CONTENTS
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Last Call to Sign Up for VBS!
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VBS Starts August 10; Register by August 5
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Vacation Bible School is right around the corner--meaning there are only a few days left to register your child for our week of "Hometown Nazareth" fun!
The deadline to register for VBS is this coming Wednesday, August 5. Registration is available online. A downloadable paper form is available here.
Held from Monday, August 10 to Friday, August 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., this year's VBS will take children on a journey back in time to Nazareth, the town where Jesus grew up as a child. Your kids won't want to miss the week of learning, singing, and great activities we have planned!
Registration deadline:
Wednesday, August 5
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Do You Have Time in the Morning August 10-14?
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Do you or your high-school or college-aged children love working with kids? Come volunteer at Vacation Bible School the week of August 10!
We are still in need of adult volunteers to help in our preschool classrooms and for high-school or college-aged students to help lead our grade school groups from place to place throughout the mornings. VBS is held in the mornings--from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.--August 10-14. If you have some time that week, please let us know!
For more information or to sign up, contact Matt Helms (312.573.3362).
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Make a Trip to the Urban Farm This Weekend!
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Fresh, organic produce is offered for sale throughout the summer at the farmstand at the Chicago Lights Urban Farm (444 W. Chicago Ave.).
Stop by on Saturdays anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to pick out fresh veggies harvested directly from the Urban Farm! Produce typically available includes lettuce, mixed greens, edible flowers, mint, chives, strawberries, tomatoes, and a variety of herbs.
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Let Us Know You Are Here!
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As part of the ongoing work to improve the functionality and integrity of our church database, we are--as mentioned earlier this summer--reaching out to members, one small segment at a time, to ask them to please update their basic member information. That project, which will continue into the fall, is helping us ensure that the database can serve as a more effective tool for the church and members to build connections with one another
Another part of the database project is recording all the information entered on the pads at the end of each pew. Previously it was primarily visitor information and updated contact details that were recorded, but now those who simply sign the pads are also recorded as attending worship that day.
It is our hope that you will sign the pad each week that you are in worship so that we might know you are with us--and when your contact information changes, that you will indicate that as well, so that we might continue to stay in touch with you as an important part of this faith community.
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Weekly, Monthly, or Bimonthly Meetings Available
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Looking for a new educational opportunity? Fourth Church offers four different Bible study groups during the year!
Our newest women's Bible study, Weekly Seeds at Fourth, meets every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 5F of the Gratz Center. The class follows a United Church of Christ lectionary-based curriculum, and participants review the focus Bible passage, examine the attached reflection, and share thoughts about the in-depth questions that are provided.
If you're interested in a women's Bible study but can only commit to monthly meetings, check out Presbyterian Women's Bible study, which is based on the guide from Horizons magazine. This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon in Room 4J of the Gratz Center.
Our men's Bible study meets bimonthly, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 a.m. in the Loop. Participants focus on lectionary readings read from the Fourth Church pulpit.
For more information or to sign up for these Bible study groups, contact Anne Ellis (312.573.3369).
Save the date: "Faith Today," our weekly Bible study offered through the Center for Life and Learning, resumes Wednesday, September 16 at 11:30 a.m. This "hybrid" study group is part fellowship, part practice of the ancient prayer style of lectio divina, part learning about scripture, and part prayers of the people. Led by CLL Program Coordinator Susan Quaintance, this class is open to people of all ages and faiths on a drop-in basis; no RSVP is required.
For more information about "Faith Today," contact Susan Quaintance (312.981.3386).
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Worship This Week
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 Passages |
Birth
We give thanks to God for the gift of new life.
Henrik David Hayes, son of Bridgette and Eric Hayes
Death
We give thanks to God for the gift of eternal life.
Jon Charles Warner, July 4, 2015
A memorial service was held on Thursday, July 16 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Wedding
We give thanks to God for the gift of life together.
Christina Winans and Daniel Burke, July 25, 2015
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Concerts at Fourth Church
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Music by the Fountain
In July and August, free Friday Noonday concerts are held outdoors by the fountain in the courtyard off Michigan Avenue.
Friday, August 7, 2015Charles Thomas, vocalist Scott Hesse, guitarist 12:10 p.m. in the courtyard Friday, August 14, 2015 Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, cabaret duo 12:10 p.m. in the courtyard Friday, August 21, 2015Milan and the Sour Goat 12:10 p.m. in the courtyard Friday, August 28, 2015Laura Freeman and Beckie Menzie: Broadway Classics 12:10 p.m. in the courtyard 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
Tutors to youth living temporarily in the Cook County Detention Center on mornings or afternoons, twice a week.
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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