Sunday, July 30

10:00 a.m. worship in person and online

Nancy Benson-Nicol preaching

Worship bulletin

In person and streamed from the Sanctuary on our YouTube channel: www.bit.ly/fpcvideos

Audio available by phone (toll free) by calling 888.916.9166

Livestreamed worship services are accessible by going to www.bit.ly/fpcvideos, subscribing to our YouTube channel, or clicking on the photo with a “Play” arrow on the home page of the Fourth Church website.

Children are always welcome in worship! During the service nursery care is also available for infants through two-year-olds, and Summer Sunday School meets at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday as well. (Sunday School will take a break in August and resume on Sunday, September 10.)

Choir of After School Matters

We are delighted to have the choir of the After School Matters program sharing their talents with us during worship this Sunday!

During the summer the choir — which is directed by Daniel Henry, a member of our Morning and Men’s Choirs — gathers to learn and share music throughout the city. We are grateful that they will be with us this weekend to sing the prelude and anthems.

Looking Ahead

On Sunday, August 13 we will welcome as guest preacher Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. An ordained Baptist minister, he is a longtime leader in the interfaith movement working to protect an inclusive vision of religious freedom for people of all faiths and none.

He has also served as senior vice president of the Auburn Seminary, the founding and executive editor of HuffPost Religion, associate dean of religious life and the chapel at Princeton University, and a founding editor of Beliefnet.com. We look forward to his preaching at Fourth Church on August 13!

This Sunday, our World Mission and Social Justice Council invites you to learn how “Violence Interrupters” reduce gun violence.

Damien Morris, Chief Program Officer of Violence Prevention at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, will be with us to talk about violence interruption and share how he and his staff have intervened in violent situations with more than 360 young people in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood.

The approach is a method of reducing violence by using trained peacekeepers — youth who’ve seen their own share of difficulties with gangs and other troubles— to de-escalate conflict by establishing relationships with people at the center of gun violence in East Garfield Park. 

“Our goal is to gain their trust and help them find alternatives and improve their lives,” says Damien Morris, who was incarcerated for ten-plus years at age 17. During his time at TAMMS Correction Facility in Southern Illinois (now closed), he turned his life around, earned his GED, and helped other inmates make similar strides. 

Please join us for this important conversation and opportunity to meet Damien Morris, understand how and why violence interruption saves lives, and learn about Breakthrough Urban Ministries, one of our grantee partners.

Sunday, July 30

11:15 a.m.

in Room 4G

Several of our programs and ministries are looking for volunteers to fill open roles. Might you be able to help with one or more of them?

Beadles, Ushers, Liturgists, and Chancel Guild

If you would like to contribute to worship by serving as a beadle, usher, liturgist, or member of the Chancel Guild, we are in need of more volunteers in those roles!

Beadles lead our procession into worship each Sunday, while ushers welcome worshipers with warm hospitality. Liturgists read scripture or lead prayers in the service, and the Chancel Guild prepares elements for Communion.

You can volunteer to be a beadle in September and October by signing up at www.bit.ly/beadle91023; to sign up to be an usher, visit the Usher table at Sunday Coffee Hour or sign up at www.bit.ly/usherinterest; and to volunteer as a liturgist, email Rocky Supinger. To join the Chancel Guild for a Communion Sunday, sign up at www.bit.ly/chancelguildfpc

Coffee Hour Hosts

We are also in need of Cookie Table Hosts, Servers, and Hospitality Coordinators for Coffee Hour. If you would be interested in being a welcoming presence at these Sunday morning fellowship gatherings, contact Simon Crow or sign up online at app.vomo.org/project/coffeehour

Spanish Translators

Fourth Church Meals Ministry is seeking help with translation with our Spanish-speaking guests at all meals. Assistance is especially needed at Monday Night Supper at Catholic Charities (721 N. La Salle).

The signup form for Spanish translator spots on Monday night can be found at www.bit.ly/fpcmns

More ways in which to assist Meals Ministry are posted on VOMO, our Volunteer Ministry software platform, at www.bit.ly/mealsministryvolunteer

We also encourage you to explore other volunteer opportunities by visiting www.bit.ly/fpcvolunteers or by contacting Robert Crouch (312.981.3382), Director of Volunteer Ministry.

The annual School Supply Drive organized by Women at Fourth continues to gather school supplies for children taking part in the Chicago Lights Urban Farm and Tutoring programs.

You can contribute to the drive in a variety of ways.

• Purchase items from our wish list and drop them off at the church reception desk.

• Order items online and have them shipped directly to the church.

• Give a monetary gift (with the designation School Supply Drive), which we will use to purchase needed supplies.

• Volunteer your time to help us unpack, inventory, sort donations, and fill backpacks.

For more information, contact Simon Crow.

In this season we are collecting not only school supplies but also items for our Shower Ministry and the Chicago Lights Social Service Center.

The Social Service Center has an immediate need for men’s casual clothing in all sizes as well as for walking shoes for men and women.

Shower Ministry is in need of unused, hotel-sized bottles of body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant; razors; toothbrushes; and lip balm.

Items can be dropped off at the church reception desk seven days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Please mark them “Attn. Shower Ministry” or “Attn. Social Service Center.”

Church Picnic

Save the date: we’re having a picnic!

Our church picnic will be Sunday, August 13 in the Michigan Avenue courtyard following worship. Watch for details in the coming weeks.

Marriage

We give thanks to God for the gift of life together.

Sarah Kathleen Twardock and Ryan Thomas Homeyer

Married July 22, 2023

Death

We give thanks to God for the gift of life eternal.

Janet Thorburn Mori

Died July 20, 2023