CONTENTS
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This Thursday is Maundy Thursday, a day that receives its name from the Latin mandatum novum do vobis, "A new commandment I give you." This new commandment, given by Jesus on the night he washed the disciples' feet, was "to love one another just as I have loved you." It is his example of--and our call to--love and service that we remember on Maundy Thursday.
This year during our Maundy Thursday noonday service, those who are interested will have opportunity to come forward to have their feet or hands washed. This is a gesture of humility and courage as we receive the hospitality and service of another. It is also a way to enter into Jesus' commandment that we love one another as he has loved us.
The evening service will follow the ancient Office of Tenebrae (from the Latin for "shadows"). The service portrays the progression from light to darkness in the passion of Jesus, beginning with his abandonment on Thursday and concluding with his crucifixion. The service ends with the Sanctuary in complete darkness.
Both services will include Communion.
Time:
Thursday, March 29
12:10 p.m. | Judith L. Watt preaching
7:30 p.m. | Shannon J. Kershner presiding
Place:
Sanctuary
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This Friday we will have a variety of ways in which to observe the most solemn day of the church year: Good Friday.
Worship opportunities will include a noonday service at 12:10 p.m., with Rocky Supinger preaching, and an evening choral service at 7:30 p.m., both in the Sanctuary. The Good Friday Choral Service will feature Domenico Scarlatti's Stabat Mater, as sung by the Morning Choir.
A Good Friday program specially designed for children will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel. Children and their families will have the opportunity to attend a short worship service and then explore a variety of stations with activities, crafts, and readings loosely modeled after the Stations of the Cross.
A Good Friday Walk in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood with fellow members of the Near North Ministry Alliance will also take place on Good Friday, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., beginning at Seward Park (375 W. Elm).
Time:
Friday, March 30
12:10 p.m. Good Friday Service | Rocky Supinger preaching
3:00 p.m. Good Friday Walk
5:30 p.m. Children's Program
7:30 p.m. Choral Service | Shannon J. Kershner presiding
Place:
Sanctuary
(except for 5:30 p.m.)
Seward Park (375 W. Elm) for the walk
Buchanan Chapel for Children's Program
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From Darkness to Light on Holy Saturday
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This Saturday evening we will kindle a fire in the Michigan Avenue courtyard and process by candlelight into the darkened Sanctuary.
With Easter drawing near and the light of the Sanctuary increasing, we will hear readings from scripture that cover the entire story of salvation, from creation through redemption, and join together in sacred song.
The evening will then culminate in a reaffirmation of our baptismal vows and the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
An ancient tradition of the church, the deeply moving Easter Vigil service is, for some, the worship highlight of their year. Together we are drawn into the story of salvation, moving from the conclusion of Lent to the dawning of Easter.
Come let your heart, mind, and body be engaged in an experiential celebration of the new life we are given in Christ!
Time:
Saturday, March 31
8:00 p.m.
Place:
Beginning in the Michigan Avenue courtyard
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In celebration of the resurrection of the Lord, we will gather for a variety of Easter worship opportunities this Sunday, April 1: a sunrise service at Oak Street Beach, three Easter morning services in the Sanctuary, and afternoon Easter jazz worship with Communion in the Sanctuary.
The Easter sunrise service on Oak Street Beach begins at 6:30 a.m., with Abbi Heimach-Snipes preaching.
There will be three morning worship services in the Sanctuary at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m., at which Shannon Kershner will be preaching.
The jazz service with Communion will be held at 4:00 p.m., with Nanette Sawyer preaching.
Please note that the last worship service of the morning begins at 11:30 a.m. on Easter in order to accommodate the number of worshipers throughout the morning. Also please keep in mind that Sanctuary seating for all morning services fills quickly and early, and there may be possible delays in entering and exiting the parking garages as a result of increased traffic volume.
On Easter Sunday, nursery care for children under the age of five will be available on the first floor of the Gratz Center between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and children five years of age through fifth grade are invited to participate in our 9:30 a.m. Easter children's program on the fourth floor of the Gratz Center, which will be followed by an Easter egg hunt on the fifth floor.
Time:
Sunday, April 1
6:30 a.m.
8:00, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
Place:
Oak Street Beach for Sunrise Service
Sanctuary (except for 6:30 a.m.)
Gratz Center, fourth floor, for Children's Program
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Joining Us for Brunch
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Join Fourth Church families and individuals, members and friends, for the annual Easter brunch at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday, April 1. The menu for the meal will include
sliced ham, crisp bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fresh fruit, waffles and syrup, Danish, orange juice, coffee, tea, and milk.
All are invited for this special time of fellowship and celebration!
Time:
Sunday, April 1
12:30 p.m.
Place:
Borwell Dining Room
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Sharing Our Easter Service Online
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Live Streaming 11:30 a.m. Worship
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Are you unable to join us for worship this Easter? Would you like to share with out-of-town friends and family our Easter celebration?
We will be live streaming the 11:30 a.m. Easter service at www.bit.ly/FPCworship (also accessible at www.fourthchurch.org).
Those who will be with us but who would like to experience the festive worship again will also be able to view the video there later in the day and throughout the coming weeks.
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Choral Society Rehearsals Begin
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Would you like to learn Baroque choral music from the Bolivian rain forest?
If the idea intrigues you, join the the Fourth Church Choral Society next Thursday, April 5 as they begin a new season preparing for their spring concert, which will take place at the church on Friday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Time:
Rehearsals:
Thursdays, beginning April 5 | 7:00 p.m.
Concert:
Friday, May 18 | 7:30 p.m.
Place:
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Marking Child Abuse Prevention Awareness
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Since 1989, millions of people have joined in displaying and wearing blue bows during the month of April to raise awareness for the observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
Again this year Women at Fourth are recruiting volunteers to help fill the trees on the corner of Michigan and Chestnut with blue ribbons. For all who pass by this area, these bows are a powerful witness to the tragedy of child abuse.
If you can help--even if just for a few minutes--please stop by next Thursday morning, April 5. There will be a Blue Bows interfaith prayer service at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, to which all are also invited, followed by a press conference. Volunteers will then begin tying bows at 10:00 a.m.
Even if you are unable to be with us next Thursday morning, you can still help us make this public witness possible: if you are at the church on Tuesday or Wednesday, April 3 and 4, please take a minute to tie a bow to the rope that will be in the Commons and that will then be incorporated into the blue bows display outside.
Time:
Thursday, April 5
Prayer Service and Press Conference
9:00 a.m.
Bow Tying
10:00 a.m.
Place:
Sanctuary for Prayer Service
Outside the Manse for Bow Tying
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Worship This Week
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Maundy Thursday
March 29, 2018
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12:10 p.m.
Foot-and Hand-Washing | Communion
Judith L. Watt,
Associate Pastor
7:30 p.m.
Tenebrae
Shannon J. Kershner
Pastor
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Good Friday
March 30, 2018
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Rocky Supinger,
Associate Pastor
7:30 p.m.
Choral Service: Scarlatti's Stabat Mater
Shannon J. Kershner
Pastor
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Holy Saturday
March 31, 2018
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Nanette Sawyer,
Associate Pastor
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Easter Sunday
April 1, 2018
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6:30 a.m.
Sunrise Service at Oak Street Beach | Communion
Abbi Heimach-Snipes,
Pastoral Resident
8:00, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner
Pastor
4:00 p.m.
Jazz Service with Communion
Nanette Sawyer,
Associate Pastor
Worship bulletins
for this coming Sunday are available online Friday afternoon at
www.fourthchurch.org/worship/this-week.html
"News and Opportunities"
is the weekly printed newsletter distributed with the Sunday bulletin and is available online Friday afternoon at
www.fourthchurch.org/news/2018/040118no.pdf
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Music and Concerts at Fourth Church
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All concerts are free unless otherwise noted.
Good Friday, March 30
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Good Friday Choral Service
with the Fourth Church Morning Choir
featuring Domenico Scarlatti's Stabat Mater
Thursday, April 5
7:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Rehearsals begin for the Fourth Church Choral Society
for their May concert of Baroque music from the Bolivian rain forest
All who are interested are invited to join us in singing!
Friday, April 6
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Sara Su Jones, violin
7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Missouri Symphony Conservatory
with
Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Shmuel Ashkenasi and Camerata Chicago Orchestra
(use coupon code FPCC for a 40 percent discount)
Friday, April 13
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Artful Song Trio
(voice and piano)
Friday, April 20
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Ian Maksin, cello
A complete concert schedule is available online.
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Volunteer at Fourth Church
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There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!
Current Volunteer Needs
Easter Brunch volunteers
to set up, serve, and host the congregational brunch on Sunday, April 1 (11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Servers to offer cider to those waiting in Easter worship lines on Easter Sunday, April 1 (from 8:00 to 9:10 a.m. or 10:00 to 11:10 a.m.)
Shower Ministry greeters
(men) for rotating Tuesday schedule (1:15-4:00 p.m.)
Greeters for Jazz at Four
4:00 p.m. worship service
Current Donation Needs
Used bicycles, bicycle parts, helmets, and jerseys to contribute to the Bike Drive on Saturday, April 14 (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) at the church; bicycles will be repaired by Working Bikes and sent to those in need
Men's clothing
(all sizes)
for guests of the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center
Large paper grocery bags for use in the Social Service Center Food Pantry (four grocery bags are needed for every guest who visits the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center Food Pantry)
Individually packaged snack items (5,000 a month) for distribution as part of the Meals Ministry Bag Lunches; particularly needed are fruit snacks, especially fruit cups or applesauce cups
Unless otherwise noted, to sign up for volunteer opportunities or to learn more about them--as well as additional volunteer opportunities--stop by Coffee Hour on Sunday morning or email Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry.
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