News @ Fourth Church: December 22, 2018

December 22, 2018

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

Sunday School at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. this Sunday, December 23, but not on Sunday, December 30
Youth group gatherings this Sunday at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:00 a.m., but not on Sunday, December 30
Christmas Pageant rehearsal this Sunday, December 23 at 12:15 p.m.

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 the new year!

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23

8:00 a.m. Communion

Victoria G. Curtiss

9:30 a.m. Christmas Cantata

A worship service featuring Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols sung by the Morning Choir

11:00 a.m. Christmas Cantata

A worship service featuring Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols sung by the Morning Choir

4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion

Joseph L. Morrow

More about worship, including bulletins.

This season we invite you to join us in sharing Christmas joy with those in need.

Gifts to the “Light Up a Life” offering support congregational programs, mission, and community outreach—including Chicago Lights programs—as well as denominational efforts.

In this season when needs for many are great, “Light Up a Life” gifts make it possible for us to provide meals for those who are hungry, a shower and clean clothing for those living on the street, a warm place to escape the winter cold, a listening ear for those searching for a supportive community, and so much more.

“Light Up a Life” gifts can be made using the envelopes in the pew racks or online .

We hope you will join us in celebrating the birth of Emmanuel, God-with-us, this Christmas! On Monday, December 24, we will gather for four candlelight Christmas Eve services:

4:00 p.m. Children’s Pageant

6:00 p.m. Family Service

8:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols

10:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols

The 8:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols service will be live streamed at ww.bit.ly/FPCworship, where the video will also be available for viewing afterwards.

On Christmas Eve, nursery care will be available from 3:00 to 7:15 p.m.

Discounted parking on Christmas Eve is available only at the 900 N. Michigan garage.

Those who enter the garage on Christmas Eve prior to 3:00 p.m. will need to purchase a parking validation ticket at the church for $17.
Those who enter the garage after 3:00 p.m. will be able to park for $8 with a different validation ticket that can be picked up for free that day at the church.

For those worshiping at 6:00, 8:00, or 10:00 p.m., all entry to the Sanctuary will be from Michigan Avenue entrances. Worshipers arriving before the Sanctuary has been emptied following the previous service will be invited to join the queue in the Loggia (accessible through the glass doors on Michigan Avenue). After that queue has entered the emptied Sanctuary, access will be allowed via the Michigan Avenue Sanctuary doors.

Our festive celebration continues on Tuesday, December 25 when we come together for Christmas morning worship:

11:00 a.m. Christmas Day Worship

Lucy Forster-Smith preaching

On Christmas Day, nursery care will not be available. Children are always welcome to worship with their families!

Discounted parking on Christmas Day is available only at the 900 N. Michigan garage and requires purchasing a validation ticket at the church for $17.

You are invited to Christmas dinner!

Come join old friends or make new ones, all while enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner after worship on Christmas Day.

Seating is limited, so if you haven't already, be sure to reserve your spot by purchasing your tickets, which are available at the reception desk!

Tuesday, December 25

12:15 p.m.

in Anderson Hall

At the turning of the year—on Monday evening, December 31—we will come together with neighbors for our annual New Year’s Eve service in the style of Taizé.

Cohosted by Holy Name Cathedral, this quiet 7:30 p.m. service in Buchanan Chapel offers moving music, space for prayer, and meditative pause for reflecting on the year past and looking ahead to the year to come.

For those who would like an additional meditation opportunity beforehand, a labyrinth will be available in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. For those who have not walked a labyrinth previously, labyrinth hosts will be on hand to offer guidance.

New Year’s Eve

Monday, December 31

Labyrinth Walk

6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

in Anderson Hall

Taizé Service

7:30 p.m.

in Buchanan Chapel

More about Taizé

In order to conclude 2018 with a balanced budget, we are counting on gifts pledged for 2018 to be fully fulfilled by year end and welcome additional generosity where it is possible!

For gifts to be reflected on your 2018 giving statement, those gifts must be

placed in the offering plate this Sunday
received online by midnight on December 31, or
have been postmarked in 2018 (mail to Resource Development, Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut, Chicago, IL 60611.2014)

For information about making gifts through stock transfers or required distributions from one’s IRA or prepaying one’s 2019 Annual Appeal pledge, please contact Katy Frey Bever.

Volunteers to unload food trucks at the church on second and fourth Mondays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.; must be able to lift 50 pounds
Sunday Night Supper greeters and servers on Sundays from 3:45 to 6:15 p.m.

Additional volunteer opportunities.