A Mask-Welcoming Community
Beginning this Sunday, April 3, masks will be welcome but not required for everyone on the Fourth Church campus.
As a mask-welcoming campus, we affirm that mask wearing continues to be an effective preventative measure for individuals. Thus we not only encourage the wearing of masks by anyone who wants or needs to wear one, but we are also committed to ensuring no one will feel out of place should they choose to wear a mask while at the church.
Since some populations are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others, some programs on the Fourth Church campus may choose to require masks. That is a decision that will be made on a program-by-program basis. We will also continue to require masks be worn in the socially distanced seating section in the Sanctuary.
Additionally, we are continuing our practice of not checking vaccination status, but anyone coming on site certifies by doing so that (a) they do not currently have COVID-19; (b) they are not experiencing COVID symptoms; (c) they have no reason to quarantine; and (d) they will wear a mask and practice social distancing if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
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Looking for ways to connect with the Fourth Church community and one another? On the church calendar you will find many opportunities to do so online (or, where noted, in person). Included among them are—
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“Israel and Palestine: How We Talk about the Conflict” concludes on Sunday morning, April 3
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Benevolent Guild on Wednesday morning
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Friday Noonday Concert—both in person and online—featuring our Organ Scholar Michael Rees on Friday, April 8
For information about whom to contact for an event’s Zoom details, simply click on the down “arrow” to the right of the event name in the calendar (which is easily accessible from the “Calendar” button in the upper left corner of our website).
For highlights about some additional opportunities, keep reading!
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Fifth Sunday in Lent, April 3
10:00 a.m. worship in person and online
with Communion
9:45 a.m. prelude
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
4:00 p.m. Jazz at Four worship in person
with Communion
in Buchanan Chapel
Nanette Sawyer preaching
This Sunday and also on Palm/Passion Sunday we will continue to have a socially distanced seating section at the front of the Sanctuary. That section will be reserved for those required to or choosing to practice social distancing, and everyone sitting in that section will be required to wear a mask. The remainder of the Sanctuary will be open seating.
We know that some worshipers may be uncomfortable being near those who are singing while unmasked. We invite those who are concerned about this to either worship with us, masked, in the socially distanced seating section or join us in worshiping online at 10:00 a.m.
This Sunday we will be celebrating Communion at both services. For those who will be joining us online, we encourage you to have bread and juice on hand so that we might all share together in the Lord’s Supper.
For those who park at the 900 N. Michigan garage on Sundays, please note that the 900 discounted parking rate on Sundays is now $9 for 6 hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and $18 for between 6 and 12 hours on Sundays. Validation tickets for the garage must be picked up from an usher.
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This Sunday is also the last day to make a contribution toward the purchase of flowers to decorate the Sanctuary and Buchanan Chapel for our Easter services.
A list of those in whose memory or honor the flower gifts are given will be printed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. For names to be included in the bulletin, contributions must be received by Sunday, April 3.
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This past Sunday, Nancy Benson-Nicol was unanimously elected by the congregation of Fourth Church to serve as our Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries and Spiritual Formation!
Nancy’s first day of ministry among us will be on Easter Sunday, April 17. We look forward to welcoming her then.
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This past Sunday we also welcomed during worship thirty-four new members, who were received into membership by the Session in February and March.
Please join us in adding your welcome to these newest members of the Fourth Church family!
Josh Beckley
Nora Boneham
Phillip Collier
Priscilla Collier
Genevieve Cour
Eleanor Dulin
Katharine Dulin
Hope Dancy
Michael Dannecker
Nicole Dannecker
Connie Galvan
Lauren Klein
Mollie Kryka
Marguerite LaFreniere
Wayne Lyons II
Lindsey Mackey
Suzanne Preiman
Adam Proegler
Margaret Proegler
Christina Rockwell
Andrew Shanahan
Michael Solberg
Jack Spasiano
Kyle Terpstra
Katherine Theiss
Tara Tincknell
Tim Tincknell
Bonnie McBride Uhlir
Elizabeth Underwood
Ryan Underwood
Alexis Vincent
Tyler Vincent
Jenna Whitaker
Elizabeth Williams
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Palm/Passion Sunday | April 10
10:00 a.m. worship with palm processional
In person and livestreamed
4:00 p.m. Jazz at Four
With Communion | In person only
A Sunday morning palm processional will usher us into our Palm Sunday singing of loud hosannas. Our focus will then turn to the Passion story that leads us into Holy Week.
To join in the spirit of this day that is both festive and somber, we encourage those who will be worshiping with us online to download and print a palm ( www.bit.ly/palmcolor) to have on hand as we together sing “all glory, laud, and honor.” |
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Our Palm Sunday celebration will lead us into Jesus’ Passion and Holy Week. We hope you will join us as we pause to observe those solemn days.
Maundy Thursday | April 14
12:10 p.m. worship with Communion
In person only
7:30 p.m. Tenebrae with Communion
In person and livestreamed
The evening service follows 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.
Good Friday | April 15
12:10 p.m. worship
In person only
5:30 p.m. program for children and families
In person only | in Buchanan Chapel
7:30 p.m. Choral Service
“The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Théodore Dubois
In person and livestreamed
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Easter Sunday | April 17
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service
with Communion
at Oak Street Beach
9:00 a.m. Easter Service
In person only
11:00 a.m. Easter Service
In person and livestreamed
4:00 p.m. Easter Jazz at Four
with Communion
in Buchanan Chapel
In person only
Entrance for the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services will be via the glass Loggia doors on Michigan Avenue, next to the courtyard. Seating will begin a half hour prior to each of those two services.
There will be no socially distanced seating at any of the Easter services. We invite those who prefer to practice social distancing to join us in worship outdoors for the sunrise service or online for the 11:00 a.m. service.
An Easter program for children will be held in the Gratz Center at 9:00 a.m. on Easter; nursery care will not be available.
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Several ministry areas at Fourth Church are in need of additional volunteers. Might you be able to help?
Fourth Church Jail Ministry is in need of volunteers to join them in visiting the Cook County Jail. Two identical online information sessions will be offered—including one this Sunday, April 3—for those who would like to learn more about what is involved. Additional details are also available by emailing Maggie Shreve at jailministry@fourthchurch.org
Sundays, April 3 and 24
12:30 p.m. via Zoom
Youth Ministry is in need of chaperones for their youth mission trips this summer—trips for Junior Highs to St. Louis (June 26–July 1) and for Senior Highs to Memphis (July 9–15). If you are interested in accompanying the youth, please fill out the form at www.bit.ly/youthtripleaders22
Fourth Church Meals Ministry is in need of volunteers to help with a variety of projects—opportunities that can be done at home, behind the scenes at church, or by interacting with our guests. You can learn more—and sign up—via our Volunteer Ministry platform, VOMO: www.bit.ly/fpcvolunteers)
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First Tuesday Book Club
The First Tuesday Book Club invites you to join bestselling author Parker J. Palmer for a Zoom discussion of his new book On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old. This conversation—and book—are for all who want to age reflectively, seeking new insights and life-giving ways to engage in the world.
Tuesday, April 5
7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Books by Women
Books by Women invites all interested women to join them online in April to discuss A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, a story with rich history about the struggle of immigrants and policy that surround refugees.
Tuesday, April 12
6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Soul Collage® and Poetry
“SoulCollage® and Poetry: Making Space for Your Soul” will be offered by the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being on Saturday afternoon, April 9. Led by Margaret Brennan and Elise Magers, this workshop offers opportunity to unlock the unconscious mind and tap into your imagination for guidance and growth.
Saturday, April 9
1:00 p.m. via Zoom
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Fourth Church Day School is currently accepting applications for fall enrollment in our half-day preschool programs.
For more information and an application, please contact Director Kathy Hager (312.640.2579). |
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If you would like to pray with a Deacon on Sundays, the Deacons invite you to come to Stone Chapel (through the door next to the Sanctuary pulpit) following Sunday morning worship.
If you would like to talk to a pastor, please call the church (312.787.4570) and your request will be forwarded to someone on the pastoral staff.
If you would like to alert pastoral staff to emerging pastoral care needs, please email caringministries@fourthchurch.org; however if the situation is an emergency or requires immediate attention, please call the church at 312.787.4570 to be connected to the Minister on Call.
For one-to-one spiritual and emotional support through life challenges, we encourage you to consider being paired with a Stephen Minister. To learn more about this resource, contact Jeff Doane, Parish Associate for Caring Ministries and Spiritual Formation, or leave a confidential message for a Stephen Minister at 312.573.3365.
To set up a time to talk or for more information about how the staff of the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being can be a resource for you, call the Center at 312.787.2729, ext. 2260.
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Birth
We give thanks to God for the gift of new life.
August Ruth Kryka
Child of Nora Boneham and Mollie Kryka
Death
We give thanks to God for the gift of life eternal.
Virginia Anderson
Died March 18, 2022
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In Lent we embrace the faith journey by reflecting upon and deepening our relationship with God and acting upon our Christian beliefs. In doing so, we invite you to join with others in using the variety of resources and opportunities available from Fourth Church.
Sacred Pause Meditation
Walking the Labyrinth
Another opportunity for meditation is offered on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, when the Buchanan Chapel labyrinth is available to walk between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. For details, email Rocky Supinger.
Morning Prayer
On Wednesdays we gather to pray together for members of Fourth Church and the community as well as those in need.
Morning Prayer via Zoom takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays; in-person Morning Prayer is held in Buchanan Chapel on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. For Zoom details, email Rocky Supinger.
Lenten Devotions
Offered as a resource for personal meditation and prayer, our daily Lenten devotions are written by Fourth Church members and staff.
Bible Study
Men’s Bible Study meets online on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m., and Horizons Bible Study for women will host two online sessions on Wednesday, April 13, one at 12:00 p.m. and one at 6:30 p.m. For Zoom links or more information about either Bible study, email Simon Crow.
Lenten Rhythm and Word
Each week during Lent we are offering for your midweek reflection a new video in our Lenten “Rhythm and Word” series. You can find these fifteen-minute worship experiences on our YouTube channel (www.bit.ly/fpcvideos).
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Worshiping with Us Online
Our Sunday morning worship service is livestreamed at 10:00 a.m. (Central) via our YouTube channel (www.bit.ly/fpcvideos)
The service is also available online any time afterwards on YouTube.
For those who do not have Internet access, we also make our livestreamed worship services available to listen to via the phone. If you know of someone for whom this audio opportunity would be welcome, please encourage them to call 888.916.9166 (toll-free) at the time of the service.
Throughout the Week
Our Sunday services are available for viewing following the conclusion of worship and throughout the week at www.bit.ly/fpcvideos.
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If you know someone who would like to receive email updates from us but currently is not, please encourage them to add their email address to our distribution list by signing up at www.bit.ly/newsfromfpc
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