News @ Fourth Church: March 14, 2020

March 14, 2020

In-Person Worship Suspended

Our in-person worship has been suspended indefinitely, and the Sanctuary will be closed on Sunday morning.

However, we hope you will join us online for worship, which will be livestreamed at 11:00 a.m. If that time does not fit your schedule, the service will also be available for viewing throughout the week.

You can also subscribe to our worship and sermon podcast and sign up to receive the weekly sermon by email.

Third Sunday in Lent, March 15

This week our livestreamed worship will continue our Lenten sermon series on “Questions Jesus Asked ” by considering a “Question about Identity,” specifically “What is your name?” (Luke 8:26–39).

11:00 a.m. online

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

Worship bulletin

Livestreamed at www.bit.ly/FPCworship

In addition to suspending in-person worship, we have also suspended indefinitely all in-person programming, including Sunday School classes, youth groups, adult education classes, the Day School, Tutoring, and the Center for Life and Learning. Bible studies, Benevolent Guild, the Women at Fourth retreat, and choir rehearsals are also among the activities that have been suspended.

We encourage you to refer to the Fourth Church calendar (which is easily accessible from the home page of our website) if you have questions about programming.

In this time while we are not in the same place, we are exploring new opportunities for all of us to be community and church. Watch your email for information about what those opportunities might be! You can also find updates on our website, on Facebook, and on Instagram.

Also, if you know someone who would like to receive 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

Although we are suspending in-person programming and practicing social distancing so that we might “flatten the curve” on the spread of the coronavirus, protect those most at risk, and keep from overwhelming the health care system, we remain firmly committed to caring for the most vulnerable among us.

Fourth Church Meals Ministry will continue to serve those in our community who are hungry, offering “to go” packaged meals for Sunday Night Supper and “to go” lunches for the Tuesday–Wednesday–Thursday Bag Lunch program.

The Chicago Lights Social Service Center will be open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm. to provide the following services:

Essential emergency clothing (underwear, socks, T-shirts, gloves, hats)
Hygiene, incontinence, and menstruation items
Inclement weather gear (ponchos, handwarmers, coats)
Pre-assembled bags of food for those who have scheduled Food Pantry appointments

The Sanctuary will continue to remain open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays for our guests who are looking for a place of respite.

Our commitment to caring for those in need and remaining connected while apart depends on all of us. How can you help?

Reach out via phone and email to friends, family, neighbors, and those you know who might be feeling isolated.

Donate items that are in high demand as our Chicago Lights Social Service Center and Fourth Church Meals Ministry continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. The following can be dropped off at the church reception desk or ordered online and shipped directly to the church (Fourth Presbyterian Church, Attn. Social Service Center, 126 E. Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611.2014).

New men’s underwear (sizes M–3X)
New women’s underwear (sizes M and up)
New socks
T-shirts (sizes L–3X)
Travel-size sanitizer and hand wipes
Travel-size deodorant
Travel-size lotion
Travel-size soap
Canned and dry goods (fruit, vegetables, soup)
Pop-top cans
Individually wrapped snacks and juice boxes

Give online or via Venmo (@Fourth-Church). Your gifts to Fourth Church matter now more than ever! Our building remains open and our expenses continue. The vulnerable neighbors we serve have increased needs. And we won’t be passing offering plates on Sunday (although we will be encouraging people to make an offering gift online). So your generosity in this time makes a big difference!

Let us know if you are— or know someone who is— currently in self-quarantine, sick, or feeling isolated. Please contact our Pastoral Care Office so that we can reach out to them.

Let us know if you are a medical professional. We know these are difficult days for you, and we want to be able to reach out and care for you as well.