Seek a deep and healthy understanding of the self this new year through one or more of the several meditation opportunities being offered through the Lorene Replogle Counseling Center.

 

"Mindfulness and Meditation," led by Rabbi Ruth Durchslag and Nesita Kwan, will be held on Wednesdays, January 8 through February 5 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. This five-week class will use movement and breath along with stories and interactive experiences to explore ways to achieve a strong and grounded inner space. Together participants will study some of the foundational aspects of meditation practice, including compassion, suffering, gratitude, and equaninimity. This course is open to beginners as well as experienced practitioners.

 

An "Embodied Meditation" introductory class will be held on Saturday, January 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Life coach and spiritual mentor Jon Hansen and psychotherapist and yoga teacher Whitney Logan will lead this seminar that will use the experiential process "The Realization Process." Participants will be led through a series of body-centered meditative exercises that will serve to deepen understanding and connection with the self on every level: body, emotion, and thoughts.

 

An advanced "Embodied Meditation" class, also led by Jon Hansen and Whitney Logan, will be offered every other Monday, January 20 through March 3 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. This series is open to those who have taken the introductory "Embodied Meditation" Saturday seminar.

 

All meditation classes will be held in the Third Floor Conference Room of Parish House. To register (required in advance) for any of the above meditation opportunities, call the Counseling Center at 312.787.8425. Limited scholarships are available.

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Dreaming of warm weather? Join us in traveling to Xpujil, Mexico, March 8-15, where we will help build water cisterns and improve access to drinkable water through an intergenerational mission trip. Applications are due this coming Wednesday, January 8.

 

The indigenous Ch'ol people live in the village of Xpujil, surrounded by Mayan ruins in the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. They face a basic problem that stymies sustained development: a lack of drinkable water. Lay missionary Todd Luke, who works through the Campechano Presbytery of Mexico and the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), will lead us in working with resident families to build concrete cisterns that capture clean rainwater off the metal rooftops of village houses.

 

Mission trip participants will also observe and learn about projects that involve agriculture and beekeeping, share in the spiritual growth of people who are new to the church, and spend a recuperative day in Cancun.

Participants under eighteen must be accompanied by an adult.

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All are invited as Cornerstones and Fourth Dimension meet for an evening of joint fellowship next Friday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Following appetizers and dinner in Anderson Hall, Fourth Acts, the theater group at Fourth Church, will perform a reading of Becoming Calvin in Buchanan Chapel. The play explores the lives of characters living at the crossroads of history, caught up in the complex relationships between royalty and Rome and leaders of the church and leaders of state.

 

A prepaid reservation with Carol Allerton (312.640.5448) or Anne Ellis (312.573.3369) is required by this coming Wednesday, January 8.

 

Time: Friday, January 10

Place: 6:00 p.m. in Anderson Hall and Buchanan Chapel

RSVP by Wednesday, January 8

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All men are invited to a Men's Ministry conversation on "Forgiveness," led by Jeanne Bishop, next Saturday, January 11 at 8:00 a.m. in the Bumpus Room. Breakfast will be provided, for which a $10 suggested donation will be collected at the door.

 

Jeanne Bishop has written extensively about forgiveness and addressing violence in our society. Her recently published book, Forgiving God, coauthored by John Boyle, began as a joint project on forgiveness.

 

Forgiving God is available for purchase through Men's Ministry. Half of all proceeds will benefit the Lorene Replogle Counseling Center.

 

RSVPs to Edwin Estevez (312.640.5449) are requested to help us plan for the breakfast.

 

Time: Saturday, January 11

Place: 8:00 a.m. in the Bumpus Room

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With extremely cold weather in the forecast, please remember to check in on neighbors who might be vulnerable or particularly at risk during the cold snap. Information about Warming Centers in Chicago as well as information on keeping warm and safe in this season is posted on the City of Chicago's website.

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Matt Helms, Minister for Children and Families, preaching
    "Watch for the Light"
Scripture texts:
    Psalm 72:1-7
    Isaiah 60:1-6
    Matthew 2:1-12

Joyce Shin, Associate Pastor, preaching
    "Who Do You Say That I Am?"
Scripture texts:
    Psalm 138
    Mark 8:27-29a
    John 1:1-18

Adam H. Fronczek, Associate Pastor, preaching
    "Dreams . . ."
Scripture text:
    Matthew 2 (selected verses)

Communion will be celebrated during the 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. worship services this Sunday.
 
for this coming Sunday will be available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/worship/this-week.html.
 
is the weekly printed newsletter distributed with the Sunday bulletin and is available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/news/2014/010514no.pdf

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Friday, January 10, 2014
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Mike Brozick, trumpeter

Friday, January 17, 2014
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Mark Alan Longo, flutist

Friday, January 24, 2014
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Michael Patilla, guitarist

Friday, January 31, 2014
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary
John W. W. Sherer, organist
(Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Church)

A complete concert schedule is available online.

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