News @ Fourth Church: August 1, 2019

August 1, 2019

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

Men’s Bible Study on Tuesday, August 6
Grief Support Group beginning Monday, August 12 (preregistration required)
Horizons Women’s Bible Study on Wednesday, August 14
A Care of Creation guided walking tour of the historic Wooded Island in Jackson Park on Sunday, August 18
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
Cornerstones dinner and program by John M. Buchanan on Friday, September 6 (space is limited; preregistration required)
And next year, a Music Mission Trip to Cuba the week of March 2–9 (note the trip has been rescheduled from the original February dates; registration deadline: November 15)
Plus, save the date for the 2020 Gala of Hope: Friday, March 6!

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 4: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

8:00 a.m. Communion

Judith L. Watt preaching

9:30 a.m. Communion

Judith L. Watt preaching

11:00 a.m. Communion

Judith L. Watt preaching

4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion

Nanette Sawyer preaching

Outdoors in the Michigan Avenue courtyard

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 the Strategic Directions task force is hosting the first of two Strategic Directions conversations.

The task force is eager to gather your input as they help discern priorities for the next three to five years of our life together as a congregation.

So please give some time to thinking about the following questions and then join the task force this Sunday or next to talk about them.

What areas of our mission or ministry would you like to see Fourth Church prioritize?

Into which of those areas would you would want to invest energy and emphasis?

Are there areas of our mission or ministry together that you would like to see reimagined?

Strategic Directions Conversations

Sunday, August 4 at 12:15 p.m.

in the Bumpus Room

Sunday, August 11 at 9:45 a.m.

in Borwell Dining Room

Are you unable to be with us for one of those conversations?

If you can’t be with us on either of those dates, please take a moment to email to priorities@fourthchurch.org your thoughts about your hopes and vision for our congregational priorities and areas of commitment.

Also this Sunday we are returning to the Michigan Avenue courtyard for another outdoor worship experience.

We hope you will join us by the fountain at 4:00 p.m. for a time of worship, the sounds of the Fourth Church Jazz Quartet—this week playing the music of jazz great Abbey Lincoln—and fellowship with one another, all while surrounded by the beauty of summer!

We are delighted to announce that we will be welcoming a new Director of Worship to our staff on August 19!

Michael Mirza has accepted the offer to serve as Director of Worship, in a role previously filled by Shawn Fiedler.

Specifically Michael will be supporting the worship life of the congregation and, in conjunction with Shannon Kershner, planning, organizing, communicating, and assisting in the implementation of the elements of weekly worship and special services.

Michael comes to us with a background in ministry and in marketing leadership. He brings with him strong pastoral and organizational skills.

Having received a Masters of Divinity from Northern Seminary, Michael has served as a campus minister and as a trauma chaplain. He is committed to supporting a vibrant worship life and believes facilitating worship is about conveying the hospitality of Jesus. As he wrote, he looks forward to helping “set the table” for all who worship at Fourth Presbyterian Church to have meaningful encounters with the Holy Spirit on a regular basis.

We look forward to having Michael with us as a vital part of our worship life. Please join us in welcoming him later this month!

August is here, meaning a new school year is just around the corner!

If you have a young child who is ready to begin learning about school, our Fourth Church Day School still has a few spaces available in its three-afternoon preschool class that begins in the fall. An extended-day option is also available.

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

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

Docents to give church tours on a rotating basis, Sundays following the 11:00 a.m. worship service; training provided
Cooks and servers for Meals Ministry Sunday Night Supper at the church

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

On this beautiful summer week, what better place to spend your lunch hour tomorrow than outdoors. If you can do so while enjoying a free concert, all the better!

So come gather with us for another in our Music by the Fountain series, as Arlene Doyle joins us for this Friday’s performance.

Friday, August 2 at 12:10 p.m.

outdoors in the Courtyard

Arlene Doyle

Friday, August 9 at 12:10 p.m.

outdoors in the Courtyard

The Ugandan Children’s Choir

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

outdoors in the Courtyard

Andy Brown

A complete concert schedule is online.