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CONTENTS
This Sunday Is Reformation Sunday
And Next Sunday Is All Saints' Sunday
Liturgical Dance at Taiz Tonight
Tutor a Child, Change a Life
Interested in Traveling to Haiti in June?
Zombies, Psychology, Faith, and the Hymnal
Do You Have Time on Wednesday Mornings?
Welcome, New Members!
oneThis Sunday Is Reformation Sunday 
A Time to Remember Our Heritage

This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, a day when we recall the rich heritage of the Protestant tradition. The Presbyterian Church (USA) grew out of the Reformation of the sixteenth century under leaders such as John Calvin and John Knox. It was on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, the watershed event sparking the Reformation.

 

Reformation Day is also a day when we remember and give thanks for Reformation leaders and all others who have kept the faith.

twoIt's Also Commitment Sunday!
Pledge to the 2015 Annual Appeal

This Sunday is also Commitment Sunday for the 2015 Annual Appeal for Fourth Presbyterian Church and Chicago Lights, a day when we celebrate all we are able to do together through our generous response to God's blessings in our lives.

 

It is through worship, education and discipleship, and mission and service that we truly are the church together, living out our call to love and serve all of God's children. On Commitment Sunday, we join together to pledge our commitment to the 2015 Annual Appeal, that this community might continue to proclaim the mighty acts of God and be a light for this city.

 

We are grateful to all who have already made a pledge to the 2015 Annual Appeal. Those who have not yet made a pledge are asked to do so, either online or by completing a 2015 giving response card; cards were sent to members' homes and are also available in the pew racks this Sunday and online.

 

Please join us in being "All In!" and support the 2015 Annual Appeal, as together we continue to be faithful followers of Christ and active citizens of the world in which we live.

threeAnd Next Sunday Is All Saints' Sunday
Requiem Service Featuring Lux Aeterna

Next Sunday, November 2 is All Saints' Sunday, a day when we remember the faithful who have gone before us and honor departed loved ones. As part of that observance, the names of all Fourth Church members who have entered the Church Triumphant in 2014 will be read during morning worship.

 

Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen will be sung by the Morning Choir during a special communion service of remembrance at 6:30 p.m. that day in the Sanctuary.

 

Time:

     Sunday, November 2, 6:30 p.m.
     Service of Remembrance

Place:

     Sanctuary

 

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CLASS to Perform during Service

Join us for tonight's special Taiz� service, which will feature two liturgical dances by the Chicago Lights CLASS Dance Ensemble under the direction of Cescily Washington.

 

Fourth Church fourth and fifth graders will also be in attendance as part of their annual lock-in at the church that evening.

 

The Taiz� service, held on the fourth Friday of most months, includes contemplative liturgy in a prayerful setting with candles; easy-to-learn songs from various countries, traditions, and languages; and a period of silence--all contributing to a time to reflect and to open oneself to God.

 

Tonight's service will be preceded by opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. This meditative walk takes approximately twenty minutes.

  

Time:  

     Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m. 

Place:  

     Buchanan Chapel

     Preceded by opportunity to walk the labyrinth  

         in Buchanan Chapel from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

 

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fiveTutor a Child, Change a Life 
Mentors Needed for Tutoring Program

The fiftieth-anniversary year of the Chicago Lights Tutoring program is underway--and thirty-five students are still in need of tutors! Come be a part of this historic year as 400 first- through twelfth-grade students from under-resourced neighborhoods attend one-to-one tutoring each week.

 

To learn more about how you can make a difference in the life of a student, attend a new volunteer orientation this Saturday, October 25 at 10:40 a.m. in the Gratz Center. RSVP online here, where a complete schedule of new volunteer orientations is available.

 

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sixInterested in Traveling to Haiti in June?
Intergenerational Mission Trip Opportunity

The Mission Committee is hoping to continue the work of Fourth Church youth who traveled to Les Cayes, Haiti, this past summer--and we're looking for mission-oriented travelers to join us!

Hosted by Praying Pelican Missions and led by John and Anna Vest, this June trip to Haiti will offer opportunity to foster a partnership with New Jerusalem Church as we work alongside Haitian residents on construction and participate in activities with local children from the church.

 

This intergenerational mission trip is open to those twelve years and older (those under eighteen must be accompanied by an adult).

 

Applications, available online here, are due Monday, December 15.

 

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sevenZombies, Psychology, Faith, and the Hymnal
Upcoming Adult Education Classes

What do these have in common? They are all words you'll find in the titles of our new Academy for Faith and Life classes.

Our adult education opportunities continue this fall with "Zombie Revolution: Beliefs about the Dead, the Undead, and the Living" beginning this Sunday and "A Look into Psychology and Faith" beginning on Sunday, November 9.

Also John Sherer, Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Church, will lead another session about the new Presbyterian hymnal next Sunday, November 2.

Register for one or more of these classes online here!

 

Zombie Revolution:

   Beliefs about the Dead, the Undead, and the Living

Beginning Sunday, October 26 (4 weeks)

9:30 a.m. in Room 5D

Led by Clare Rothschild, Associate Professor of  

    Theological Studies at Lewis University

Zombies have taken the twenty-first century by storm! But that is nothing new: sleep is used as a metaphor for death by the Greeks since Homer. If you're interested in the zombie apocalypse, the early Christian perspectives on death, or what people say will happen to the dead on the Last Day, join us for this four-week exploration of early Christian beliefs about death.

 

A Look into Psychology and Faith

Beginning Sunday, November 9 (3 weeks)

11:00 a.m. in Room 5G
Led by Tom Schemper, Director of the Replogle Center
    for Counseling and Well-Being,

and Elinor Hite, Human Resources Consultant  

    and Executive Coach

The relationship between psychology and faith is both compelling and mysterious. Why and when does faith come more readily to some and not to others? How much of a role does our family of origin occupy? Join us for three Sundays as we begin to discuss what contributes to a vibrancy of faith. 

 

Understanding the New Presbyterian Hymnal,  

    Glory to God

Sunday, November 2 at 12:30 p.m. (1 week)

In the Sanctuary

Led by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

On Sunday, November 30, the first Sunday in Advent, Fourth Church will begin using the new hymnal Glory to God, which was approved by the Session of Fourth Church last December. In this special class, John Sherer will introduce the participants to this wonderful collection of hymns and songs.

 

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eightDo You Have Time on Wednesday Mornings?
Join Benevolent Guild

The Benevolent Guild invites you to join them in the fun of creating handmade stuffed animals for children in hospitals and shelters--no sewing experience is necessary!

 

The Guild meets on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Gratz Center. Each work session concludes with scripture and mission information. Participants are encouraged to bring a brown-bag lunch and stay for a time of fellowship.

 

For more information, please contact Anne Ellis.

 

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nineWelcome, New Members!

Please join us in welcoming those who were received into Fourth Church membership this month:

 

Gloria Alicea

Allison Chapman

Ashley Merced

David Merced

Kristen Miles

Jeffrey Pekarek

Jane Perry

John Perry

Kyle Ross

Caroline Scholes

David Sturrus

Laura Sturrus

 

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worshipWorship This Week
Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2014
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Matt Helms, Minister for Children and Families, preaching
    "Always Reforming"
Scripture texts:
    Psalm 89:1-8
    Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
    Matthew 22:34-46

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
    Psalm 46
    Romans 3:19-28
    John 8:31-36

4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
John W. Vest, Associate Pastor, preaching
    "The View from the Mountaintop"
Scripture text:
    Deuteronomy 34:1-12
 
Worship bulletins
for this coming Sunday are available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/worship/this-week.html.
 
"News and Opportunities"
is the weekly printed newsletter distributed with the Sunday bulletin and is available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/news/2014/102614no.pdf

Sermons

from previous weeks are posted online at www.fourthchurch.org/sermons 

 

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

Lara Rose DeVries and Carlos Augusto Motin Inostroza,  

    October 18, 2014

 

Lydia Ruth Wiley and Eamon Patrick Smith,  

    October 18, 2014

 

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musicConcerts at Fourth Church
The Noonday concerts listed here are free.
 

Friday, October 24, 2014 

12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Hamline University A Cappella Choir 

 

Thursday, October 30, 2014

7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Fourth Church Choral Society 

   and Chicago Chamber Orchestra
Featuring Schubert's
Mass in G Major

$20 donation collected at door

 

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

 

Sunday, November 2, 2014
6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
All Saints' Requiem Service with Communion
Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen
sung by the Morning Choir

 

A complete concert schedule is available online.

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volunteerVolunteer at Fourth Church

There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!

 

Current Volunteer Needs

Tutors for the Chicago Lights Tutoring program
Tutors are needed one evening a week--Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday--from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. New volunteers are asked to attend an orientation session. A schedule is available here.

Audio recording equipment operators for Sunday morning worship services 

This volunteer opportunity is available immediately. Training will be provided.

 

Instructors for In2it Caf� enrichment courses for children prior to Chicago Lights Tutoring

Share your hobbies and activities! Classes include art, chess, acting, knitting, martial arts, yoga, scrapbooking, crafting, playing guitar, fitness, singing, improv, healthy cooking, science, drumming, cheerleading, dance, computers, creative writing, and more. The time commitment is from 5:25 to 5:55 p.m., one evening a week.      

 

Volunteers to wash and dry clothes for a Fourth Church family with a chronically ill child

 

To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn more about them, stop by Coffee Hour on Sunday morning or contact Larry Nicholson, Director of Volunteer Ministry.

 

A complete list of volunteer needs is available online

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Fourth Presbyterian Church

126 E. Chestnut
Chicago, IL 60611.2014
312.787.4570
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