Sunday, September 18

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

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

As we continue the new program year we launched last week on Get Connected Sunday, this Sunday we will commission volunteers during worship.

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

with Communion

in Buchanan Chapel

Matt Helms preaching

The worship bulletin is available to download and print

Installation of Nancy Benson-Nicol

We look forward to the installation of Nancy Benson-Nicol as Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries and Spiritual Formation during worship next Sunday morning, September 25.

We hope you will join us in celebration, whether in person or online, at 10:00 a.m. that morning!

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the laying of the Gratz Center cornerstone (September 16, 2012) and the 110th anniversary of the laying of the Sanctuary cornerstone (September 17, 1912).

We remember with thanksgiving the legacy that those who have gone before left through their generosity and vision. We give thanks for those who made possible these buildings and our presence on Michigan Avenue. And we remain deeply grateful to all whose ongoing contributions of time, talent, and treasure bring them to life. 

For pictures of the 2012 cornerstone event, see facebook.com/fourthchurch

On Tuesday, October 18 we will be hosting a Michigan Avenue Forum: “The 1619 Project Revisited: Race, History, and the Future—A Conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones and Natalie Moore.”

This 7:00 p.m. program in the Sanctuary will feature Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author of the New York Times’ 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, together with WBEZ’s Natalie Moore, in a discussion moderated by D. Bradford Hunt, Professor and Chair in the Department of History at Loyola University.

Please plan to join us for this important conversation!

New Zoom Small Groups will be starting again in October.

Books used for grounding discussion will include Nanette Sawyer’s Hospitality: The Sacred Art and Nikole Hannah-Jones’s The 1619 Project, among others.

If you would like to connect with five to seven other people via Zoom for a time of fellowship, relationship building, and spiritual formation or simply want to learn more about our small-group opportunities, please email Simon Crow.

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

Before the end of September please take a moment to 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

Chicago Lights Gala of Hope Committee

The Chicago Lights Gala of Hope Committee is in need of individuals to support the annual Gala of Hope fundraising event by securing individual and corporate sponsorships, soliciting auction items, and generating excitement about this evening of fun and philanthropy. To learn more, contact Katy Frey Bever.

Habitat for Humanity Community Build Day

Fourth Church’s Community Engagement Working Group will be hosting a Community Build Day along with four other churches in the South Side neighborhood of Greater Grand Crossing next Saturday, September 24 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There are 10 potential Build Day volunteer slots for Fourth Church participants. If you would be interested in taking part on September 24, please contact Joe Morrow by this Monday, September 19.

This opportunity provides occasion not only to help a future homeowner but to also build relationships with African American congregations in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood and get to know more deeply the lives, gifts, and priorities of neighbors in Chicago.

We also hope to have time during the lunch break to engage the other participating churches in a conversation about Greater Grand Crossings and how Fourth Church might become more involved in that community.

Women at Fourth will host “Facing Our Fears and Uncertainty,” presented by author and Fourth Church member Arlene Faulk, next Sunday, September 25 at 11:15 a.m. in Room 5G.

Those seeking inspiration and courage in facing fears and uncertainties are invited to hear Arlene talk about her own strategies and steps for doing so.

Anyone who would like to hear the presentation is welcome to attend; simply register at www.bit.ly/waf922

The Fourth Church Choral Society is looking for more individuals who like to sing to join in performing Mahler’s Second Symphony “Resurrection” with organist David Briggs on Friday, November 11.

Weekly rehearsals will begin Thursday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.

For more information, contact John Sherer.

The autumn season of the “Bible Top Ten” podcast hosted by Matt Helms and Rocky Supinger kicked off on Tuesday with “Top 10 Fun Facts about the Bible,” which you can find at fourthchurch.org/podcast

A new episode in this lively, often lighthearted, always interesting podcast about the Bible will be released every other Tuesday through the end of the year. Keep your ear out for “Top 10 Leaders in the Bible” on September 27. 

Have you seen our autumn “Rhythm and Word” series of short midweek reflections and music offered by the Fourth Church Jazz Quartet and Nancy Benson-Nicol?

If not, you can watch the most recent one here and then look for new ones on YouTube each Wednesday evening in September. The videos are also available weekly by email: subscribe at www.bit.ly/rhythmandwordemail

On Yom Kippur this year, Shannon Kershner will be preaching at The Beloved Community High Holy Day Experience, which will be held at Trinity United Church of Christ (400 W. 95th St.).

This series of interfaith services on the Jewish High Holy Days will take place on Monday, September 26; Tuesday, October 4; and Wednesday, October 5 and will also include, among others, preachers Rabbi Seth Limmer, the Reverend Otis Moss III, and Father Michael Pfleger.

Shannon will preach on the theme of recommitment to self and others on Yom Kippur, Wednesday, October 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity UCC.

To attend, register at www.open-judaism.org/highholydays, where you can also find a complete worship schedule.