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CONTENTS
Ash Wednesday Services
A Mosaic Exploration
Conversations about Living and Dying Well
Deadline for the "Racial Reconciliation" Trip
Kid Fun with Joel Frankel
Family Night--with Animals!
A Farewell Reception for Liz Nickerson
Sunlight Project Hotline Training
oneAsh Wednesday Services 
Opportunities to Reflect This Lenten Season

We begin our Lenten journey this coming Wednesday, February 18. Ash Wednesday services will be held at 12:10 and 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary and will include Communion as well as opportunity for the imposition of ashes.

 

Preceding the Ash Wednesday 7:30 p.m. service, a hosted labyrinth walk will take place from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.

 

On subsequent Wednesdays, Lenten Midweek services will be held through March 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.

 

All are invited to these worship opportunities this Lenten season!

 

We also invite you to use our daily Lenten devotions in this season of reflecting upon and deepening our relationship with God. To receive the Lenten devotions by email (if you are not already receiving our devotions), send addresses to [email protected].

 

two"Healing and Faith"
A New Adult Education Opportunity

What role does faith play in the response to illness?

 

Beginning this Sunday at 11:00 a.m., the six-week Academy for Faith and Life class "Perspectives on Healing and Faith" will host a panel of distinguished instructors as we explore this question and more. Theologian Martin Marty will begin the series this Sunday by talking about "The Intersection of Compassion and Vulnerability," addressing practical matters in the lives of individuals, communities, and institutions.

 

Everyone is encouraged to attend all six sessions, but attendance is also welcome at selected presentations as schedules allow.

 

Register online here.

 

Time:

     Sundays, February 15-March 22

     11:00 a.m.

Place:

     Room 5G of the Gratz Center

 

threeA Mosaic Exploration
A Talk with the Chicago Mosaic School

Learn about mosaic making--and get an introduction to the art that will next be on display at Fourth Church--when representatives of the Chicago Mosaic School speak this Sunday, February 15 at 12:15 p.m. in Borwell Dining Room.

 

Karen Ami and Matteo Randi from CMS--the only classic mosaic school in the United States--will talk about the ancient art of mosaic making and how it is changing to fit the modern world. They'll also present on the art of European mosaic master Verdiano Marzi, whose artwork will be on exhibition in the Loggia this March.

 

We hope you'll join us for this free event!

 

Time:

     Sunday, February 15

     12:15 p.m.

Place:

     Borwell Dining Room

 

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Annual Midwinter Conference

Learn how to take a positive approach to discussing death and dying: join us for "Dying to Know: Life-Affirming Conversations about Living and Dying Well" on Saturday, February 28.

 

If you haven't already signed up for this Midwinter Conference of the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being, register by next Friday, February 20 to receive a discounted rate!

 

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 online here or by completing and mailing this form.

 

Time:

     Saturday, February 28

     9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Place:

     Buchanan Chapel

 

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fiveDeadline for the "Racial Reconciliation" Trip 
Applications Due This Sunday

This Sunday is the last day to register for the "Racial Reconciliation" mission trip taking place May 2-9! Trip participants will form a multiracial choir of members from Fourth Church and Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ and will perform in Cincinnati, Atlanta, Memphis, and Ferguson.

 

The tour will offer opportunity to promote dialogue toward racial reconciliation while building relationships with communities through the gift of music.

 

Participants are expected to attend four weekly gatherings in preparation for the trip. Information about the trip and the application are available online.

 

sixKid Fun with Joel Frankel 
Day School's Annual Benefit

Children and their families are invited to the annual Day School benefit on Saturday, February 28 for a fun-filled morning of singing and dancing with Joel Frankel, face painting, and more!
 

An open house of the Day School classrooms on the first floor of the Gratz Center, with refreshments served in Borwell Dining Room, will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Face painting will be held in the Commons. A music-and-dance performance with Joel Frankel will take place from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. in Anderson Hall.

 

We hope you'll join us for this family-friendly celebration! Donations received at the door will directly support Day School programming.

 

Time:

     Saturday, February 28

     9:30-11:15 a.m.

Place:

     First floor of the Gratz Center and Anderson Hall

 

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sevenFamily Night--with Animals!
An Evening with Animals for Awareness

A Family Night favorite will return this month as Animals for Awareness stops by for a fun evening on Friday, February 20! "Animal Night" will include dinner, a short scavenger hunt, and an animal show that in the past has included creatures such as talking parrots, snakes, a Fennec fox, a scentless skunk, and more.

 

Children and their families are invited to attend dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m., with the animal show taking place at 6:00 p.m. The evening will finish with opportunity for photos with a giant tortoise!

 

Time:

     Friday, February 20

     5:30-7:30 p.m.

Place:

     Borwell Dining Room

  

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eightA Farewell Reception for Liz Nickerson

A reception for Liz Nickerson will be held in Anderson Hall following this Sunday's Jazz at Four service, as it is her last Sunday with us as Interim Director of Worship and as Children and Family Ministry Coordinator. Liz has accepted a call to serve as Associate Pastor at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights.  

 

Come join us this Sunday as we wish her Godspeed in this new chapter in her ministry!

 

Time:

     Sunday, February 15

     5:00 p.m.

Place:

     Anderson Hall

  

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nineSunlight Project Hotline Training
An Orientation Session for Interested Volunteers

Opportunity to serve as a resource for victims of human trafficking is being offered through the Fourth Church Sunlight Project program, which addresses the human trafficking that happens through the sexual exploitation of children and youth in Chicago.

 

In partnership with STOP-IT, the project is looking for volunteers interested in working on a hotline that victims of human trafficking can call for support. An orientation session for interested volunteers will be held this coming Tuesday, February 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 4K.

 

For more information about this mission opportunity, contact Vicky Curtiss (312.981.3598).

 

Time:

     Tuesday, February 17

     6:30-8:30 p.m.

Place:

     Room 4K

  

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worshipWorship This Week
Sunday, February 15, 2015
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
     Psalm 30
     2 Kings 5:1-14

9:30 and 11:00 a.m. New Members (11:00)
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
     Psalm 50:1-6
     Mark 9:2-9

4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
John W. Vest, Associate Pastor, preaching
    "A True Story"
Scripture texts:
     Psalm 99
     Mark 9:2-9
 
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/2015/021515no.pdf

Sermons

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

 

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

Jack Thompson Mast,  

    son of Darren Mast and Jennifer Thompson

 

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

Ellis Murphy, January 28, 2015

A memorial service will be held this Saturday, February 14 at 11:00 a.m. in Buchanan Chapel.

 

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

 

Friday, February 20, 2015
Cory Tiffin, clarinetist
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

Friday, February 27, 2015
John W. W. Sherer, organist
(Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

 

Friday, March 6, 2015
Sherry Kim, pianist
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women

Friday, March 13, 2015
Christine Mild, vocalist
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

 

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