News @ Fourth Church: October 25, 2018

October 25, 2018

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

TwentiesThirties brunch this Sunday, October 28
Watching Rear Window at Fourth Church with the Movie Club next Thursday, November 1
A Cornerstones program on the Chicago River on Friday, November 2
Two information meetings on Sunday, November 4 for those interested in creating a new LGBTQIA group at Fourth Church
On Saturday afternoon, November 10 the dedication of a painting by Gerald Griffin to the youth of Chicago Lights by Associate Pastor Victoria Curtiss in honor of the Reverend Kent Organ, her husband, for his work for racial justice and inclusion; the celebration will include a performance by the students of the Chicago Lights Dance Academy

The calendar, which is easily accessible from the home page of our website, includes opportunity to register online for any event for which registration is involved (along with an option to make online payment of any registration fees).

Not sure of the date for an event? Use the "Search" function (the magnifying-glass icon to the left of "Today")!

Want to learn more about an event? Click on the down arrow to the right of the event name.

Reformation Sunday, October 28

8:00 a.m. Communion

Shannon J. Kershner

9:30 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner

11:00 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner

4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion

Abbi Heimach-Snipes

This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, a day when we recall the rich heritage of the Protestant tradition.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) grew out of the Reformation of the sixteenth century under leaders such as John Calvin and John Knox. It was on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, the watershed event sparking the Reformation.

Reformation Day is also a day when we remember and give thanks for Reformation leaders and all others who have kept the faith.

More about worship, including bulletins.

This Sunday is also Commitment Sunday.

Commitment Sunday is the day when we celebrate all we are able to do together through our generous response to God's blessings in our lives.

On Sunday we will place our 2019 pledges in the offering plate and dedicate them to the work of God's kingdom. During worship this Sunday, if you have already submitted your pledge or made it online, please take a brightly colored " I Pledged! " card from the pew information pad at the end of each pew, fill in your name, and place the card in the offering plate.

Pledges can be completed online or by using the paper forms in the pew racks.

More about the 2019 Annual Appeal.

Take a moment for quiet meditation at the end of this week: join us on Friday for a Taizé service, which provides an opportunity to gather in contemplative, prayerful setting.

Candles; easy-to-learn songs from various countries, traditions, and languages; and a period of silence all contribute to a time to reflect and open oneself to God.

The service will be preceded by opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m.

in Buchanan Chapel

Labyrinth available to walk between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.

in Anderson Hall

More about Taizé.

On Sunday, November 4—All Saints’ Sunday—we will remember the faithful who have gone before us and honor departed loved ones.

As part of our observances that day, we will gather for a Requiem Service of Remembrance at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Featuring Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, sung by the Morning Choir, the service will also include opportunity to celebrate communion.

Sunday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m.

in the Sanctuary

Next month we will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

On Friday evening, November 9, the Fourth Church Choral Society will present a concert featuring choral works by Elgar, Bainton, Tavener, and Mealor along with poems and letters written by soldiers in the war.

That performance will be preceded by a 6:30 p.m. pre-concert lecture by Claudia Boatright on “Remembering the Great War.”

Friday, November 9

Lecture at 6:30 p.m.

in Borwell Dining Room

Concert at 7:30 p.m.

in the Sanctuary

(Freewill donations will be received at the door)

More about the Choral Society.

Beginning this Sunday, the Academy for Faith and Life is offering two new adult education opportunities:

“Death, Dying, and Human Dignity”

Sundays, October 28 to November 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Michael DeVries will lead us in this four-week exploration of existential concerns connected with our mortality and the social context that supports what might be considered a “good death.” We will also address the process of grief, cultural aspects of mourning, and funeral practices.

“Doxology: Hymns and the Christian Tradition”

Sundays, October 28 to November 11 at 12:10 p.m.

With John Sherer and Shawn Fiedler as our guides, we will journey through time, exploring the rich heritage of hymnody and music of the Christian tradition, taking a closer look at the history and origins behind some of the most well-known and respected hymns.

Looking ahead, on Sunday, November 4, Jeannine Forrest will lead a two-week class at 11:00 a.m. on “Caregiving as a Spiritual Journey.”

More about adult education opportunities.

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

Anita Balodis

Alexandra Graves

Stephen Graves

Dionne Korita

Sally Mindrebo

Maryam Mousavi

Kathleen O’Connor

Thomas Prenzno

Stuart Smith

Kashane Taylor

To support their commitment to care for creation and practice environmental stewardship, Fourth Church Meals Ministry is in need of donations of flatware to use for the Sunday Night Supper they serve in Anderson Hall each week.

The flatware should be sturdy and, if new, simple; if used, in good shape. All told, Meals Ministry needs 300 full-sized table knives, forks, and spoons .

(Serving pieces and soup spoons are not needed, so please do not include these items.)

Donations, marked "Meals Ministry," can be left with or sent to the church reception desk.

Volunteers to help set up and take down our Fair Trade Bazaar, Friday evening, November 30 and Sunday afternoon, December 2
Ushers for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services (December 24: 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, and 10:00 p.m.; December 25: 11:00 a.m.)

Additional volunteer opportunities.

Our free Friday Noonday Concerts continue this week with a cello-piano performance by Il Duo Lyrico and next week with a soprano-oboe-piano concert cosponsored by Musicians Club of Women.

Friday, October 26 at 12:10 p.m.

in Buchanan Chapel

Il Duo Lyrico:

Nancy Steltman, cello

Robert Byrens, piano

Friday, November 2 at 12:10 p.m.

in Buchanan Chapel

Alicia Berneche, soprano

Patricia Morehead, oboe

Philip Morehead, piano

Friday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.

in Buchanan Chapel

Camerata Chicago

Presenting Handel’s Messiah (Christmas) and Bach’s Magnificat

Tickets available at www.cameratachicago.org ; use code FPCC for a 30 percent discount

Looking Ahead: Organ Anniversary Concert

On Friday, November 16 we will mark the third anniversary of the dedication of our Andrew Pipe Organ. Organist Stephen Buzard, Director of Music at St. James Cathedral, will present a recital of works by Leo Sowerby, who was organist at Fourth Church in the early twentieth century.

A complete concert schedule is posted online .