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CONTENTS
Souper Bowl Sunday!
Early-Bird Tickets to the Gala
Hosting the Ernie Banks Funeral
Hospitality Enhancement Workshop Postponed
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
"Dying to Know"
"Parenting in Faith"
"Chicago PD" at Fourth Church
oneSouper Bowl Sunday! 
Support the Social Service Center

This Sunday Fourth Church sixth and seventh graders will be collecting monetary contributions and nonperishable food items for the Souper Bowl of Caring--a national grassroots, faith-based campaign against hunger.

 

This year our Elevation youth are again joining other churches, schools, organizations, and individuals across the country in this fight against hunger and poverty, with proceeds from the Fourth Church collection supporting the food programs of the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center.

 

So look for Fourth Church youth carrying large soup pots this Sunday following morning worship services and help end hunger in our community!

 

twoYouth Leading Worship
Confirmation and Senior Highs at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Eighth graders in the Confirmation class at Fourth Church have been busy planning and writing the liturgy for this Sunday's 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services!

Senior High youth will lead the service at 9:30 a.m., and those in eighth-grade Confirmation will lead at 11:00 a.m., with youth also sharing their reflections--in place of the sermon--with the congregation. The youth will also be taking part in serving Communion.

 

We hope you will join us that morning as we, as a community, live out the promise we made to these youth in their baptism to support and nurture them to be faithful disciples. Eighth-grade youth will make their affirmation of faith when they are confirmed on Sunday, April 12.

 

threeEarly-Bird Tickets to the Gala
Discounted Tickets Available until February 6

Next Friday, February 6 is the last day to take advantage of early-bird ticket rates to Gala of Hope, the fun-filled evening benefiting Chicago Lights, the local mission arm of Fourth Church, and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being.

 

Tickets are selling fast and seating is limited, so if you haven't done so already, make your reservations now

 

This year's Gala of Hope--formerly known as Carnaval--will again be held at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Festivities will include dinner, dessert, and complimentary beverages; live music courtesy of the gala-favorite Ken Arlen Orchestra; silent and live auctions; a Mystery Wine Sale; a Spring Splendor Drawing; and more.

Time:

     Friday, March 6

     5:30 p.m.
Place: 

     Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (221 N. Columbus Dr.)

 

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Fourth Church is honored to be a part of celebrating the life of Ernie Banks, with today's visitation until 8:00 p.m. and tomorrow's funeral at 10:00 a.m., both in the Sanctuary.

 

While there is limited public seating for the funeral, it will be televised live on WGN News, with the broadcast beginning at 9:30 a.m. It will also air on CLTV and stream online at wgntv.com.

 

To all the ushers and other volunteers who are making it possible to extend this hospitality to those in attendance, thank you!

 

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fiveHospitality Enhancement Workshop Postponed 

The Hospitality Enhancement Workshop originally scheduled for Saturday, January 31 has been postponed so that Fourth Church ushers and greeters might provide hospitality that day to the Ernie Banks family, the Chicago Cubs organization, and all those attending the funeral for Ernie Banks (see above).       

 

A new date for the workshop is currently being scheduled; details will be posted as soon as they are available.

 

sixAnnual Meeting of the Congregation 
Meeting and Luncheon: Sunday, February 8

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held next Sunday, February 8 following the 11:00 a.m. service. As part of the meeting, the congregation will elect new officers.

 

All members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting. Child care will be provided.

 

Following the Annual Meeting, all are invited to an intergenerational luncheon with an Italian-themed menu and homemade cupcakes. Tickets for this meal are available at the reception desk.

 

We hope you'll join us for this important time in the life of Fourth Church!

 

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seven"Dying to Know"
Replogle Center Midwinter Conference

Have you registered for annual Midwinter Conference "Dying to Know: Life-Affirming Conversations about Living and Dying Well"? Offered through the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being, this February 28 conference at Fourth Church will take a positive approach to discussing death and dying.

 

Through information, insight, and humor, "Dying to Know" will aim to creative a safe--and even uplifting--space for inquiry into the many questions and emotions regarding death that often go unexamined and unexpressed in our culture.

 

Register before February 20 to receive a discount! Register online here or by completing and mailing the form here.

 

Time:

     Saturday, February 28

     9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Place:

     Gratz Center

  

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eight"Parenting in Faith"
A Family-Enrichment Series

Strengthen your family and get to know other parents at Fourth Church through the weekly "Parenting in Faith" series! Typically held every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 4G, this free series equips parents with the tools they will find helpful in raising a healthy family and forming a supportive community.

 

No RSVP is necessary for any of the sessions; participants are encouraged to attend as their schedules allow.

 

Faith Formation Workshop

First Sundays

Next Meeting: February 1

Each month this group focuses on a different aspect of parents' faith so that they can be better prepared to help their children develop their faith.

 

Mindful Parenting

Second Sundays

Next Meeting: February 8

This gathering, led by Sue Schemper of the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being, centers on mindful, creative, and effective parenting techniques.

 

Connect as a Community

Third Sundays

Next Meeting: February 15

Get to know other parents through this intentional opportunity of casual conversation and fellowship.

 

Enriching Relationships

Fourth Sundays

Next Meeting: February 22

This series, led by Rachael L. Miller of the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being, helps partners and spouses grow and deepen their relationship with one another.

  

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nine"Chicago PD" at Fourth Church

The television show Chicago PD recently filmed at Fourth Church! The episode including the segment is scheduled to air this coming Wednesday, February 4 at 9:00 p.m. on NBC.

 

Check it out and see if you can spot Fourth Church!

 

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worshipWorship This Week
Sunday, February 1, 2015
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
     Psalm 111
     1 Corinthians 8:1-13

9:30 and 11:00 a.m. 
Youth of Fourth Church leading
    "Reflections from Our Youth"
Scripture texts:
     Psalm 111
     Mark 1:21-28

4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Elizabeth Nickerson, Interim Director of Worship, preaching
    "A New Teaching"
Scripture texts:
     Psalm 111
     Mark 1:21-28
 
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/2015/020115no.pdf

Sermons

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

 

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

Saturday, January 31, 2015
St. Olaf Choir
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Tickets available through St. Olaf College
wp.stolaf.edu | 800.363.5487

 

Friday, February 6, 2015

Kithara Trio

Susan Saylor, flutist

Jill Kaeding, cellist

Faye Seeman, harpist

12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women

 

Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Chicago Ensemble
7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel  

Tickets available through Chicago Ensemble
www.thechicagoensemble.org | 773.558.3448

 

Friday, February 13, 2015
Thomas Gouwens, organist
(Associate Organist at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

 

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

Helpers to assist with the Identity Arts program and Melting Pot Cooking Club at the Chicago Lights Urban Farm 

Volunteers will help foster creativity and positivity through making art with middle school students or help teach students about the joys of healthy cooking and eating. More information about each opportunity is available online.

 

Books Nook attendants to staff the Book Nook at Coffee Hour on Sunday mornings on a rotating basis

Volunteers set up the book cart and table before Coffee Hour begins, help people select books, and process sales. Prospective volunteers need to be members of Fourth Church and can sign up for one of the following shifts: Sundays, 8:55-9:30 a.m., 10:25-11:00 a.m., or 11:55 a.m.-12:45 p.m. 

  

Audio recording equipment operators for Sunday morning worship services  

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

 

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.
 

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