News @ Fourth Church: August 15, 2019

August 15, 2019

What’s coming up on the church calendar? Quite a variety of things, including—

LGBTQIA+ Widening Our Welcome monthly brunch on Sunday, August 25 preceded by a time of conversation to discuss ideas for “what’s next” for the group
Knitting and Crocheting on Tuesday, August 27
A presentation by John Buchanan—discussing some of the themes that animate his blog and other writings—on Friday, September 6 at 7:15 p.m. (Registration for the Cornerstones dinner beforehand is closed, and all dinner seats are filled.)
“Get Connected” Sunday, when we kick off our fall programming for all ages, on Sunday, September 8
Books by Women conversation about Pachinko by Min Jin Lee on Tuesday, September 10

The calendar, which is easily accessible from the home page of our website, also includes direct links to any online registrations (along with an option to make online payment of any registration fees).

Sunday, August 18: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

8:00 a.m. Communion

Lucy Forster-Smith preaching

9:30 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

11:00 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

We are always delighted to have children with us in worship, but during August we particularly welcome their presence: Sunday School is taking a break until Sunday, September 8, so we encourage parents to bring their children to worship with them these summer weeks. Special children’s bulletins are available from the ushers.

More about worship, including bulletins

This Sunday afternoon, August 18 our Care of Creation Committee will be taking in the wonders of creation during a guided walking tour of the historic Wooded Island in Jackson Park, and they invite you to join them.

Wooded Island historian Jerry Levy and Fourth Church member and photographer Terry Evans will be our guides.

After our forty-five-minute walk, we will eat at the Japanese Gardens, and so participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.

Limited transportation to and from Fourth Church will be available; drivers are also needed to drive to the south lot at Jackson Park (1987 E. Hayes Drive).

Space is limited to twenty-five individuals; today (Thursday, August 15) is the last day to RSVP (by contacting Nancy Davis).

Sunday, August 18

1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Meet at the bridge at the sound end of Jackson Park

(1987 E. Hayes Dr.)

(Those with prearranged plans to travel together from Fourth Church will meet at the reception desk at 12:10 p.m.)

Have you seen our photos from ancient Greece?

Our preschoolers through fifth graders enjoyed a week of fun and learning while accompanying the Apostle Paul on his travels through ancient Greece for Vacation Bible School’s focus on our call to be disciples.

You can check out the VBS pictures on Instagram and Facebook!

If you have been following us on Facebook, you will also have seen the post this week of the national television news feature on our Andrew Pipe Organ!

Vacation Bible School fun and learning...

Music by the Fountain concerts in our beautiful courtyard...

Youth mission trips to Detroit and New Jersey...

Center for Life and Learning exercise classes for older adults in our community...

Meals Ministry bag lunches and Sunday and Monday Night Suppers for guests who are hungry...

These are just some of the many summer programs supported by your pledges and gifts to Fourth Presbyterian Church.

To help cover the expenses of the resources needed for these summer programs we ask you to please consider making an additional gift today. Gifts can be made online, mailed to the church, or placed in the offering plate on Sunday.

Our Fourth Church Day School has a few openings in our three-day morning and afternoon preschool programs that begin again this fall.

If you’d like to know more about the learning and growing opportunities at our Day School, please let Director Kathy Hager know!

You are invited to share the gift of music and be inspired by the faith of our Cuban Christian sisters and brothers the week of March 2–9 (note the trip has been rescheduled from the original February dates; registration deadline: November 15).

Led by John Sherer and Vicky Curtiss, members of Fourth Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church of Chicago will spend that week with our host congregation, the First Presbyterian Church of Havana, deepening relationships and sharing the joy of music and faith.

We have been in partnership with First Presbyterian Havana for nearly twenty years, and we were delighted that earlier this summer their pastor, Liudmila Hernández, traveled to be with us, to lead worship, preach at Jazz at Four, and share perspectives and reflections on the current atmosphere in Cuba.

More about the Cuba trip, including online registration

Save the date! The 2020 Chicago Lights Gala of Hope will be held Friday evening, March 6.

We are returning to the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel for an evening that will include a three-course seated dinner, live music and dancing provided by the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra, and exclusive silent and live auctions.

This evening provides opportunity to benefit the life-changing youth development and social service programs of Chicago Lights, the nonprofit community outreach arm of Fourth Church, as well as the community efforts of the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being. Ticket information will be available in December.

In the meantime, the Chicago Lights Associates Board invites you to enjoy some tasty treats while also supporting the work of Chicago Lights: be sure to stop by their bake sale next Sunday morning, August 25, during Coffee Hour!

Do you know someone with gifts for leadership and ministry?

Consider recommending them—or yourself!—for an officer position with Fourth Church or Chicago Lights.

Recommendations for the offices of Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and Chicago Lights Board can be made online. Paper forms are also available at the church in the pew racks and literature racks.

The Officer Nominating Committee would greatly appreciate your assistance in helping them gather names this summer so they can begin their review of recommendations this fall.

So please take a moment in the coming week to send your suggestions their way.

Might one of the following opportunities match your time, talent, interests, or schedule? We could use your help!

Medical professionals to provide medical services to guests attending our Meals Ministry Sunday Night Supper; contact Mike Usiak for details
Individuals to coordinate medical services offered at Sunday Night Supper; medical experience not required; contact Mike Usiak to sign up
Meal servers for Sunday Night Suppers
Tutors to work one-to-one with Chicago Lights Tutoring students one night a week at the church, October through May; sign up for a one-session orientation to learn more
A database advisor to support the Social Service Center with improving the efficiency of how they use Salesforce
Docents to give church tours on a rotating basis, Sundays following the 11:00 a.m. worship service; training provided

Unless otherwise noted, sign up or learn more by contacting Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry.

We have just three more outdoor concerts left in this Music by the Fountain season, so be sure to save some time on one or more of the remaining August Fridays to come enjoy some fun performances in the courtyard!

Friday, August 16 at 12:10 p.m.

outdoors in the Courtyard

Andy Brown

Friday, August 23 at 12:10 p.m.

outdoors in the Courtyard

Stu Mindeman

Friday, August 30 at 12:10 p.m.

outdoors in the Courtyard

Elsie Wagner Sherer

A complete concert schedule is online.