News @ Fourth Church: September 26, 2019

September 26, 2019

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

Women at Fourth with Shannon Kershner this evening—Thursday, September 26—to kick off a new program year and talk about “The Church (big C) in a New Day” as we look at the Church beyond just this congregation and its past, present, and future
Tying purple bows outside the Manse on Friday, October 4 for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Tom Dozeman teaching “Job, Suffering, and the Limits of Pastoral Care” beginning Sunday, October 6
A 2020 Cuba music mission trip information session on Sunday, October 6
A free screening of the film Stateville Calling, about elderly prisoners, hosted by the Interfaith Coalition Against Racism on Monday, October 7 as part of the (In)Justice for All Film Series
Books by Women discussing the 1925 Pulitzer Prize-winning So Big by Edna Ferber on Tuesday, October 8

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, September 29: Sixteenth 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

Joe Morrow preaching

This Sunday, we begin a six-week sermon series, “Remembering Our Past, Inspiring Our Future.” Each week, at each of our services, we will explore defining moments in the story of Fourth Presbyterian Church—moments that to this day influence our ongoing commitment to participate in God’s redemptive work and that shape the church we are continuing to become.

This week we will look at what led this congregation to build on our current Michigan Avenue site, how are we shaped by where we are, and what might it mean for us as we continue to live out the commitment to seek the welfare of the city today and into the future.

More about worship, including bulletins

Also taking a look to the past—specifically to fifty years ago—is our autumn Choral Society concert, which on November 15 will feature music that highlights the historic year of 1969.

Thursday-evening rehearsals begin tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel. All who are interested in singing with us are invited to join in!

This Saturday is our annual Blessing of the Animals service!

All creatures great and small are invited to join us in the Michigan Avenue courtyard on Saturday, September 28 at 10:00 a.m. for this brief service of song and story and the opportunity to give thanks to God for the creatures that bless our lives.

All pets are welcome! (Please have them on leash or in a carrier; in the case of rain, we’ll move indoors to Buchanan Chapel.)

If you’d rather not bring your pets, please bring photographs of them and join us as we celebrate the wonders of God’s creation and our relationships with its amazing creatures.

This Sunday, September 29 we will hold a Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary following the 11:00 a.m. service.

The Session of Fourth Church called this meeting for the purpose of electing an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. That committee will be charged with identifying and recommending to the congregation a candidate for the newly defined position of Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Community Engagement.

At the meeting the congregation will also elect a member of the congregation to fill an unexpired term on the Officer Nominating Committee.

That committee is seeking the names of members to serve in leadership roles as Elder, Deacon, Trustee, or a member of the Chicago Lights Board or Officer Nominating Committee beginning in 2020.

Several more recommendations are needed before the committee can begin to prepare candidate slates to recommend to the congregation at the Annual Meeting, so please take a moment to submit your recommendations, either by using the cards in the pew racks, by talking with a committee member during Coffee Hour, or by using this simple online form.

Completed Racial Equity surveys are due this Sunday, September 29. So if you have not yet done so, please take a moment to complete the brief survey before then.

The results from the survey will be important in helping the council develop recommendations to Session for our moving toward becoming a fully multicultural, antiracist church.

As we prepare to wrap up our monthlong snack drive this weekend, we are still in need of additional donations to replenish the supplies of our Fourth Church Meals Ministry Bag Lunch program.

Particularly needed are granola bars, chips, pretzels, fruit cups, and applesauce in individually packaged single servings.

Donations can be dropped off in Coffee Hour or on weekdays and Saturday at the reception desk.

Information about snacks needed

This past Sunday we dedicated the stunning new painting “The Ascension” by Gerald Griffin.

Commissioned by the Racial Equity Council, this oil-on-canvas work now hangs in the Gignilliat Commons as but one of the ways we proclaim our vision to be a church family in whom persons of color are valued and fully engaged, whose gifts and leadership strongly shape our ministry.

You can read more about the painting—including its scriptural inspirations and the poem on which it is based—on our website. You will also find there a link to the video artist Gerald Griffin made about painting “The Ascension.”

We could use your help with a variety of service opportunities this autumn!

Seventy tutors to mentor students one night a week at the church through our Chicago Lights Tutoring program, which kicks off a new year this Monday, September 30 (learn more or sign up for orientation)
Book Nook volunteers during 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Coffee Hours
Ushers for the 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday worship services
Greeters for the 4:00 p.m. Jazz at Four Sunday services