Sunday, July 23

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

Rocky Supinger preaching

Worship bulletin

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

Livestreamed worship services are accessible by going to www.bit.ly/fpcvideos, subscribing to our YouTube channel, or clicking on the photo with a “Play” arrow on the home page of the Fourth Church website.

Children are always welcome in worship! During the service nursery care is also available, and Summer Sunday School meets at 10:00 a.m. as well.

The annual School Supply Drive organized by Women at Fourth gathers school supplies for children taking part in the Chicago Lights Urban Farm, Summer Day, and Tutoring programs.

You can contribute to the drive in a variety of ways.

• Purchase items from our wish list and drop them off at the church reception desk.

• Order items online and have them shipped directly to the church.

• Give a monetary gift (with the designation School Supply Drive), which we will use to purchase needed supplies.

• Volunteer your time to help us unpack, inventory, sort donations, and fill backpacks. (We are having our first backpack assembly this Sunday, July 23 to have backpacks ready for the Summer Day youth.)

For more information, contact Simon Crow.

Our World Mission and Social Justice Council invites you to learn how “Violence Interrupters” reduce gun violence.

Next Sunday, July 30, Damien Morris, Chief Program Officer of Violence Prevention at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, will talk about violence interruption and share how he and his staff have intervened in violent situations with more than 360 young people in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood.

The approach is a method of reducing violence by using trained peacekeepers — youth who’ve seen their own share of difficulties with gangs and other troubles— to de-escalate conflict by establishing relationships with people at the center of gun violence in East Garfield Park. 

“Our goal is to gain their trust and help them find alternatives and improve their lives,” says Damien Morris, who was incarcerated for 10-plus years at age 17. During his time at TAMMS Correction Facility in Southern Illinois (now closed), he turned his life around, earned his GED, and helped other inmates make similar strides. 

Please join us to meet Damien Morris, understand how and why violence interruption saves lives, and learn about Breakthrough Urban Ministries, one of our grantee partners.

We hope you will join us for this time of questions and answers on Sunday, July 30 at 11:15 a.m. in Room 4G.

Several of our programs and ministries have current needs for volunteers. Might you be able to help with one or more of them?

Spanish Translators

Fourth Church Meals Ministry is seeking help with translation with our Spanish-speaking guests at all meals. Assistance is especially needed at Monday Night Supper at Catholic Charities (721 N. La Salle).

The signup form for Spanish translator spots on Monday night can be found at www.bit.ly/fpcmns

Other ways in which to assist Meals Ministry are also posted on VOMO, our Volunteer Ministry software platform, at www.bit.ly/mealsministryvolunteer

Beadles, Ushers, Liturgists, and Chancel Guild

If you would like to contribute to worship by serving as a beadle, usher, liturgist, or member of the Chancel Guild, we are in need of more volunteers in those roles!

Beadles lead our procession into worship each Sunday, while ushers welcome worshipers with warm hospitality. Liturgists read scripture or lead prayers in the service, and the Chancel Guild prepares elements for Communion.

You can volunteer to be a beadle in September and October by signing up at www.bit.ly/beadle91023; to sign up to be an usher, visit the Usher table at Sunday Coffee Hour or sign up at www.bit.ly/usherinterest; and to volunteer as a liturgist, email Rocky Supinger. To join the Chancel Guild for a Communion Sunday, sign up at www.bit.ly/chancelguildfpc

Coffee Hour Hosts

We are in need of Cookie Table Hosts, Servers, and Hospitality Coordinators for Coffee Hour. If you would be interested in being a welcoming presence at these Sunday morning fellowship gatherings, contact Simon Crow or sign up online at app.vomo.org/

project/coffeehour

We also invite you to explore other volunteer opportunities by visiting www.bit.ly/fpcvolunteers or by contacting Robert Crouch (312.981.3382), Director of Volunteer Ministry.

Deep Listening Dinner

You are invited to a Deep Listening Dinner this coming Friday evening, July 28 at the church.

That evening we will gather around tables for a meal (for which there is no charge) to share in conversations that will help us get to know one another better and build connections in our Fourth Church community.

Reservations are required to ensure we have an appropriate amount of food and number of place settings. We hope you will join us!

RSVP to Simon Crow.

Church Picnic

Save the date: we’re having a picnic!

Our church picnic will be Sunday, August 13 in the Michigan Avenue courtyard following worship. Watch for details in the coming weeks.

Center for Life and Learning

This coming Wednesday afternoon, July 26, the Center for Life and Learning (CLL) is hosting a Hat Party for those 60 and over. Our time together will include learning about Bill Cunningham, renowned photographer for the New York Times and hat designer.

Also this coming week, the CLL will have a Neurographic Art session — to explore ways to slow down, release stress, and be more centered—on Friday morning, July 28.

For details or to register for either of these classes, see our CLL Special Topic classes web page, where you can also learn about other upcoming Special Topic classes for summer.

Adult Education

The fall schedule of Adult Education classes has been announced! You can read about the upcoming classes at www.fourthchurch.org/adult-education, where you can also subscribe to our adult education email newsletter.

Everyone is welcome to attend any of these classes, and there is no charge for any of them.

If you haven’t attended an Adult Education class at Fourth Church before, we hope you will give one a try this autumn!

Marriage

We give thanks to God for the gift of life together.

Katherine Elaine Theiss and John Fahey Spasiano

Married July 15, 2023