On the church calendar are many opportunities to connect online with the Fourth Church community and one another. Included among them are—

For information about whom to contact for an event’s Zoom details, simply click on the down “arrow” to the right of the event name in the calendar (which is easily accessible from the “Calendar” button in the upper left corner of our website).

For highlights of some of the opportunities you will find on the calendar, keep reading!

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

The worship bulletin will be available to download and print on Friday

Streamed from the Sanctuary at www.bit.ly/FPCworship

During worship this Sunday we will recognize the eighth-grade confirmands—along with their committed team of leaders—and welcome them into the wider life of the congregation.

We hope you will join us in celebrating this milestone in their faith and in the church’s life together, and we ask that you keep these youth in prayer as they continue with us on their faith journey.

Our online worship services are available live at 11:00 a.m. (Central) via

For those who do not have Internet access, we also make our worship services available to listen to via the phone. If you know of someone for whom this audio opportunity would be welcome, please encourage them to call 888.916.9166 (toll-free) at the time of the service.

Our Sunday services are available for viewing throughout the week at www.bit.ly/FPCworship.

Worship and sermon podcasts are available via iTunes and Spotify, and you can sign up to receive the text of the weekly sermon by email.

9:30 a.m. via Zoom

For Zoom details, register at www.bit.ly/paradigmshift0421

Many at Fourth Church know Gerald Griffin from his stunning painting “The Ascension,” which hangs in our Commons, and from his popular and engaging presentations at Fourth Church over the years.

This Sunday and next we are delighted to have him with us online for a two-part class, “Paradigm Shift,” based on the concept of African Americans being viewed from the historical perspective of slavery. Gerald Griffin’s narrative and art is focused on shifting that paradigm, exploring the life of modern-day African Americans, who they are as American people, and how they fit into the human family.

In this new class, this prolific painter, sculptor, and poet will provide a social commentary on current racial identity and the effects of lingering problems of racial identity.

We will also have opportunity to enjoy remote video tours of the artist’s South Side studio as he is interviewed by Cynthia Johnson.

You are invited to join us online this Tuesday, April 13 when, in addition to a Books by Women discussion (see below), we will be hosting Zoom conversations about generosity and interfaith dialogue.

6:00 p.m. via Zoom

For Zoom details, register at www.bit.ly/generosity0421

A new four-week series, “Generosity as a Spiritual Practice” examines how generosity can enrich our lives and deepen our faith. Offering insights and lively discussion on ways to live generously in a spirit of abundance, each 90-minute session will focus on one chapter of the book edited by Adam J. Copeland, Beyond the Offering Plate: A Holistic Approach to Stewardship.

Each week a Fourth Church pastor will present concepts from the chapter and offer insights into how we might integrate them into our spiritual practices. Small groups will then break out for interaction, reflection, and to foster trust and sharing as we explore how different faith traditions and family cultural backgrounds affect our relationship with generosity and faith.

The April 13 session, which will be led by Lucy Forster-Smith, will focus on chapter 6, “Spirit: Stewarding Spiritual Gifts.”

Purchasing the book is suggested but not required. It is available in e-reader or print formats at www.christianbooks.com and elsewhere.

7:00 p.m. via Zoom

For Zoom details, register at www.bit.ly/interfaith041321

In this online conversation and learning opportunity, Nanette Sawyer will explore the scriptural and theological foundations of the Presbyterian commitment to interfaith dialogue.

6:00 p.m. via Zoom

For Zoom details, email Anne Ellis

All women are invited to join in monthly Books by Women discussions whenever their schedules allow and the books are of interest.

April book: Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout

Olive Again continues the story begun in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Olive Kitteridge, bringing moments of grace as we follow the protagonist and her neighbors in Crosby, Maine.

Among the opportunities to connect online with others for fellowship are two Zoom gatherings the week of April 18:

6:30 p.m. via Zoom

For Zoom details, email Anne Ellis

The Fourth Church LGBTQIA+ Widen Our Welcome group will gather for a virtual happy hour on Zoom on Tuesday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m. via Zoom

For Zoom details, email Anne Ellis

For the April gathering of Women at Fourth, Chris Norton, Music Coordinator at the church, will talk with us about the amazing array of concerts that take place at Fourth Church and what goes into making that happen.

Each Sunday after worship we offer another opportunity to connect with familiar friends or meet new people: virtual Coffee Hour via Zoom.

We hope you will take a few moments for this casual time of Sunday fellowship!

Also accessible at www.bit.ly/fpcfellowship

(the link is posted on our website as well: www.fourthchurch.org)

Meeting ID: 963 5583 1751

Passcode: 631276

Phone: Call 1 312.626.6799

and enter Meeting ID 963 5583 1751#

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