- A Day School Open House complete with playtime fun on the playground for preschoolers and their families this Saturday, May 18
- A presentation this Sunday, May 19 about the current Loggia exhibition “Folk Art of the Wounaan” and about the internal displacement of that indigenous population in Colombia.
- A program on Tuesday, May 21 on inequities plaguing Chicago public schools
- A Women at Fourth program on contemplative prayer on Thursday, May 23
- Our monthly LGBTQIA brunch next Sunday, May 26
- The beginning of Summer Sunday School on Sunday, June 2 (What is not on the calendar? Sunday School, as there is no Sunday School this Sunday or next)
- A Cornerstones dinner on Friday, June 7 with a program by Rob Koon on art in the life of Fourth Church (registration required by June 5)
The calendar, which is easily accessible from the home page of our website, includes opportunity to register online for any event for which registration is involved (along with an option to make online payment of any registration fees).
|
|
Sunday, May 19: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Dedication Commemoration Sunday
8:00 a.m. Communion
Vicky Curtiss preaching
9:30 a.m. Ordination and Installation of Deacons and Elders
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
11:00 a.m. Commissioning of Trustees
Reception of New Members
Shannon J. Kershner preaching
4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion
Nanette Sawyer preaching
Looking Ahead: Welcoming Father Elias Chacour
Next Sunday, May 26, we will welcome Father Elias Chacour to the Fourth Church pulpit as our guest preacher at our 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services.
Author of
Blood Brothers and founder of Mars Elias University in the village of Ibillin in northern Israel, Father Chacour is internationally known for his work fostering peace and justice in Israel and Palestine through education.
|
|
Tonight come show your support for Tower Brass and the Fourth Church Choral Society while enjoying some wonderful music!
As part of their spring concert, the Choral Society and Tower Brass will together perform John Rutter’s stirring
Gloria, whose movements the composer has described as “exalted, devotional, and jubilant.”
Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
Freewill offering received at the door
|
|
This Sunday we observe Dedication Commemoration Sunday at Fourth Church, declared by Pastor John Timothy Stone in 1914 to be observed on the third Sunday of each May.
On Sunday, May 10, 1914, the Fourth Church congregation worshiped in its Michigan Avenue Sanctuary for the first time, having moved from its smaller facility on Rush at Superior.
A series of dedicatory services were held the remainder of that week, and later that month the new Sanctuary and Parish House buildings were host to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, including the assembly’s communion service attended by more than 1,800 worshipers.
|
|
This Sunday we will also observe “Leave a Legacy” Sunday.
The generations that have gone before us left a vibrant legacy, not only in the bricks and mortar of the Sanctuary and Parish House buildings but also in the financial foundation from which we carry forth our ministry. It was the $25,000 that remained after the completion of the 1914 building project that began the Fourth Church endowment fund.
Just as we carry on the work of the church today, so too we are committed to passing on the legacy of that ministry for future generations. Please take a moment to stop by Coffee Hour this Sunday to learn about our Legacy Society and the ways in which we all can help sustain the future of Fourth Church’s ministry.
|
|
This Sunday is also the Sunday when we ordain, install, and commission the new officers you elected at the February Annual Meeting of the Congregation.
We will have special Coffee Hours in celebration, hosted in recognition of Fourth Church officers and in gratitude for their dedication and service to this congregation.
Please take opportunity to thank those who this spring complete their three-year term as Elder, Deacon, or Trustee (they will be wearing purple name tags on Sunday), the continuing officers, and those officers who are being ordained, installed, and commissioned during the 9:30 and 11:00 services (and who will be wearing red name tags).
|
|
As we recognize those who serve in leadership roles here at Fourth Church, we give thanks for the ongoing ministry of
Shannon Kershner, who five years ago, on May 18, 2014—the centennial celebration of the Sanctuary—preached her first sermon as Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church. We are grateful for the beginning of our work together and look forward to continuing our discipleship journey side by side!
We also give thanks for the ministry of
Abbi Heimach-Snipes, who after three years with us as a pastoral resident will this summer become associate rector at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oak Park. Abbi’s last Sunday with us will be June 2, and we look forward to celebrating her at the fellowship gathering that follows the Jazz at Four service that day. There will also be a brunch this Sunday, May 19 following 11:00 a.m. worship for those in the TwentiesThirties group to say good-bye to Abbi.
June 2 will also be the last Sunday that
Shawn Fiedler will be with us as he returns to Boston for his partner’s new job. Please join us during morning Coffee Hour that day to express gratitude to Shawn for his work among us as Ministerial Associate for Worship.
With Shawn’s upcoming departure, we are beginning the search for a new Director of Worship. That job description, with application details, is the newest addition to the
Job Openings page on our website.
|
|
On April 20, 2018, the Racial Equity Council became a standing council of the Fourth Church Session.
Charged with supporting Session in leading our congregation to become a multiculturally inclusive, antiracist church in all areas—including membership, personnel, education, worship, governance, leadership, practices, and policies—they have been hard at work this past year.
|
|
This Sunday we continue our “
Big Questions” sermon series with the question “How can we be church with differing political views?”
We will then take a break in the series on Sunday, May 26, when guest preacher Father Elias Chacour will be with us at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
But we will be back to wrestling with the questions you asked us to address from the pulpit when on June 2 we consider “Will we recognize each other in heaven?”
Come think about big questions with us!
|
|
We currently have need for a variety of volunteers. Do any of these opportunities match your time, talent, or interests? We could use your help!
- Hospitality hosts between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. this Tuesday, May 21 for the Presbytery Assembly meeting to be held that day at Fourth Church
- Cooks and servers for Meals Ministry Sunday Night Suppers
- Silverware wrappers to prepare for Sunday Night Suppers
- Ushers for the 11:00 a.m. services of worship
- Greeters for Jazz at Four on Sunday afternoons
- Chicago Lights Summer Day volunteers to work with students at the church on summer weekdays; register online for a 90-minute orientation
- Adult leaders with our Youth Ministry program, beginning in the fall and filling various roles, from helping junior and senior high Sunday morning fellowship groups to leading an eighth-grade Confirmation circle or chaperoning a retreat or lock-in; sign up online by May 31
- 2020 Gala of Hope Committee members to share their talents and connections in support of this annual fundraising event benefiting Chicago Lights and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being; apply online
Unless otherwise noted, sign up or learn more by contacting
Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry.
|
|
In addition to the Choral Society concert this Friday, we have two other special musical treats for you this weekend: today’s Noonday Concert by Morning Choir member Laura Perkett and her CHAI Collaborative Ensemble and a Saturday evening Bella Voce presentation of works by Purcell, Handel, and Vivaldi.
Friday, May 17 at 12:10 p.m.
in Buchanan Chapel
CHAI Collaborative Ensemble
Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
Fourth Church Choral Society with Tower Brass
Performing
Gloria by John Rutter
as well as works for organ and brass
Freewill offering received at the door
Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m.
in Buchanan Chapel
Bella Voce
Presenting works by Purcell, Handel, and Vivaldi
Friday, May 24 at 12:10 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
Heinrich Christensen, organ
|
|
Fourth Presbyterian Church | 312.787.4570 | www.fourthchurch.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
