CONTENTS
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Christmas Cantata This Sunday
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Britten's A Ceremony of Carols
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This Sunday the Morning Choir will be joined by harpist Kara Bershad for a performance of Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols during both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
A Ceremony of Carols was written by Benjamin Britten in March 1942, while he was at sea, and was originally composed for treble choir and harp. Due to the popularity of the piece, the publishing house Boosey and Hawkes commissioned Julius Harrison to arrange the mixed-chorus version that will be presented Sunday.
We hope you'll join us for this seasonal cantata tradition at Fourth Church!
Time:
Sunday, December 21
During 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship
Place:
Sanctuary
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There's Still Time to Light Up a Life!
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Honor or Remember Loved Ones
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Christmas is less than a week away, but there's still time to honor or remember loved ones with "Light Up a Life" gifts--which also help neighbors whose needs are great this holiday season.
Gifts provide important year-end support for the outreach programs of Fourth Church and Chicago Lights and are easy to make online.
Help "light up a life" this Christmas with gifts that make a difference in the lives of those we serve!
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Christmas Eve
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Four Worship Opportunities
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Join us this coming Wednesday when, anticipating the birth of Christ, we joyfully gather for four Christmas Eve candlelight services.
4:00 p.m. Children's Pageant in the Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Family Service in the Sanctuary
8:30 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
11:00 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
John Vest will preach at the 6:00 p.m. service, and Shannon Kershner will preach during 8:30 and 11:00 p.m. worship.
Christmas Eve child care for infants and toddlers will be provided in the Nursery, which is located on the first floor of the Gratz Center, from 3:30 to 7:15 p.m. (Child care is not available during the 8:30 or 11:00 p.m. services). Please note that there is no reserved seating at any of the Christmas Eve services, including the Children's Pageant.
Reduced-rate parking (with validation) will be available at the 900 North Michigan garage but not the Hancock garage. See below for details.
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Christmas Day
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Celebrate the birth of Jesus on Thursday, December 25 when we'll worship at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Minister for Children and Families Matt Helms will lead this service of Christmas readings and hymns.
Reduced rate parking (with validation) will be available at the 900 North Michigan garage but not the Hancock garage. See below for details.
Time:
Thursday, December 25, 11:00 a.m.
Place:
Sanctuary
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An Invitation to Christmas Dinner
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Tickets Available at Reception
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Our Christmas Day celebration will continue with a traditional Christmas dinner at 12:15 p.m. in Anderson Hall. Tickets (required) for the dinner are available at the church reception desk.
Seating is limited, so, if you haven't already, be sure to get your tickets now!
Time:
Thursday, December 25, 12:15 p.m.
Place:
Anderson Hall
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Parking on Christmas Eve and Day
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For those entering the 900 garage before 5:00 p.m. on December 24, discounted parking will cost $16, which is the holiday rate.
A $16 orange parking voucher for that discount will need to be purchased at Fourth Church on Christmas Eve--cash or check only--and will be available before and after the Children's Pageant that day. Those entering the garage after 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve will be able to park for the current $8 evening rate with a green voucher available at the church.
Parking on Christmas Day in the 900 garage will cost $16. The voucher for discounted parking on Christmas Day must be purchased, with cash or check, at the church on Christmas morning.
There will be no discounted parking at the Hancock garage on either day.
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New Year's Eve Taiz� Service
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Reflect on the Year to Come
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Opportunity to reflect on the year past and look ahead to the year to come will take place during the New Year's Eve Taiz� service on Wednesday, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
Held in a candlelit setting, this service offers time of contemplative prayer, meditative singing, and silent reflection at the close of the year.
Opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. will precede the service. This meditative walk takes approximately twenty minutes.
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Learn More about Gala of Hope
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Mission Benefit on March 6, 2015
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Save the date: Gala of Hope--the mission benefit formerly known as "Carnaval"--will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2015, at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (221 N. Columbus Dr.).
This Sunday morning, Gala of Hope committee members will be at Coffee Hour and circulating in the Commons to share information about this festive event and to answer questions.
We hope you'll join us for this fun-filled evening benefiting the six outreach programs of Chicago Lights and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being!
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Welcome, New Members!
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Please join us in welcoming those who were received into Fourth Church membership this month:
Dave Caldwell
Debby Caldwell
Pamela Gampetro-Coll
Connie Isenbarger
Nicholas Love
Melissa Mickey
Alex Origitano
Katherine Wise
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Worship This Week
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014
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8:00 a.m. with Communion
Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor, preaching Scripture texts: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Luke 1:26-389:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching Scripture texts: Psalm 126 John 1:1-144:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, leading
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Passages
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Births
We give thanks to God for the gift of new life.
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Hugh William Chandler,
son of Dave and Merri Chandler
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Deaths
We give thanks to God for the gift of eternal life.
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Quiwie Magnuson, November 19, 2014
Lillian Friedeman, December 14, 2014
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
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Weddings
We give thanks to God for the gift of new life together.
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Caitlin Renee Cabaj and John Peter Poulos,
December 13, 2014
Claire Nicole Threlkeld and Jonathan Michael Janulis,
December 13, 2014
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Concerts at Fourth Church
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The Noonday concerts listed here are free.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Lakeside Singers: "Holiday Road"
8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Tickets available at the door (subject to availability)
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Christmas with Tower Brass
5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
$20 suggested donation will be received at the door
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Christmas Cantata
During 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship in the Sanctuary
Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols
sung by the Morning Choir
with harpist Kara Bershad Friday, December 26, 2014
Church office closed
No Noonday concert A complete concert schedule is available online.Back to top
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Volunteer at Fourth Church
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There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!
Current Volunteer Needs
Audio recording equipment operators for Sunday morning worship services
This volunteer opportunity is available immediately. Training will be provided.
Church members to serve as Nursery caregivers during the 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. worship service
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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