What’s coming up on the church
calendar this year? Among other things—
- Books by Women discussing The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray on Tuesday, January 14
- A Women at Fourth time of sharing stories over hot cocoa on Thursday, January 23
- LGBTQIA Brunch on Sunday, January 26
- A “Strengthening Communication through the Enneagram” workshop on Saturday, February 8
- The annual Gala of Hope, benefiting Chicago Lights and the Replogle Center, on Friday, March 6
What is
not on the church calendar for January 5?
- Sunday School: There is no Sunday School this weekend; it will resume on January 12
If you haven’t already, why not
bookmark our calendar to keep up-to-date on the opportunities available to you at Fourth Church in the new year!
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Epiphany of Christ: Sunday, January 5
8:00 a.m. Communion
Rocky Supinger preaching
9:30 a.m.
Joseph L. Morrow preaching
11:00 a.m.
Joseph L. Morrow preaching
4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion
Joseph L. Morrow preaching
Livestreaming the 11:00 a.m. Service
We are pleased to be livestreaming our 11:00 a.m. worship service each week this year.
Through this outreach, members who are unable to be with us on a Sunday morning—whether due to health or transportation or travel issues—are now able to
join the worship experience that day.
And those who have work or other schedule conflicts on Sunday mornings are able to
watch the worship service later in the week. We are also excited about this extending even further our reach to people around the country—indeed, around the world.
Parking in the New Year
The 900 N. Michigan garage has increased its parking rates for 2020. With a validation ticket picked up at the church reception desk, discounted Fourth Church parking at the 900 garage is now $9 on Sundays and $7 on weeknights after 5:00 p.m.
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Is exploring new learning opportunities on your new year’s resolution list? If so, why not join us next Sunday morning, January 12 for an Academy for Faith and Life course.
In addition to our “Foundation of Faith” Bible study led by the pastors, which resumes at 9:30 a.m. on January 12, we will also introduce a new class cohosted by our Racial Equity Council: “Beloved Community.”
Beloved Community: Shaping Our Lives Together
Sundays, January 12–26
11:00 a.m. in Room 5E
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a Beloved Community where all people see one another as beloved children of God, developing loving relationships as members of God’s one family. In the Beloved Community, all forms of bigotry and discrimination are replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of belonging.
Barbara Wilson, who received master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from McCormick Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Director, Collaboration and Community Partnerships for the Presbytery of Chicago, Presbyterian Church (USA), will lead the class.
Together we will explore biblical and theological foundations for working toward racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Class participants will identify what Fourth Church can do on the path toward justice and racial equity, including full participation in every aspect of church life.
January 12
“Being and Doing: The Church as the Body of Christ and Living out the Great Ends of the Church”
This session will be an exploration of the mission statement of Fourth Church through the lenses of the Great Ends of the Church and the Church as the Body of Christ.
January 19
“Becoming Beloved Community: Doing Justice”
The second session will be review of Fourth Church’s mission outreach and justice work through the lenses of the Beloved Community, Reconciliation, and the Five Peacemaking Affirmations.
January 26
“Cultivating a Pattern of Life in Community”
In the last session we will consider worship, hospitality, and service through the lenses of the Belhar Confession, Framework of Hospitality, and Flourishing Together as Disciple Leaders.
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Dreaming of warmer times and places? Consider joining us for one of the 2020 trips planned by our World Mission and Social Justice Committee!
Travel to Guatemala—and work with Common Hope alongside members of the local community—from July 5 to July 12 with Tom and Sue Schemper. The
application for this trip is due Wednesday, January 15.
Visit Colombia—an opportunity to inform our own peacemaking efforts by learning from community leaders in Colombia—from August 1 to August 8. The
application for this trip is due Friday, May 1.
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Summer is still a few months off, but it’s already time to start signing up for youth summer trips! Applications are due later this month.
Detroit
June 20–26
This trip is for all youth who will be in grades 5-8 in the fall of 2020. Through our partnership with the Presbytery of Detroit, a team of Fourth Church youth will spend four days serving and learning around the city, doing such things as sorting clothing donations, landscaping, and serving meals. The trip also includes fun activities like a visit to the Detroit History Museum or a water park (weather permitting).
Senior High Mission Trip to Ferncliff
Little Rock, Arkansas
Saturday, July 11–17
More details about this trip will be available soon. To learn more about the Ferncliff organization, click
here.
Senior High Montreat Youth Conference
Montreat, North Carolina
Saturday, August 1–Saturday, August 8
(registration is possible after January 12 but the cost of the trip is increased)
The Montreat Youth Conference is a high-energy week of worship, recreation, community building, and spiritual reflection involving hundreds of Presbyterian youth from across the United States. It’s for incoming ninth-graders through graduated seniors and involves a day-long van ride there and back.
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This January our Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being is launching two new groups: a Chronic Illness Support Group and a Men’s Group.
Chronic Illness Support Group
Mondays, January 13, 20, 27, February 3
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Boyle Conference Room
Led by Bill Singerman and McKenna O’Shea
$40 for four sessions
Coping with chronic illness can be challenging. Such conditions may lead one to feel overwhelmed—emotionally, physically, or spiritually. This group will offer individuals living with an ongoing illness a safe space to connect with others facing similar challenges. Participants will cultivate skills that foster resilience, acceptance, and deepen self-compassion for themselves and others.
Those who are interested are asked to contact Bill Singerman at 312.787.8425, ext. 2210 to set up a pre-group conversation to ensure that this program will be a good fit for you at this time.
Men’s Group
Second Tuesday of each month, beginning on January 14
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Boyle Conference Room
$10 per session requested
The goal of this new Men’s Group is to provide a place for men to come together, in a place of safety and respect, to share their experiences, explore the meaning of being a man in today’s world, experience the support of a respectful group, and develop a sense of supportive community with other men.
The format will be
- Welcome
- Opening check-in: what is true for you in this moment?
- Presentation of text, poem, or image selected by the leader or a member to prompt discussion
- Open conversation
- Closing check-in: reflection on the experience
For more information, call group facilitator Jacob Kaufman at 312.787.8425, ext. 1704. Jacob worked for twenty years in law and real estate before getting a master’s degree in mental health counseling. He now works closely with men, guiding them towards lives that are more fulfilling, where feelings are honored and experienced in ways that create closer relationships and deeper meaning.
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We have a great concert lineup for you this month to get the new year off to a musical start.
Friday, January 3 at 12:10 p.m.
N3XUS Trio, Wind Trio
in Buchanan Chapel
Friday, January 10 at 12:10 p.m.
Chen Family
in Buchanan Chapel
Friday, January 17 at 12:10 p.m.
David Jonies, Organ
in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Ensemble
in Buchanan Chapel
Friday, January 24 at 12:10 p.m.
Lyric Opera Stage Artists
in the Sanctuary
Friday, January 31 at 12:10 p.m.
John Sherer, Organ
in the Sanctuary
Friday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Olaf College Choir
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Is volunteering on your list of New Year’s resolutions? If so, we could use your help! Specifically, we are in particular need of individuals to
- Create and manage spreadsheets for a church program one day a week; schedule is flexible
- Help with the Book Nook during Coffee Hour following the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services
To learn more about these or other volunteer opportunities with Fourth Church and Chicago Lights or to sign up, please contact
Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry.
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Death
We gave thanks to God for the gift of life eternal.
Beverly Pace
Died December 21, 2019
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
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Fourth Presbyterian Church | 312.787.4570 | www.fourthchurch.org
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