for the coming weeks.
TwentiesThirties will come together for their monthly SpeakEasy social on Thursday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m., this month at MingHin (333 E. Benton Place Ste 300). Also, those in their twenties and thirties who are interested in a small group Bible study beginning in February are invited to contact
Joe Morrow for more information.
Also on Thursday, January 23,
Women at Fourth will host their monthly gathering at 5:30 p.m. in the Manse. All women are invited to come join in celebrating the season with hot chocolate, stories, and good cheer!
And next Sunday, January 26 is the day for the monthly
LGBTQIA Brunch, a time for our LGBTQIA community and friends to share in a time of fellowship over a meal. Those who would like to join us for brunch are asked to meet at the church reception desk next Sunday at 12:15 p.m., and we will walk from there to a nearby restaurant.
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Do you have gifts for compassionate listening? Do you feel called to be present with and pray for individuals experiencing challenging times?
If so, we encourage you to consider becoming a Stephen Minister.
Our next fifty-hour Stephen Ministry training class will begin in March and will be offered on Saturdays.
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A new mission group has been formed at Fourth Church: the
Employment Network.
The Employment Network is working in partnership with the St. Sabina Employment Resource Center to increase job opportunities for those in the Auburn-Gresham and Englewood neighborhoods.
If you become aware of any
entry-level job openings where you work or live, please send the details to
employmentnetwork@fourthchurch.org so we might share them with those in the St. Sabina neighborhood who are searching for employment.
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A new year of
jail ministry will begin this spring.
If you or a friend have an interest in criminal justice reform or, more specifically, worshiping and talking with detainees in the Cook County Jail, please let us know!
Currently, a small group of jail ministers visits men in the jail on the third Tuesday of each month from 5:45 till 7:15 pm.
To be part of this jail ministry, you must first attend a one-hour training by the Cook County Sheriff's Office the first week of February.
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Tickets are now available for the 2020 Gala of Hope, the annual benefit in support of Chicago Lights—the community outreach arm of Fourth Church—and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being.
This year’s event will be held on Friday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Radisson Blu Aqua (221 N. Columbus).
The festive evening includes a three-course dinner, dancing to live music provided by the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra, and silent and live auctions featuring unique experiences, getaways, entertainment, and more.
Stop by Coffee Hour Sunday to get your tickets—or
reserve them online today!—and plan to join us for an evening of fun that makes a difference in the lives of so many!
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Summer is still a few months off, but the deadline for signing up for youth summer trips is fast approaching.
Registration for both the Detroit and Ferncliff experiences are due by Friday, January 31.
Detroit
June 20–26
This trip is for all youth who will be in grades 5–8 in the fall of 2020. Through our partnership with the Presbytery of Detroit, a team of Fourth Church youth will spend four days serving and learning around the city, doing such things as sorting clothing donations, landscaping, and serving meals. The trip also includes fun activities like a visit to the Detroit History Museum or a water park (weather permitting).
Senior High Mission Trip to Ferncliff
Little Rock, Arkansas
Saturday, July 11–17
This trip is for all youth who will be in grades 9 through freshman year of college in the fall of 2020. Through our partnership with the PC(USA)’s only Disaster Assistance Center, Ferncliff, a team of Fourth Church youth will spend four days serving and learning around Little Rock, doing such things as sorting donations, learning about eco-sustainability, and serving meals. They will also spend time at Heifer International and Little Rock Central High School Historic Site.
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We are looking forward to continuing our free Friday Noonday Concerts of 2020 this Friday with a performance by organist David Jonies.
(Those who were worshiping with us at 11:00 a.m. this past Sunday may be wondering why we sang a cappella for the first part of that service. A neighborhood power surge momentarily cut off power in the Gratz Center, which required rebooting the power to the organ. Power was restored to the instrument midway through the service, and all is well with the pipe organ—as you will hear at this Friday’s concert!)
Friday, January 17 at 12:10 p.m.
David Jonies, Organ
in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Ensemble
in Buchanan Chapel
Friday, January 24 at 12:10 p.m.
Lyric Opera Stage Artists
in the Sanctuary
Friday, January 31 at 12:10 p.m.
John Sherer, Organ
in the Sanctuary
Friday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Olaf College Choir
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Are you looking for volunteer opportunities in 2020? Check out our new volunteer management software, VOMO, for ideas!
When registering, simply click
join on the right-hand side of the VOMO page and fill out the requested details. That's it!
Once you receive notification that your registration has been received, you can then proceed to
review and sign up for the volunteer opportunities listed.
For assistance with VOMO or information about volunteering with Fourth Church, please contact
Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry.
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Death
We gave thanks to God for the gift of life eternal.
Steve Nelson
Husband of Sandra Nelson
Died January 9, 2020
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
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Fourth Presbyterian Church | 312.787.4570 | www.fourthchurch.org
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